Last summer, Associate Professors for the Faculty of Letters at Soka University, Hanna Nishikawa and Tomoko Hokita, worked together with Nagano Prefecture Senior University, Department of Suwa, to bring together residents of the Suwa region, students from their seminars, and students from Associate Professor Fumiko Takahashi’s seminar at Tokyo Future University, and hold a “Study Tour,” which deepens learning by utilizing the Internet.

On March 20th, a symposium called “Learn about Suwa from Afar ~Exhibition on Wonderful Friends~” was held at Suwatchao, an interaction terrace located in front of Suwa Station. It was co-hosted by the Nishikawa Seminar from the Faculty of Letters at Soka University and Global Education Office, Graduate School of Education, Kyoto University,

At the Study Tour last summer, students worked together and cooperated with senior students in the Suwa region to convey the charms of Suwa. Their accomplishments include the commercialization of a souvenir set named “Genki de Suwa,” which delivers the appeal of Suwa, and the creation of cooking recipes and Suwa walking courses.
At the symposium, presentations were made by senior students with whom students deepened interactions through the online Study Tour. Associate Professors for the Faculty of Letters at Soka University, Nishikawa and Hokita, a lecturer Sachi Ando from the Graduate School of Education, Kyoto University, and Associate Professor Fumiko Takahashi from Tokyo Future University had detailed discussions about various topics, including the importance of taking an interest in local resources and learning about them, while reviewing the activities they engaged in.

Looking back on the activities they did, Associate Professor Nishikawa said, “This project is one of the achievements we made by continuing Study Tours in the Suwa region. We reported what we researched, learned, and achieved in the Suwa region to you all, who are from this area, got your feedback, and deepened our relationship with you. Our main focus is on welfare activities, but we also intend to learn about this area, which has history, culture, and festivals, by seeking cooperation from the residents of the Suwa region.”

Associate Professor Hokita said, “My students and I were very honored to have had an opportunity to collaborate with the people of this region and propose walking courses that bring out the history, culture, and people of Suwa. I also personally gained precious learning during my time here as a learner of the regional history of Suwa. I hope to continue contributing to the region with the students through practical attempts to incorporate history.”