BBP - Beyond Borders Plaza | 立命館大学

BBP - Beyond Borders Plaza | 立命館大学
自律学習サポートデスク
Language Learning Support Desks
衣笠
BKC
OIC
インターカルチュラル
アドバイジングデスク
（海外留学相談など）
Intercultural Advising Desk
衣笠
BKC
OIC
国際交流や言語学習を中心とした
グローバルコモンズ
Global Commons Focusing on International
Exchange and Language Learning.
Beyond
Borders
Plaza
What's New
2026.04.23
KIC
【CR / SD / 日本語学習相談】 衣笠：休講補講などのお知らせ/ Class Cancellation, Make-up Class, and Related Information
2026.04.22
BKC
【CR / SD / 日本語学習相談】 BKC：休講補講などのお知らせ/ Class Cancellation, Make-up Class, and Related Information
2026.04.20
OIC
【CR / SD / 日本語学習相談】 OIC：休講補講などのお知らせ/ Class Cancellation, Make-up Class, and Related Information
2026.03.16
KIC|BKC|OIC
2026年度春学期BBPマイレージの情報を公開しました。
More
About BBP Logo Design
BBPロゴのご紹介やダウンロードはこちら
UPCOMING EVENTS
イベント情報
KIC|

BKC|

OIC
オンライン
言語学習＋R WEBページが公開されました！
開催日時：26.03.12
会場：BBP HP 各種サービス情報　「言語学習＋R」
事前申込：不要
OIC
対面
OIC｜DISCOVER BBP
開催日時：26.04.24
会場：OICBBPラウンジ（AN棟1階）
事前申込：不要
BKC|
対面
Grow your vocabulary with prefixes and suffixes
開催日時：26.04.28
会場： BKC BBP Room3.4 (セントラルアーク2階 Room3.4 / BKC-BBP central Arc 2F)
事前申込：不要
KIC|
対面
KIC｜ふらっとBBP ～ウェルカムクイズパーティー～／Drop by BBP ~Welcome Party~
開催日時：26.04.28
会場：衣笠BBP１階
事前申込：不要
MORE
BBPでできること
Opportunities
コミュニケーションルーム
Communication Rooms
外国語教員と気軽に外国語の会話練習ができます。各キャンパス、様々な言語、テーマで実施します。
Communication Rooms are a great way to practice speaking in a foreign language. There are Communication Rooms in multiple languages and a variety of themes available on each campus.
More
BBP Language Exchange Program
「学びたい言語」と「教えることができる言語」を登録し、あなたに合うパートナーが見つかれば、1対1でパートナーとの教え合い、学び合いができます。
Get matched with a partner who speaks a language you're interested in, then practice each other's language in one-on-one sessions.
More
Support
自律学習サポートデスク
Language Learning Support Desks
自律学習サポートデスクでは、BBPファシリテーターの教員が一般的な英語ライティングサポート、英語全般に関する相談に対応します（授業の課題についての相談は、授業の担当教員にしてください）。
The BBP Facilitators at the Language Learning Support Desks are there to help you with questions you may have about general English studies or English writing. (Please note that you’ll need to make an appointment via this site.)
Reservation
インターカルチュラル
アドバイジングデスク
Intercultural
Advice Desk
インターカルチュラルアドバイジングデスクでは、海外留学に関する相談、国際交流や異文化理解・異文化環境適応などに関する相談を受け付けています。
The Intercultural Advisor will help you with questions and concerns related to study abroad, intercultural exchange opportunities and understanding, and adjustment into campus life.
Reservation
Our Plazas
KINUGASA
衣笠
MORE
BIWAKO-KUSATSU
BKC
MORE
OSAKA IBARAKI
OIC
MORE
OUR LATEST BLOGS
教員コラム
04.
20
A Masterpiece in Progress: My Visit to the Sagrada Família
Photo credit: the author
This past September, I
had the opportunity to travel to Barcelona, Spain, for a business trip. While
the main purpose of my journey was work, I made sure to carve out some time to
visit one of the most famous architectural wonders in the world: the {Sagrada
Família [
]}.
Designed by the legendary
Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, construction began in 1882 and is still
ongoing. One specific detail on the exterior left a lasting impression on me.
On the doors of the Passion Façade, the text of "The Lord's Prayer" is
engraved in multiple languages. As I looked closely, I was moved to find
Japanese characters included in the design. The phrase "Warera no chichi
yo" (Our Father) is clearly carved into the metal. Seeing these familiar
words in such a distant place was a deeply moving experience.
