Educational

Experience

Japan

A Trip to Japan to see a friend leads to a unique and wonderful learning experience.

Welcome aboard everyone! Fasten your safety belts before we take off. You are headed to Japan for an experience that will never be forgotten. This trip is recommended for grades fifth through seventh. You are on your way to see a friend. Your friend will guide you through and recommend a few things you should do and purchase throughout your trip. You will be living with his family, the Yon family. Your parents gave you 920 Yen for your trip. Yen is the name for Japanese money. You have to manage the amount of Yen you spend because you need to make sure you have 200 Yen for the plane fare home. Throughout your trip make sure to keep a journal for each of the 7 weeks. After each section answer the questions or task that follow. We have set up a way for you to keep track of the Yen so that we make sure you get home so you can share your experience with everyone else. Have a great time!

Week #1 - Getting to Know Japan

Since you are planning this exciting trip to Japan, you should know these fun facts. Go to the site following each question and find the answers. For this week you will be looking at lots of different maps. The map at the site below, you will need to print out so you can answer questions 1a and 1b. Have fun starting your exploration!!!!!

www.jinjapan.org/kidsweb/japan/map/l_regi.html

1a. What are the eight regions?

___________________ ___________________

___________________ __________________

1b. Use the map you printed and label each region with the correct name.

1. ______________ 5. _______________

2. ______________ 6. _______________

3. ______________ 7. _______________

4. ______________ 8. _______________

www.japan-guide.com/list/e1001.html

2. How many prefectures are there?

_________________

www.lib.utexas.edu/libs/PCL/Map_collection/middle_east_and_asia/Japan_Divisions.ipg

3. What is the capitol of Japan?

_______________

www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ja.html

Now that you had the chance to see several different maps, write in your journal, which map you liked best and why.

Week #2 It’s all about the Money!

So many aspects of the Japanese are unexpectedly beautiful, and the money they use is no exception. Log on to the site below to see some of their money. Read the whole site to get a better understanding of what their money is used for. After viewing the site below, you can measure how much you learned by completing the list of questions below.

www.asahi-net.or.jp/~py3y-knd/money.html

The word for money in Japan is Yen. The value of it varies from country to country. The site contains a graph that has some of the general rates for the value of the foreign currency.

1. What is the Yen value for:

A) One US Dollar = ___________________Yen

B) One Canada Dollar = _________________Yen

C) 100 Italian Lira = __________________Yen

D) 100 Spanish Peseta = _________________Yen

E) 1Swiss Franc = __________________Yen

2. Are you free of warring Tips in Japan? If so, list some times that you don’t need to tip.

3. How much is the Yen coin with the Silver color and a hole in it?

A) 100 Yen

B) 50 Yen

C) 10 Yen

D) 5 Yen

E) 1 Yen

To find out today’s rate, all you need to do is check a newspaper that has a section on international finance, such as the Wall Street Journal or check out this site www.bamex.com/currencyexchangerates.html. You might find it interesting to see the rates of exchange for other countries too. This will give you a sense of how rates among exchange can change in just a matter of a few days. Keep track of the changes in exchange rate with Japan during the course of this week. Notice the other countries rates too.

Dates exchange was checked Our Currency Yen Value

Monday, ________ _______, 2001 One US Dollar _________

Tuesday, ________ _______, 2001 One US Dollar _________

Wednesday, ________ _____, 2001 One US Dollar _________

Thursday, ________ _______, 2001 One US Dollar _________

Friday, __________ _______, 2001 One US Dollar ________

Saturday, _________ _______, 2001 One US Dollar _________

Sunday, __________ _______, 2001 One US Dollar _________

In small groups (three students) review the chart you filled out. Figure out if you got more or less Yen for your US Dollar over the entire week. Now, lets pretend that you each had 200 US Dollars per person. After seeing the results of the week, write the day in which you could have made the most Yen for your US Dollar. On that day, figure out how much you could make if you only exchanged half of your US dollars that day. Then look at the chart and see what day you would have lost the most Yen for each of your US Dollar.

The Day that we would have made the most Yen per US Dollar.

If I exchanged half of the group’s money, which is ________________US Dollars on the day of __________________________, 2001 we would have a total of ___________________Yen on that day.

What day would we have lost the most Yen per US Dollar?

