Post date: 2025.03.31
International students experience! 3 days connecting with the nature and region of Kochi
Discover Kochi with International Students
~Learn and talk at Ryukawa-dong, Muroto dolphin Center, closed school aquarium ~
In the Japanese language department of Ryoma Gakuen, a vocational school located in Kochi, Shikoku, international students from various countries deepen not only their specialized skills in Japan but also their connections and cultural exchanges with the local community. As a place to utilize the Japanese language learned by students, we hold presentations of results such as speeches, presentations, and theater.
In fiscal 2024, 35 new international students from six countries entered the school, making it the largest number of enrolled students ever due to an increase in the number of students.
This time, students from Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Nepal introduced "Kochi's charm" in their native language. Through the "2 nights and 3 days accommodation training in the Muroto area" they experienced, we will deliver the nature, culture, and warmth of Kochi to the world.
The “local Kochi” seen through the eyes of young people around the world is packed with special discoveries that are not found in textbooks.
At the Japanese Language Department of Kochi Ryoma Gakuen, located in Kochi Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, international students from a variety of countries are not only developing specialized skills for life in Japan but also building deep connections with the local community through cultural exchange.
The department provides students with opportunities to use the Japanese they’ve learned through speech contests, presentations, and even theatrical performances.
In 2024, a record number of 35 new international students from six different countries joined the program, reflecting the school’s growing popularity and expanded capacity.
In this feature, students from Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Nepal share what makes Kochi so special — in their own native languages.
Through their three-day, two-night homestay experience in the Muroto area, they introduce the natural beauty, cultural richness, and warm-hearted people of Kochi to the world.
Through the eyes of these young people from around the globe, we discover a side of “local Kochi” that can’t be found in any textbook — full of fresh and personal discoveries.
Contents
Overview of Accommodation Training
32 second-year students from Kochi Ryoma Gakuen Japanese Language Department participated in this accommodation training.
We visited the eastern part of Kochi Prefecture in 3 days and 2 nights, and under the theme of "learn local and environmental issues and tourism promotion", we performed nature experiences, regional exchanges, and video messages in our native language.
About the Camp
32 students from the 2nd-year Japanese Language Course at Kochi Ryoma Gakuen participated in this 3-day training camp.
With the theme “Learning Regional and Environmental Issues and Tourism Promotion in Kochi,” they explored eastern Kochi while creating video messages in their native languages.
Day 1｜ I feel the heartbeat of the earth in Ryukawa-dong
On the first day of the training, we visited Ryukawa-dong in Kami City. I explored the solutional cave that took over 100 million years and was overwhelmed by the scale of nature.
After the tour, we shot a video message in your native language in front of the cave. I was impressed and told the people of my country.
Mr. Kiel from Indonesia who is a graduate and a staff member.
"Hello, guys. Today, I had a valuable experience to enter Ryukawa-dong. This is one of the natural wonders of Kochi City, a cave. The inside was really beautiful, and it was thrilling to go through the narrow passage, but the interior scenery was very impressive.
Everyone in Indonesia, if you come to Kochi, please visit Ryukawa-dong. See you again!"
■In Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia)
Selamat siang semuanya. Hari ini saya berkesempatan masuk ke Ryu Gado. Ini adalah sebuah gua, salah satu keajaiban alam di Kota Kochi. Di dalamnya sangat indah sekali. Pengalaman ini sangat menarik karena jalurnya sempit-sempit, tapi pemandangannya sangat menakjubkan di dalam.
Buat teman-teman dari Indonesia, kalau datang ke Kochi, jangan lupa untuk mengunjungi Ryu Gado. Sampai jumpa!
Day 1 | Ryugado Cave – Feel the Pulse of the Earth
On the first day, students visited Ryugado Cave, one of Japan’s major limestone caves. The ancient underground world left everyone speechless.
They filmed video messages right after the tour, sharing their raw impressions in their native languages.
“Good afternoon, everyone. Today I had the opportunity to enter Ryu Gado. It’s a cave and one of the natural wonders in Kochi City. The inside is really beautiful. It was such an exciting experience because the paths are very narrow, but the view inside is absolutely stunning. To my friends from Indonesia — if you come to Kochi, don’t forget to visit Ryu Gado. See you!” – Khiel, a graduate from Indonesia, returned to join the program as part of the staff team.
Day 2｜ Learn about the sea by interacting with dolphins in Muroto
On the second day, we visited the Muroto dolphin Center in Muroto City. The students are delighted to experience feeding the dolphin directly.
On the other hand, I also listened seriously to the explanation of marine environmental issues.
Immediately after the experience, video shooting was also carried out while not feeling cool. Deliver the excitement of contacting the dolphins to the family of the country.
-International student Naufal from Indianasia
“This is the first time I touched a dolphin. It felt like a normal fish, and the skin was like that. It was really fun to come here. Thank you very much."
■In Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia)
Ini pertama kalinya saya memegang lumba-lumba. Menurut saya, rasanya seperti ikan pada umumnya, termasuk kulitnya. Saya merasa senang berada di sini. Terima kasih.
Day 2 | Muroto Dolphin Center – Learn from the Sea
On Day 2, students visited Muroto Dolphin Center, where they experienced feeding dolphins and learned about marine conservation.
Right after the encounter, they recorded heartfelt messages about the experience.
“This is my first time touching a dolphin. It felt kind of like a regular fish, even the skin. I’m so happy to be here. Thank you!” – Naufal (from Indonesia)
Learning Regional Revitalization | Challenges at Muroto Closed Aquarium
In the afternoon, go to the closed school and closed school aquarium, which was renovated.
