On May 23, 2025, students from the Tourism & Business class took part in a field trip to Chiba Prefecture, accompanied by their classmates and teachers. Far from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, this outing was designed as a moment of disconnection, a chance to reconnect with nature, and an opportunity to apply tourism-related skills in real-life situations.

The day began with a stop at Umihotaru, a spectacular rest area built on Tokyo Bay, situated between an undersea tunnel and a suspension bridge. Students enjoyed the panoramic ocean view, and on clear days, even glimpses of Mt. Fuji. Some took the time to explore small local shops, try out snacks, or simply take photos with their classmates.

Next, the group headed to a magical location: Nomizo no Taki and Kameiwa Cave. Surrounded by lush greenery, students discovered a waterfall straight out of a Ghibli movie, famous for the way sunlight sometimes creates a heart-shaped silhouette. They also had the chance to ring the “Bell of Happiness” nestled in the natural surroundings. For many, this stop was a peaceful highlight, offering a moment of calm and plenty of beautiful photos.

In the afternoon, the group visited Mother Farm, a popular tourist farm in Chiba. Upon arrival, some students took on the role of group photographers, capturing smiles and shared memories throughout the visit. Participants enjoyed close encounters with a variety of animals, including fluffy sheep, playful pigs, and curious cows. Some attended a sheep show, others tested the zipline, and many indulged in delicious local ice cream and dairy-based treats made right on the farm. The gift shop was also a big hit, with students purchasing cheesecakes and adorable keychains featuring the farm’s mascots.

This trip was not only fun but also a comprehensive learning experience. Before the outing, students prepared a role-play activity to act as tour guides on the bus, and afterwards, they worked on presentations and a video project to reflect on their experience.

Student Reflections

Kain (Taiwan)

 The most important event of this semester — the Mother Farm Tour — went off without a hitch! Although the weather forecast had predicted rain, it turned out to be a beautiful day, which was such a relief. We had prepared a lot, from writing the bus guide content to creating a video. Thanks to that, I think the event was a success.
What I was most worried about was the video editing. I’m not very good at making videos, so I ended up relying heavily on Slava-san, and felt a bit bad about that. I wrote and recorded the narration, and in the end, the video turned out better than I expected — I was really satisfied with it.
It’s rare for me to hear my own Japanese voice, so that was a unique experience. Thanks to the support of our teachers, the event went smoothly. I’m very grateful.

Robin (Sweden)

 I think this field trip was amazing. Everyone had clearly prepared for their presentations, and the whole day had a very cheerful atmosphere. I love Ghibli movies — especially Princess Mononoke — so visiting Nomizo no Taki and seeing its breathtaking beauty in person was truly moving.
But the highlight for me was definitely Mother Farm. I rode the zipline, met lots of adorable animals (especially the turtles!), and had so much fun.
The food at the farm looked great too, but I ran out of time because I wanted to spend more time with the animals.
The Tourism & Business class has been the most interesting class I’ve taken so far. This field trip really felt like the perfect happy ending to our time together.

Miyabi (Taiwan)

 The bus tour to Mother Farm was a wonderful experience. On the bus, we acted like tour guides, introducing our stops and even singing songs together — it was all a first for me.
The ocean view from Umihotaru was incredible, and the breeze felt so good. As someone who loves nature, I especially enjoyed hearing the sound of the waterfall at Nomizo no Taki and relaxing in the greenery while taking lots of photos.
When we arrived at Mother Farm, I took on the role of group photographer and had fun capturing everyone’s smiles and happy moments. Being able to touch and interact with the animals was so healing — especially the fluffy sheep moving together in groups. I only caught the end of the sheep show, but it was really entertaining. Before heading home, I took my time choosing souvenirs and bought the farm’s signature cheesecake.
I got a bit of a sunburn, but it was such a fulfilling day. And on the way back, Tei-san’s emotional singing was the perfect end to the trip.