SKIP 2025
“What is it like to live in Japan?”
“What is it like to live in Japan?” was the theme of SKIP 2025.
In recent years, Japanese culture such as food, traditions, and modern lifestyles has attracted attention from around the world. However, truly understanding Japan goes beyond what is seen in short visits or media coverage. SKIP 2025 set the theme “What is it like to live in Japan”, offering Stanford students the opportunity to experience daily life in Japan firsthand.
The 2 week program consisted of four sections (Modern, Short Trip, Food&Traditional Culture) where we explored not only Japan’s beauty, but also the rhythms, values, and experiences that shape everyday living.
Day 1:
Welcome Ceremony
Our program started off as usual with a welcome ceremony including all Stanford students, SKIP members, alumni, and the host families
The room was bustling with excitement for the 2 weeks to come. We were able to start to get to know one another though ice break games. (which were cleverly prepared by our creative freshmans!)
Day 2:
Japanese Cooking Class
The program kicked off with a cooking class (the first of the Food&Traditional Culture section).
Here, we learned about traditional Japanese cuisine and the core elements that make it was so unique. Japanese food, with all of its history and intrigue, made for a interesting lecture by a chef. We also got to see soba being hand-made. What a mesmerizing time it was to see the specialists work their magic into the soba.
Afterwards, we all made our way to the kitchen and starting cooking. We were able to bond through shared experiences in the kitchen and the food that we ate together. After all, food is what brings humans together!
Day 3:
Company Visit
On day 3, we visited the headquarters of Softbank and Sanrio.
We got to explore Japan’s working culture through these visits to leading IT and entertainment companies. This was truly a once in a lifetime experience, and got to explore Japan from a new lense.
Day 4-6:
Short trip to Fukushima
In 2025, our short trip destination was Fukushima, land of rolling mountains and vast skies, the country-side of Japan.
We stayed a night in an abandoned elementary school (廃校) where we got to experience what it is like to be a elementary school kid in Japan. From innocent games, playing in a field, doing water balloon fights, and hand-held fireworks, it was a nice break from the bustling city-side.
We also visited the Interim Storage Facility and TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant and looked into the comunity's ongoing recovery efforts since the earthquake in 2011.
The last day of the short trip was local. We learned about Namie, saw horses, and learned about sake brewerys.
Day 7-8:
Host Family Day
Every year, the weekend is resevered for spending time with our host family. Some went camping with their family, while others went to disneyland...
Day 9:
Disaster Experience
Did you know Japan exeperiences 1500-2000 earthquakes an year?
On day 8 of the program (day 1 of the Town Development Section), we visited a disaster prevention center, a got to experience a real life earthquake with a simulator.
Day 10:
Tokyo Metropolitan Gov and the Masason Foundation
On day 9, we dove we deeper into earthquakes and learned about the prevententative policities that Tokyo has. This was done inside the Tokyo Metropolitan Building, right in the heart of Tokyo!
In the afternoon, we visited the Masason Foundation in Japan, where we interacted with the talented and gifted kids of the foundation.
Day 11:
Shibuya
In bustling Shibuya, redevelopment is currently on going with a dual focus on promoting tourism and strengthening disaster prevention. On day 11, we learned about the initiatives and strategies behind these efforts...
Day 12:
Hayama
Hayama, a coastal town in Kanagawa, is a destination that we go to every year. This year, we visited a local middle school. There, we had 給食(kyu-shoku), particapated in their english class, and had fun interacting with the young energetic middle school students.
Hayama is also home to many entrepeneurs, that have made a career outside of the traditional salary-men. We rendevoued at a cafe and listened to the inspiring storys of the locals.
For dinner, we had 流し素麺(nagashi-somen) at a temple. Eating soba out of bamboo cups under the night sky, minutues away from ocean, made for a memory that is sure to last on everyone.
Day 13:
Ghibli day
After getting to explore Ghibli's three-dimensional sculpture exhibition, we were then able to learn more about the world of Ghibli though a lecture with the person in charge of the exhibition.
Day 14:
Farewell Party
On the last day of the program, we looked back on the 2 weeks and shared memories that we had made.
We also held a party for all parties involved in making this program possible and said our goodbyes...