Art, Design and Languages – Japan Tour 2025

Over the holidays, 21 students embarked on an unforgettable 11-day journey through Japan, immersing themselves in its rich culture, history, and modern wonders.

Our adventure began in Tokyo, where we enjoyed five vibrant days exploring the city’s cultural landmarks and trendy neighbourhoods. Highlights included a visit to the peaceful Meiji Shrine in Harajuku, followed by a lively walk through the colourful Takeshita Street. Students were especially captivated by Tokyo’s unique pet cafés, offering encounters with everything from owls and chinchillas to piglets and snakes.

In Shibuya, we navigated the iconic scramble crossing and paid tribute at the Hachiko Statue. A special cultural experience came with attending a sumo wrestling training session—an inspiring glimpse into this ancient tradition. We found serenity at Sensoji Temple in Asakusa and wandered the nostalgic streets of Yanaka, contrasting the bustling city with a touch of old-world charm.

A hands-on highlight in Tokyo was gaining insight into how realistic food samples are made. Students crafted their own wax prawn tempura, discovering the artistry behind this uniquely Japanese craft. Another standout experience was our visit to teamLab Borderless museum, where students interacted with mesmerising digital art installations. The Sketch Aquarium, where they saw their own drawings swim to life, was a particular favourite. Cultural enrichment continued through visits to the Tokyo National Museum, Mori Art Museum, Watari-um, and 21_21 Design Sight, along with a fun session designing ramen bowls.

A special connection was made at Kogakuin Senior High School, a fellow Round Square institution. Students attended classes and shared meaningful exchanges with their Japanese peers, building friendships and global understanding.

Midway through our trip, we boarded the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto, catching a glimpse of Mount Fuji along the way. In Kyoto, we explored the stunning Fushimi Inari Shrine with its 10,000 red torii gates, the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji), historic Nijo Castle, and the lively Nishiki Markets. We also took part in a traditional pottery workshop, where students created their own ceramics using techniques handed down through generations. Another creative highlight was a manga drawing workshop, where students learned from local artists and tried their hand at illustrating in this iconic Japanese style.

From Kyoto, we continued to Okayama, where students were excited to be staying just steps away from a large shopping centre. The following day took us to Naoshima Island, an artistic haven known for its striking architecture by Tadao Ando and the famous yellow pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama. At the Benesse House and Chichu Art Museum, students viewed works by Monet, Basquiat, and Rauschenberg, rounding out a rich journey in the arts. We closed our tour with a joyful Japanese BBQ dinner and heartfelt goodbyes to our lovely guide, Mika.

This tour offered an exceptional opportunity for our Art, Design, and Language students to engage deeply with the beauty, innovation, and traditions of Japanese culture. Thank you to dedicated staff—Melissa Boyd (Deputy Principal), Harriett Clark (Teacher, Technology and Applied Studies), Jake Morrissey (Teacher, Design Art and Technology) and Lucy Pero (Teacher, Visual Arts) – whose energy and guidance made the journey so memorable. We are also incredibly grateful to all the families for their support in making this once-in-a-lifetime experience a reality.

– Natasha Collins
Assistant Head of Department – Languages

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