On October 29, under the gentle autumn sunshine, students from the beginner class set out on a hike along the “Kamakura Tengoku Course.”

They gathered at Shinjuku Station before 10 a.m. and took the train together to Kita-Kamakura Station. Even before departure, the students were full of smiles, and their excitement was easy to see.

After arriving at Kita-Kamakura Station, they first walked toward Kenchoji Temple. From the train platform, the peaceful, traditional scenery of Japan already spread out before them, and many students eagerly took out their cameras to capture the moment.

When they reached the main gate of Kenchoji, voices of admiration such as “Amazing!” and “So beautiful!” could be heard, and some students asked, “Please take a picture of us here!” Their enthusiasm to create memories against the backdrop of Japan’s historical scenery was truly impressive.

Then, the real hiking began.

Although the one-hour trail was quite challenging, the students chatted with their teachers, encouraged one another, and made their way up the mountain with cheerful energy. Along the way, they were deeply moved by the views of Mt. Fuji, temples, and the beautiful natural surroundings.

There were some steep slopes and steps along the route, but each time, students reached out to help one another—a heartwarming sight to see.

Around noon, they arrived at Ohirayama, where everyone spread out picnic mats and enjoyed lunch together. In addition to their packed lunches, some students shared homemade dishes and snacks from their home countries.

Laughter filled the air as they chatted, played card games, and relaxed—an enjoyable break that eased the fatigue from the hike.

On the way down, the students continued lively conversations while admiring the beautiful scenery, and time passed by in the blink of an eye. After descending, some explored the streets of Kamakura, spending the rest of the day as they pleased.

Throughout the day, their smiles, friendly conversations, and willingness to help each other stood out. It was a wonderful hiking experience that allowed everyone to enjoy Japan’s nature and culture while creating lasting memories.