Since entry is by
reservation only, I booked my ticket right before my trip and barely managed to
slip into an evening slot. However, this timing turned out to be perfect. When
I stepped inside, I involuntarily gasped at the sight of the stained glass windows.
While the east side shines with cool blues in the morning, the west side glows
with burning reds and oranges in the evening. Thanks to my time slot, I was
able to witness this intense, breathtaking display of light.
By the time I left the
building, night had fallen. Seeing the Sagrada Família illuminated against the
night sky was an exceptional sight, completely different from the daytime view.
Visiting this basilica
reminded me that great things take time. In a world where we often rush, the
Sagrada Família stands as a testament to patience. It is currently scheduled to
be completed around 2026 – 100 years after Gaudi’s death. If you ever visit
Barcelona, make sure to book in advance and enjoy this unforgettable
experience.
Questions:
Q1: What did the writer
find on the doors of the Passion Façade?
Q2: What time of day did
the writer visit the Sagrada Família?
Q3: What was the writer's
impression of the Sagrada Família at night?
Scroll down for the answer
key.
Answers:
A1: "The Lord's Prayer" in
many languages, including Japanese.
A2: In the evening.
A3: It was exceptional and completely
different from the daytime view.
Mayuko Matsuoka
Culture|Travel
Beginner
04.
13
12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson
Photo credit: Travis Rupert@pexels.com
Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules
for Life: A Simple Summary
I recently read a book
called
12 Rules for Life
by a Canadian writer and psychologist, Dr.
Jordan Peterson. In this book, he shares ideas about how to live a good, happy,
and responsible life. Here is a simple summary of Dr. Peterson's practical
advice on how to navigate life's challenges and achieve personal growth.
1. Stand up straight. Dr.
Peterson says that good posture helps you feel stronger and more confident.
2. Help yourself like you
help a friend. Many people give good advice to friends but forget to care for
themselves. Treat yourself kindly.
3. Choose good friends.
Spend time with people who support you and make you better, not people who
bring you down.
4. Compare yourself with
your past self, not with others. You should try to become better than you were
yesterday, not better than other people.
5. Teach children to
behave well. Children need clear rules to grow into responsible adults.
6. Clean your room. Before
you try to fix the world, start by taking care of your own space and
responsibilities.
7. Do things that are
meaningful. Choose actions that help you grow and make life better, not just
things that feel good for a short time.
8. Tell the truth. Being
honest helps you build trust and live with less stress.
9. Listen to others.
Everyone can teach you something. Try to understand other people before giving
your opinion.
10. Be clear in your
speech. Speak simply and directly so that others understand you well.
11. Don’t bother children
when they are playing. Play is important for learning and creativity.
12. Be kind to animals.
Treat pets and other living creatures with care and respect.
Dr. Peterson also explains
why these rules matter. He says life can be difficult, and people sometimes
feel confused, sad, or stressed. He believes that small actions can create big
changes. Cleaning your room, telling the truth, or listening to others may seem
simple, but these actions help you build good habits. Good habits make life
more peaceful and organised.
He also talks about
responsibility. This means doing the things you need to do, even when they are
hard. Responsibility helps you feel proud of yourself. When you help your
family, study well, or try your best at work, you grow as a person.
Another important idea is
kindness. Being honest, choosing good friends, and listening carefully help you
build strong relationships. When people trust you and support you, life becomes
happier and safer.
Finally, Dr. Peterson says
that everyone can improve. You do not need to be perfect. You only need to try
to become a little better each day. His message is simple: small, daily actions
can make life better for you and the people around you.
Source: Peterson, J. B.
(2018).
12 rules for life: An antidote to chaos
. Random House, Canada.
Questions:
1.
Why does Jordan Peterson say we should
clean our room?
2.
What is one reason why
choosing good friends is important?
3.
According to Jordan
Peterson, how can small actions help us?
Scroll down for the answer key.
Answers:
1.
Because taking care of your own space and responsibilities
helps you become more organised before trying to change bigger things.
2.
Good friends support you
and help you become a better person.
3.
Small actions, like
telling the truth or cleaning your room, help build good habits that can create
big positive changes in your life.
The BBP Staff
Others|Books
Beginner
04.
