Planes, Bullet Trains and More Games 

This activity is pulled from our Virtual ExCEL Camps happening summer of 2020! While these activities are written to fit into the larger lesson plan of the camp themes, you can complete them with your little one at any time. Learn more about our Virtual ExCEL Summer Camp here!

We hope you had a restful virtual flight, welcome to the Land of the Rising Sun.  Our adventure continues, in another continent far from the energy of New York City. Today after we deplane, campers will learn all about Japanese food, restaurants, and unique eating utensils, chopsticks.

First, let’s discover the many ways people travel around Japan. What modes of transportation would you use to explore Japan?  Think about it and check out the worksheet, How Do You Get Around Japan.

Appropriate Age Range: 15 to age 21 

Materials Needed:

• One How Do You Get Around Japan? worksheet
• a note taking system, Google docs, iPad, or a braille device or recording device.

Vocabulary:

Some of these terms may seem brand new so take some time to look them up and they will be part of your vocabulary too: Bullet Train, Japan Rail and subway.

Activity:

Review the worksheet, How Do You Get Around Japan?  Now that you know the many ways to travel in Japan, where would you like to virtually go?  Some places to visit in Tokyo and Osaka are listed below.  Take a virtual tour and plan your virtual route.

Our adventure starts in Tokyo, Japan, home of the Cherry Blossoms, Sumo Wrestling and so much more. Your starting place is Roasted Coffee Laboratory Tokyu Toyoko (2-24-1 Shibuya 1f, Shibuya 150-8319 Tokyo Prefecture). Hint: It is also near a subway station.

Here are some thoughts to consider before you begin.

• What do you like to do?
• What would you virtually explore?
• Would you virtually visit a national garden, Cup of Noodle Museum or so much more?
• What are your top two places in Japan that you would like to know a bit more?  
• What is your destination?
• What modes of transportation would you use in your virtual travels?

Outcome:

If you would like, share your ideas and what you have discovered.

Extension/further resources: 

Here are some ways to share your thoughts, make a movie about a topic or reply to questions asked. https://info.flipgrid.com/ or Apple clips https://www.apple.com/clips/

If you would like to learn more about places to virtually explore in Japan here are some links to share so much more.

Getting Around Tokyo

Tokyo Subway System Explained, Japan Rail Pass, Bullet Trains, Accessible Japan, Inside Osaka, and Prepaid Cards: Icoca, Suica and Pasmo

Places to Visit

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Sky Tree, Cup of Noodle Museum, and Osaka Castle

Authors: 

JoAnne Chalom is President of In Focus Mobility and has been working with individuals with disabilities for over thirty years. JoAnne teaches younger and older individuals orientation and mobility. JoAnne enjoys spending quality time with her grand dog, Cody.

Robbin Keating Clark is the Expanded Core Curriculum Coordinator at Utah Schools for the Deaf & Blind and has been working with students with visual impairments for nearly two decades. She is enthusiastic and energetic about the Expanded Core Curriculum.  In her free time she likes to spend time with her children.

Susan Drake has been a special education teacher for seven years and is completing her certification as a teacher of the visually impaired at Missouri State University. She lives on a farm with her veterinarian husband Randy, son Renin, a herd of corgis and cows.