University of the Ryukyus

The Field Trip for International Students is carried out in December every year in order to provide them with opportunities to understand differences between Okinawa and the mainland Japan in cultures, histories, environments and so on.

Participating international students were mainly those in the final year of the Graduate Schools (Master's and Doctoral Programs) and the undergraduate programs and 42 students from 18 countries in total joined this year's trip, accompanied by three staff members.

Since there are not many places in Okinawa where international students can learn about the Japanese history, Students visited some temples and historical sites in Nara and Kyoto Prefectures. They were impressed with stateliness of historic buildings, trees surrounding them and so on and this trip gave them wonderful opportunities to experience unique Japanese culture.

On the first night, participating students enjoyed a hot spring, "onsen", at the hotel and had wonderful time at the Japanese "nabe (pot)" dinner and "karaoke" party. Through this trip, they became more friendly and made precious memories of Japan.

1. Schedule: December 10 (Thu.)～12 (Sat.), 2009
   Dec. 10 (Thu.)
   Okinawa － Kansai Airport － Hieizan Enryakuji Temple － Biwako Grand Hotel
   
   Dec. 11 (Fri.)
   Sanzenin Temple － Kinkakuji Temple － Arashiyama － Nijo Castle － Nishiki Market － Shinhankyu Grand Hotel
   
   Dec. 12 (Sat.)
   Kiyomizu-dera Temple － Nara Todaiji Temple － Osaka (Nanba) － Kansai Airport － Okinawa
   
2. Destination: Kansai Area (Shiga, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka Prefectures)