"Trial Regional Study Abroad" in Biratori Town, Hokkaido (2025)
What is "Trial Regional Study Abroad"?
The "Trial Regional Study Abroad" is a program that provides "authentic experiences that can only be found here." It is made possible for the first time by collaborating with local schools, municipalities, and local players, utilizing the network that the Regional Future Study Abroad platform, which promotes "Regional Future Study Abroad", has built with over 170 regions nationwide.
A 3-day, 2-night trip touching on Ainu culture and the warmth of the people
In July 2025, we held a "Trial Regional Study Abroad" in Biratori Town, Hokkaido.
Ten junior high school students gathered from Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Osaka, and Hokkaido, and through a 3-day, 2-night program, they experienced Ainu culture, the local nature, and interactions with high school students from Biratori High School.
The encounter with the nature-rich town and its warm people became an unforgettable time for the participating junior high school students. The time spent with peers of the same generation and local adults in an atmosphere completely different from their usual school life was filled with new learning and discoveries.
Event Overview
Host Region: Biratori Town, Hokkaido
Dates: July 19 - July 21, 2025 (3 days, 2 nights)
Participants: 7 third-year junior high students, 3 second-year junior high students (from Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Osaka, and Hokkaido)
Accommodation: Guesthouse Nibutani Yanto
Cooperation: Biratori Town Office, Biratori High School, Biratori Ainu Culture Preservation Society, local farmers and residents
Program Report
<Day 1>
Junior high school students gathered from all over the country landed at New Chitose Airport.
They were welcomed by people from the Biratori Town Office, a coordinator from Biratori High School, and seniors attending Biratori High School through the Regional Future Study Abroad program. The conversation with the high school students who rode the bus from the airport to the town immediately eased the tension of their first meeting. Laughter and questions flew back and forth, and the travel time passed in the blink of an eye.
The first place we visited was "Nibutani Kotan".
Since an event called Nibutani Kotan Day was being held on this day, everyone participated.
The traditional dance by the Biratori Ainu Culture Preservation Society was powerful yet graceful, and just watching it moved our hearts. At the end, the junior high school students joined the circle and experienced the dance together. As they moved their bodies to the rhythm, their expressions naturally softened.
We challenged the stamp rally held at the venue by forming groups with high school students. Along with the sense of accomplishment of collecting all the stamps, everyone showed proud smiles when they received the traditional Ainu necklace kit.
Next, at the Ainu Culture Museum, we learned about people's lives through costumes and daily necessities. While listening to the curator's explanation, we realized the depth of the culture and the wisdom that breathes in daily life.
During free time, junior and senior high school students played tag together in the plaza. Even those who were reserved at first completely opened up while running around drenched in sweat, and before we knew it, loud laughter was echoing.
For dinner, we had a bento box filled with traditional Ainu cuisine at a chise (Ainu dwelling). I was surprised by the ingredients and seasonings I don't usually encounter, and I enjoyed a dining experience that allowed me to connect with the culture.
At night, we returned to the guesthouse and spent our first evening playing card games and reading "Golden Kamuy." Even though there were still parts of each other we didn't know yet, it was a night where we could feel our bond definitely growing closer.
<Day 2>
The morning of the second day began with making "shito," a traditional Ainu dish. Using a mortar and pestle to grind the proso millet was tricky, but we were able to work together with smiles on our faces, keeping rhythm while humming Ainu songs taught to us by members of the preservation society. Some of the kids even shaped them like animals and stars, showing off their boundless creativity.
For lunch, we made taco rice using plenty of Biratori tomatoes together with the high school students from the Biratori High School "Tomato Club." As we cooked, the high school students talked about their school activities and daily lives, and the junior high students listened intently. The finished dish was colorful, and we couldn't help but smile at the sweetness and acidity of the tomatoes that spread in our mouths. During the break, some groups strolled through town and enjoyed cookies with Ainu patterns at a pastry shop.
In the afternoon, we visited the greenhouse of Mr. Tamura, a tomato farmer. We were surprised to see the bright red fruit and tried our hand at harvesting. We were very serious as we carefully selected each piece of fruit to be shipped. We heard from Mr. Tamura about how he became a farmer, his life in Biratori Town, and his passion for growing tomatoes, and we learned how agriculture is strongly tied to the life of the town.
In the evening, we went to Biratori High School. After receiving an explanation about the school and touring the school building, we enjoyed a BBQ social gathering with local residents and high school students. Dishes made with plenty of Biratori specialties, such as Biratori Wagyu beef, were lined up, and the conversation flowed naturally as we enjoyed the meal. During the traditional dance performance by the high school students, the beauty of the dance brought the venue together in a burst of applause.
Even after returning to our lodging, we didn't want to sleep yet, so the chatting and socializing continued. We gathered in the large room and talked about many things—what we enjoyed in Biratori, our own hometowns, and our future dreams—until the staff called out, "Time to go to sleep!"
<Day 3>
On the morning of the final day, we took a walk through the "Ainu Forest." Walking through the quiet woods while chatting with the friends I had made felt like a true realization of the connections we had built over our three-day, two-night stay. When we found large lotus leaves, some of us pretended to be Koro-pok-guru and took photos, our playfulness bursting forth in the midst of nature.
The final part was a time for reflection. We talked about what left an impression on us during the three days.
Comments like "The high school students were so kind to us," "The abundance of nature was charming," and "I want to learn more about Ainu culture" came up one after another.
During the presentation, each person shared their thoughts in their own words.
"I felt that if I study in Biratori Town or at the high school, I can live happily with kind people."
"I thought the appeal lies in being able to spend time while experiencing the rich nature."
Each word was a direct reflection of what they had experienced over these three days. The expressions of the local residents and high school students listening were warm, and the entire venue was wrapped in a gentle atmosphere.
Summary
The three days and two nights spent in Biratori Town were not just an experience, but a time to connect with culture, people, and nature. The memories of encountering Ainu culture, experiencing the rich nature, and laughing with the local people will surely become a major catalyst for future learning and thinking about the future.
Just as the participants said, "I want to come back" and "The people were so warm," Biratori Town has a power that attracts people. Next year, new encounters and learning opportunities will surely be waiting here. Please, come and participate in the "Trial Regional Study Abroad" in Biratori Town yourself.
