The grade nine group indulged in a sprawling selection of breakfast items before another spirited day of experiencing Japan’s remarkable culture. Our first stop was to the Shoin Gakuen school in Osaka for a cooking experience with the high school students of that school.

Upon arrival, we were brought within their cooking classroom, complete with multiple cooking stations. We were introduced to the students and staff of the culinary course, headed by Aiko sensei, a celebrated mini-celebrity on Japan’s cooking scene having published numerous cook books on Japanese cuisine. After a short period of instruction, where our students learned that they would be preparing Onigiri (Japanese rice balls wrapped in seaweed), Tamago-ru (Egg roll), and traditional Miso soup, the group was split into two classes and started on their culinary project. Aided by the cheerful and encouraging students from Shoin Gakuen, our students set off to assemble their Japanese dishes. There was a steep learning curve, but soon, all of our students got better with additional practice.

After the three dishes were completed, another dish of mashed potatoes and grilled chicken was added to the mix, allowing the students and staff from both schools to sit down to a wonderful self-prepped meal. During the meal, our students were not shy in trying to converse or in other cases trying to learn some Japanese from the girls from Shoin Gakuen.

Once the clean up phase was completed, the students were brought to a larger conference room, where we got to experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. It was explained to the group, the significance of tea ceremonies in the past and the students were also provided with some very specific instructions on the proper way to drink the tea and conduct themselves during a tea ceremony. First in the ceremony came the sweet mochi-like cakes, before students were served traditional Mac-cha style green tea. Mac-cha style green tea is notably different from ordinary green tea, being of a heavier consistency and more bitter flavour. Students had mixed reactions to the tea, but agreed that the tea ceremony experience was quite memorable.

The students from the two schools exchanged gifts shortly before ending our time at the school. Then in a true representation of Japanese hospitality, we were escorted all the way onto the bus and the girls from the Japanese school stood to wave the bus off the school grounds. It was a memorable exit from the school with girls waving us out of sight while, just down the road, students from a local university were pouring out from their graduation ceremony in full Japanese kimonos and traditional attire. In the midst of all that, there was a proposal taking place in front our very eyes! You’re dying to know what she said right?… She said yes, of course!

Our next stop was the Pokemon centre. For some this stop was the penultimate stop on the experience week trip. With some students giddy with excitement, we released the group within the store and watched them run rampant through the store, stuffing their shopping baskets with treasured pieces of a beloved childhood hobby. The nostalgia was real, as even some of our teachers partook in the shopping experience.

We then headed to the most popular shopping street in all of Kansai prefecture, Dotonburi Riverwalk Shopping Street. Filled the thousands of bustling pleasure-seekers and shopping enthusiasts, the students scattered again to shop, eat, and soak in the commercial heart of Osaka. Gathering together after a frenetic hour of exploring, we head off to a BBQ dinner, where the kids sat at a table with a grill and stuffed themselves with all the food they wanted to grill and wolf down.

With that, we wrapped up Day three of the trip. We haven’t been short on adventures and tomorrow promises to be just as exciting!