Travel in Tokyo
My Journey
Study Tour Highlights
LET’S SET
OFF TOGETHER
in Search of
Japanese Aesthetics
It is often said:
Japan is a country where “aesthetics” is woven into the very fabric of life.
From passionate young heroes in anime to the tranquil torii gates before Shinto shrines,
from cherry blossoms drifting beneath Mount Fuji to graceful kimonos along the streets of Kyoto,
this land reveals to the world, in its own distinctive way, what “beauty” truly means.
This summer, with paintbrushes in hand
and curiosity in their hearts,
the children embarked on a 7-day, 6-night journey in search of Japanese aesthetics.
They found inspiration in the world of anime,
experienced the academic spirit of a century-old university,
felt the warmth of culture through traditional craftsmanship,
and created artworks of their own amid Japan’s natural landscapes.
This was more than a journey.
It was an in-depth exploration of “beauty.”
Now, let us follow the journey through the children’s eyes
and revisit this radiant exploration of aesthetics.
01. Entering the World of Anime — Creating Dreams with Every Stroke
At AMPS Anime School,
the children met professional Japanese anime instructors in person.
Instead of watching anime through a screen, they sat in a classroom
and learned everything from character proportions and facial expressions to storyboarding and colouring techniques.
Stroke by stroke, they learned how to draw manga.
Every student who successfully completed the course
received an official Certificate of Completion authorised by the school.
It was their first official certificate in the field of anime
and the most meaningful “welcome gift” of the journey.
When the iconic scene from the film Your Name appeared before them,
the children’s excitement was impossible to contain.
The staircase in front of Suga Shrine
is the very place where Taki and Mitsuha meet in Makoto Shinkai’s story.
The children were no longer mere spectators, but the protagonists of the scene,
experiencing firsthand the anime’s distinctive beauty of light and shadow.
DEPART IMMEDIATELY
Happy Moments
If Suga Shrine represents the passion of anime,
then the Fujiko F. Fujio Museum embodies its warmth.
Here, the children viewed original manga manuscripts
and stepped into the magical world of Doraemon.
Nobita’s room, Shizuka’s home, Gian’s baseball field…
every detail was recreated with remarkable vividness.
This was more than a museum.
It brought the childhood memories of an entire generation to life.
02. Exploring a Prestigious University — Sketching the Future on a Century-Old
The University of Tokyo, one of the world’s leading universities,
revealed to the children another side of Japan where academic excellence and beauty come together.
As they walked along the tree-lined paths of the historic campus,
they were immersed in its rich academic atmosphere.
The children unfolded their drawing paper on site
and took part in an immersive outdoor sketching session,
capturing both the century-old red-brick architecture and the vibrant spirit of youth on paper.
A seed of possibility for the future was quietly planted in their hearts.
03. Between Mountains and Lakes — Nature as the Greatest Colour Palette
If the city offered a feast of culture and creativity,
the scenery beneath Mount Fuji was nature’s own gift.
Beside Lake Kawaguchi, along a cherry blossom avenue, Mount Fuji stood majestically in the distance.
Surrounded by this picturesque landscape, the children set up their drawing boards.
Unlike still-life sketching in a studio,
the moving clouds and richly layered mountain scenery constantly changed before their eyes.
The children learned to capture the changing light and shadows of nature
and discovered the calm, restorative beauty of the natural world.
They also cruised across Lake Ashi aboard the Hakone pirate ship.
Distant mountains faded into soft hues as light shimmered across the lake.
The children took in the harmonious view of mountains and water
and experienced the distinctive Japanese appreciation of negative space, tranquillity, and restraint in nature.
04. Preserving Craftsmanship — Japanese Aesthetics at Their Fingertips
True aesthetic understanding comes through touch and experience.
The children visited a Kyo-Yuzen workshop
and experienced firsthand the beauty of one of Japan’s most treasured traditional dyeing techniques.
From designing patterns to applying and blending colours,
every step required patience and concentration.
As each one-of-a-kind Kyo-Yuzen creation took shape in their hands,
the children came to understand the true meaning of “craftsmanship.”
DEPART IMMEDIATELY
Wonderful Moments
In Japan, food is also an art form.
Under the guidance of professional instructors, the children learned to make authentic sushi.
From seasoning the rice and slicing the fish
to controlling the pressure of each movement and mastering the art of presentation,
every detail was treated with precision and care.
As each beautifully prepared piece of sushi took shape in their hands,
the children not only tasted the food they had made themselves,
but also proudly received their second certificate of the study tour.
Through this hands-on culinary experience, they discovered the essence of Japanese food aesthetics.
At Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple,
parents and children changed into traditional kimonos.
They strolled through the historic streets,
discovering the beauty and design principles of kimono
and experiencing the timeless elegance of Japanese aesthetics shaped through the centuries.
My Trip
The Light Has Been Found, and the Future Awaits
We believe that every pursuit of beauty will one day
return to these young learners in unexpected and meaningful ways.
We look forward to the next journey, continuing to accompany them
as they travel farther and discover even more beautiful light.
