Dates: Monday, June 27th, 2016
Place: Main Hall
Participants: 55 first grade students and 3 second grade students (other second graders did group work in the Computer Room)
Lecturer: Ms. Natsuko Miyazaki, Assistant Manager of the Himeji City Promotion Division, Alumni of Himeji Nishi High School (43rd class)
Topic: “Tourism Strategies of Himeji City”
First Grade Students
This time we invited Ms. Natsuko Miyazaki from the Himeji Coty Promotion Division, to speak to us about sightseeing administration and tourism initiatives in Himeji City. She told us Himeji City is in 25th place nationwide in terms of population, 15th place in terms of industrial product shipments and 27th place in terms of annual nationwide merchandise sales. She also talked about the history of tourism administration in Himeji City and about 
the recent Grand Re-Opening of Himeji Castle. She explained that the number of tourists has more than tripled since the re-opening, so they are working on many new tourism initiatives now. The students asked a lot of questions about things like what things attract the attention of tourists to how to find tourism resources. The students seemed very interested and excited.
Student Comments:
- “Seeing things from the viewpoint of foreign tourists, I learned that there were many things which I did not notice before.”
- “I was surprised to learn that Himeji Castle is connected closely with Kumamoto Castle and Hirosaki Castle.”
- “I thought it was interesting to learn that unexpected places such as ramen shops and taverns can become resources for tourists.”
Second Grade Students
The second grade students did research for their projects in their groups. Some groups went out to do fieldwork. Group C3 began to experimentally cultivate NERICA rice seeds obtained from JICA. This group was also interviewed by JICA’s Kansai office.
Progress of each Group:
- B2: “We studied about baby clothing companies like Nishimatsuya in China”
- B2: “We got information about auto-registers from GLORY Ltd.”
- C1: “While studying more about the power situation in Nepal, we added to our Japanese report.”
- C2: “We decided to consider two new methods.”
- C3: “We decide that we will cultivate NERICA rice at home as well, and keep records on how it grows from now.”
- D1: “We contacted the artists to see if they were interested in holding solo exhibitions in Nozato.”
- D2: “We thought about the flow of the castle attack experience and we were able to complete a general plan.”
- D3: “We started making our poster, including a diagram of Nishinikai Town and increasing the amount of information.”
