Japanese Explorers

See below for a summary table of these resources.
Detailed information for teachers is provided in the Teachers’ notes section of this website.

Accessing the Explorers

  1. You can access the Explorers from this website by linking directly to the launch page of each Explorer.
  2. You can download (zip file) a standalone, executable version of each Explorer (no plug ins required).*
  3. To run the Explorers locally on a school network (LAN or WAN) in browser mode with a functioning Backpack, you require a server side solution. A ‘web’ version for deployment on a LAN or WAN in either ‘.php’ or ‘asp.net’ can be provided on request. Only these two versions have been prepared. Note that these versions will not be supported by technical help. Contact: jol@curriculum.edu.au

NOTE: The standalone versions that you can download are compressed .zip files. These must be extracted/unzipped/uncompressed before they can be used using Winzip, Stuffit expander, Winrar etc. See Technical help for more information.

Explorer 1: Japanese House Explorer 2: In the Neighbourhood
  1. Launch Japanese House
  2. Download standalone: Windows (33.7 MB) | Mac OS X (37.8 MB)
  1. Launch In the Neighbourhood
  2. Download standalone: Windows (20.5 MB) | Mac OS X (22.2 MB)
Explorer 3: Japanese Food Explorer 4: Samurai
  1. Launch Japanese Food
  2. Download standalone: Windows (10.6 MB) | Mac OS X (13.7 MB)
  1. Launch Samurai
  2. Download standalone: Windows (19.2 MB) | Mac OS X (21.6 MB)

1 A Japanese House: This interactive resource explores the:
  • house
  • garden
  • genkan (entrance foyer)
  • washitsu (Japanese-style room)
  • kitchen
  • bedroom and living room
  • bath and toilet

Tour 1: In the first tour, Alyssa is staying with the Ishii family. Her host sister, Mariko, shows her around the family home.

Tour 2: In the second tour, the owner of a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) shows an overseas visitor around the inn.
2 Our Neighbourhood: This interactive resource explores:
  • ceremonies
  • 'on the street' (street life)
  • shops
  • transport
  • people (one meets)
  • food
  • entertainment

Tour 1: In the first tour, Keishi has a new car and takes his friend Mark on a trip to Akihabara, the electronics district of Tokyo. On the way, Mark learns about various aspects of the neighbourhood, and about traditional and contemporary Japanese culture.

Tour 2: In the second tour, Hiroko meets Lisa, an Australian exchange student, and they go shopping in Tokyo.
3 Japanese Food: This interactive resource explores:
  • fast food
  • noodles
  • okonomiyaki
  • lunch boxes
  • convenience stores
  • vending machines
  • restaurants
  • sweets

Tour 1: In the first tour the student accompanies Mr Kitano and Ms Suzuki, food critics for one of Japan's major newspapers, as they visit food establishments in Tokyo. They travel around the various locations and discuss the food, giving each dish a star rating. After each visit, students see the town map and an animated trail to the next location.

Tour 2: In the second tour Keishi shows Julie how to make okonomiyaki, Japanese savoury pancakes. Students will learn how to make this dish, and also how procedural language is used.
4 The Samurai: This interactive resource explores:
  • samurai society
  • family crests
  • architecture
  • culture
  • weapons
  • religion

Tour 1: The first tour takes the student with the shogun's trusted samurai, Shimada, to stop the evil Tsuchida, who is trying to take over the shogun's fiefdom.

Tour 2: In the second tour, Janelle, an exchange student in Japan, is taken by her host sister Mia to experience aspects of traditional Japan.
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