Jissen Guaken Trip 2024

We arrived in Tokyo on the 18th of January, after eleven hours flight. It was great meeting the host families and some of the Jissen Guaken staff members.

The school was well prepared to welcome us with a beautiful ceremony, which made us feel like rock stars. They took us around the campus and soon, our students were taking part in classroom activities. Their activities included cooking classes, dressing up in traditional Japanese clothes, sports, Japanese calligraphy and tea ceremony as well as core subjects. We also had a chance to do a presentation about New Zealand and introduced the Pukana game.

Our students were very well looked after by their host families and the school, as well by the students, who were so friendly.

One of the highlights of our visit was a two-hour trip to Lake Kawaguchi to see Mt Fuji. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t help but could see it for about five minutes. The trip also gave us the opportunity to see a little bit of the countryside.

As for me, the teachers took me to some amazing places in Tokyo, including the National Museum, Tokyo City View Tower, Shibuya Crossing and also to incredible restaurants.

It was hard to say goodbye after our ten days and again, the whole school and many parents came together to farewell us with a beautiful ceremony, including a haka performed by the Jissen Guaken students. Our students also delivered a great speech each and sang “Ko Te Waiponamu”.

Many thanks for the opportunity to visit Jissen Guaken. We all made friends for life, and we look forward to meeting them again.  

Rosimeire Cookson