Incursions/Excursions

Japan Study Tour – September 2025

We are excited to share that on Wednesday 17 September, a group of 24 Year 5 & Year 6 students, accompanied by 5 staff members and 3 adult supervisors, will depart Brisbane for our Japan Study Tour. Over 13 nights, we will experience an incredible blend of cultural exchange, history, and adventure.

This year’s tour is especially significant as it marks the 44th year of Ironside’s Japan Study Tour program. For more than four decades, this program has created extraordinary opportunities for our students to connect with Japanese culture, language, and schools, making it one of the longest-running international exchange programs of its kind in Queensland. Generations of Ironside students have built friendships and cultural understanding through this program, strengthening the bond between our school and Japan.

The group will visit the cities of Kyoto and Hiroshima, as well as spend time in our three sister schools: Tomiokahigashi Elementary School in Sakai, Kobe University Elementary School in Akashi, and Haga Elementary School in Haga-cho, Shiso-shi. Students will have the special opportunity to attend classes, perform for their Japanese peers, and enjoy the warmth of local hospitality during host family visits.

In preparation for the visit to Hiroshima, many Ironside students have been folding paper cranes to contribute to a senbazuru — a display of 1,000 cranes. This powerful symbol of peace and hope will be presented and hung at the Hiroshima Peace Park during the study tour, as part of our students’ reflection on history and their wish for a peaceful future.

A highlight of the tour will be our involvement in a special art exchange project with Tanigami Elementary School in Kobe, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Brisbane City Council and Kobe City. The students’ collaborative artwork will be on display in Kobe and at Tanigami train station, which the group will visit during the tour to view the exhibition in person.

Alongside school experiences, the group will explore some of Japan’s most remarkable sites. From the historic temples and shrines of Kyoto, to the moving Hiroshima Peace Memorial, and the bustling markets and cultural landmarks, our students will gain a first-hand understanding of Japan’s history, traditions, and daily life.

This study tour is not only an educational journey but also a celebration of 44 years of Ironside’s proud connection with Japan. It gives students the chance to build lasting friendships, develop independence, and proudly represent our school on the international stage. We wish our group a safe and exciting journey, and we look forward to hearing their stories when they return!

Shelley Lee | Head of Curriculum