Join us for an exciting visit to Aichi, Japan where you’ll make new friendships while exploring some of the great treasures of Japan.  In November 2009 FFCNC will fly from Greensboro to Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture for the start of a six-night homestay.  Aichi is located in central Japan and boasts much history, industry, and natural beauty.  Local tours may include the Toyota Techno Museum, Noritake China, Nagoya Castle, and visits to the sea and mountains.  But the highlight of your stay in Aichi will surely be the unique and very personal experience to live with a Japanese family.  Be prepared to sleep on a tatami – a floormat on which a “bedroll” of quilts, sheets, and pillows will be laid.  Your room will no doubt include a tokonoma – an area for the display of decorative objects of nature’s beauty.  Your hosts may take you to attend a tea ceremony, visit a public bath, or shop for a kimono.

After the homestay, you will have the option to join the six-night guided extension tour to several other cities.  In Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, you will see the Golden Pavillion at Nijo Castle then travel on to Nara to visit the Todaiji Temple which houses the Great Buddha.  In Hakone you will cruise on Lake Ashii and ride a cable car half way up Mt. Fuji.  If you are able to see the mountain, legend has it, you will return to Japan.  Finally you will take the Bullet Train to Tokyo for an exciting tour of this city and an excursion to Nikko, home of the Futarasan Shrine, which dates back to 767 AD.

Yet another option will be to travel to Okinawa for the Friendship Force International Conference Nov. 20 - 22.

Visit the Exchanges page for more details.