06
Learning by Doing: The Best Kind of Education
Photo Credit: Author
On October 5th and October 6th, 2024, the International
Symposium on Global Aging and Diversity – Counterhegemonic Narratives of Aging
– Identity, Space, and Belonging at Ritsumeikan University welcomed 31 scholars
from 13 different countries in person and also online through a hybrid format.
If Covid-19 had any positive effects at all, it is allowing the expansion of
online participation, giving opportunities for people from distant lands to
join and be together through virtual space. The symposium attracted more than
150 interested audiences who registered from numerous countries throughout the
world.
The connecting theme was a discussion about the many
varieties and diversities of the aging experience. Throughout the world, in
both industrialized and developing countries, low birth rate and aging
populations is a shared reality. Naturally, as people are getting older and
living longer, the theme of aging with autonomy, dignity, and well-being are
crucial factors. Various cultures and traditions have their own methods,
rituals, and styles, and exchanging ideas ignited new perspectives on mind,
spirit, and body.
The two day symposium could not have been so successful and
stimulating without the working together of our Ritsumeikan University
students. It was a beautiful exchange of learning and giving. Organizing the
symposium and making it happen from beginning to end, with a month long
planning, was a perfect example of learning by doing and doing through
learning.
From planning the minute by minute detail – assembling a
large number of scholars scattered throughout the world under a organized and
timely program, creating posters to advertise, contacting scholars to give
information and directions, stage producing and directing, sound, lights,
photos, and documentations, receiving important guests – the student assistants
gave it all for the cause of brining an international event together. The
students felt a sense of accomplishment, and I was grateful for their willingness
to learn, do, and give. As we stood on the stage, holding up the poster that we
brought together, after a long two-days of very hard work, the sense of
celebration for a job well-done, TOGETHER, was and is truly memorable.
Questions:
1) What was the theme of
the event?
2) Where did the event
take place?
3) What is learning by
doing?
Scroll down
for
answers
Answers:
1)
How
different peoples and cultures were dealing with the aging population problem.
2)
At
Ritsumeikan University and with people online from all over the world.
3)
Receiving
experience and becoming better at a skill by practicing, and in this case, run a
conference, to learn by having practical training.
Jackie J. Kim-Wachutka
LearningTechniques
Intermediate
01.
15
Ichiro Suzuki – the First Japanese-Born Hall of Famer
Photo Credit: Rachel Xiao@pexels.com
On July 27, 2025, Ichiro Suzuki finally joined the most sacred circle of Major League Baseball: the National Baseball Hall of Fame. In a moment of grace at Cooperstown, he became the first Japanese-born position player to be enshrined, almost unanimously. The moment felt surreal to him, as Ichiro began his major league career with few expectations despite his brilliant achievements in Japan. In his speech, he expressed deep gratitude to everyone who believed in him and honored those who paved the way, including Hideo Nomo.
I never doubted his success in the Major League as a huge fan of his, but Ichiro’s path to Cooperstown was anything but typical. He joined the league at the age of twenty-seven, not exactly a young age for a rookie. Some people thought he might not succeed in the Major League because he was physically smaller than other players. However, he won both Rookie of the Year and MVP in his debut season. He collected 3,089 hits, a .311 batting average, and ten Gold Gloves over the 19 seasons he played in the U.S.
Ichiro did not just talk about his baseball career. He reflected upon the sense of belonging and the emotional weight of the life journey. One of the most compelling parts of his story is how he embraced life outside his comfort zone. Ichiro has visited the Hall of Fame Museum in Cooperstown multiple times over the years. He did not merely dream of his own induction but used the place as a sanctuary. He once said that Cooperstown was a place where he could go back to basics when self-doubt crept in.
The idea of leaving comfort was not limited to Ichiro’s baseball career. When Ichiro announced his retirement, he emphasized the importance of challenging himself and not staying in a familiar environment. In a retirement press conference, Ichiro said that becoming a foreigner made him think more deeply about other people. Those were the most striking words for me, as I could relate to the story as someone who spent several years in the U.S. as a foreigner.
Ichiro acknowledged that he often was lonely. However, he did not see that as a weakness but as growth. Rather than running away from pain, he argued, it was important to face it while he still had the energy and ambition. Ichiro said that that kind of growth has shaped him as a person.
For me, Ichiro’s Hall-of-Fame moment was not just about hits or awards. It was about pushing beyond where we feel safe. As an English teacher, I often recommend that my students go abroad because I hope they can have an opportunity to reflect and emphasize, just like Ichiro did. Ichiro’s anecdotes teach us that stepping into discomfort can help us grow in ways we never expected.
