Tokyo University and Experience Class

We started the day visiting Tokyo University to hear about their Department of Education. At this time the university doesn't train teachers, but they are working toward more collaboration with teaching schools to more effectively train teachers. Toyko University is the oldest university in Japan. It was established in 1870 and built in 1877 on the grounds of a former feudal lord. The university boasts the only red gate in the area to survive the fire bombings during WWII. A gate was painted red to show that the lord had married the daughter of the Shogunate. Following our trip to the university we had a wonderful buffet lunch at Restaurant Hokkaido. Oka-san (our interpreter for the week) told us it is a typical place for business men to have lunch. In addition to Oka-san, Mari-san will act as our interpreter for official visits. We then went to the library in Inagi City where we were treated to an oragami lesson and a bamboo craft lesson. These lessons are offered Shiroyama Experience House which is connected to the library. We asked how much these classes cost the public and were told it was 150 yen, or about $1.50. I'd be there every day! We learned to make an origami frog and a bamboo dragonfly. We also got extra samples to take which all teachers love! I'll definitely be making these at school!