The Hiraizumi Global Innovation Program gives students the opportunity to spend one month living in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture, while learning through real experiences in the local community.
Students do more than attend lectures. They live together, explore the region, meet local people, experience Japanese culture, and work in teams on practical projects.
Here are some of the main activities students may experience during the program.
Living Together in Hiraizumi
During the program, students from different countries live together in a shared house.
They prepare meals, manage daily routines, and spend time together. Through this experience, they develop independence, communication skills, flexibility, and teamwork.
Welcome and farewell gatherings also help students build relationships with participants,
Learning About the Region
Before working on local challenges, students first learn about Hiraizumi and the surrounding area.
Through fieldwork, they explore local history, culture, tourism, industries, and daily life. They walk through the community, observe their surroundings, and listen to local perspectives.
Historic places such as Chusonji Temple and Motsuji Temple also become important learning environments. Students learn why these sites matter and how local heritage continues to shape the region today.
Connecting With Local People
Community interaction is one of the central parts of the program.
At activities such as the English Cafe, students speak with local residents in English and Japanese. Both sides share their experiences, cultures, and ideas.
Cooking events also create opportunities for natural communication. Students may introduce food from their home countries while learning more about Japanese food culture and local life.
Some participants also join volunteer activities with children, helping them learn how to communicate with people of different ages and backgrounds.
Working on Practical Projects
After learning about the region, students work in teams on challenges connected to the community or local organizations.
They organize what they learned through fieldwork, identify problems or opportunities, and discuss possible solutions. Students from different countries and academic backgrounds bring different ideas to the team.
They then develop proposals, plans, or prototypes and receive feedback from mentors and local stakeholders.
The goal is not to create a perfect solution immediately. Students test their ideas, learn from feedback, and improve their work.
Through this process, they develop practical skills in problem-solving, teamwork, project planning, communication, and presentation.
Experiencing Japanese Culture
Students also have opportunities to experience Japanese culture directly.
Depending on the schedule, they may participate in activities such as zazen meditation or shakyo, the practice of copying Buddhist sutras by hand.
They may also join local festivals and seasonal events, including the Fujiwara Festival, Setsubun celebrations, or the Mizukake Mikoshi Festival.
These experiences help students understand the values, traditions, and community spirit behind Japanese culture.
Sharing Results and Reflecting
Toward the end of the program, students share the results of their work with community members, mentors, and other participants.
They explain their ideas, receive feedback, and reflect on what they have learned.
Students leave Hiraizumi with more than a project or certificate. They gain new relationships, international teamwork experience, a deeper understanding of a Japanese community, and greater confidence in taking on new challenges.
Learning With the Community
The Hiraizumi Global Innovation Program connects daily life, community exchange, culture, and practical project work.
Students learn from Hiraizumi, while also bringing their own ideas and perspectives into the community.
It is not only a program about studying Japan. It is an opportunity for students and local people to learn from one another and explore new possibilities together.
For students who want to experience life in a local Japanese community and learn through real action, the Hiraizumi Global Innovation Program offers a meaningful place to begin.
From Hiraizumi to the world, a new journey of learning and innovation starts here.
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