Original 'Gal School' BLEA Gakuen Students Revitalize Gotemba City?!
Students from the original 'Gal School' BLEA Gakuen collaborated with Gotemba High School in Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture, to implement the '#LocalGapTownRevitalization Project'. Through experiences where contrasting high school students interacted and rediscovered the charms of the region, they deepened mutual understanding and fostered new values.
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- 📰 Published: June 12, 2026 at 10:00
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BLEA Gakuen, operated by BLAIR Inc. (Location: 1-7-8 Higashiyama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0043), recently held an event titled 'Tokyo's Gals Revitalize Gotemba' in cooperation with Shizuoka Prefectural Gotemba High School (hereinafter referred to as Gotemba High School).
This event was part of the '#LocalGapTownRevitalization Project,' launched with the aim of rediscovering the charm of the region through encounters between contrasting young people. Five third-year students from BLEA Gakuen High School and five third-year students from Gotemba High School participated.
A surprising chemical reaction occurred when high school girls, who seemed completely different – 'city gals' and 'rural high school students' – met.
'Gals might be scary...' The first encounter began at Gotemba High School
The first visit was to Gotemba High School.
Students at Gotemba High School reportedly had impressions of the BLEA Gakuen students such as, 'Aren't they scary...?' and 'I'm shy, I'm worried if we can get along...'
However, these anxieties vanished the moment the classroom door opened.
The brightness and overwhelming communication skills of the BLEA Gakuen students.
'Who will introduce themselves first?' 'Who will present?' Even in situations that would normally cause tension, the BLEA Gakuen students were the first to raise their hands, saying, 'Yes! I'll do it!'
The students of Gotemba High School felt that the proactiveness and positive attitude of the BLEA Gakuen students embodied the 'gal mindset.'
Afterward, they experienced a business class at Gotemba High School.
The BLEA Gakuen students were taught 'speedy calculator operation' by the Gotemba High School students.
At first, they struggled, saying, 'I'm bad at calculations!' and 'My nails are too long to press the keys!', but they created a unique technique of inputting numbers rapidly with their fingertips, making the venue lively.
Before they knew it, they were laughing naturally, as if the initial tension had completely disappeared.
Interaction with an 88-year-old father at a 400-year-old tea shop
Next, they visited 'Katsumata Seicha,' a tea shop with over 400 years of history, founded in 1701.
It is a long-established tea garden that delivers Japanese tea not only within Japan but also to the world, including America and Dubai.
First, they were taught how important the new tea season in May is, and then changed into happi coats for tea picking.
The students were very excited in their red and navy happi coats, exclaiming, 'This looks great on camera!'
They headed to the tea fields while taking photos and videos.
During the actual tea picking, a caterpillar appeared. While screaming 'Kyaaa!!', they enjoyed the extraordinary experience, saying, 'This feels so natural!' which is hard to come by in the city.
Furthermore, they also experienced 'hand-rolled tea' after tea picking. The person who taught them was the master's father, Hatsuro-san (88).
Although the high school girls were younger than his grandchildren, shouts of 'He's so cute!' were heard, fostering warm interaction across generations.
Finally, they tasted the tea they had rolled themselves.
'The aroma is completely different!' 'It's not like the tea I usually drink!' They fully savored the aroma and flavor that could only be experienced by making it with their own hands.
Lunchtime enjoying Gotemba's bounty leads to secret conversations?!
Next, they visited 'Jifuku' (meaning 'enjoying life'), a place that embraces a rich life in harmony with nature.
They enjoyed a lunch made with abundant blessings from Gotemba's nature on a charming terrace spread out in a corner of a farm.
Rice, hijiki seaweed, curry, omelet, pickles... A lineup of nostalgic, warm, traditional Japanese flavors.
During lunchtime, if you listened closely... the high school girls had completely opened up and were excitedly discussing romance.
'Do you have a crush?' 'Who's your favorite?' Their conversations were those of ordinary high school girls, regardless of whether they were from Tokyo or Gotemba.
'Farming is this tough?'
Next, they visited 'Serizawa Marche.'
It is a farm that cultivates tomatoes, strawberries, and the unusual eggplant-family fruit, pepino.
This time, they were specially allowed to experience strawberry and mini-tomato picking.
Mr. Serizawa, a graduate of Tokyo University of Agriculture, explained in an interesting and easy-to-understand manner, including quizzes, about 'how much money farming costs' and 'what measures are taken to prevent diseases.'
It was a time to learn not only about eating but also about the effort and hardship behind it.
Juicy strawberries. Mini-tomatoes as sweet as fruit. Even girls who disliked tomatoes tried them and smiled, saying, 'I could eat them!'
The biggest goal: Rediscovering Gotemba's charm from a 'gal's perspective'
The main theme of this event was for the BLEA Gakuen 'gal' students to view Gotemba through their eyes and rediscover its charm.
