On October 16, 2026, the Center for International Students and Scholars (CISS) hosted an Autumn Festival for students, faculty and staff at NAIST. This event was held as part of NAIST's efforts under the President's Vision 2030 to foster an inclusive campus community where people from diverse backgrounds can connect, learn from one another, and create new opportunities together.
The event featured a variety of traditional Japanese festival activities, including goldfish scooping, yo-yo fishing, a Kendama challenge, and a giant Daruma-otoshi game. To support the event, we recruited student volunteers, and eight international and Japanese students, along with one additional volunteer, actively contributed to the event from preparation through cleanup.
As the event began, the venue came alive with Japanese anime songs. The activity booths quickly attracted participants, many of whom were experiencing these traditional festival games for the first time. In particular, the giant Daruma-otoshi game proved especially popular. Cheers and laughter erupted each time another block was successfully knocked out, creating an exciting and lively atmosphere. The event drew approximately 170 participants, bringing together international students, Japanese students, faculty and staff members, and their families. The festival created opportunities for meaningful interaction across nationalities, backgrounds, and generations, further strengthening the sense of community at NAIST.
