Kurashiki has many tourist spots, including the Bikan Historical Area, Seto Inland Sea National Park, and historical residences.
All the tourist destinations are attractive, but for me, who moved from the Kanto region to Kurashiki in December 2023, there are so many spots that I am unsure where to start.
At such times, I learned about the Kurashiki Japan Heritage Certification and decided to explore while studying about Kurashiki.
Scope of Questions
The Kurashiki Japan Heritage Certification is a local certification organized by the Kurashiki City Japan Heritage Promotion Council.
The scope of questions includes three Japan Heritage sites recognized within Kurashiki City.
- A Kurashiki story beginning with a single cotton flower - a town woven with Japanese and Western textiles
- A different world entwined with the dreams of men who overcame the stormy seas - a port of the Kitamaebune shipping route and the shipowners' village
- Okayama, Birthplace of the Legend of Momotaro - a story of demon-slaying inspired by the ancient heritage of Kibi
Additionally, there were several questions about what the Japan Heritage Certification entails.
Flow of the Day
The 2nd Kurashiki Japan Heritage Certification was held on February 18, 2024, at the main hall of Life Park Kurashiki in Fukuda, Kurashiki City.
On the day of the event, examinees gathered in the main hall, indicating a high level of interest in this certification. Some examinees were even seen bringing original study notebooks.
The exam duration was one hour. A timer was displayed on a screen at the front of the venue, allowing participants to check the time while answering.
The number of questions was the same as last year, totaling 50 questions.
Testing Environment with Reasonable Accommodations
I have a hearing impairment, so I communicated the following points to the organizers when applying.
- I cannot hear the announcements in the venue.
- I would like reasonable accommodations regarding the above point.
Upon arriving at the venue, my seat was at the very back.
In other exams, I was often assigned to the front or second row to hear the supervisor's voice more easily, so I was surprised to be assigned to the last row.
However, when the supervisor's explanation began, the person in charge helped me by pointing out which parts of the instructions were being read, and when there were corrections to the questions, they communicated with me in writing.
In this way, I received frequent individual support, so if I had been seated in the front row, staff might have repeatedly obstructed the view of other examinees. That is likely why I was assigned to the last row. Thanks to that, I was able to receive accommodations calmly.
Additionally, I could see the moment the exam started and the situation of examinees who finished early and exited, so once I completed the questions, I could also leave like the other examinees.
With a hearing impairment, I cannot hear the surrounding environmental sounds, so in such exams, I cannot tell how many people exited early. Being able to see the situation of those around me allowed me to approach the exam with a sense of perspective.
[Reasonable Accommodations]
Government Public Relations Online
When a person with a disability expresses the desire to "remove social barriers," reasonable accommodations necessary to remove those barriers should be made, provided that the burden of implementation is not excessive.
Questions Rooted in Life in Kurashiki
The exam content was structured similarly to the first exam held in 2022.
Therefore, if I had utilized the questions from the first exam (past questions) for study, I think there would have been many questions I could answer smoothly.
However, I placed too much emphasis on "tourism as a trigger to study for the Kurashiki Japan Heritage Certification" and did not allocate much time to study past questions.
As a result, while I recognized many known words in the questions and options, I struggled greatly to identify the correct options. The result was a failure.
Even so, there were hardly any words I did not understand, and the words that appeared in the exam questions somewhat matched what I had seen with my own eyes, so I feel that it was meaningful to have visited various Japan Heritage certification spots on my own feet.
The significance of taking the "Kurashiki Japan Heritage Certification" as a way to learn about Kurashiki was substantial.
However, I am frustrated by the result of failing, so I plan to study again over the next year and take the Kurashiki Japan Heritage Certification next year.
Conclusion
For me, who has just moved to Kurashiki, the Kurashiki Japan Heritage Certification was extremely beneficial as a stepping stone to "learn about Kurashiki."
Since reasonable accommodations are provided according to disabilities during the examination, I believe it is a certification that is easier for people with disabilities to challenge.
There are signs marking the Japan Heritage spots within Kurashiki City.
If you are interested, why not deepen your learning in preparation for next year's Kurashiki Japan Heritage Certification?
Articles on Japan Heritage in Kurashiki City
Data for the 2nd Kurashiki Japan Heritage Certification Exam
| Name | 2nd Kurashiki Japan Heritage Certification Exam |
|---|---|
| Date | February 18, 2024 (Sunday) |
| Location | 940 Koshinden, Fukuda-cho, Kurashiki City |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Examination fee 500 yen |
| Homepage | 2nd Kurashiki Japan Heritage Certification Exam |
