The South Asian High School Invitation programme started in the year 2002. Four students including one teacher from six countries i.e. Nepal, India, Pakistan, Maldives, Bangladesh and Srilanka were invited to Japan under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. This year from Nepal Shuvatara School was chosen.

To be simple and precise it is a dream come true. Experiencing Japan was totally a big surprise for me. Leaving the Tribhuvan International airport on the 12th of February 2005 we reached Narita airport, Tokyo on the 13th. We were all anxiously waiting for the next day. At the orientation programme, we were briefed about what our whole stay was going to be like.

Our first class in Japan was to learn few new Japanese words and the first one was arigotogazaimas (which literally means good morning). The very next program was a visit to Asakusa and Roppongi Hills. These were two mind-blowing aspects of our visit itself. One could see the full view of Tokyo from Roppongi Hills where every night Tokyo seemed to be shimmering with lights just like a newly wed bride. Nepal being prone to earthquakes, Disaster Prevention Center was another informative place for us. Here we learnt how to protect ourselves from a big earthquakes, escaping through a smoke filled room and used the fire extinguisher on our own. On the other hand Meijijingu and Harajuku explained the ancient culture and history of Japan. The shrines and every idol have its own history to unfold with it. The visit to the National Diet Building (the parliament) was amazing where we understood the process of election and passing drafts and bills. The next destination was an awesome one — The Kanto International High School. We performed our dances, talked with the students, learnt to write our name in Japanese and many more. The moments we shared there were some irreplaceable ones. The scientific part of Japan was yet to be discovered so we were first taken to the Panasonic Center and then to the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation where the robot Asimo was actually walking in front of our eyes. The last day in Tokyo ended with a reception where we met our Nepali Ambassador to Japan and other diplomats. The reception ended with speeches from the representative student from each country.

Taking the ANA flight from Tokyo we reached Hiroshima and then went to the Peace Memorial Hall. Misty eyes could be seen everywhere. At 8.15 am on August 6, 1945 the city of Hiroshima fell victim to the world’s first atomic bombing. The entire city was virtually leveled: thousands upon thousands of lives were lost. The Peace Memorial Museum collects and displays belonging left by the victims, photos and other materials. The Children’s Peace Monument, also known as the Tower of the Paper Cranes, stands in Peace Memorial Park. Sadako Sasaki, a vivacious young girl suddenly struck by radiation aftereffects, inspired this monument. Sadako two at the time of bombing developed leukemia after 10 years. In the hospital she used the to use medicine wrapping paper to fold over thousand paper cranes in the desperate hope that doing so would cure her. She bravely kept folding cranes until the day she died - October 25-1955. Another lecture by the survivor of the Atom Bomb Mr. Obayashi Yoshinomori was a heart filling one. After listening and seeing all these one can realise what big mistake mankind has done by use the A-bombs that has struck the lives of many and memories still haunting for the thousands. The “Home Stay” where we had to stay for one day with a Japanese family was great. It was wonderful being a part of the host family. Kyoto was an ancient and historical part to Japan. The wishing taps, the Golden Pavilion Temple (listed in the World Heritage), the small shops and market made this place a wonderful paradise.

Time passed by and the hour of separation was coming closer. We left the Kansai airport on 22 February, 2005, saying goodbye to all our friends, teachers and our escorts with whom we had a wonderful time. Besides all we made friends that shall always remain a part of us. Time shall always pass by but the memories will never be forgotten.

We departed from Kyoto to Osaka and thus left for Bangkok via Nepal. The trip was actually marvelous and astounding. From very small things like searching for escalators to understanding the process of drafting law I personally feel that I have come long way in terms of gaining things. We often learn things more through experiences and making people friends of a completely new and unfamiliar background was great. Opportunity often comes and goes but this one was one in a million and I feel that I have taken a full advantage of it. These trips often enhance the ability to be independent among students and thus be able to face thing in lives on their own. My first step in a foreign land shall always be in my memories and shall remain an irreplaceable one….

— Sweta Pant, Class X, Shuvatara School