During the October half term, thirty computer science students embarked on an unforgettable learning adventure to Japan – a country where tradition meets cutting-edge innovation. Over seven packed days, in the first trip of its kind, our group travelled from the neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the quieter charms of Shizuoka, discovering a culture that seamlessly blends ancient heritage with futuristic technology.
Day 1-2 – Tokyo: A city of light, colour, and imagination
After a day of travelling, landing at Narita Airport and settling into our hotel in Toyosu, we began our Japanese journey at TeamLab Borderless - an astonishing digital art museum that dissolves the boundaries between art, technology, and the human imagination. Students wandered through interactive installations where flowers bloomed at their touch and waterfalls flowed across walls in vivid digital cascades.
The day continued with a visit to the Konica Minolta Planetarium, where we were treated to an awe-inspiring view of the stars (for those that stayed awake, the jetlag caught up with many by this point!). Afterwards, we explored the bustling district of Asakusa, home to the famous Sensoji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest and most colourful Buddhist temple, surrounded by streets brimming with traditional craft shops and street-food stalls. Dinner at Gonpachi Asakusa - a classic Japanese set meal – rounded off an extraordinary first full day.
Day 3 – High-speed adventures
On our third day, we boarded Japan’s legendary bullet train, gliding across the countryside at speeds that put the London Underground to shame. Our destination was Shizuoka Seiko High School, where we received a warm welcome from our Japanese hosts. Students exchanged greetings, took part in cultural activities, and even joined the tea ceremony – an experience that built friendships across continents and gave everyone a glimpse of Japanese school life.
In the afternoon, we learned about Japan’s forward-thinking approach to disaster prevention at the Shizuoka Prefecture Natural Disaster Centre before enjoying an evening feast of Japanese BBQ at Gyukaku, where sizzling plates of meat and laughter filled the room.
Day 4-5 – Factories, palaces, and space exploration
The next morning included a tour of the Meiji Factory, one of Japan’s leading confectionery and dairy producers, where we learned how some of Japan’s most beloved treats are made. We then returned to Tokyo by bullet train for a buffet dinner at Tokyo Station.
Day five took us to the serene Tokyo Imperial Palace Gardens, where history and nature coexist in harmony. The peaceful stroll was followed by a visit to JAXA’s Tsukuba Space Centre, Japan’s equivalent of NASA, where students toured astronaut training facilities and the 24-hour control centre. Later that day, we dived into the vibrant chaos of Akihabara, Tokyo’s “Electric Town”, a paradise for gamers, anime fans, and gadget lovers alike.
Day 6 – From earthquakes to Shibuya Crossing
Sunday offered a mix of education and excitement. We started the day visiting an education and technology centre where students looked at how technology is being used in Japan to solve ecological and economic problems. Here, students had a chance to carry out some practical programming tasks and to see some robotics in action. We then visited Meiji Shrine and the nearby Harajuku district, a hub of creativity and fashion where students witnessed Tokyo’s trendsetting youth culture.
The day ended with a visit to the world-famous Shibuya Crossing - a moment of organised chaos as hundreds (if not thousands) of pedestrians surged across the intersection – followed by shopping at the Nintendo Store and Pokémon Centre. Dinner at Mo-Mo Paradise provided the perfect refuelling stop before we headed up to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and saw a 60-story Godzilla battle for Tokyo on the side of the building during a very impressive projected animation.
Day 7 – Technology and farewell
Our final day included a visit to the Tokyo Skytree Campus of the Chiba Institute of Technology, where students explored robotics and space technology — even trying a virtual moon landing experience. As we made our way to the airport, there was a shared sense of pride and wonder at how much we had experienced in just one week.
From digital art and bullet trains to ancient shrines and futuristic robotics, this trip gave our students a rich understanding of Japan’s culture and innovation. A good trip is more than just a good itinerary, what made this trip excellent were the amazing students that we took. Their ability to cope with jet lag, to wake up early, to travel in unknown cities, and try a range of new and different foods was impressive. The staff thoroughly enjoyed taking such a wonderful group of students and cannot recommend Japan as a destination for future travels more.
Students’ highlights:
Fifth Year Hugo said, “I loved walking around Akihabara “Electric Town” with all its hustle and bustle and floors filled with arcade games. The buildings all seemed to go so high! I even got to play the original street fighter! I also enjoyed the speed of the bullet train, even seeing Mount Fuji on the way. An unforgettable moment was our impromptu rendition of ‘Wonderwall’ by Oasis after the school exchange’s own performances. Seeing us communicate through the language barrier and doing traditional activities with the other school children was a very special moment. I liked the earthquake simulator in the Disaster Management centre, even if it was a little disorientating! We also visited a research centre that explored a multitude of different technologies, including holograms, recycled biomaterials, and robotics, just to name a few. It was also interesting to see the temples and shrines as well as adhering to the traditions associated with it. For example, walking on the side of the path and bowing as you enter the Shrine grounds shows respect for the spirits making their own way through. At the temple we all drew our fortunes (for a small donation) and I was elated to draw ‘The Best Fortune!’ Seeing Shibuya Crossing in person was absolutely amazing in person, rather than in shows I’ve watched. It truly made me feel immersed in the city.”
Upper Sixth Corin said, “The Japan trip was a great opportunity and it was amazing getting to experience a new country and learning about their culture. We visited lots of different places which were all fun but also educational at the same time. I particularly enjoyed visiting Shibuya crossing and Tokyo Tower.”
Lower Sixth Alix said, “One of my highlights of the trip was going on the bullet train and seeing Mount Fuji getting bigger throughout the journey. Not only was the bullet train an amazing experience, seeing the train speed past and the cool rotating seats onboard, but also the surrealism of seeing the immense scale of Mount Fuji in person was amazing. We were given more freedom than expected, like exploring around the electric city and going to different shops in groups. It was also very interesting trying all the different foods in Japan, one of my favourite places was a Japanese BBQ place where we could order as much meat and food as we wanted using an iPad and then cook the food ourselves.”
With thanks to Mr Van Graan, Director of Digital Strategy, for this trip report.
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