Macon students soak up Japanese culture during trip to Land of the Rising Sun

A group of Macon students were able to experience a differeent culture during a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun this summer.

Fifteen members of the Macon-Bibb County Youth Commission recently returned from their two week trip to Japan. While in Japan, the students participated in the 27th Japan America Grassroots Summit in the city of Nara and and also visited Macon’s sister city of Kurobe City.

The students, who are part of the Georgia Civic Awareness Program for Students, were recognized at Tuesday’s Macon-Bibb County Commission meeting.

Washi — specially made Japanese paper — and other gifts were presented to officials Tuesday. There was also a reception where traditional Japanese cuisine was served.

The meeting was an opportunity to say thanks to those who sponsored the trip and for the support of local officials who “allowed these young people to travel across the seas to connect with other cultures and to represent us at the government level,” said Macon-Bibb Interim County Manager Charles Coney.

Last year, Macon-Bibb hosted 15 Japanese students and two teachers during a Georgia summit.

This story was originally published July 19, 2017 at 12:52 PM with the headline "Macon students soak up Japanese culture during trip to Land of the Rising Sun."