Cultural Enrichment Activities - Fall 2025 Ena Tour (Kayaking, Noren Workshop and Taiko)

On October 12, NUCB’s full-time Global BBA students and exchange students joined a one-day trip to Ena City in Gifu Prefecture. They experienced kayaking at Kasagi Gorge in cooperation with the IINAKA Club, and later moved to Oi-juku, a post town on the Nakasendo to take part in a Noren workshop and Taiko drum performance, both sponsored by the Nakasendo Noren Contest Committee. It was a wonderful opportunity for the students to connect with Japan’s beautiful nature and the warm local community of Ena.​

During the kayaking session, students learned how to enter the kayak safely and paddle properly. Although the water was cold, some students also enjoyed Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) and swimming in addition to kayaking.

After kayaking, the group moved to Oi-juku, a post town on the Nakasendo for a delicious lunch. Students enjoyed local chicken, fresh vegetables, and fruits prepared by a local bento shop. They were also kindly treated to sushi, sandwiches, and bottled water generously provided by local residents.

Ena is located along the historic Nakasendo (中山道), an old route connecting Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto during the Edo period. This route once had 69 post towns (shukuba-machi), and Oi-juku (大井宿) in Ena was the 46th stop, home to 41 inns at the time. At the workshop, students painted their own noren (traditional fabric dividers) and entered them in a local Noren competition. Their artworks will be displayed at shops and houses along the Nakasendo from November 6 to 18. The theme for this year was “flowers,” and students depicted memorable flowers from Japan or their home countries. The results will be announced in December, and the winner will be back to Ena!

After the Noren painting, members of the Oi Taiko Promotion Association (大井太鼓振興会) gave an impressive Taiko drum performance and then taught the students how to play. Thanks to their clear instruction, the students were able to perform an entire piece together by the end of the session.

Thanks to the IINAKA Club, Nakasendo Noren Contest Committee, the Ena International Exchange Association, and the citizens of Ena, NUCB students spent a memorable and rewarding Sunday in Gifu Prefecture.

Global BBA Program

The Global BBA program at NUCB is designed for students looking to gain a strong foundation in business with a global perspective. Taught entirely in English, the program combines rigorous academic training with hands-on experiences, focusing on case studies, leadership skills, and cross-cultural understanding. Students work closely with international faculty and peers from diverse backgrounds, preparing them for careers in today’s interconnected business world. Through this unique program, NUCB aims to cultivate forward-thinking leaders ready to excel in global settings.