And it was the same for the Gotemba High School students.
It was about rediscovering the goodness of Gotemba by 'introducing their town to someone else.'
Therefore, the Gotemba High School students were asked to select a few restaurants they wanted to take the BLEA Gakuen students to.
They chose places serving tonkatsu, ramen, hamburgers, and more.
Even though they were already full from the tea, lunch, strawberries, and tomatoes, the students said, 'We can still eat!' and ordered large portions or additional dishes.
And they all finished their meals perfectly. The BLEA Gakuen students genuinely enjoyed the restaurants chosen by the Gotemba High School students.
A 'small miracle' happened at the end
Actually, Mount Fuji had been covered by clouds all morning, so they couldn't see it.
Many students had been looking forward to seeing Mount Fuji, so they were a little disappointed.
However, in the evening. Suddenly, Mount Fuji appeared through a gap in the clouds.
The majestic Mount Fuji, dyed in the evening glow and shining red. It was a miraculous moment, as if it were celebrating the conclusion of the day.
'I thought gals were scary,' but after actually becoming friends...
Finally, they held a video presentation and feedback session.
To their surprise, Gotemba citizens also came to the venue.
Watching the students' presentations, laughing, being surprised, and empathizing, the venue was filled with a very warm atmosphere.
From the Gotemba High School students: 'At first, I thought gals were scary, but I was surprised by their politeness in saying 'Hello' and 'Thank you' loudly.' and 'I was worried because I'm shy, but the gals talked to me cheerfully, and we became friends right away.'
Mr. Inatsuki, a teacher at Gotemba High School, commented, 'By conveying the charm of Gotemba to others, the students themselves were able to discover new attractions.'
Through this project, we felt that more chemical reactions and learning occurred than we had imagined.
Tokyo and the countryside. Gals and rural high school students. Precisely because they are seemingly different entities, new discoveries and values are born. We witnessed such moments many times.
We will continue to actively engage in exchanges with students from other regions to foster rich values.
[Local Gap Channel]
www.youtube.com/@jimoto_gap
[Participating Students]
- Gotemba High School 3rd Year
Risako Ichikawa, Sakura Oyama, Riro Kajimoto, Mizuki Yamada, Kaka Yokoyama
- BLEA Gakuen 3rd Year
Nezsa Ogura, Miyu Kato, Sakura Kawabe,
This event was part of the '#LocalGapTownRevitalization Project,' launched with the aim of rediscovering the charm of the region through encounters between contrasting young people. Five third-year students from BLEA Gakuen High School and five third-year students from Gotemba High School participated.
A surprising chemical reaction occurred when high school girls, who seemed completely different – 'city gals' and 'rural high school students' – met.
'Gals might be scary...' The first encounter began at Gotemba High School
The first visit was to Gotemba High School.
Students at Gotemba High School reportedly had impressions of the BLEA Gakuen students such as, 'Aren't they scary...?' and 'I'm shy, I'm worried if we can get along...'
However, these anxieties vanished the moment the classroom door opened.
The brightness and overwhelming communication skills of the BLEA Gakuen students.
'Who will introduce themselves first?' 'Who will present?' Even in situations that would normally cause tension, the BLEA Gakuen students were the first to raise their hands, saying, 'Yes! I'll do it!'
The students of Gotemba High School felt that the proactiveness and positive attitude of the BLEA Gakuen students embodied the 'gal mindset.'
Afterward, they experienced a business class at Gotemba High School.
The BLEA Gakuen students were taught 'speedy calculator operation' by the Gotemba High School students.
At first, they struggled, saying, 'I'm bad at calculations!' and 'My nails are too long to press the keys!', but they created a unique technique of inputting numbers rapidly with their fingertips, making the venue lively.
Before they knew it, they were laughing naturally, as if the initial tension had completely disappeared.
Interaction with an 88-year-old father at a 400-year-old tea shop
Next, they visited 'Katsumata Seicha,' a tea shop with over 400 years of history, founded in 1701.
It is a long-established tea garden that delivers Japanese tea not only within Japan but also to the world, including America and Dubai.
First, they were taught how important the new tea season in May is, and then changed into happi coats for tea picking.
The students were very excited in their red and navy happi coats, exclaiming, 'This looks great on camera!'
They headed to the tea fields while taking photos and videos.
During the actual tea picking, a caterpillar appeared. While screaming 'Kyaaa!!', they enjoyed the extraordinary experience, saying, 'This feels so natural!' which is hard to come by in the city.
Furthermore, they also experienced 'hand-rolled tea' after tea picking. The person who taught them was the master's father, Hatsuro-san (88).
Although the high school girls were younger than his grandchildren, shouts of 'He's so cute!' were heard, fostering warm interaction across generations.
Finally, they tasted the tea they had rolled themselves.
