GUNMA

Day 3 - 9: Exploring Regional Revitalization with students at Kyoai Gakuen University

Learning Activities

Visit some of Gunma’s genkai shūraku (“marginal hamlets”), rural communities facing significant population decline and aging. Students will partner with students from Kyoai Gakuen University to learn firsthand about the challenges these communities face and explore local efforts toward community revitalization and sustainability.

Meet Japanese Elementary Students

Connect with local kids during a visit to a Japanese elementary school!

Give English Presentations

Share your culture and language through fun English presentations!

Visit Rural Japan

Experience daily life and community spirit in rural Japan

Enjoy Japanese Cooking Lesson by Your New KGU friends

Learn to cook Japanese dishes—with help from your KGU partner students

Day 3 – Welcome to Gunma!

Take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Gunma.
Check in to your hotel in Maebashi City (arrival around 5:00 pm).
Welcome Party: Meet your KGU partner students from Kyoai Gakuen University and begin getting to know one another.

Day 4 – School Visit & Cultural Exchange

Visit a local elementary school
- Interact with Japanese elementary school students and enjoy a traditional school lunch (kyūshoku) together.*
Reconnect with your KGU partner students
- Visit a local Japanese grocery store together.
- Shop for ingredients and cook dinner together with your partner students.

Day 5 – Rural Community Experience in Minakami

Travel by chartered bus with KGU students to Minakami, a rural community in Gunma.
Participate in community-based learning activities (TBD).

Possible project themes include:
- Exploring opportunities for ecotourism and green tourism
- Learning about local agriculture and sustainability efforts
- Exploring the challenges of rural depopulation and community revitalization
Stay overnight at a local hotel with dinner, breakfast, and an onsen (hot spring) experience included.

Day 6 – Experiencing Rural Life in Gunma

Experience taue (rice planting) and learn about local agricultural traditions.
Continue your community-based learning experience alongside KGU students.

Day 7 – KGU Campus Visit & Presentation Preparation

Prepare for your group presentation in the morning.
Visit the Kyoai Gakuen University campus and interact with local university students.

Day 8 – Presentations & Farewell Dinner

Share your group presentation with peers and faculty, reflecting on what you learned through your experiences in Gunma.
Celebrate your time together at a farewell dinner with your KGU partner students.

Day 9 – Journey to Nagasaki

Early morning: Depart from Takasaki Station.
Arrive at Tokyo Station and enjoy some free time to grab breakfast or pick up a bento for the journey.
Board the Shinkansen toward Hakata.
Arrive at Hakata Station and take a short break before continuing the journey.
Continue toward Nagasaki, transferring along the way.
Evening: Arrive at Nagasaki Station and begin the next chapter of your study abroad experience.

Partner University: Kyoai Gakuen University

共愛学園前橋国際大学
At Kyoai Gakuen University (KGU), “Glocal” means thinking globally while engaging locally. Located in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, KGU emphasizes opportunities for students to connect international perspectives with real-world community experiences.

During your time in Gunma, you’ll team up with Dr. Takeuchi and KGU students for hands-on, community-based learning. Together, you’ll explore local communities, learn about challenges such as rural depopulation and community revitalization, and exchange ideas and perspectives. Just as importantly, you’ll spend time with your KGU partners through school visits, shared meals, rural experiences, and other activities, giving you the opportunity to experience everyday life in Japan while building genuine friendships.

Meet Dr. Ai Takeuchi!

Dr. Ai Takeuchi is the lead faculty member supporting our partner student group at Kyoai Gakuen Maebashi International University. Passionate about cross-cultural exchange, she is excited to welcome you to Japan and help facilitate meaningful interactions between students from both countries. With her warm and engaging approach, Dr. Takeuchi looks forward to introducing you to local perspectives, guiding discussions, and making your study abroad experience both enriching and unforgettable!

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