Kamakura Jogakuin Junior and Senior High School

On Friday January 9, our first day in Japan, we were privileged to be able to visit a beautiful all-girls school in Kamakura, known as "Kamajo". We had many guides to help us navigate the twisting streets to this school located in the middle of bustling downtown - Charlie and Royce from Samurai Tours, Mr. Hayashi from the Mayor's office, and Mrs. Ban from the Kamakura-Nashville Friendship Association, whose youngest daughter recently graduated from Kamajo!

Kamajo has 1000 students ranging from 7th-12th grade

http://www.kamajo.ac.jp/en/

We were greeted very warmly by the Head of the English Department, Ms. Mayumi Negishi, who had been working tirelessly on all the preparations for our visit, and Principal Nishiki. First they let us enjoy a brief rest with some snacks, including a sweet cookie shaped like a dove, a famous treat from Kamakura. After making sure our technology would work as planned (whew!), their junior students began filling the auditorium.

Despite the fact that we had been in Japan less than 24 hours, the Harpeth Hall girls showed no jet lag, probably due to their excitement at meeting the other students. They presented slideshows on Harpeth Hall and Nashville, and then some of the English students treated us to a presentation they had prepared on their beautiful school and city. Then the girls got to break out into groups to chat and exchange gifts. Many of them exchanged address at the end, so I hope they will keep in touch!

It was hard to believe that we squeezed all of that in one hour, but thanks to Ms. Negishi's hard work and the girls' cheerful attitudes, it all flowed smoothly. I truly hope that we can visit again soon - and stay longer next time!