If I exchanged half of the group’s money, which is _________________US Dollars on the day of ___________________________, 2001 we would have a total of ______________________Yen on that day.

What is the difference of Yen you could have made from the best day and the worst day?

Best day with Yen at __________per US dollar = ______________Yen

Worst day with Yen at __________per US dollar = _____________Yen

The difference = _____________ Yen

**Remember to multiple each Yen value times 100 since that is how many US Dollars you put in for that day**

Now that you have seen some Japanese money, it’s your turn to design your own money. In the square below use markers and/or crayons to design your own coin. Don’t forget to give it a value and tell us why you choose to make it that amount. If there is time, your instructor will let each of you show the coin you designed. So be creative and have fun!!

Name of the creator of this coin ___________________________________

The year this coin was created ____________________________________

The value of this coin is _________________________________________

Reason for the design and it’s value.

Your friend suggests that you get your coin created in a little shop for 35 Yen. It would make a great souvenir. He is going to take you to the shop, but it’s going to cost 15 yen for the train each way. While you’re in the village of shops you stop to get some Japanese fried rice to eat. The food bill was 30 Yen.

Amount of Yen that you have left for your trip _______________Yen.

Subtract the amount for the train ride to the shop ______________Yen

Subtract the amount for your special coin _______________Yen.

Subtract the food bill for this trip __________________Yen

New total ______________Yen.

Week #3 Japanese Characters

Japanese characters are very similar if not almost the exact same. The characters may look very strange to you when you first see them. The following Internet site will show you the number characters. Look up the site and print it out if you would like. A question sheet will follow for you to complete.

www.ocrat.com/ocrat/chargif/numbfram.html

Your friend is convinced that you can write the Japanese characters. He is bragging because he can do our numbers. He wants you to try and do the characters for the Japanese numbers. He is willing to give you 100 Yen if you can complete the following sheet. That 100 Yen could really come in handy! Before you try them though, he wants you to read a little about Chinese numbers because they are so similar to Japanese numbers.

www.mandarintools.com/numbers.html

It’s your turn to shine. Your friend is offering you 100 Yen if you give the following a try. Knowing the characters will help you throughout your stay because you will not have to depend on your friend to tell you the time, how much things cost as well as, other things. Write the Japanese characters right below the English number. There is extra room if you need a little extra practice.

One Two Three

Four Five Six

Seven Eight Nine

Ten Hundred Thousand

By the looks of it, you should be able to say that you are 100 yen richer. To determine if you should get the 100 Yen, ask a past group member if they think you deserve the money. If they’re not sure whether or not ask your teacher. In any case, the 100 Yen is handed to you. However, your friend reminds you about some expenses that you might have forgotten about. The meal at McDonald’s you craved for is now going to haunt you. It was a sense of home, but the Big Mac Meal cost 75 Yen. You also got your parents some souvenirs, which cost you a little more than you expected. The final cost of all the stuff was 175 Yen. Remember not to spend too much money because you need to have enough money for the plane fare home.

Amount you had from the previous week _______________Yen

Add the Yen you got from the bet _____________Yen

Minus the Yen for McDonald’s ______________Yen

Minus the Yen for Souvenir’s for your parents ________________Yen

New Total ______________Yen

Week #4 Discovering Japanese Food

You are probably thinking since I am in Japan that you will only eat rice and sushi. You are totally wrong. Japanese people do eat a lot of rice, but they also eat steak, hamburgers and things just like us. While staying with the Yon family you will probably have a chance to eat many traditional Japanese dishes. Answer these questions in your journal so you tell everyone about food in Japan.

www.bento.com/tokyofood.html.

www.jinjapan.org/kidsweb/index.html

1. The Japanese people eat with chopsticks. Take a look at this site and learn step-by-step process how to use them. Make sure you ask the Yon’s for pointers.

www.mtsu.edu/~introozoc/second-page.html

2. The Japanese have fast food restaurants just like we do. What type of food do they sell?

3. Mrs. Yon made everyone a traditional Japanese breakfast. What things were parts of it?

4. What are a few traditional Japanese dishes you enjoyed while staying with the Yon’s?

Now that you enjoyed all those wonderful traditional Japanese dishes, write in your journal what Japanese dish you would choose at a Japanese restaurant and why. Remember, a Big Mac meal does not count as a traditional Japanese meal.