'The aroma is completely different!' 'It's not like the tea I usually drink!' They fully savored the aroma and flavor that could only be experienced by making it with their own hands.
Lunchtime enjoying Gotemba's bounty leads to secret conversations?!
Next, they visited 'Jifuku' (meaning 'enjoying life'), a place that embraces a rich life in harmony with nature.
They enjoyed a lunch made with abundant blessings from Gotemba's nature on a charming terrace spread out in a corner of a farm.
Rice, hijiki seaweed, curry, omelet, pickles... A lineup of nostalgic, warm, traditional Japanese flavors.
During lunchtime, if you listened closely... the high school girls had completely opened up and were excitedly discussing romance.
'Do you have a crush?' 'Who's your favorite?' Their conversations were those of ordinary high school girls, regardless of whether they were from Tokyo or Gotemba.
'Farming is this tough?'
Next, they visited 'Serizawa Marche.'
It is a farm that cultivates tomatoes, strawberries, and the unusual eggplant-family fruit, pepino.
This time, they were specially allowed to experience strawberry and mini-tomato picking.
Mr. Serizawa, a graduate of Tokyo University of Agriculture, explained in an interesting and easy-to-understand manner, including quizzes, about 'how much money farming costs' and 'what measures are taken to prevent diseases.'
It was a time to learn not only about eating but also about the effort and hardship behind it.
Juicy strawberries. Mini-tomatoes as sweet as fruit. Even girls who disliked tomatoes tried them and smiled, saying, 'I could eat them!'
The biggest goal: Rediscovering Gotemba's charm from a 'gal's perspective'
The main theme of this event was for the BLEA Gakuen 'gal' students to view Gotemba through their eyes and rediscover its charm.
And it was the same for the Gotemba High School students.
It was about rediscovering the goodness of Gotemba by 'introducing their town to someone else.'
Therefore, the Gotemba High School students were asked to select a few restaurants they wanted to take the BLEA Gakuen students to.
They chose places serving tonkatsu, ramen, hamburgers, and more.
Even though they were already full from the tea, lunch, strawberries, and tomatoes, the students said, 'We can still eat!' and ordered large portions or additional dishes.
And they all finished their meals perfectly. The BLEA Gakuen students genuinely enjoyed the restaurants chosen by the Gotemba High School students.
A 'small miracle' happened at the end
Actually, Mount Fuji had been covered by clouds all morning, so they couldn't see it.
Many students had been looking forward to seeing Mount Fuji, so they were a little disappointed.
However, in the evening. Suddenly, Mount Fuji appeared through a gap in the clouds.
The majestic Mount Fuji, dyed in the evening glow and shining red. It was a miraculous moment, as if it were celebrating the conclusion of the day.
'I thought gals were scary,' but after actually becoming friends...
Finally, they held a video presentation and feedback session.
To their surprise, Gotemba citizens also came to the venue.
Watching the students' presentations, laughing, being surprised, and empathizing, the venue was filled with a very warm atmosphere.
From the Gotemba High School students: 'At first, I thought gals were scary, but I was surprised by their politeness in saying 'Hello' and 'Thank you' loudly.' and 'I was worried because I'm shy, but the gals talked to me cheerfully, and we became friends right away.'
Mr. Inatsuki, a teacher at Gotemba High School, commented, 'By conveying the charm of Gotemba to others, the students themselves were able to discover new attractions.'
Through this project, we felt that more chemical reactions and learning occurred than we had imagined.
Tokyo and the countryside. Gals and rural high school students. Precisely because they are seemingly different entities, new discoveries and values are born. We witnessed such moments many times.
We will continue to actively engage in exchanges with students from other regions to foster rich values.
[Local Gap Channel]
www.youtube.com/@jimoto_gap
[Participating Students]
- Gotemba High School 3rd Year
Risako Ichikawa, Sakura Oyama, Riro Kajimoto, Mizuki Yamada, Kaka Yokoyama
- BLEA Gakuen 3rd Year
Nezsa Ogura, Miyu Kato, Sakura Kawabe,
FAQ
What is the purpose of the collaboration project between BLEA Gakuen and Gotemba High School?
The project aims to help contrasting young people meet, rediscover the charm of the region, and deepen mutual understanding.
What kind of experiences were included in the project?
Experiences included tea picking, hand-rolling tea, lunch with local ingredients, and farm harvesting, allowing students to experience Gotemba's charms with all their senses.
What specifically does 'gal mindset' refer to?
It refers to the brightness, proactiveness, and high communication skills of BLEA Gakuen students, which positively influenced the Gotemba High School students.
What did the students gain through this project?
They gained new discoveries about the region, experienced interaction beyond generations and values, and achieved unexpected chemical reactions and learning.
How will this project be developed in the future?
The plan is to continue actively engaging in exchanges with students from other regions to foster rich values.