公開日 2025年06月19日
From June 6 to 7, the International Center conducted a study tour for international students in Unnan City, which has a comprehensive agreement with Shimane University.
This study tour, titled “Practical Activity 2025 in Unnan: Discovering the Attractiveness of Agriculture and Interaction through Agriculture in the Chushan Mountain Area,” was designed to provide international students with opportunities to experience the agricultural industry in Unnan City and to interact with the people who live there. The purpose of this event was to foster an international network of people in Japan's Satoyama and agriculture through exchange with the local people.
On the first day, they visited Yoshida-cho, Unnan City, where they strolled through the streets with the white-walled warehouses, and then visited the Iron History Museum and Sugaya Tatara Yamauchi to learn about the history of “Tatara iron manufacturing. The international students listened intently to explanations about iron manufacturing that takes advantage of the rich natural environment of the region. Next, they had a chance to interact with third-year high school students from the Kakeya branch of Shimane Mitoya High School by making herb tea. At first, the international students and high school students seemed nervous, but they gradually became more relaxed as they worked together, and by the end they were smiling as they introduced their countries and cultures to each other. In the evening, they enjoyed a Kagura performance by the Nakano Kagura Preservation Society. The international students were fascinated by the powerful dances and music, and after the performance there was loud applause and cheers from the audience.
On the second day, as an agricultural industry experience, the students visited Okuizumo Vineyard for a tour of the wine factory, then actually experienced vineyard work and learned about the process of the sixth industry, from cultivation to brewing and sales. During the factory tour, international students asked many questions, such as how long is the fermentation period of wine and how to check the alcohol content.
Comments by the international students who participated in the training program included “I made new international student friends” and “it was a good opportunity to learn about the charms of Shimane and Japanese culture.” They seemed to have enjoyed the exchange with other international students and local people, and had a valuable experience to come into contact with the lifestyle and traditional performing arts of Unnan City and learn about the charms of the mountainous areas.
 History learning |
 Exchange Activities with High School Students |
 Watching Kagura |
 Agricultural Work Experience |
