On March 10, 2009, this academic year’s second excursion for overseas students, researchers and their families was held. We visited the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, before visiting Nagoya Castle.

In the Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, we learned about the development of spinning and looming technology at the Textile Machinery Pavilion. Many of us were very interested, especially in the progression from simple looms to the complicated machinery of handlooms, power looms and automatic looms, some of which were invented by Sakichi Toyoda; we watched the machines actually operating, with explanations by the operators. At the Automobile Pavilion, we were able to inspect detailed exhibitions of automobile mechanisms and component parts, automotive technology and manufacturing technology. At the Technoland corner, everyone could have fun with some hands-on experience while learning about the basic principles and mechanism of various machines.

At Nagoya Castle, we were impressed by a range of features including its large golden dolphins (Kinshachi) which were chosen as symbols of Owari (the old name for the province of Nagoya), and fascinated by the beauty of the majestic castle keep towering behind the full-blooming plum trees. We could feel some of the history of Japan, looking at a range of important cultural assets, such as the paintings on the sliding doors and the walls in the Hommaru Palace and Omote-ninomon Gate, the restored castle tower and the Kinshachi.

This excursion was also a good opportunity to deepen exchanges among participants, and it turned out to be very fruitful.