Here, through breeding experiences such as cleaning an outdoor 25m pool tank, we experienced efforts to make use of local resources.
The students worked with a smile while wet, and touched on the real aspect of "work that supports the community". After the experience, we also took a video here.
Mr. Aziz, an international student from Indianasia
"Hi, my name is Aziz. I'm coming to Muroto now. It was originally an elementary school, but now it is reborn as an aquarium.
There were small fish in this aquarium, and I was able to experience cleaning a small pool with the staff a while ago. Then we went into another room, where there were various fish, and there were fish like a little dragon. According to what I heard, it will grow bigger after 1-2 years. Such fish can only be seen here, very rare.
If you like the world of the sea or are interested, we would like you to come to this "Muroto Closed Aquarium". I was really fun and impressed. I’ve never seen such a unique aquarium in Indonesia.”
■In Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia)
Halo, perkenalkan nama saya Aziz. Saya sekarang berada di Muroto. Dulu tempat ini adalah sekolah SD, tapi sekarang sudah diubah menjadi akuarium.
Di dalam akuarium ini ada ikan-ikan kecil. Tadi saya juga masuk ke dalam kolam kecil untuk membantu membersihkan bersama staf. Selain itu, kami masuk ke ruangan lain, di mana ada berbagai macam ikan — ada yang bentuknya seperti naga kecil. Katanya kalau sudah satu atau dua tahun, mereka bisa tumbuh lebih besar. Tapi hanya ada di sini, sangat langka.
Buat teman-teman yang penasaran atau suka dunia laut, datanglah ke Muroto, ke Akuarium Sekolah Lama. Saya sangat senang dan terkesan karena ini pertama kalinya saya melihat akuarium seperti ini.
Di Indonesia saya belum pernah melihat yang seperti ini — dengan ikan-ikan dan suasana yang unik.
Jadi untuk teman-teman di Indonesia yang ingin tahu tentang ikan-ikan langka, datanglah ke sini, ke Muroto!
Learning Regional Revitalization at Muroto School Aquarium
Later that day, they visited the Muroto School Aquarium, a former elementary school turned into a local attraction.
There, they helped clean the 25-meter outdoor marine life tank and learned how old community spaces can be reborn.
“Hello, my name is Aziz. I’m currently in Muroto. This place used to be an elementary school, but now it’s been transformed into an aquarium.
Inside the aquarium, there are small fish. Earlier, I even got to enter a small tank and help clean it together with the staff. We also went into another room where we saw various kinds of fish — one of them looked like a small dragon! I was told that after one or two years, they can grow even bigger. These fish are very rare and can only be seen here.
For anyone curious or who loves marine life, I highly recommend coming to the Muroto School Aquarium. I was so happy and impressed — this was my first time seeing an aquarium like this. In Indonesia, I’ve never seen anything quite like it.
So to all my fellow Indonesians, if you want to see rare fish, come visit Muroto!”
– Aziz (from Indonesia)
Dinner is barbecue! Warm closing
On the evening of the second day, a barbecue exchange meeting was held with Muroto high school students and Nihongo Muroto.
Around the fire, smiles flowed across languages and countries.
BBQ Dinner to Wrap Up the Trip
On the second night, students enjoyed a BBQ party with local high schoolers and community members.
Laughter and shared food brought everyone closer.
DAY 3｜ Exchange with the local community | Class & Table Tennis at Muroto High School
On the last day, we visited Muroto High School and participated in actual classes. In addition, we also exchanged table tennis with students at Muroto High School, and a catch ball with a smile that transcends words was born. In addition, the students ate lunch together and touched on the food culture of Japanese students, and this accommodation training was over.
School Exchange at Muroto High – Joining Class and Playing Ping Pong
On the final day, we visited Muroto High School and joined a real classroom session with the students.
We also had a fun ping pong exchange, where lots of smiles were shared — even without words.
Eating a Japanese school lunch together was another great way to experience student life and food culture in Japan.
And just like that, our unforgettable homestay journey came to an end.
Send Kochi in your native language!
The native language message video taken during the training was recorded immediately after the experience of Ryukawa-dong, Muroto dolphin Center, Muroto closed school aquarium.
The voices of the students convey "Kochi" to the world.
Message to the World
Video messages in native languages were recorded immediately after key experiences like Ryugado Cave, Muroto Dolphin Center, and the School Aquarium.
Through these videos, students share their discoveries from Kochi with the world.
Message Video of International Students
Please see on YouTube from the link below.
Watch on YouTube
| Sightseeing Spots Unique tourist facilities | Nationality Nationality | YouTube |
|---|---|---|
| Ryukawa-dong Ryugado Cave | Sri Lanka.India. Bangladesh.Myanmar. Nepal.Indonesia | ▶️ YouTube |
| Muroto dolphin Center Muroto Dolphin Center | Nepal.Myanmar. Bangladesh.India. Indonesia.Sri Lanka | ▶️ YouTube |
| Undoubted School Aquarium Muroto School Aquarium | Indonesia.Nepal. Bangladesh. Sri Lanka.Myanmar | ▶️ YouTube |
Would you like to learn in Kochi too?
At Kochi Ryoma Gakuen, you can interact with nature and connect with people.
Please check out the video of the realistic "Kochi" that the students who experienced it talk about.
Thinking about studying in Japan?
At Kochi Ryoma Gakuen, you’ll experience nature, culture, and heartfelt connections.
Watch the videos to see what awaits you in Kochi!
Ryoma Gakuen Educational Corporation
Department of Japanese Language
