世界中から熱意溢れる学生を集め、国際問題について議論したい！

Hi everyone!

Today, I would like to share one feature of ISC: The Main Study Tour!

 

Every year, during the Main Conference, there is a day where participants are divided into different groups to join a tour of a particular theme, ranging from food to art to nature exploration. During the 65th International Student Conference last year, we had the following themes: Nature, Shopping, History, Food, Subculture, Art, and Athletics. I chose to be part of the Food Tour, so I would like to share my experience there!

 

 

The Food Study Tour was held in the Asakusa area. In the morning, my group mates and I headed to a food sample shop where we made ACTUAL FOOD SAMPLES. Guided by the kind staff, each of us made two tempura pieces and a life-sized lettuce head. Even from up-close, they look identical to the real food, from color size and even texture. The only difference was that they were made out of wax. The process of shapeless liquid wax turning into familiar foods was very fascinating, and for me, it was a very fun and unforgettable experience.

 

 

After having bonded and gotten our stomachs grumbling over the fake food, we then proceeded to find a place to eat. We entered a small traditional restaurant run by an old Japanese couple. Inspired by the tempura we made, many of us ordered, you guessed it, tempura. I enjoyed the meal while exchanging conversation with other participants from Japan and China.

 

 

Having filled our stomachs, we then set out to find dessert while roaming around Nakamise Street and Sensoji Temple. This area of Asakusa is a bustling tourist attraction for both locals and foreigners alike. Lined along Nakamise street are small shops that sell traditional souvenirs such as kimonos, samurai dolls, chopsticks and so on. The air smells delightfully of Ningyo-yaki, a Japanese pastry of different shapes filled with sweet bean paste.

 

We finally decided to pay a visit to a Matcha parfait shop. It was a small place that barely fit all of us. The shop is well-known for its customizable parfait toppings and cutesy bear finish. We were welcomed by a friendly lady who attended to us both in English and Japanese. Here are our parfaits:

 

At this point, it was late afternoon. Our group took the train for about 20 minutes to reach the home of ISC65 president, Remi. Her family was very kind to host us for an okonomiyaki and Nagashi-somen dinner. Okonomiyaki is a Japanese dish that resembles an omelet and has ingredients like cabbage, pork strips inside, topped with a special sauce, bonito flakes and mayonnaise.

 

 

The second highlight was Nagashi-somen. Somen is a white, thin Japanese noodle made out of wheat flour. Nagashi-somen is a fun activity where clumps of somen are placed in running water and the person eating needs to catch it with chopsticks. Our host had a machine that allowed the noodles to run round and round. It was very entertaining to watch and use.

 

The final highlight of our day was the firework on the rooftop of Remi’s house. From there, we enjoyed a lovely view of the Tokyo nightscape. We had bought hand fireworks at the supermarket before reaching her house, and we had a lot of fun lighting them up and enjoying the sparks and bursts of light. Summer in Japan is not complete without a hangout involving fireworks.

 

Although our Main Study Tour was mainly recreational, we were given certificates for finishing the tour (yay!). Through it, our group was able to achieve two things. First, we experienced Tokyo through food, especially Asakusa, a sanctuary for traditional cuisine, and a friend’s house, an example of a cozy Japanese home. Through this, we deepened our knowledge and understanding of Japanese food culture directly with our five senses.

 

Second, we were able to bond as members of ISC, exchanging stories while walking between each destination. For me, this was very memorable. In our group, there were students from 6 different countries and 3 prefectures. One Japanese participant had not been to Asakusa before because they rarely visited Tokyo. From my Tokyo-centric perspective, it was a very eye-opening experience.

 

For me, this day was very meaningful for the reasons I described above. Although this year’s conference, ISC66, might be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, we as ISC would like to continue our legacy for the following years. The Main Study Tour is one of the features that makes the International Student Conference special.