All this talking about food has made you a bit hungry. It also reminds you to take some of the new food items you have discovered back home with you. You spent 75 Yen snack foods this week. You got some boxed and canned goods to take back with you too. That cost you another 60 Yen, but it is definitely worth it. That craving for American food came back to you so you insisted to stop at McDonald’s and pick up a Big Mac Meal. It was just what you needed, but cost you 75 Yen.

Amount of Yen that you have left ______________________Yen.

Subtract snack food amount _______________________Yen.

Food you are taking home _______________________Yen.

The Big Mac Meal _______________________Yen.

New total _______________Yen.

Week #5 Learning about Kimonos

Since you are in Japan you should dress in the traditional Japanese clothing. In the past, kimonos were worn everyday. Now a days, they are only worn on special occasions. Let’s take a ride on the train and go into town and look at different stores to see kimonos. Lets see if you can you answer some questions about kimonos.

www.jinjapan.org/kidsweb/japan/a/q6.html

1a. What are most kimonos made out of?

1b. What are three other types of fabric used to make kimonos?

2. Give four examples of when a kimono is worn.

3. Kimonos only come in one size. How are they adjusted for different heights and weights?

Now that you have learned about kimonos, use this site and design your own virtual kimono.

http://jinijcic.or.jp/kidsweb/virtual/kimono/virtual.html

The material you needed to design your Kimono ended up costing you 45 Yen. It looks really good and would be a hot seller if it were placed on the market. You did a great job! Now, it’s time to see how many Yen you have left. It looks like you cutting it really close. Let’s subtract the Yen that you have spent to see where you stand.

Amount you had before this week _______________Yen.

Minus the cost for the kimono_______________Yen.

New total____________Yen.

Week #6 Festival Fun

Your group decides they want to do something fun and exciting today. You all get on the train and take a ride into town for one of the many festivals in Japan. This will be so much fun, but don’t forget to watch how much money you spend. You are starting to cut it close and there is still another week after this that you will need some money.

1. Describe in your journal what goes on at an Obon Festival and what it means.

www.geocities.com/Tokoyo/Island/6653/obon1.htm

2. Can you tell me how it is possible for a festival that is only celebrated once a year to be in both July and August?

3. Tell me what type of clothing is worn at this festival and why?

4. As the day goes on you begin to get hotter and a little hungry, what types of food are traditionally eaten during this time?

5. As you look around enjoying the excitement you notice the decorations mainly consist of colored lanterns. What are the two main colors used and what do they stand for?

6. We have had a lot of fun at this festival and since I know you’d love to see more, I want you to search this site and find three other festivals that interest you and why?

www.geocities.com/toshi_withpesu/festivals.html

You now decide that you want a souvenir from the festival, the best souvenir you can get is the symbolic lantern. It will look great in the family room. This lantern costs 100 Yen, along with 35 Yen you spent on food today, how much Yen do you have at the end of the day?

Amount you had left_______________Yen.

Minus the cost of lantern____________Yen.

Food Bill ____________Yen.

New total___________Yen.

Week #7 Tea Time

You and your friend decide you would like to be a part of Japanese culture and join a couple for the famous tea ceremony.

1. The tea ceremony has been around for a while. Do you know when it first started, and who started it?

www.jinjapan.org/kidsweb/japan/d/q3.html

2. Before the ceremony starts the couple gives you and your friend some information about tea ceremonies, how many tea ceremonies did they say there were? What were their names?

3. Do you know what the tea ceremonies main use is?

4. Now that you have enjoyed your very own tea ceremony, I want you to tell me all about them. You can create your own tea ceremony. Tell me who is there, what role each person played, where it is located, and what your theme is? Use your journal to tell me the details.

www.holymtn.com/tea/Japanesetea.htm

After the tea ceremony is over you decide that you want to take some tea with you for your ceremony with your family. The tea costs 75 Yen. You now go back to your friend’s house to figure out how much money you got left.

Previous amount_____________Yen.

Minus box of tea _____________Yen.

Final amount left_____________Yen.

This concludes your visit. It’s now time for you to go home and share all the experiences and things you learned about with your family and friends. We hope you had a great time and that this material we prepared for you was fun way to learn about Japan. You did a wonderful job. Check out some of our other classmate’s work to learn about other countries.