On February 12, international and Japanese students from our university and Sophia University participated in a study tour, visiting local businesses and cultural sites in Shizuoka.
This tour was organized as part of our COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) project and was its fifth tour, following previous tours in 2019, 2020, 2023, and 2024.
For this tour, 6 international students and 5 Japanese students explored Shizuoka's rich history and disaster preparedness efforts. At the Shizuoka Prefecture Earthquake Disaster Prevention Center, they experienced powerful earthquake simulations, deepening their awareness of natural disasters. At Kunozan Toshogū Shrine, they discovered cultural treasures dating back to 1617 and the efforts to preserve them. In the afternoon, they visited Shimizu Container Terminal Co., Ltd. and Suzuyo Co., Ltd., gaining insight into how maritime transport and disaster prevention are connected.
The tour encouraged active engagement among participants, fostering meaningful discussions and cross-cultural exchanges. Students had the opportunity to connect, share experiences, and deepen their understanding of Shizuoka's historical and contemporary significance.
This tour was organized as part of our COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) project and was its fifth tour, following previous tours in 2019, 2020, 2023, and 2024.
For this tour, 6 international students and 5 Japanese students explored Shizuoka's rich history and disaster preparedness efforts. At the Shizuoka Prefecture Earthquake Disaster Prevention Center, they experienced powerful earthquake simulations, deepening their awareness of natural disasters. At Kunozan Toshogū Shrine, they discovered cultural treasures dating back to 1617 and the efforts to preserve them. In the afternoon, they visited Shimizu Container Terminal Co., Ltd. and Suzuyo Co., Ltd., gaining insight into how maritime transport and disaster prevention are connected.
The tour encouraged active engagement among participants, fostering meaningful discussions and cross-cultural exchanges. Students had the opportunity to connect, share experiences, and deepen their understanding of Shizuoka's historical and contemporary significance.
Tour Destinations
Shizuoka Prefecture Earthquake Disaster Prevention Center（Aoiku-ward, Shizuoka city）
Learn about the mechanism of earthquakes
Experience an earthquake with a seismic intensity of 7
Kunozan Toshogu Shrine、Kunozan Toshogu Museum（Suruga-ward, Shizuoka city）
Climb 1159 stone steps to reach Toshogu Shrine
Learn about Roumon (Two Story Gate)
Shimizu Container Terminal Co., Ltd. and Suzuyo Co., Ltd.（Shimizu-ward, Shizuoka city）
Presentation from Shimizu Container Terminal Co., Ltd
Examine various cranes
Comments from Participating Students
I think that the tour was very well organized and taught me a lot about Shizuoka prefecture. It was my first time travelling outside of Tokyo, so I was very happy about the opportunity to explore more of the countryside Japan. The tour was very well structured, we had very comfortable transportation with our own bus, different experts showing us their workplace and explaining about each expertise field. It was a great experience to get to know both international and Japanese students and interact bilingually. The university staff was so nice and made the trip very safe and comfortable. All the people that I met that day were so inspiring and talented, that I am very grateful for this opportunity. I would definitely do this tour again and recommend everyone who is thinking of joining it, to definitely check out this opportunity! Thank you, a lot, for the great time and such a wonderful experience. It is one of my happiest memories in Japan.
Sophia University / International Student
This tour has shown the many sides of Shizuoka that are not normally seen from a tourist's view or even far from the daily life view. The tour encapsulated the community, the natural disaster, the society, the tradition, the social values, food and the economy side of Shizuoka. In a way, it was a very holistic trip in understanding Shizuoka and I was glad to be a part of it as. It helped me appreciate and learn the Japanese society, economy, tradition and mindset and better understand the community in a different limelight. It also gave us a good chance to interact with the locals and see the different values in the community. It is really amazing to be able to interact with these aspects and learn so much about Shizuoka. It was also a good opportunity to communicate with Japanese students and students from other areas of the world, exchange ideas and experiences as well as have fun while learning. I think this tour is a really good initiative by the university and benefits students; both Japanese and foreign students.
University of Shizuoka / International Student
It was an incredibly enjoyable experience! From the Online Preliminary lecture, I could feel how kind and genuinely interested both the international and Japanese students were. We communicated in the languages we sought to practice, exchanging information and knowledge in a meaningful way. As someone born and raised in Shizuoka, I also had the exciting opportunity to visit places I had never been to and learn things I did not know, making it a fun experience. Thanks to the staff members who carefully planned every detail, anticipated various situations, and executed the tour on schedule, we were able to focus solely on learning and enjoying the experience. I am truly grateful for this valuable opportunity. I hope this project continues and evolves for the benefit of future students and international participants.
University of Shizuoka / Japanese Student
【Website】
US-COIL University of Shizuoka
https://www.us-coil.jp/english/index.html
(2/20/2025)
Sophia University / International Student
This tour has shown the many sides of Shizuoka that are not normally seen from a tourist's view or even far from the daily life view. The tour encapsulated the community, the natural disaster, the society, the tradition, the social values, food and the economy side of Shizuoka. In a way, it was a very holistic trip in understanding Shizuoka and I was glad to be a part of it as. It helped me appreciate and learn the Japanese society, economy, tradition and mindset and better understand the community in a different limelight. It also gave us a good chance to interact with the locals and see the different values in the community. It is really amazing to be able to interact with these aspects and learn so much about Shizuoka. It was also a good opportunity to communicate with Japanese students and students from other areas of the world, exchange ideas and experiences as well as have fun while learning. I think this tour is a really good initiative by the university and benefits students; both Japanese and foreign students.
University of Shizuoka / International Student
It was an incredibly enjoyable experience! From the Online Preliminary lecture, I could feel how kind and genuinely interested both the international and Japanese students were. We communicated in the languages we sought to practice, exchanging information and knowledge in a meaningful way. As someone born and raised in Shizuoka, I also had the exciting opportunity to visit places I had never been to and learn things I did not know, making it a fun experience. Thanks to the staff members who carefully planned every detail, anticipated various situations, and executed the tour on schedule, we were able to focus solely on learning and enjoying the experience. I am truly grateful for this valuable opportunity. I hope this project continues and evolves for the benefit of future students and international participants.
University of Shizuoka / Japanese Student
【Website】
US-COIL University of Shizuoka
https://www.us-coil.jp/english/index.html
(2/20/2025)