St Mary’s College students and staff members recently participated in the Taiji Immersion Exchange Program 2026, an enriching international experience that provided a unique opportunity to engage with Japanese culture, history, and community life.
The program, centred on visiting the coastal town of Taiji in Wakayama Prefecture, Broome’s sister city, is designed to foster cultural understanding through homestays, school visits, and shared community experiences. Through this exchange, students were immersed in both traditional practices and contemporary Japanese life.
The group travelled across several iconic destinations, experiencing the diversity of Japan’s landscapes and heritage.
In Kyoto, students visited the renowned Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site with over 1,200 years of history. The temple is famous for its large wooden stage overlooking the city and its deep spiritual significance in Japanese Buddhism.
In Tokyo, the group explored multiple key locations:
The Sumida Sky Tower (Tokyo Skytree), one of the tallest structures in the world, offering panoramic views of the city skyline.
Akihabara, known as the centre of anime, gaming, and electronics culture.
The famous Shibuya Crossing, one of the busiest pedestrian intersections globally.
The historic Imperial Palace, home to Japan’s Emperor.
The cultural district of Asakusa, home to traditional markets and temples.
Beyond the major cities, students visited Kurashiki, a picturesque town known for its preserved canal district and traditional architecture, and Hiroshima, where they reflected on its historical significance and message of peace placing paper cranes in a act of peace. A highlight was travelling to Miyajimacho Island, famous for its iconic floating torii gate and sacred natural environment.
The group also visited Nara, where ancient temples and freely roaming deer provided a memorable insight into Japan’s early history and culture.
The heart of the exchange took place in Taiji, where students experienced authentic local lie. They were warmly welcomed by previous host families and families of students at the secondary school at a community dinner, strengthening bonds and building meaningful cross-cultural connections.
During their stay, students engaged in a range of cultural and educational experiences, including:
A visit to the Taiji Whale Museum, which showcases marine biology and the region’s long history of interaction with whales and dolphins
Observing local industries such as the tuna markets, providing insight into the town’s fishing economy
Participation in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, highlighting the values of respect, harmony, and mindfulness
An excursion to Nachi Falls, Japan’s tallest single-drop waterfall at 133 metres, considered both a natural wonder and a sacred site
Students also visited kindergarten, primary, and secondary schools, allowing them to engage directly with Japanese students and observe differences and similarities in education systems.
These interactions were complemented by a formal Taiji civic reception, where local leaders welcomed the group and celebrated the ongoing partnership as well as the Broome – Taiji sister city relationship.
The visit was further enriched by the presence of representatives from the Shire of Broome, including Acting CEO Jeremy Hall, Shire President Chris Mitchell, and Councilors Phillip Matsumoto, Sean Cooper and Melanie Virgo, who joined the group in Taiji. Their participation strengthened the partnership between the two communities, highlighting the importance of international relationships at both a civic and educational level. By engaging directly with students, host families, and local officials, the delegation deepened cultural understanding and reinforced the significance of the exchange program as a bridge between Broome and Taiji. Their involvement provided students with a meaningful sense of pride and connection, demonstrating how local leadership can actively support and enhance global learning opportunities.
This experience not only enriched students’ understanding of Japan, but also strengthened their connection to Broome and its historical relationship with Taiji. Representing their community abroad, students returned with a deepened sense of pride in their hometown, along with broadened perspectives, lasting friendships, and a greater appreciation of the role Broome plays in fostering meaningful intercultural connections with people of Taiji.
Each year students at St Mary’s College in Years 10 and 11 are invited to apply for the tour, which is offered annually as part of the school’s commitment to global learning, cultural exchange and relationship with Taiji and its education systems. Selection is a competitive process, with students required to submit an application and participate in an interview to demonstrate their interest, readiness, and suitability for the program. Throughout this process, students are expected to exemplify the College’s values, maintaining a high standard of behaviour, responsibility, and respect. Those selected are students who not only show strong commitment to their studies, but also consistently uphold the expectations of the College, acting as positive representatives of both the school and the Broome community
