We know there is much to learn, explore and experience – food, cities, people – while in Japan but don’t forget to join a school club or community activity to add to those experiences. 

Listen to why you should get involved and see some of your fellow ALTs participating in their respective activities. 

Hear from other ALTs in Nagasaki Prefecture:

  • Abbie’s Shuji Experience: Shuji
  • Patrick’s Kyudo Experience: Kyudo

From school club activities, external club activities, events such as cultural exchange workshops or language exchange events to festivals, there are many different ways you can get involved in your local community and many ways you can go about doing so.

You can ask your teachers, co-workers, ALT supervisors/co-ordinators, or fellow JETs/ALTs about where to find a community group or club to join. Alternatively, you can also look up what’s going on in your city via your local city website. Most sites have foreign language support and also an event calendar for you to refer to. 

Click here for links to your local city websites within the Nagasaki prefecture.  

Additionally, here are some ideas of activities you can join while in Japan! 

Traditional Japanese arts:

  • Ikebana (Flower arranging)
  • Sado (Tea ceremony)
  • Kado (Flower arranging)
  • Kimono (Learn how to arrange and wear Kimono)
  • Calligraphy
  • Igo (board game; known as Go in English)
  • Shogi (Board game, sometimes called Japanese Chess)

Martial arts:

  • Kendo (Sword fighting)
  • Naginata (Spear fighting)
  • Aikido
  • Judo
  • Karate
  • Kyudo (Japanese Archery)

Cultural activities:

  • Yosakoi (a Japanese dance style that blends modern and traditional Japanese dance and music)
  • Peiron (Boat rowing – Nagasaki City)
  • Seribune (Boat rowing – Ikitsuki/Hirado)
  • Festival dancing (Many areas will have traditional dancing featured during local summer festivals. You may be able to learn the dances and participate)
  • Cosplay (check https://cosp.jp/event_list.aspx to find events)

Cultural exchange-focused activities:

  • Many cities will have annual events to promote cultural exchange. These might be sports days, holiday festivals like for Halloween or Christmas, and so on. They can be really fun! There may also be cultural exchange or conversation exchange groups in your area. Or you can start one yourself!

Sports:

  • Some areas have sports clubs you can join! Ask around to see if there are any for your preferred sport. For example, Nagasaki City has a cricket club.

Music:

  • Try a traditional Japanese instrument! Most areas offer lessons in koto, shakuhachi, taiko, and shamisen. Many ALTs have joined taiko groups in the past.
  • You can also find lessons for piano, guitar, violin etc. in most areas
  • You can start a band with your friends, or find one in the community that needs you

Art:

Why not try learning or improving your art skills? For example:

    • Photography
    • Calligraphy
    • Collage
    • Painting
    • Drawing
    • Writing
    • Embroidery, sewing