See their explorations
Who participated
A national science museum within the Tokyo Academic Park, born as a center for deepening the understanding of science and technology.
At Miraikan, the kids learned about the world from a scientific viewpoint, and had fun interacting with a recently developed Japanese robot. Can people and robots coexist? What are the most important things for creating a "Better Future?" The kids were filled with ideas for their discussion the following day.
Learning a lot about the earth too!
Click, click, click. Capturing the newest technology.
ASIMO, the humanoid robot, appears.
ASIMO's movements were surprisingly human-like.
- We need to be smart to live together with robots to help us.
- We also need to work to keep our world beautiful.
Part of Tokyo's "old town" with all the charm of the Edo Period, symbolized by the Kaminarimon Gate and Sensouji Temple. That's what makes it popular with both Japanese and overseas visitors.
In contrast with the image of Tokyo's cutting-edge surroundings and technologies, Asakusa preserves the feeling of Japan's olden days. The kids visited Sensouji Temple and Nakamise street, one of the oldest shopping centers in Japan.
And, Rickshaw drivers, who know all there is to know about Asakusa, also provided a rickshaw experience with lots of info about the area, its history, and its surroundings.
A commemorative photo at Sensouji Temple.
Nakamise Street was vibrant and full of life.
Learning about Asakusa's history and rickshaws.
Riding around Asakusa streets with friends!
- Seeing how the town preserves its traditions and culture was truly wonderful.
- Pulling a rickshaw is hard work, but we hope this ecological transport will be here long into the future.
A variety of Japan's traditional arts can be experienced in the wonderful surroundings of Asakusa. Foreign tourists are also fond of hands-on classes where they can learn calligraphy, the tea ceremony, glasswork, and Japanese sweets.
The kids enjoyed experiencing calligraphy and writing onto lanterns. Calligraphy taught them the basics of using a brush, ink, and Japanese paper, and they were able to write whatever they wanted with Kanji characters.
In the days when lighting came mainly from candles or oil, people used lanterns in their homes. The kids enjoyed making their own original lanterns, using Japanese paper and any words or pictures they wanted.
Our future will be "Happy" (left) and "Beautiful" (right)!
What shall I write on my lantern?
Did you come up with a good design?
Look at my beautiful lantern!
- Kanji characters are interesting because every character has a meaning.
- It was fun because there were so many workshops to experience the Japanese spirit.
The first Kabukiza opened in 1889. It also included a gallery where people from other countries could comfortably enjoy the world of Kabuki.
Backed by about 400 years of history, Japan's Kabuki is universally attractive because of its beautiful style, its graceful manner, and its unique makeup. The kids were able to experience the practice of the Kabuki performers. After learning the strict manners, they were also able to challenge an actual performance.
It's a lot of work just wearing the yukata (kimono).
They learned the greetings and etiquette of Kabuki.
They enjoyed performing in perfect sync.
That's Japanese boys!
They are dancing cool in yukata.
- Complex greetings and behavior are inherited even today. Wonderful!
- Wearing a yukata made us feel just like Japanese performers.
Realistic-looking food samples first became used as Japanese promotional tools from the Taisho era (starting in 1912) to the early Showa era (starting in 1926). They are now drawing attention as an art form in other countries.
Colorful examples of food are lined up in glass cases outside Japanese restaurants. These are actually carefully crafted models of the food that is served there. The kids were able to experience making these "food samples." Using wax, craftsmen reproduce these dishes so they appear just like actual food. The kids prepared samples of food such as shredded cabbage and tempura.
Following this, the kids observed a Japanese festival to enjoy Japanese culture in traditional neighborhoods.
Sample preparation begins, using wax.
Cabbage was quickly created!
There was also realistic-looking bread.
Everyone walked around Kagurazaka in a festival mood.
- Everyone was thrilled by Japan's elaborate craftsmanship.
- There were many traditional items, like lanterns and yukata, at the festival. We hope these customs will be preserved.
MEGAWEB is a display showroom and theme park operated by Toyota Motor Corporation. It consists of a variety of content, including a zone where visitors can see and use advanced technologies, and a zone where everyone can experience Paralympic Sports, which Toyota supports.
Here, the kids were able to challenge floor hockey, and Paralympic sports such as boccia and wheelchair basketball, and learn about a wide range of advanced automotive technologies for the environment and safety. "MEGA Theater" also provided them with exciting realism combining dynamic racing car images and a virtual reality sensation.
In their first game of boccia, everyone takes careful aim.
Riding in a wheelchair makes the goal feel so far away.
So many cars to see. So exciting!
Just sitting in these cars makes me feel like a driver.
- Experiencing Paralympic sports makes you want to increase the barrier-free facilities of the world's towns.
- Observing next-generation cars, we can imagine that cars of the future will be even gentler on the environment.
Nihonbashi has a rich history, stretching back to the Edo Period, as a center for commerce and culture. Development is proceeding in order to reactivate this tradition and culture, starting with COREDO Nihonbashi.
Nihonbashi has a long history as the center of Japanese industry. What kind of town creation will it greet the future with? The kids learned about the "Nihonbashi Reconstruction Plan" and walk around the actual town.
They also visit the COREDO Nihonbashi Art Aquarium to enjoy the Japanese sense of beauty against a multicolored background of goldfish and carp.
Seeing the town from Nihonbashi Bridge.
Worshiping at Fukutoku Shrine.
The kids clapped their hands in prayer.
Enjoying the fantasy of the aquarium.
- Seeing shrines inside buildings, mixing the old and the new, the town has many eye-catching attractions.
- Everyone was interested in a town construction centering on the historic river and bridge of Nihonbashi.
As development continues in Nihonbashi, modern touches are added while the town preserves its role of transmitting Japanese culture. There are many spots where even Japanese visitors can learn about the country's traditions.
At COREDO Nihonbashi, the kids got to experience Japan's culinary culture, which is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Asset. They learned about "bonito soup stock," which serves as the basis of Japanese cooking. And they challenged the shaving of dried bonito fish, called "katsuobushi."
Next, they learned to make Japanese paper by hand, a tradition that extends from the Edo period (1603-1868) to the modern day. Unlike ordinary paper, it has a unique texture that attracted the attention of the students.
A first attempt at shaving "katsuobushi."
A taste test of "bonito soup stock."
Will this really turn into paper?
Praise from the teacher brought out a smile.
- Impressed by the delicacy of Japan's culinary culture, the students learned to use and appreciate all of the ingredients.
- Handmade Japanese paper takes time and skill, but its unique warmth can be felt by all.
From the time of its construction, Tokyo Tower has watched over the city as a beloved symbol, together with the mystical, solemn, urban oasis of Meiji Shrine as the city's two top sightseeing spots for overseas tourists.
The kids felt overwhelmed as they looked up at the 333-meter Tokyo Tower. Once they reached the observation deck, with the city spreading out below them, they all took part in a major photo session.
At Meiji Shrine, many of the kids enjoyed their first visit to a shrine. Surrounded by the scale and nature of the grounds, they seemed to be overtaken by a powerful sensation of the Japanese spirit. They watched the people around them to learn the proper manners for visiting the shrine.
Washing their hands before worshiping.
Jumping with joy at the scale of the shrine!
Heading to the observation deck by elevator.
Taking commemorative photos with Tokyo as the background.
- Surprised that the shrine is surrounded by nature in the middle of the city, it felt like the backbone of the Japanese spirit.
- The kids admired Japan's architectural technology when they heard that Tokyo Tower was built 60 years ago.