One-day bus trip to Chichibu

31 Oct 2024

1. HOME
2. News
3. One-day bus trip to Chichibu

On October 28, 39 international students studying at Gakushuin University and Boys' Senior High School participated in a one-day bus trip to Chichibu, north of Tokyo. Supported by Kasumi Kaikan, this trip was to provide an opportunity for international students to learn Japanese traditional culture.

"Washino Sato" Japanese paper museum

The bus first took the party to "Washino Sato" Japanese paper museum in Higashichichibu Village.

In this site, you find a papermaking house with a thatched roof and a Japanese garden, which remind you of the atmosphere of the Edo period, shops selling local specialties, a restaurant, and a food court. You can enjoy yourself doing all sorts of different things, such as papermaking, eating, and walking around.

Japanese papermaking

Higashichichibu Village produces "Hosokawashi," Japanese handmade paper designated as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The students tried to make the traditional paper in Washino Sato where the tradition of Japanese papermaking has been preserved to date.

In the beginning, a craftsman gave a presentation on Japanese paper.

Then, they moved to a studio where each of the students made paper as guided by artisans.

Standing in front of "Sukifune," a vat containing kozo, a paper material made from plant, and water, they moved "Suketa," a papermaking mold, back and forth to make an even surface.

It was the first time for everybody to make paper. They enjoyed the feel of the paper material they had never experienced before.

"It was a new experience and I learned a lot by making paper by myself," a student commented.

The photos below show paper they made.

Lunch time

For lunch, the students had udon noodles and tempra in Washino Sato. They were pleased to eat the real Japanese cuisine.

Chichibu Shrine

The second destination was Chichibu Shrine believed to be founded 2000 years ago. The inner shrine was re-built by Tokugawa Ieyasu.

In the free time, the students enjoyed worship and "omikuji" fortune-telling lots.

Chichibu Festival Museum

Finally, the party visited the Chichibu Festival Museum, where you can feel the sense of festivals in Chichibu, including the Chichibu Night Festival, one of the most popular float festival in Japan, which is annually held in December.

The students were surprised at the magnificent and beautiful Yatai and Kasaboko (Traditional Japanese festival float and flower parasol) displayed in the museum. With the projection mapping showing the images of the Night Festival, they could feel as if they had actually been enjoying the festival.

Having completed the entire route in the evening, the party left Chichibu for home.

Participants gave the following feedback.

"The bus trip was comfortable and I was able to go to places I can't go by myself." "On the bus, I was able to chat with other international students I had not talked before."

Hopefully, this trip will be a good memory of learning Japanese traditional culture and spending good time with nice friends.