Japan Study Tour
The 2026 Japan Study Tour was a truly phenomenal experience. 13 students across years 9-11 and three staff members travelled to Japan for 2 weeks from the first of April until the 13th of April. Over the course of the course of the trip, students bonded, banter flowed, laughs were had, and memories were made!
Beginning in Tokyo, a city where the ancient meets the modern age, we enjoyed tours of the iconic Shibuya crossing and exploration through Shinjuku. In memory of the magnitude 9 earthquake in 2011, we went to the Earthquake museum where students and staff could experience a 30 second physical simulation of the earthquake. Despite the rainy weather, a stunningly beautiful ride on the famous Hakone Ropeway had everyone feeling as if we were floating through the clouds. But of the time in Tokyo, Disneyland was a clear winner amongst the students! A clear sunny day, and freedom to explore the park and go on the various attractions made for an unforgettable part of this trip for both students and staff.
After several hours seeing the Japanese countryside on a Shinkansen (bullet train), we found ourselves in Hiroshima were students were able to experience both cooking and eating of okonomiyaki for the first time! This savoury pancake had everyone’s mouths watering and left us satisfied but wanting more! Then, off to the Peace Museum and adjoining parks. Learning about the history and the damage wrought to the city and seeing it rebuilt into the bustling and flourishing city it is today was a humbling experience but one that filled us with hope that from war there is the possibility of peace and rebirth. Students were also able to make their own Momiji Manju (a maple leaf shaped Japanese sweet), after which everyone very clearly enjoyed the fruits of their labour.
We finished our trip in Kyoto where students visited and felt the reverence in many famous temples and UNESCO World Heritage Cites. This included a daytrip to Todaiji Temple Nara, through a particular grace of luck, we visited here on Budha’s birthday and enjoyed the amazing architecture and statues. Much to everyone’s amusement, we then proceeded to be attacked by the very deer we were trying to feed in the surrounding Nara Park. The highlight of the Kyoto trip were the three days spent with our sister-school Seibo Gakuin, where students had the opportunity to create lasting friendships with fellow students and experience what a Japanese High School is like. We enjoyed various performances from some of the school clubs – these included the Dance Club (ranked number 4 in Japan for their age group), the Hand Bells Club, one of the many bands as well as the Chorus Club.
Over the course of the two weeks, students were able to not only enjoy a foreign culture with their friends, but to learn about what makes Australia and Japan different as well as build lasting relationships with both St Aloysius peers and of Seibo Gakuin. Students learned the importance of teamwork, cooperation, problem-solving, and cross-cultural significance. A fantastic experience that both students and staff will never forget!
Bina Sensei, Ms Daunt, Ms Milosovska