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Social Activities in Okazaki

All Japanese students are encouraged to make the most of their time in Okazaki by participating in the guided excursions and activities offered by the Japanese Language School. Various events are offered by the School; full day excursions are offered to Kyoto, Arimatsu, Toyota and Asuke etc and occasional weekend trips are offered to go skiing in Nagano, hike up Mount Fuji or white-water rafting through Gifu-ken in the Spring (all at extra cost). Cultural activities include "ocha no yuu" (the traditional green tea ceremony), karate, origami (the art of paper folding which is very popular), "ikebana" (traditional flower arranging) and "taiko" (drumming).

Students on the Shorter Japanese Courses can also participate in various Discovery programmes (3/10 day duration) offered by the Japanese School, please ask for details.

Students enjoy exploring Okazaki, the Funaichi and Sanpachi-ichi markets sell an array of vegetables, pickles, dried foods, fish and other items, all beautifully presented, colourful, and ranging from the exotic to the weird, there are a number of Shrines and Temples including the Daijuji Temple.

If students want bright lights, bars, great shopping etc they take the 25 minute train ride to Nagoya, but for everyday needs Okazaki has it all. The joy of Japan is that you see plenty of examples of the traditional shoulder to shoulder with the entirely modern; temples and shrines are cheek by jowl with fast food restaurants and modern day shops. Set on the Sugo and Iga rivers, Okazaki's heart is it's Park and the Castle. There are areas, such as "Itaya-cho", where the streets are narrow, the architecture traditional, with fine examples of "hafu" (latticework) and you seem to step back in time.

Okazaki offers the perfect setting for language students who love the idea of exploring Japanese life and culture with like minded students, whilst greatly improving their Japanese language skills. Major festivals include the "Ieyasu Gyoretsu" each April and the Three day Summer Festival (with massive fireworks displays) in August which enable you to mix with the local and gain a personal insight into Japanese life than is possible in a large city.

For those who want to explore Okazaki's nightlife we recommend the many local "izakaya's" (Japanese style bar/restaurants where you can eat, drink and mix with the locals. Karaoke is still one of the most popular pastimes for language students and Japanese alike and there are no shortage of karaoke bars to chose from. There are several Western bars in Okazaki but no clubs/discos. For late night partying you have to head to Nagoya (which plenty of the college students do, particularly at the weekend).

A sample of a Week's cultural programme:

Most students find they are too busy from Monday to Thursday to really get out and explore further than Okazaki, but the weekend trips arranged by the Japanese School are popular (offered at extra cost). Students frequently chose to plan their own trips with new found friends, to Tokyo or other destinations across the country.

Monday/Thursday: Private study followed by a meal with other students or a trip to a local Karaoke bar
Friday: A hike through forests along the ancient Nakasendo between two beautifully restored Edo Period post towns, and then try making traditional paper fans and other arts with "Washi"
Saturday: A day trip for the Indiana Jones amongst you. Visit and enter a Kofun period tomb and historic sites in the isolated Yoshino region of Nara. Evening trip to Nagoya with other students to a few bars and a club.
Sunday: Day trip to Kyoto, visit "Sanjusangendo", Ginkaku-ji", Nanzen-Ji, Heian Jingu and explore all aspects of the old Imperial city. Alternatively enjoy some additional few Japanese classes arranged at the School by Japanese volunteers.

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