Day 7: Farewell Shizuoka Prefecture, Hello Tokyo!

We began the day early with assembly and a few short stretching exercises to get pumped up for the day. Then we proceeded for breakfast before gathering in the orienteering room of a short briefing on running our game stations.

We the headed to the gymnasium to run our local games for the Japanese scouts. We split ourselves up into groups whom would run various game stations. Then our Japanese friends spilt up from their troops to visit our stations.

Although we initially had difficulties getting across the language barrier between one another. We were eventually able to overcome this with a short demonstration or in our local lingo, "monkey see, monkey do".

Rubber bands for point zero

Before long, the whole gymnasium was a lively and cheerful place filled with laughing and smiling Scouts as they played the games together. Our cubs then took this chance to take the stage and put up a few performances they prepared for the Japanese scouts.

Flea fly mosquito

Performing the "Ah boys to Men" song

"Because in Singapore, Singapore..."

Soon it was time for us to part ways. We headed to a seminar room in the facility where the scout leaders exchanged words of farewell and gifts for both the Japanese and Singapore scouts. Learning from the Elementary School Students that we visited, we formed a farewell friendship bridge for our Japanese scout friends to walk through as they left.

Farewell Friendship Bridge

We took this opportunity to head out to the nearby sea shore to snap our very last group photo with Mount Fuji and a few jump and fun shots. We then proceeded back to the centre for lunch before we loaded our luggages and left the Yaizu Youth Centre.

Last group photo with Mount Fuji

Photo bomb!

Fun shot

Jump shot!

Bus ride

Before we headed to the train station, we made one last pit-stop at the Disaster Centre in Shizuoka Prefecture. In the centre, we were warmly greeted by the guide before proceeded to watch a video about the catastrophe of the Japan earthquake and tsunami in 2011. 

Group photo

Video

Then the guide brought us around the exhibitions to learn of the science behind the frequent earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan. We also got to learn about preventive measures such as earthquake-proofing your house and what to do in such a crisis.

How tsunamis are triggered

Demonstration

Short vs. Tall buildings in different types of earthquakes

On the simulator

Here comes the earthquake

Useful emergency equipments and rations

Earthquake proofed furniture

After that, we proceeded to a simulator which would allow us to experience the effects an actual earthquake. Despite being safely seated on the simulator, the experience certainly shook some of us. The simulator not only gave us the chance to experience what an earthquake feels like, it also taught us to empathize and respect the resilience of the Japanese people who pulled through these natural disasters.

Next up, we headed to the train station. We arrived at the waiting room in the station where we could shop and grab some food for the train ride. Before soon it was time to head up to the station. Out of no where, there was a siren that sounded. Within seconds, a bullet train shot out of nowhere and past us in mere seconds. The bewildering speed of these trains left us in awe. 

Shizuoka Station

Starbucks for the ride

Train platform

Boarding the train

We said our final goodbyes to the Japanese scout leaders who accompanied us to the station before boarding the train. The seat was really comfortable with a tray table for us to enjoy our food or read on. Much to our amazement, the train ride was as smooth as silk! It is truly a wonder how the train travelling at such speed could remain so stable inside. What a unique train ride!

Farewell! Thanks for the Snoopy!

Arrival at Tokyo station

We arrived at Tokyo station precisely on time as the station forecasted. We took a bus transfer from the station to our accommodation, the Olympic Youth Centre. Upon arrival, we proceeded with rooming allocation and headed to set up our beds. 

Rooming

After  that we met two Japanese rover scouts who took time off their busy study schedule to join us for the programmes and proceeded to dinner. 

Meeting the rover scouts

Dinner

After a splendid meal, the cubs proceeded for their origiami activity for their Craftsman badge. We headed for a briefing for day 8's programme before we heading the showers and going off to bed. What an eventful day!

Stay tuned for Day 8's blog!