Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures Custom Group program!
Here are a few things you can expect:
- We typically receive 2-3 blog posts per week here at GLA Headquarters from our program staff and students, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post daily – that’s totally normal.
- Blog updates sent on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
- Due to many factors, including but not limited to internet accessibility, photos may not always be available to post onto the blog. Sometimes onsite program staff are only able to send text back to Headquarters, where our team updates the blog.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.
For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.
-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team
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BLOG POST FOR SEPTEMBER 30
Dear Atmosphere Academy Japan 2025 families:
Haikei! We are so glad all students have arrived! We greeted them in Osaka and straight away headed off to the beautiful bamboo forests of Arashiyama. We hiked up to see the snow monkeys and then through the mystical bamboo forest, then on to the Teryuji Temple to explore its gardens and ancient buildings.
We then headed back to Osaka where we stopped for a nice dinner and orientation, and then after our very full day made it back to our comfy hotel. Tomorrow we are off to the famous Nara park to hand feed the deer!
Over the next 9 days we will explore Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Tokyo- trying local foods, learning local crafts such as painting Japanese fans and making Wagashi, a Japanese dessert. We will see Sumo wrestlers training, take bullet trains, cruise Lake Ashi, and explore Tokyo by subway. It will be a blast! We hope to learn tons about Japanese culture and will see some amazing sights.
Student leaders of the day will be writing a blog post every one to two days to keep you updated about all the great things they have been up to. Our schedule is packed so besides the blog we won’t be on our phones very often. We truly hope the students enjoy this cultural experience in Japan.
Keigu!
The GLA International Director team: Heather, Brooke, Adham, and Clint + our Japanese Local Director teams: Yu-san, Tai-san, and Hiro-san
BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 1
Hello all parents!
Today we visited Nara Park, and it was amazing! We got to feed the friendly deer, and many even bowed before taking the cookies we had for them. There were so many walking around everywhere. You would be met by a deer at any turn. We all felt excited, happy, and had so much fun exploring and experiencing this environment.
we went to Todaiji Temple after that. It has a giant wooden building and a huge Buddha statue inside. We learned about its history and saw the cool architecture. Outside, we walked around the quiet grounds, the big wooden gate, stone lanterns, and smaller temples. We felt amazed and thought it was one of the best places in Japan.
We were privileged to get the chance to see the Umeda Sky Building in the evening. To see the breathtaking views, we had to ascend forty levels. The structure has a lot to offer, including the breathtaking views, of course, as well as a fantastic cafe with delicious ice cream and soda floats and a souvenir shop where our scholars enjoy doing their shopping.
In the topic of today’s meals we feel as though we had the most freedom so far in our choices of Japanese cuisine. Given the fact we were given the opportunity to explore the bustling streets of our destination and pick what food we decided to eat. Along with a protein packed dinner that we got to cook. It was super fun and we think collectively this was one of the best food days yet!
BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 2
Today was a very long day out in Hiroshima! Our trip to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial was such a powerful experience. We walked through Peace Memorial Park, and explored the museum. It felt different from just learning in class and was far more personal. This experience was emotional, eye-opening, and really made us think about peace in today’s world.
The Bullet Train is one if not the FASTEST train going 200 miles an hour, If we really foucs in on it you can feel the speed but in general it doesn’t feel like it’s going as fast as it is from the outside.
Eating okonomiyaki for the first time was a cool experience. It was warm, savory, and full of flavor, kind of like a mix between a pancake and a pizza, but with cabbage and sauce. We didn’t know if we would like it at first, but after a few bites it became really good. So far on this trip we’ve also had takoyaki, which was soft and a little chewy with octopus inside, and we even tried McDonald’s in Japan. The menu felt a bit different and fun to compare to home. Altogether, the food has made the trip exciting.
BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 3
Dear Parents,
Today, we recently painted Japanese flags.Due to some research, we learned the red circle, or Hinomaru, represents the sun and symbolizes energy and sincerity in Japanese culture. Everyone had a fantastic time being creative while painting and participating in this big part of Japanese cultures. Our finished flags are currently drying, so we haven’t brought them home yet, but we are excited to share our beautiful artwork with you very soon!
Our trip to Ohki High School in Japan was super amazing. The faculty and students were so respectful to us and made us feel so at home. Everyone’s kindness and hospitality was super appreciated and apparent throughout the whole trip. Even though we spoke different languages, we all tried our best and we definitely connected. A definite highlight was participating in and learning about a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, where we got to try authentic matcha. It was an interesting cultural experience that we will always remember. The warmth and hospitality of everyone at Ohki High School made the visit ever memorable.
