On Monday, 31st March, our Year 9 Japanese students had the incredible opportunity to visit the Japan Foundation, where they experienced a hands-on introduction to Japanese traditions, customs, and festivals.

As part of the immersive experience, students were given the chance to wear yukata, a traditional Japanese summer kimono, typically worn during festivals such as Obon. The students looked fantastic in their yukata, and this activity offered them a unique way to connect with the cultural practices they had been learning about in class.

Students learned about the yatai, or traditional festival stalls, which offer a variety of fun games, food, and entertainment during Matsuri events. Students had the chance to engage with the types of games commonly played at Matsuri, such as goldfish scooping and ring toss, which added an extra layer of excitement to the day. They also learned the typical expressions used in these festival settings, like “Irasshai!” (welcome!), “Kudasai!” (please!) and “Omedetou” (congratulations), as they got hands-on experience with the games and activities.

Our Year 9 students’ visit to the Japan Foundation was an unforgettable experience that brought their Japanese language studies to life. With future cultural events and more opportunities to learn, the Year 9 Japanese students are on an exciting path to becoming true cultural ambassadors!