The Academic and General Okayama University Regional Research Association (AGORA) held an Okayama Welcome Picnic on June 9 for Japanese and foreign students to tour Okayama together and learn its history and culture.
The picnic was attended by 103 people, including students of other universities and ordinary citizens. They split up into groups of ten to visit popular tourist locations such as Korakuen Garden, Okayama Castle and Izushi, and also experienced rice planting and the tea ceremony. Halal and vegetarian dishes were also prepared for lunch to truly give the visiting students a sense of welcome.
The Okayama Welcome Picnic is the first item in a project by AGORA to create an environment for foreign students through local interaction with Japanese students. Cooperation was received from the Okayama University Language Education Center and International Center, plus the prefectural government, the municipal government, NPOs and local citizens.