French university students joined our two-week short-term study abroad program starting on April 14.
The two weeks went by so quickly, but they seems that they all had a wonderful time enjoying spring in Japan.

フランスの大学生だいがくせいたちが、4月がつ14日にちから2週間しゅうかんの短期たんき 留学りゅうがく プログラムに、参加さんかしてくれました。
2週間しゅうかんはあっという間までしたが、皆みなさん日本にっぽんの春はるを満喫まんきつできたようです。

In the morning, they had Japanese group lessons. Everyone looked like they were having fun while learning Japanese.

午前ごぜん中ちゅうは日本語にほんごのグループレッスン。皆みなさん楽たのしそうに学まなんでいます。

In the afternoon of the first day, they explored the area around the hotel. At the Traditional Crafts Museum in Aoyama, they discovered a variety of traditional Japanese crafts and enjoyed making their own small hemp coin purses with clasp closures.
They then walked toward Akasaka-Mitsuke, enjoying the lush greenery around the Akasaka Imperial Grounds along the way. At Toyokawa Inari Temple, they offered their prayers and tried omikuji (Japanese fortune slips).
Afterward, they took the Ginza Subway Line from Akasaka-Mitsuke Station to Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s most popular destinations for visitors.

After about 30 minutes on the subway, they arrived at Asakusa Station. They strolled around Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street. In the evening, they enjoyed conveyor belt sushi at a restaurant in Asakusa. They all seemed full of energy, with no apparent signs of jet lag.

From the next day onward, they continued exploring Tokyo in the afternoons. They also took the train many times as they traveled around the city. They visited the traditional downtown areas of Fukagawa, Tsukishima, and Monzen-Nakacho, as well as the Fukagawa Edo Museum.

On this day, they took a bus to Lake Kawaguchi in Yamanashi Prefecture in the morning. They enjoyed views of Mt. Fuji from different angles, taking a sightseeing boat and riding a ropeway. In spring, Mt. Fuji looks especially beautiful with cherry blossoms in full bloom.

They also tried houtou, a local specialty of Yamanashi Prefecture. They all said it was delicious!

This time, they also took part in many Japanese cultural activities, including tea ceremony, flower arranging, and calligraphy. At the National Noh Theatre, they not only watched a Noh performance but also had the opportunity to try playing traditional Noh music. They played the drums along with the call of “Yoooh!” They had fun playing the drums together, following the instructor’s lead. They all did a wonderful job!

能楽堂のうがくどう 体験たいけん

This time, they also experienced a four-day, three-night homestay in Yokohama. They had a great time at the welcome party and enjoyed outings to Kamakura and Odawara with their host families. Of course, they also had Japanese lessons online via Zoom every morning!

On the last day, they enjoyed a farewell lunch at a restaurant in Tameike-Sanno with their host families and Japanese language teachers. The host families, who had warmly welcomed them as part of their own families, seemed sad to say goodbye. The teachers felt the same way, of course!

We’re glad if they enjoyed their stay in Japan, and we hope to welcome them back someday!
We wish them all the best in their continued Japanese studies and will always be cheering them on!