On Tuesday, July 15 and Wednesday, July 16, all students in Ritsumeikan Uji’s IB Course (Grades 10–12) participated in the annual Biwako Trip, a beloved tradition designed to deepen relationships across grade levels.

This student-led event is organized and operated by a volunteer executive committee of students. As the IB curriculum is still relatively uncommon in Japan, building peer support networks across different grades plays a vital role in helping students overcome challenges together. With the IB Course expanding to over 100 students across three grade levels this year—each now composed of two homerooms—the trip was held in two sessions over two days for the first time.

On the day of the trip, students traveled approximately one hour from Uji City by chartered bus to reach Lake Biwa. There, they enjoyed kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) on the calm waters, experiencing the refreshing breeze and natural beauty of Japan’s largest lake. A lively barbecue lunch added to the sense of camaraderie, with students sharing food, laughter, and lasting memories.

One of the trip’s highlights is the round-trip cycling challenge, now a Biwako Trip tradition. Under the guidance of two teachers, participating students cycle approximately 100 kilometers between Kyoto and Lake Biwa. This year, two students took on the challenge, embodying the resilience, independence, and spirit of adventure that define the IB learner profile.

Through this experience, students not only strengthened friendships across grades but also recharged mentally and physically, returning to campus with renewed energy and a stronger sense of IB community.