Today we ate food at a restaurant where we can cook our own food. The broth was in the middle of the table being heated up in a pot in an open fire and contained many different ingredients like tofu, and mushrooms. They gave us rice, and meat which we used to dip inside the pot to let the meat cooked. After we cooked the meat inside the pot we would scoop it out with the scooping utensil they gave us and eat it. The food was pretty good and the broth gave it a very unique flavor!
BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 4
Dear Parents,
When we were in Kyoto, Japan, we visited the Manga Museum and spent time walking through the exhibits, admiring the creativity and uniqueness of the artwork. Later, we went to Kiyomizu-dera, where we were surrounded by the temple’s breathtaking beauty and peaceful atmosphere. Afterward, we wandered through the nearby shops, taking in the charm and culture of the area. Through every moment, we felt you with us, your love, your guidance, and the quiet reminder that you are still a part of every place we go and everything we experience.
As we walked the ancient streets and listened to the soft hum of the city, we thought about how much you would have loved it there. The colors, the history, and the peace that seemed to rest in the air made us think of you. Each laugh we shared and each sight that took our breath away reminded us of the lessons you taught us: to appreciate beauty, to stay curious, and to hold on to one another. Even though you are no longer here, your spirit continues to travel beside us, guiding our steps and filling our hearts with gratitude.
Afterwards, we visited a traditional wagashi making class where we learned about the history the candy holds for japan. A lot of us struggled to mimic the beautiful patterns for the candy but however we were able to taste it and most of us enjoyed it. We also were able to see the cultural setting as we had to take off our shoes to enter the restaurant and the rooms were oddly small in terms of ceiling space.
Students from Atmosphere Academy recently experienced a traditional Japanese dinner, immersing themselves in both culture and cuisine. Seated on tatami mats around low wooden tables, they were served an authentic multi-course meal known as kaiseki. The dinner began with miso soup and fresh sashimi, followed by delicately prepared dishes like tempura, grilled fish, and pickled vegetables. Each course was presented with artistic care, reflecting Japanese values of balance and seasonality. Students practiced using chopsticks and showed respect by saying itadakimasu before eating and gochisousama deshita afterward. The serene atmosphere, combined with warm green tea and quiet conversation, made the evening memorable. It was a unique opportunity for them to appreciate Japan’s rich culinary traditions and cultural etiquette.
BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 5
Today, on October 5th, we took a two-hour trip from Kyoto to Tokyo on the Shinkansen bullet train. The ride was fast and comfortable, giving us a chance to see Japan’s beautiful countryside. Once we arrived, we visited the historic Asakusa Temple and learned about its deep cultural and religious importance. The temple was surrounded by traditional shops and people dressed in kimono. Some of the students even drew fortunes from the temple’s fortune teller, an exciting and memorable experience that showed us more about Japanese traditions and the ways people connect with spirituality in everyday life.
After our temple visit, we went to Character Street for lunch and shopping. The street was full of stores dedicated to popular anime, video games, and Japanese characters, offering snacks, toys, and figurines of all kinds. It was a lively and colorful place that represented Tokyo’s fun and modern side. We explored game rooms and shops selling delicious food like ramen and desserts. Everywhere we went, there was something new and interesting to see. The experience gave us a great mix of Japan’s creative pop culture and its friendly atmosphere, making it an unforgettable afternoon in the city.
In the evening, we made it to our dinner reservation at a buffet, where everyone enjoyed a variety of tasty dishes. Afterward, we visited a nearby mall to shop for souvenirs and clothes, finding many unique items to bring home. Walking through the busy Tokyo streets at night was amazing. The lights, sounds, and energy made the city feel alive. Overall, today was fun and exciting. We were able to explore both the traditional and modern sides of Tokyo, gaining new memories, experiences, and knowledge that we’ll treasure and share long after returning home.
BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 6
Dear Parents,
Hey from Japan! Today was such a fun and crazy day. probably one of our best ones yet.
We started off with breakfast at the hotel, and everyone was still half asleep but excited for the day. The food was actually pretty good. some of us had pancakes, others tried rice and soup (yeah, soup for breakfast is normal here). We were all joking around and getting ready for a long day ahead.
Our first stop was Tokyo Character Street, and wow, it was so cool. It’s this long hallway under Tokyo Station filled with shops for different anime and game characters. Everywhere you look, there’s Pokémon, Hello Kitty, Rilakkuma, One Piece. literally everything. The colors were so bright and cute, and every shop had something we wanted to buy. It was hard not to spend all our money there. It felt like walking inside an anime. people were smiling, taking photos, and the music in the shops made it even more fun.