Questions
Q1. Why did Ichiro’s induction into the Hall of Fame feel surreal to him?
A.    He had never visited Cooperstown before.
B.    He began his MLB career with modest expectations despite earlier success in Japan.
C.    He believed he would not be accepted by American fans.
D.    He was the youngest player ever inducted.
Q2. What does the passage suggest about Ichiro’s view on stepping out of one’s comfort zone?
A.    It is unnecessary if a person is already successful.
B.    It should only be done when someone faces failure.
C.    It leads to personal growth and deeper empathy.
D.    It is mainly useful for improving baseball skills.
Q3. Why does the writer relate personally to Ichiro’s reflections on being a foreigner?
A.    The writer also plays professional baseball.
B.    The writer lived in the U.S. for several years as a foreigner.
C.    The writer visited Cooperstown many times.
D.    The writer struggled to learn English as a child.
Scroll down for answers. ↓
Answers
Q1. B
Q2. C
Q3. B
Sachiko Aoki
Sports|StudyAbroad
Intermediate
12.
22
How Kawaramachi got its name
Photo Credit: Satoshi Hirayama@pexels
Before I began to write this blog, I thought I knew what I was going to say. As I have done several times before, I set out to cover an aspect of Kyoto, in this case, a partial history of Kawaramachi Avenue. However, when I did some research into the topic, I found that my understanding was incorrect, or at a minimum incomplete, so let me cover what I got wrong.
A few years ago, when I was doing research into the river, Takasegawa, I had read that the “kawara” in Kawaramachi referred to roof tiles. “Machi” I knew meant area or town, so I had erroneously concluded that the place had taken its name from its proximity to the tile industry. However, while roof tiles were produced in the area, the “kawara” in Kawaramachi refers to a river plain and not roof tiles. This is clear if you look at the two root Kanji for “kawara” which separately mean “river” (河) and “plain” (原).  Thus, Kawaramachi is the area of the riverbed.
At first it might seem odd to name an area after a river plain and not the river itself, but I have a theory on why this was done. In the past, the widths of rivers would vary much more than they do nowadays, so flooding was a common threat. Stroll along the river between Shichijo Avenue and Kitaoji Avenue today and you will find signs that recall when the river became many times its normal size. In other words, if you wanted to build a house or business in the area, you needed to be cognizant of how wide the river could be. In effect, the name Kawaramachi is an apt warning for those who choose to inhabit the area: you can live here, but don’t be shocked if the river inundates your house.
Thankfully, the section of the Kamo river that passes through Kyoto city no longer poses the severe flooding risk that it once did.  Today, only rarely does the river breach any part of its levee and even when this happens the consequences are much smaller than in the past.  These days when most locals hear the name “Kawaramachi” they think of shopping and not riverbeds.
Vocabulary
erroneously – incorrectly
cognizant – know something
inundate – flood, cover with water
Questions:
1.    What are the two translations for “kawara” mentioned in the essay?
2.    Why does the author think the area was named after the river’s bed?
3.    What do most people think of when they hear “Kawaramachi” today?
Scroll
down for answers.
Answers:
A1. “Roof tiles” and “River plain”
A2. To warn residents of the risk of flooding
A3. Shopping
Robert Perkins
Culture
Beginner
12.
15
Blooming Christmas Again やれやれ、またクリスマスか！
Photo credit: @unsplash
Christmas is the most important holiday of the year in the United
Kingdom. It has many traditions that help to make the time special. People
decorate their homes, and many of the themes of decorations will be familiar to
people in Japan. Two of these are: snowmen and Father Christmas. Both of these
are also well-known because of the work of the British illustrator and author,
Raymond Briggs.
Like Japan, in many parts of the UK, it snows in winter, and
children enjoy building snowmen in their gardens. In his picture book, The
Snowman, Briggs tells the story of a boy who builds a snowman that magically
comes to life. As the book has no words, only pictures, it is easy for everyone
to enjoy.
The Snowman was also made into an animated film, and the song,
“Walking in the Air” from the film is now a classic in the UK at Christmas
time. Many families watch the film every year, and it has become part of
British Christmas culture.
While the story of The Snowman is quite simple, Raymond Briggs is
also famous for another character – Father Christmas, who is a bit more complicated.
