Day 4 Our Incredible Visit with Nirayama High School students and adults (June 4, 2026)

June 05, 2026

June 4, 2026 Greetings from Japan! We started our day in Tokyo and took the Shinkansen (the “bullet train”) all the way to Mishima. Some of us lucked out – we were able to sit in the coveted first-class car. Once we arrived, we took the local train and then taxis to Nirayama High School. There, we were greeted by a super enthusiastic group of students, school administrators, the local press, journalists from the school paper, and teachers. After the welcome ceremony, we connected with students over brain rot 67 and tung tung tung sahur. It made us all think about how similar students of different nationalities really are. Then, after a really yummy bento box lunch, we participated in a game where we drew items commented through letters. Joseph, Jess and Kelland all placed in the top three (for the category of non-Nirayama students:-) and won prizes! After the awards’ presentation, we attended a chemistry class followed by a math class, which brought back many memories from our previous school years… amazing how much we can forget. We witnessed firsthand how different the teaching methods are in Japan. In chemistry we helped conduct experiments using beakers, chemicals and measurements. For math, the teacher had translated the worksheet into English; it was so kind of the teacher to include us and so humbling to realize what we have forgotten; thankfully the NHS students were so helpful and kind in helping our math synapses start to fire again. Later we participated in Japanese clubs. Joseph, Santi, Emilio, Nicholas and the two of us participated in kendo. We put on traditional garments and learned how to strike the other player. We also watched a kendo match and were so inspired that we would like to start a kendo club at Poly! Meanwhile, off campus, Alexandra, Jessica and Kelland experienced up close and personally, Kyūdō (the Japanese practice of archery). Kelland demonstrated great improvement from her first shot to hitting the target by her third shot (she responded well to Watanable-sensei’s coaching). The third club group activity involved Mackenzie, who learned about Japanese calligraphy- super cool to see her progression and final manuscripts. Finally, we all went with our homestay students and ate yummy dinners. Finally, the incredible afternoon of connecting shifted off campus… we all went with our homestay students and ate yummy dinners. I (Elizabeth) walked to my student’s home and met her mother. She made a home cooked dinner for the two of us and we bonded over our shared love of music. She also showed me her favorite manga and she bought an English version for us to share. I can't wait to see her again tonight. I (Lilah) took the train to my student’s home and met her mother and father. Her father made a home cooked dinner for us which was a sukiyaki hot pan and we talked about the different cultures in the US and Japan. Then my student had tutoring, so I stopped by Kelland’s homestay and was able to hang out with that family as well. We shared our favorite TV shows and movies and talked over some delicious apple tea! I am sore excited to spend more time with Riko tonight and set off some fireworks. Ganbare! • Lilah & Elizabeth