On Saturday, June 13, 2026, a group of 34 international and Japanese students participated in a bus tour that included a visit to Suzuki Plaza in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, and a tea-picking experience at Grinpia Makinohara in Makinohara City. 

At Suzuki Plaza, students learned about Suzuki's history of manufacturing and technological innovation through exhibits featuring historic motorcycles and automobiles, model assembly lines, and hands-on experiences with robotic arms. The participants enjoyed exploring the museum and showed great interest in the display of vehicles and manufacturing processes. Students were also seen introducing their hometowns to one another in front of a world map displayed in the museum, creating opportunities for natural interaction and cultural exchange. 

The museum also featured a special area where visitors could sit on the iconic Hayabusa, one of Suzuki's flagship large-displacement motorcycles, and take commemorative photographs. Many students enjoyed this unique experience and created lasting memories. 

In the afternoon, the group traveled to Grinpia Makinohara to take part in a tea-picking experience. After receiving instructions from the staff on how to pick tea leaves properly, the students headed into the vast tea fields and tried tea picking for themselves. Under clear blue skies, they enjoyed picking tea leaves and taking photos while also sharing information about tea cultures in their home countries. Many students actively asked questions about Japanese tea-picking and tea-production traditions, making the experience a valuable opportunity for cultural learning and exchange. 

　Following the tea-picking activity, the students enjoyed tea tasting and compared different varieties of matcha gelato, experiencing the appeal of Japanese tea through all five senses. 

Through this bus tour, participants deepened their understanding of Japan's automotive industry and manufacturing history while gaining firsthand exposure to Japan's tea culture. The program also provided a meaningful opportunity for international and Japanese students to strengthen friendships, promote mutual understanding, and engage in intercultural exchange.