1985 School Magazine

1985 JAPAN TOUR On Thursday, 6th June, 1985, Mr and Mrs Hancock, Mrs Duncan and 20 girls departed to participate in the celebrations of the 60th Anniversary of our sister school, Hirayama Gakuen Tsushima Girls' High School, in Nagoya, Japan. It was a great opportunity, an honour and a privilege to be able to celebrate, sightsee, and establish many new friendships. Excitement was at a high, and not even the prospect of spending nine-and-a-half-hours, cramped in a plane, could dampen our feelings. After a very entertaining flight to Japan, we finally arrived at Narita Airport at 6.00p.m., to be greeted by our tourist guide and several staff members from our sister school. As we woke at 4.30a.m. , because the summer sun was extremely bright, we decided on an early morning walk, and did we find some interesting discoveries, like McDonalds, Wendys and Mister Donut. However, we settled for a Western breakfast at the Hotel. Well, 7th June was full of rather funny experiences, like carrying all our luggage up and down numerous flights of steep stairs in several stations, then proceeding to catch overcrowded trains. At least the Shinkanse (bullet train) ride was a little more civilised, as we actually sat down!! . Catching a bus and a peak-hour train to our Tokyo Hotel was quite an experience when you are almost asleep.

After arriving at Nagoya Station, we travelled to Tsushima City, where we enjoyed a welcome lunch at a traditional Japanese restaurant. Here, we were given a set menu of eight pieces of raw fish, rice, bean-curd, raw egg, soya sauce, leaf, tempura, saki/plum dessert and of course, green tea. I must admit, I kept reminding myself how good the food must be if 120 million people eat and enjoy it!! After this interesting lunch, we arrived at our sister school, where we were introduced to our homestays. My homestay, Makiko, and her mother didn't realise that I could not speak any Japanese, so this was a slight problem. However, I was determined to really enjoy myself and have a fantastic time, and indeed I did. After a few tries at communication in Japanese, I discovered I was very WRONG, so straight away out came the English/Japanese dictionaries and our hands went full-speed into sign language. Makiko and her family were wonderful. They tried so hard to communicate and help me with their traditions and customs, from cleaning Buddhist shrines, tO experiencing the night life, . like discos, night clubs and Pachinko parlours. (I must confess you must be older than du-nachi to enter!!)

We left our sister school students, while touring central Japan, which comprises Tokyo, with its neighbouring areas Kyoto, Nara, Toba, and the Fuji-Hakone area. My first impressions of Tokyo were a little disappointing, as it was like walking through a concrete jungle with neon signs flashing madly. Nara, otherwise known as the classical city, was the cradle of arts, crafts and literature. It has many magnificent palaces, temples, shrines, and mansions, with elaborately designed gardens. Kyoto is steeped in both history and culture. While in Kyoto, we met our Japanese 1983 Exchange Student, Kayoko Sugimoto. The Fuji-Hakone National Park is an all-season recreation land. It is noted for its mountain scenery and hot spring resorts. Throughout the tour, we stayed in several Japanese Ryokans, which I'm sure hold a lot of memories for most girls, for example, experiencing the unique communal baths!

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