North London Collegiate School Kobe (NLCS Kobe) was honoured to take part in a special cultural immersion event on Saturday, 1st February 2025, in collaboration with the 1,200-year-old Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Ryosoku-in Temple in Kyoto. Our founding families were invited to join this unique experience by Kohachi Ikeda-san, founder and owner of NLCS Kobe, to explore the connections between Japanese culture, identity, and education.

A Morning of Learning at Kiyomizu-dera Temple

The day began at the breathtaking Kiyomizu-dera Temple, where children, parents, and our staff explored the historic temple grounds, listened to sutra readings, and learned about the rich history and spiritual traditions of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Participants took part in a guided tour and a special workshop led by the Mr. Onishi Eigen, Senior Monk of Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

Following the temple visit, our families enjoyed a shared lunch—an opportunity to connect, reflect, and discuss the morning’s experiences together. Many parents commented on how meaningful it was to see their children learning directly from cultural leaders in such an authentic and historic setting. This visit encapsulates NLCS Kobe’s commitment to academic excellence while also embracing the language, culture, and traditions of Japan, the country in which the school is so proudly rooted.

An Afternoon of Tea Ceremony and Zen Practice

In the afternoon, the Kyoto Cultural Visit continued at Ryosoku-in Temple, where families experienced a traditional tea ceremony and practiced Zen meditation under the guidance of esteemed teachers. The tea ceremony, led by renowned tea master Reijiro Izumi-san, offered a rare moment to slow down and appreciate the beauty and mindfulness embedded in this centuries-old practice. Later, Toryo Ito-san introduced participants to the principles of Zazen meditation, sharing teachings on mindfulness, discipline, and inner peace.These hands-on workshops allowed everyone present to engage deeply with Japanese traditions while gaining insight into NLCS Kobe’s globally minded yet culturally grounded approach to education.

Reflections from President Ikeda and Senior Monk Onishi

Speaking about the day and his motivation for creating the event, Kohachi Ikeda-san shared that the experience reflects his vision of nurturing globally active individuals who remain firmly rooted in their Japanese identity.

“This event, where children learned directly about the history of Buddhism and Zen from Onishi Eigen-san of Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Ito Toryo of Ryosoku-in Temple, became a memorable experience that helped them appreciate the beauty of Japan and feel proud to be Japanese,” he reflected. “Understanding one’s own country’s culture is an important element in learning about the world. I hope that by creating an environment suited to the age of globalization, more children will be able to respect the diverse cultures and individuals of the world.”

Reflecting on the collaboration, Onishi Eigen-san, emphasised the educational importance of Kiyomizu-dera:

“At Kiyomizu-dera, teachings have always been held close to people’s hearts. This does not only apply to religion, but also to opportunities to learn from nature, architecture, beautiful scenery, and the silence itself. We hoped that this collaboration with NLCS Kobe would allow this place to take a new step as a place for future education. Learning about and experiencing Japanese culture is important not only for people from overseas, but also for Japanese people in particular.”

He added that he hopes parents and children alike would use this “special environment” to reflect deeply on their potential for learning and growth.

A full report of the event, which this story summarizes, is available on NLCS Kobe’s Note account.

Read more about NLCS Kobe’s approach to providing an exceptional International education blended with Japanese language and culture here.