The Research Center for Higher Education Division of Global Education (hereinafter referred to as the “International Office”), conducted a fieldwork program entitled “Learning Together: Tokushima’s Tourism with International and Japanese Students” on December 13, 2025, as a part of the Tokushima Prefecture International Student Regional Exchange Promotion Project.
The Tokushima Prefecture International Student Regional Exchange Promotion Project is a commissioned initiative of Tokushima Prefecture. Its purpose is to promote exchange between international students, Japanese students, and local community groups through fieldwork and other events. By doing so, the project aims to enhance international students’ Japanese language proficiency and understanding of Japanese culture, while also encouraging their settlement in the prefecture.
During this fieldwork, a total of 63 students—both international and Japanese—from higher education institutions in Tokushima visited Oboke and Iya. First, they visited Oboke Gorge Mannaka, where they boarded sightseeing boats to learn about the appeal of local tourism resources. Afterwards, they heard from representatives of the company operating the facility, who spoke in detail about their efforts to provide services for overseas tourists, initiatives to meet inbound demand, and experiences and challenges in hosting international internship students. This provided the students with a valuable opportunity to learn about the connection between regional tourism and international human resources, enabling them to understand Tokushima’s appeal from both tourism and business perspectives. The group then visited the Kazura Bridge and Biwa Waterfall, experiencing firsthand the rich natural beauty of Tokushima.
This fieldwork proved to be a highly successful occasion for international and Japanese students to learn together and deepen their exchange. Moreover, by learning about Tokushima’s tourism resources and the initiatives of local businesses, it is expected to contribute to international students’ understanding of Japanese culture and to encourage their settlement in the region.
The International Office continues to advance exchange among international students, Japanese students, and local residents through various events and projects, creating further opportunities to foster mutual understanding.
studying Tokushima’s attractions and inbound tourism
Smiling Faces at the Iya Kazura Bridge
