An Unforgettable Cultural Experience

In October, eight Rowville Secondary College students, accompanied by Principal Ms. Nicole Pryor and Assistant Principal Ms. Kate Phillips, travelled to Japan for an unforgettable two-week adventure combining sightseeing, cultural experiences and an enriching student exchange with our sister school community in Seto City.

From the vibrant streets of Tokyo to the historic landmarks of Hiroshima and the warm hospitality of their Japanese host families, the trip provided students with an incredible opportunity to explore Japan, experience everyday Japanese life and build lasting international connections.

Week 1: Exploring Tokyo and Hiroshima

The group departed Melbourne in the early hours of Tuesday 6 October, travelling via Hong Kong before arriving in Tokyo at approximately 1.30pm. After transferring by local train and bus to their hotel in Shinjuku, students saw the Giant 3D cat, Kabukicho & Godzilla head roar, and then enjoyed a welcome dinner followed by seeing the spectacular city views from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck and the incredible Tokyo Night and light show.

Over the following days, students explored many of Tokyo’s famous landmarks and vibrant neighbourhoods. Highlights included the Kaminarimon Gate & Nakamise-dori, Toyko’s oldest temple, the Senso-Ji temple,  Meiji Jingu Shrine, Harajuku and the bustling Takeshita Street, as well as the iconic Shibuya Scramble Crossing. They also visited Pokemon Centre in Shibuya.

Students immersed themselves in the art attraction of teamLab Planets and Akihabara, renowned for its electronics stores, video games, anime and manga culture. 

Their final day in Tokyo included a visit to the lively Tsukiji Outer Market and Shinjuku Gyoen National Park, a delicious dinner in Korea Town and alot of fun singing Karoke in Shinjuku.

The group then boarded Japan’s famous Shinkansen bullet train and travelled to Hiroshima for two days of history, reflection and exploration.

A visit to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum provided students with a valuable opportunity to learn about the history of the atomic bombing and reflect on the importance of peace. The group also travelled by ferry to the beautiful island of Miyajima, where they visited the iconic Itsukushima Shrine, explored temples, encountered the island’s resident deer and admired the views of Mount Misen.

Week 2: School Exchange and Cultural Experiences in Seto City

Leaving Hiroshima behind, the group travelled by bullet train to Nagoya before continuing to Seto City, where they were warmly welcomed by their wonderful Japanese host families.

The second week focused on cultural exchange and experiencing everyday Japanese school life. Students attended classes at Hatayama Junior High School and Minamiyama Junior High School, participating in lessons and gaining valuable insight into the Japanese education system. They also had the opportunity to teach Japanese students about Australian culture, sharing their own experiences and helping strengthen connections between the two school communities.

Students immersed themselves in traditional Japanese culture through a Japanese tea ceremony, Yukata dressing and calligraphy activities. They also participated in physical education classes, enjoying the opportunity to learn and interact alongside their Japanese peers.

During their stay, the group met the Mayor and Superintendent of Education at Seto City Hall, an exciting opportunity to connect with local leaders and learn more about the community.

The group also visited Ghibli Park, bringing the imaginative worlds of Studio Ghibli to life, and the Toyota Automobile Museum, where students explored Japan’s automotive history and innovation.

Friday included further school classes and lunch with their Japanese classmates, followed by ceramic painting and shopping at Setogura Ceramic Plaza. As Seto City is renowned for its ceramic heritage, this was a particularly special opportunity to experience one of the region’s traditional crafts.

On Saturday, students spent the day with their host families, enjoying a more personal insight into Japanese family life, local customs and traditions.

The trip concluded with a farewell party at Hatayama Junior High School, providing a special opportunity for students to celebrate the friendships and connections they had developed before departing for the airport and beginning their journey home.

An Experience to Remember

The 2026 Japan Trip was an incredible opportunity for our students to broaden their horizons, experience a different culture and develop greater independence and confidence.

From exploring world-famous landmarks and learning about Japan’s history to attending school, sharing Australian culture and staying with host families, every experience contributed to a truly memorable journey.

We thank our sister school communities, host families and everyone involved in making this exchange possible. We also extend our appreciation to Ms. Pryor and Ms. Phillips for accompanying our students and supporting them throughout this enriching experience.

We hope our students return home with wonderful memories, new friendships and a deeper appreciation of Japanese culture and the value of international connections.