Art & Design Tour to Japan

Supporting students to become confident, compassionate and globally minded individuals is central to the Caulfield Ascend journey. Through immersive tours and cultural experiences, students have opportunities to explore unfamiliar environments, gain new perspectives and develop a deeper appreciation for the world around them.

During the April holidays, students on the Japan Arts and Design Tour spent 12 days discovering the art, culture and creativity of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Peter and Zoe reflect on the inspiration, connections and personal growth they experienced throughout the tour.

Zoe, Year 12 Wheelers Hill Campus

I was fortunate enough to attend the Arts and Design Tour in Japan in the April holidays. The experience was unforgettable spanning over 12 days in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka getting a glimpse inside everything Japan has to offer from the scramble of bust train stations is Tokyo to the tranquil shrines and temples in Kyoto.

My favourite aspect was getting to view and immerse myself in the fine art that Japan had to offer. Visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo was a highlight seeing large scale installations with the minimalistic high-tech style that contemporary Japanese art is known for. Similarly, we were fortunate enough to Visit team Lab Planets in Tokyo. Experiencing these Museums provided a glimpse into a new appreciation for technology in art and inspired me for my own portfolio in art.

Kyoto provided a contrast from the modern contemporary art to more traditional techniques. We were fortunate enough to experience a Calligraphy class in the Kyoto Handicraft Centre. Learning about the practice of expressing the mind and spirit through the brush and ink was inspiring strengthening my appreciation for Japanese culture.

Apart from the activities I really treasure the connections I made through the trip. It was great to reconnect with people which I had earlier met during the NT program reinforcing cross-campus connections. It also allowed me to build new connections with younger year levels with our shared interest in art and design. Overall, the experience was unforgettable and inspired me for my personal learning.

Peter, Year 12 Caulfield Campus

My trip to Japan over the April holidays was an incredibly memorable and inspiring experience. Over the 12 days, including two travel days, I was able to explore three very different cities, Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, each offering its own unique atmosphere, culture and design influences.

One of the highlights for me was exploring the vibrant vintage fashion scene, especially throughout Harajuku, Shibuya and Dotonbori. Seeing the individuality and creativity expressed through fashion and street culture was extremely inspiring, particularly as part of an art and design tour. The contrast between modern city life and traditional Japanese culture gave me a new perspective on design, architecture and visual communication.

I also really valued the connections I made throughout the trip. It was great to reconnect with students I had met previously through NT, choir or other cross-campus activities and form new friendships with people across different year levels. Spending so much time together while travelling made the experience even more enjoyable and helped create lasting memories.

Another major highlight was visiting the many Buddhist and Shinto shrines, which were both peaceful and visually stunning. Experiencing these historic and spiritual spaces firsthand, along with landmarks such as Osaka Castle, deepened my appreciation for Japanese history and culture. Overall, the trip was an unforgettable experience that broadened my creative inspiration, strengthened friendships and allowed me to experience a completely different way of life.