With the Year of Languages in full swing, spirits were high among the 19 boys bound for Tokyo. The group spent a week taking in the many significant historical sights in Tokyo, Hiroshima and Kyoto followed by 10 days with a host family while attending the Hotoku Gakuen High School.

While the daily school routine was not dissimilar to Christ Church, spending hours travelling to and from school on the train or staying after school for sports training at 8.30pm was for some students. After school activities were also a little different including Japanese fencing, archery, wrestling and judo.

Year 11 student Will Caddy said the trip was an invaluable source of knowledge - not only of the language but also of the culture and traditions. “The tour provided a unique insight into a very different culture from little things like taking off your shoes when entering a house, through to not so little things like taking a communal bath,” Will said.

Other highlights included a moving visit to the Atomic Bomb Memorial Museum in Hiroshima, a strenuous hike up Mt Misen, a bicycle challenge around sacred sites in Kyoto and day trips to Tokyo Disney Sea and Universal Studios in Osaka.