Step Into Japan's 'Good Old' School Days in Chiba
Step Into Japan's 'Good Old' School Days in Chiba
黒板や机、制服に至るまで、昭和の学校生活を再現した展示が注目を集めています。今とは違う学びの環境や日常の風景には、懐かしさだけでなく、その時代ならではの価値観や工夫も感じられます。教育の形は時代とともに変わってきましたが、変わらず大切にされてきたものもあるのかもしれません。もし昭和の学校に通うとしたら、どんな点に驚き、どんなところに魅力を感じると思いますか。
1.Article
Directions: Read the following article aloud.
A program held at a former school in Chiba Prefecture is giving visitors the chance to experience the "good old days" of Japanese student life. Participants spend a full day role-playing as students, attending classes in classrooms that were once in active use. The opportunity to step into a world many had previously known only through manga and anime has proven especially popular, attracting growing interest from foreign tourists.
The program takes place at Kimi no High School in Kimitsu City, Chiba Prefecture. It utilizes the buildings of a former municipal junior high school that has since closed, with most of the original facilities preserved through minimal renovation.
The experience is modeled on high school life in the late Showa era. Upon arrival, participants select a school uniform, take commemorative photos in front of a sign reading "Entrance Ceremony," and then head to their assigned classroom.
The day begins with lessons in traditional Japanese school etiquette, including how to stand properly, come to attention, and bow. The teacher, played by an actor fluent in English, explains the purpose behind each action and clearly outlines the background of rules and manners in Japanese schools.
Classes are varied and hands-on. In Japanese language class, participants practice calligraphy, writing their favorite characters with a brush while learning kanji. Physical education is held in the gym and features classic Japanese sports day activities such as ball toss games, tug-of-war, and obstacle courses.
At lunchtime, participants change into kappogi smocks and serve the meals themselves. Desks are pushed together so everyone can eat together in the classroom.
The program is run by Undokaiya, a Tokyo-based company known for organizing corporate sports day events. It was launched in November 2023, as inbound tourism began to recover following the reclassification of COVID-19 as a "Class 5" disease, placing it on the same status as seasonal influenza.
Drawing on its experience organizing Japanese-style sports day events in eight countries, the company designed the program to allow foreign visitors to enjoy authentic Japanese school culture in a real school setting.
The fee is ¥38,500 JPY (around $250 USD) per person for the full-day program, which includes all activities, lunch, uniform rental, and round-trip transportation from central Tokyo. "It may seem expensive, but overseas visitors value the opportunity to experience real student life in an actual school building rather than a studio," a staff member said.
The program has gained attention through social media posts by overseas influencers, with more than 500 people having participated so far. Currently, around 30 visitors take part each month.
A couple visiting from Singapore recreated a familiar anime scene — running to school with a piece of bread in their mouths after oversleeping — and exclaimed with delight, "Our dream came true."
After completing the day's classes, participants receive a certificate and officially "graduate."
Reflecting on the experience, the husband said he was surprised by the practice of students cleaning the school themselves to maintain a good learning environment, as well as by school lunches that include milk. "They're well balanced and impressive," he said.
His wife added with a smile, "It was fun to experience the dream school life I'd only seen in anime. In Singapore, we usually eat in a cafeteria, so eating in the classroom felt refreshing. The Japanese rice curry was delicious."
The program takes place at Kimi no High School in Kimitsu City, Chiba Prefecture. It utilizes the buildings of a former municipal junior high school that has since closed, with most of the original facilities preserved through minimal renovation.
The experience is modeled on high school life in the late Showa era. Upon arrival, participants select a school uniform, take commemorative photos in front of a sign reading "Entrance Ceremony," and then head to their assigned classroom.
The day begins with lessons in traditional Japanese school etiquette, including how to stand properly, come to attention, and bow. The teacher, played by an actor fluent in English, explains the purpose behind each action and clearly outlines the background of rules and manners in Japanese schools.
Classes are varied and hands-on. In Japanese language class, participants practice calligraphy, writing their favorite characters with a brush while learning kanji. Physical education is held in the gym and features classic Japanese sports day activities such as ball toss games, tug-of-war, and obstacle courses.
At lunchtime, participants change into kappogi smocks and serve the meals themselves. Desks are pushed together so everyone can eat together in the classroom.
The program is run by Undokaiya, a Tokyo-based company known for organizing corporate sports day events. It was launched in November 2023, as inbound tourism began to recover following the reclassification of COVID-19 as a "Class 5" disease, placing it on the same status as seasonal influenza.
Drawing on its experience organizing Japanese-style sports day events in eight countries, the company designed the program to allow foreign visitors to enjoy authentic Japanese school culture in a real school setting.
The fee is ¥38,500 JPY (around $250 USD) per person for the full-day program, which includes all activities, lunch, uniform rental, and round-trip transportation from central Tokyo. "It may seem expensive, but overseas visitors value the opportunity to experience real student life in an actual school building rather than a studio," a staff member said.
The program has gained attention through social media posts by overseas influencers, with more than 500 people having participated so far. Currently, around 30 visitors take part each month.
A couple visiting from Singapore recreated a familiar anime scene — running to school with a piece of bread in their mouths after oversleeping — and exclaimed with delight, "Our dream came true."
After completing the day's classes, participants receive a certificate and officially "graduate."
Reflecting on the experience, the husband said he was surprised by the practice of students cleaning the school themselves to maintain a good learning environment, as well as by school lunches that include milk. "They're well balanced and impressive," he said.
His wife added with a smile, "It was fun to experience the dream school life I'd only seen in anime. In Singapore, we usually eat in a cafeteria, so eating in the classroom felt refreshing. The Japanese rice curry was delicious."
Source：Step Into Japan's 'Good Old' School Days in Chiba
JAPAN Forward
本教材は、一般社団法人ジャパンフォワード推進機構、株式会社産経デジタルより許諾を得て、産経ヒューマンラーニング株式会社が編集しています。
テキストの無断転載・無断使用を固く禁じます 。
