NIJIN Academy's Student-Led Field Trip to Kawagoe: A New Learning Experience for Children

NIJIN Academy's Innovative Field Trip

On November 22, 2025, NIJIN Academy, an alternative school based in Koto, Tokyo, will hold a unique field trip in Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture. The event is designed and run by the students, who have previously faced school absenteeism. This hands-on learning initiative, dubbed the 'Kawagoe Field Trip', allows the children to take charge of everything from selecting the destination to planning the budget, creating the itinerary, and dividing roles among themselves.

The itinerary includes visits to notable sites such as the historic streets lined with traditional warehouses, Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, the Time Bell Tower, Hasshoji Temple, and the Kawagoe Convention and Visitors Bureau. The goal is to connect Kawagoe's rich cultural heritage with the concept of 'learning in a way that feels right for each child.' Through this initiative, NIJIN Academy aims to demonstrate the possibilities of 'new ways of learning born from school absenteeism' and the joy of choosing, acting, and creating alongside peers.

The Vision Behind the Kawagoe Field Trip

This initiative emerged from the heartfelt desires of key student members who want to share the charm of their hometown, Kawagoe, with their peers. Additionally, their previous experiences participating in real-world events, where they felt the joy of planning and delivering enjoyable experiences to friends, served as the inspiration. Thus, the project evolved into 'creating a field trip in Kawagoe that they could design themselves.'

Details of the Kawagoe Field Trip

- Date: November 22, 2025 (Saturday)
- Time: 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
- Meeting Point: Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine (2-11-3 Miyashita-cho, Kawagoe City)
- Participants: Current students of NIJIN Academy

Schedule (Subject to Change)

- 10:00 AM - Gather at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine
- 10:30 AM - Visit the Time Bell Tower
- 11:00 AM - Explore Hasshoji Temple
- 1:30 PM - Conclude at the Kawagoe Convention and Visitors Bureau

Students’ Creative Process

The children planning the Kawagoe Field Trip are currently engaged in actively deciding on the destinations, the flow of the day, and their respective roles. During their meetings, various ideas emerged like, 'Which shrine will be the most enjoyable for everyone?' and 'What will we do if it rains?' They excitedly discussed where they might want to take photographs, collaboratively refining their plans.

On the day of the event, a field trip born from the children’s own 'choices' and 'collaboration' will come to life in the historical town of Kawagoe. I eagerly anticipate witnessing the children's journey as they step into the outside world, gaining confidence through successful experiences such as, 'Everyone supported my proposal!' and 'Creating together is so much fun!' This unique field trip, fueled by the children's free-thinking and teamwork, promises to be an unparalleled learning experience unlike any other school outing.

About NIJIN Academy

Founded in September 2023, NIJIN Academy is an alternative school catering to elementary and middle school students facing school absenteeism. With over 550 students enrolled from more than 38 prefectures across Japan, it emphasizes multipronged psychological safety, interactive lessons led by top-notch educators, and student-driven projects as its core curriculum pillars. It aims to cultivate an educational environment where not attending school does not result in feelings of inferiority or guilt, allowing all children to envision a hopeful future. Over 90% of students who wish to obtain attendance recognition from their registered school achieve this as of October 2025.

For more information, visit NIJIN Academy’s website.

About NIJIN Inc.

Founded by former elementary school teacher Tatsuhiro Hoshino in April 2022, NIJIN Inc. is based on the philosophy of 'Illuminating the Country through Education.' The company strives to systematically resolve educational challenges that many children face, particularly those who feel unable to express themselves in traditional schools. NIJIN offers a range of 13 initiatives aimed at addressing diverse educational issues, including absenteeism, teacher shortages, and reforming the educational framework in Japan.