Then we headed to Ueno Park for lunch. It was super chill after the chaos of Character Street. We sat under the trees, ate, and just relaxed for a bit. There were tons of pigeons everywhere trying to steal food. they were way too brave. The weather was nice too, so it was just a really good break.
After that, it was time for the Tokyo Tower Challenge, which was probably the best part of the day. We had to take the train to the tower with our groups and chaperones, kind of like a scavenger hunt. It was confusing at first but really fun. When we got there, the tower looked amazing. huge and glowing orange. We went up to the top and saw the whole city, which looked insane, especially when the sun started to set. Some of us even stood on the glass floor and looked down (scary but awesome).
We finished the day with a buffet dinner, and it was perfect. Everyone was starving after all the walking. There was so much food. sushi, noodles, desserts, everything. We just sat together, ate a ton, and talked about our favorite parts of the day.
So yeah, it was a long but awesome day. We’re tired but happy and can’t wait for whatever we’re doing tomorrow.
BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 7
For the second to last day of Japan 2025, we visited the iconic Mount Fuji, and it was an unforgettable experience. As we approached took a cable ride toward the highest point accessible by the public, a strong smell of sulfur filled the air as the steam continued to pour. The scent was so pungent you could immediately tell it smells like eggs. The steam rising from the vents created an otherworldly atmosphere.
One of the most interesting parts was trying the famous black eggs, or Kuro-tamago, boiled in the hot sulfur springs. The shells turn black from the minerals, and legend says eating one adds seven years to your life. Despite the smell, the view and the scenery surrounding Mount Fuji made it completely worth it. At first many people were nervous but as soon as they got on it they were fine and enjoying the scenery going up the cable. While we were going up the cable, we came across seeing mount fuji as shown from our gla members. Looking at mount fuji, it was very very huge looking at it. It soared through the clouds and it was very foggy looking at it. We enjoyed and had some fun in our individual groups.
The food today was actually very good. For breakfast we ate on the bus due to the traveling distance and the time we had to depart the hotel. The breakfast contained two different kinds of sandwiches and green tea as a drink. For lunch ,the food was very cultural. They gave us sea same seeds to mash together to put it on the fish. It was a very fun experience. We were also given soup to mix. It wasn’t a bad taste, it was good. For dinner it was the best dinner out of the day. There were many diverse food options. The foods displayed were fried chicken, steak, salmon, and dumplings. Many of us enjoyed the food as it was very savory.
BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 8
The experience at the sumo wrestling event we went to was insane to say the least. When we entered it felt like a big tournament was about to happen with the middle of the room having an arena for the wrestlers. When we sat down on the side a lady showed us a video of the history behind sumo wrestling and the rules about it, the video contained highlights of the wrestlers and their names, honestly I was already captivated by the atmosphere so I was just watching the highlights. After they showed us some of the exercises/practices and their daily activities in keeping such a body, they started up a real match between two sumo wrestlers, the sheer strength in them was baffling, then they asked people if they wanted to go up after. Getting some content, I went up and fought the sumo wrestler, of course I didn’t win but I tried my best.
After everyone went up we all took some pictures with the sumo wrestlers and that was that. Overall it was a pretty cool experience and the sumo wrestlers were really nice and cool, 10/10 experience.The Lunch for today on October 8 was sushi today we learned something new and understanding the process how to make sushi and make the different varieties of sushi and ingredients they need to make look good and taste but from certain point of views people don’t like wasabi because they think it’s bland and to spicy for them but in my opinion I think good and I think it has great taste and It thinks it more popular sauce than Soy sauce in My opinion so I recommend we should come back.
In my opinion the best part of today was playing games in Shibuya. The claw machines; as soon as I saw one on my way back to our meeting spot I immediately stopped and went straight in there. I went looking around for a claw machine I liked and found the Holy Grail of claw machines, A Goomy Claw Machine. Sadly I got excited and forgot to take a picture of said claw machine. Shibuya in general was a packed place where you had to walk quickly to get to where you wanted to go; kind of reminds me of Manhatten
Dinner was a good experience, we went to a restaurant that people like Keanu Reeves and Mr.Sylvester Stallone went to. There was a section with a window view where you could see a bridge and the lake. There were many different kinds of food we ate, one of them was some cheese balls with frozen noodles on top of it; tasted amazing! We also had some Grilled fish; which I personally thought had a unique taste and didn’t taste grilled to me.
