On January 17 and 18, 2019, we invited our international students on an excursion to further their understanding of Japanese culture, industry and the natural areas in Kyoto, as well as to help them further their relationships with each other. Twenty-three international students from China, Malaysia, Vietnam, France and Finland participated in this tour. We also had the cooperation of 3 members from KITICO, an international student support organization at KIT. The tour was all the more meaningful thanks to their interpretation and other assistance. The students came in contact with traditional Japanese sites during their visits to Ama-no-hashidate (a popular scenic site), Chion-ji temple and Kayabuki-no-Sato (a village of thatched-roof houses) in Miyama. They spent time with children at Higashiyata elementary school / Nishiyata elementary school, visited a hot spring and experienced Kurotani-washi (traditional Japanese paper) making.
Participants said:
　“I would like to say this is the best trip.”
　“The sea is clean and beautiful. It’s also comfortable to soak in hot spring.”
　“The pupils are very active. They are curious about foreigners.”
We were glad to have such positive feedback from the international students and to hear they found the tour beneficial to their further understanding of Japan.

• Amano-Hashidate
• Amano-Hashidate Shoutenkyo bridge
• Amano-Hashidate beach
• Kurotani-washi: Paper making
• Kurotani-washi products
• Kayabuki-no-Sato