On Thursday, May 26, 2022, Okayama University International Alumni Association (OUIAA) held the Japanese Traditional Games Event in the C-building Faculty Lounge of Okayama University, Tsushima Campus. International students from countries of Indonesia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Kenya participated in the event. This time, there were three Japanese students from Okayama Sozan Junior High School who also co-hosted the event. The students had originally visited Okayama University and the OUIAA office for a real-time experience in observing and learning the works and activities of OUIAA.  

The purpose of the “Japanese Traditional Games” event was to foster the Japanese culture of playing traditional games, and getting a multicultural experience. We played three Japanese traditional games such as Fukuwarai, Ayatori, and Kendama during this event. The Japanese high school students were each given a task of explaining and showing a demo of the games in both Japanese and English languages. They did a great job in guiding our international students in explaining the games and making them have the most fun! International students also showed their talent in learning the games in a short period of time and competing against each other.  The environment was indeed fun to watch and be involved in!  

Okayama University International Alumni Association will continue to hold international exchange events to promote networking and information exchange among international students from the time they are enrolled at the university. We look forward to the participation of all the current students in our future activities.