Fifteen Shaler Area High School students traveled across the globe to Japan to learn about the country and people from July 10-20.

Led by Gerra Gembarosky, Shaler Area Middle School Japanese teacher, students had the opportunity to use their Japanese language skills and experience firsthand the Japanese culture.

Students had the opportunity to ride the cable car to Komagatake Mountain to see a rare, crystal-clear view of Mt. Fuji, visit the Great Buddha of Kamakura, ride the shinkansen (bullet train), tour the Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo, window shop in Ginza—the most expensive shopping area in the world, see The Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, walk through the largest fish auction in the world at Tsukiji, visit Sadako’s statue at Peace Memorial Park and Museum in Hiroshima, and enjoy a cruise on Lake Ashi to visit the Itsukushima Shinto Shrine (a World Cultural Heritage) on Miyajima Island, where domesticated deer follow tourists around for treats.

When asked at the end of the tour to describe Japan in one word, students used adjectives like “amazing” and “extraordinary.”