Exploring New Forms of Learning with Kawai Juku Group's Intriguing Tour for Junior High Students
Kawai Juku Group is stepping beyond conventional classrooms with their innovative learning format aimed at junior high students. This summer, they will organize an immersive two-night, three-day exploratory educational program called the 'Marutto Tankyu Tour 2026'. Taking place in Tokyo and K准町, the tour will cover two exciting themes - 'Music & Entertainment' and 'Food Science'. Students will engage directly with professionals, diving into real-world experiences to discover challenges and deepen their understanding through hands-on learning.
The 'Marutto Tankyu' series, initiated in spring 2025, is designed to encourage students to step out of their usual learning environments. By interacting with experts, researchers, and active members of the community, students will not only experience the complexity of real-world challenges, but they will also learn to think critically and act proactively. This initiative fosters a novel sense of community as students from different backgrounds share their experiences while living and learning together.
Last year’s exploration in Hokkaido, focused on food and agriculture, provided students with invaluable insights into the passion and innovation of producers. These experiences align with the ethos of Kawai Juku Group, which plans to launch Dalton X Academy - a correspondence school with dormitory-style living and community-based learning - in Iwate Prefecture by April 2027.
The inaugural entertainment-themed exploration will occur in the vibrant city of Tokyo, a hub of Japan's cultural scene. The central question guiding this segment will be, 'How is emotion crafted through entertainment?' Students will analyze the creation and production of music, web videos, and virtual content from the industry's perspective.
Participants will tour one of Japan's top recording studios to experience cutting-edge audio technology. They will also engage in content production by creating short videos, gaining insights into the transition from consumers of information to creators.
A highlight of the program will be encounters with celebrated figures in the entertainment industry, including renowned voice actress Kikuko Inoue and Kanon Yasoha, an emerging virtual pianist under KADOKAWA and Dwango. Through these interactions, students will explore the essence of impactful expression and storytelling.
The food science segment will center around the theme 'How is Deliciousness Created and Experienced?' Participants will visit Uji, famed for its traditional tea culture, and engage in hands-on activities such as tea picking and cooking local dishes. Students will explore sustainable eating practices and reflect on how to carry forward cultural and traditional aspects of the culinary arts.
The upcoming Dalton X Academy, opening in Iwate in April 2027, is set to push the boundaries of traditional education. This unique school aims to integrate regional learning experiences with online education, allowing for extensive exploration across various locales.
The academy will focus on inquiry-based learning combined with active engagement in real communities, offering students a profound way to deepen their understanding and develop meaningful skills necessary for the future.
For more insights and firsthand experiences from these transformative explorations, we welcome media coverage on both tours, capturing the growth and learning of the participating students during this exciting summer of discovery.
Breaking Free from Routine
The 'Marutto Tankyu' series, initiated in spring 2025, is designed to encourage students to step out of their usual learning environments. By interacting with experts, researchers, and active members of the community, students will not only experience the complexity of real-world challenges, but they will also learn to think critically and act proactively. This initiative fosters a novel sense of community as students from different backgrounds share their experiences while living and learning together.
A Glimpse into Last Year’s Tour
Last year’s exploration in Hokkaido, focused on food and agriculture, provided students with invaluable insights into the passion and innovation of producers. These experiences align with the ethos of Kawai Juku Group, which plans to launch Dalton X Academy - a correspondence school with dormitory-style living and community-based learning - in Iwate Prefecture by April 2027.
Delving into Music and Entertainment
The inaugural entertainment-themed exploration will occur in the vibrant city of Tokyo, a hub of Japan's cultural scene. The central question guiding this segment will be, 'How is emotion crafted through entertainment?' Students will analyze the creation and production of music, web videos, and virtual content from the industry's perspective.
Participants will tour one of Japan's top recording studios to experience cutting-edge audio technology. They will also engage in content production by creating short videos, gaining insights into the transition from consumers of information to creators.
Interaction with Industry Veterans
A highlight of the program will be encounters with celebrated figures in the entertainment industry, including renowned voice actress Kikuko Inoue and Kanon Yasoha, an emerging virtual pianist under KADOKAWA and Dwango. Through these interactions, students will explore the essence of impactful expression and storytelling.
Overview of the Tokyo Exploration Tour
- - Dates: August 17 (Mon) - August 19 (Wed)
- - Location: Tokyo (Starting at Ikebukuro Sunshine City Prince Hotel; concluding at Shinjuku Station)
- - Content: Comprehensive two-night learning experience focused on music and entertainment. Participants will prepare and follow up on their learning.
- - Accommodation: Ikebukuro Sunshine City Prince Hotel (Toshima City, Tokyo)
- - Target Group: 14 junior high students (grades 1-3; minimum 8 participants required)
- - Participation Fee: 88,000 yen (tax included), covering accommodation, meals, transportation during the program, and insurance (not including travel to the meeting point)
- - Application Deadline: Online applications accepted until July 15 (Wed); subject to availability.
- - More Information and Application: Kawai Juku Event
Explore Food Science in a Scenic Setting
The food science segment will center around the theme 'How is Deliciousness Created and Experienced?' Participants will visit Uji, famed for its traditional tea culture, and engage in hands-on activities such as tea picking and cooking local dishes. Students will explore sustainable eating practices and reflect on how to carry forward cultural and traditional aspects of the culinary arts.
Overview of the Food Science Tour
- - Dates: August 24 (Mon) - August 26 (Wed)
- - Location: Keihanna Research Park (covering Ikoma in Nara, Kizugawa in Kyoto, and Wazuka)
- - Highlight Activities: Immersive learning experiences combining food science with traditional cooking—guided by research environments and local communities.
- - Accommodation: Keihanna Plaza Hotel (Seika Town, Kyoto)
- - Target Group: 14 junior high students (grades 1-3; minimum 8 participants required)
- - Fee: 88,000 yen (tax included), covering similar expenses to the entertainment tour.
- - Deadline: Also July 15 (Wed) for applications until full.
- - More Information: Kawai Juku Event
A Forward-Looking Educational Endeavor
The upcoming Dalton X Academy, opening in Iwate in April 2027, is set to push the boundaries of traditional education. This unique school aims to integrate regional learning experiences with online education, allowing for extensive exploration across various locales.
The academy will focus on inquiry-based learning combined with active engagement in real communities, offering students a profound way to deepen their understanding and develop meaningful skills necessary for the future.
For more insights and firsthand experiences from these transformative explorations, we welcome media coverage on both tours, capturing the growth and learning of the participating students during this exciting summer of discovery.
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