7th and 8th grade students from Stevenson Middle School visited Fukuoka for the first time along with Principal Luczak and two (2) teachers. This group of students belong to the Japan Club and had been diligently preparing themselves with monthly meetings prior to the trip.
They finally visited Kanada Gimu Junior High School in Fukuchi Town after a couple of years of online exchanges and met their students in person. Fukuchi Town is in the rural northeast part of Fukuoka Prefecture, so it took a couple of train rides to get there. Stevenson MS students were given the opportunity to sit in regular classes as well as experience the school lunch.
Fukuchi Town Office has been an integral part of the relationship between Stevenson MS and the three (3) junior high schools in the town. Stevenson MS presented some books from the US as an appreciation for their support and hospitality. The books are now at the town library “Fukuchinochi” for anyone to borrow and enjoy.
The group took a day trip to Hiroshima by Shinkansen and visited the Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum and took the ferry to Miyajima Island. Of course, they got to make their own Momiji Manjyu!
Back in Fukuoka City, the group visited Kego Junior High School which is an urban school. They were fortunate to meet the taiko master who came to the school to teach them how to play taiko. He made it so much fun to become familiar with this traditional instrument.
