First we visited the State Guest house and Akasaka Detached Palace called “Akasaka Rikyu” or “Togugosho” In the past, there was Kisyu Tokugawa family’s second mansion. The State Guest House was built in the Meiji era, using neo-baroque style and its admirable exterior makes people inspiring. In contrast, the old traditional wooden gate of the Kisyu Tokugawa still remains and has been used as the side gate of the State Guest House still now. The students were intrigued by its opposite style.
The Next place was Japanese Garden of Hotel New Otani. The garden displays good Japanese traditional aspects. For example, there is a Dry Zen garden which is famous for Ryoanji temple in Kyoto. The beautiful garden even attracts the Japanese as well the foreigners. There, they had a short break and enjoyed taking photos of the beautiful surroundings.
At the parliamentary Museum, there is a memorial hall of Ozaki Yukio and you can study parliamentary democracy. At the replica chamber of the House of Representatives, the students imitated a representative council.
As the final destination, we went to the former site of Edo castle; Sakuradamon gate, Imperial Plaza and Niju Bashi Bridge. Time was running short and some students needed return to their university from the museum but they strongly hoped to see there. They could not stay there for a long time but enjoyed with the time they had available. At last, other students who had more time enjoyed Niju Bashi Bridge that looks as if it were in Edo era.
That day, the students divided into 4 groups depending on their Japanese language skill and enjoyed the walking tours with guide. The students talked positively in Japanese and we, guide sometimes explained in Japanese. Also, some students who had knowledge about Japanese history or politics taught others Japanese history that they did not know. It felt like happy to know that other country’s students are interested in and studying Japanese. I think we should study not only Japanese but also other countries’ and expand our mind.
S.A