- 5/20/2026
On Saturday, May 16, 2026, we held an intercultural study tour, during which a total of 62 students—including 20 exchange students, 21 full-time international students, and 21 Japanese students—visited Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture.
This program is held annually with the aim of deepening international students’ understanding of Japanese culture and local communities, while also promoting interaction between international and Japanese students so that international students are given an opportunity to make Japanese friends. This year, we chose Onomichi as the destination because it is a region where participants can experience Japanese history and culture through its historic temples and traditional townscapes.
On the day of the event, Japanese students served as leaders, forming groups of four to five people that included exchange students and full-time international students. The student leaders were given a pre-event training session, where they learned about managing the day’s activities and key considerations for intercultural communication. The engagement of this pre-event training session was done in hopes of promoting leadership and intercultural adaptation skills for the Japanese students in charge of their groups.
In Onomichi, while enjoying the views from Senkoji Park and strolling through the Onomichi shopping district, each group experienced the unique culinary culture and local charms of Onomichi.
In the afternoon, we toured Jodo-ji Temple and participated in a workshop to make “omamori” (good-luck charms).
International students who participated in the “omamori” workshop shared their thoughts on their experiences with Japanese culture, saying things like, “The experience at the temple—something I rarely get to do—left a lasting impression on me,” and “I was happy to be able to make my own amulet.” Japanese students also commented, “Opportunities to interact with international students in English arose, which was a great learning experience,” and “We spent time talking a lot together and were able to become friends,” making it an opportunity for students to deepen their bonds while having fun.
We will continue to provide opportunities for international and Japanese students to deepen their mutual understanding and experience diverse cultures.