Last Monday, members of the Kyoto Chapter of the BXAI Alumni Association journeyed to nearby Takatsuki City to participate in the Koinobori Festa 1000, a traditional Japanese festival that celebrates Children’s Day by hanging over 1000 carp-shaped windsocks in the sky. Our Kyoto scholars immersed themselves in the rich local culture as they enjoyed performances and Japanese snacks at the festival, while also taking the opportunity to explore the city afterwards by visiting Takatsuki Castle Ruins Park and the Municipal History Museum. “By taking part in local events, foreign students are able to gain a deeper understanding of Japanese history, culture, and community,” says AFLSP Scholar, Pan Weikang.