His Father Christmas is a little grumpy and doesn’t like the cold – he's very
human. You can also find this book in Japan: the original title “Father
Christmas” has been translated as
『さむがりやのサンタ』
. It, too, was made into an animated film which has also long been
a favourite on TV at Christmas. Interestingly, when the film was shown in the
USA, the voice of Father Christmas was changed – he was no longer grumpy, but
jolly. He didn’t say “Blooming Christmas” but “Merry Christmas”, and he
certainly didn’t drink too much when he went on holiday.
Both of these characters show how old traditions can be updated and
renewed, keeping the spirit of Christmas alive.
Merry Blooming Christmas!
Questions
1.
Which book(s) mentioned
were made into films?
2.
What is unusual about
Raymond Briggs’ book The Snowman?
3.
How is Raymond Briggs’ Father
Christmas different from the traditional Santa Claus?
Scroll down for answers
1. The Snowman, Father Christmas
2. It has no words.
3. He is grumpy and doesn’t like the cold.
Chris Hellman
Culture
Intermediate
12.
01
The Mystery of the Mary Celeste
In 1872, a small ship called the
Mary Celeste
left New York City. It was a beautiful wooden ship about 30 meters long. The captain, Benjamin Briggs, was an experienced and respected sailor. He brought his wife and their young daughter on the trip. There were also seven crew members. The ship carried barrels of alcohol and was sailing to Italy. The weather was calm, and everything seemed normal.
One month later, another ship, the
Dei Gratia
, was sailing across the Atlantic Ocean. The sailors saw a ship moving strangely in the distance. Its sails were open, but it was turning slowly, without direction. They tried to call out, but no one answered. So they decided to go closer.
When they reached the ship, they were shocked — it was the
Mary Celeste
. But something was very wrong. The ship was silent. There were no people on board. The captain, his family, and the entire crew were gone. The last entry in the ship’s logbook was more than a week old. It did not say anything unusual.
Inside the ship, the men found strange details. The sails were damaged, and the ropes were messy. But the ship was not broken. It was safe to sail. There was food and fresh water for six months. All the valuable things — money, jewelry, and tools — were still there. The crew’s clothes were in their rooms. Even the captain’s notebook was still on his desk. Only one thing was missing: the small lifeboat.
The barrels of alcohol in the cargo were mostly fine, but a few had leaked. This made some people think there might have been a problem with fumes or gas. Maybe the captain believed the ship would explode and ordered everyone to get in the lifeboat. But if that happened, why didn’t they return when the ship did not explode?
Another idea is that pirates attacked. But pirates usually take money, food, and goods. Nothing was stolen. Everything was clean and untouched.
Some people think the Mary Celeste met a giant sea creature or a huge sea wave that pulled the people off the ship. Others think the crew drank the alcohol and became violent, but there was no sign of a fight.
There are also more mysterious theories. Some people say the people on the ship were taken by aliens. Others believe the Bermuda Triangle pulled them away, even though the ship was not near the Triangle. These ideas are fun to imagine, but there is no real evidence.
In fact, we still do not know what happened. The people simply disappeared, leaving a perfect, safe ship behind. No bodies were ever found. The lifeboat was never found. The ship had no marks of damage or crime. It is one of history’s most famous mysteries.
Today, the story of the Mary Celeste is still studied by sailors, historians, and mystery lovers. It teaches us that the sea is beautiful but unpredictable. Some secrets of the ocean may never be solved. The Mary Celeste remains one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in history — a ghost ship slowly drifting with no one on board, and no answers.
Difficult Vocabulary
Crew
– 船員（せんいん）
Cargo
– 積み荷（つみに）
Fumes
– 煙（けむり）・ガス
Pirates
– 海賊（かいぞく）
Unpredictable
– 予測できない（よそくできない）
Comprehension Questions
Where did the Mary Celeste begin its journey?
a) London
b) New York City
c) Lisbon
What did the sailors of the
Dei Gratia
find when they went on board the Mary Celeste?
a) A broken ship with no cargo
b) A full crew working normally
c) An empty ship with no people
What was still on the Mary Celeste when it was found?
a) Food, water, and valuable items
b) A letter explaining everything
c) A damaged engine
Which object was missing from the ship?
a) The captain’s notebook
b) The lifeboat
c) All the food
Why is the Mary Celeste still famous today?
a) Because the captain became rich
b) Because it was the fastest ship in history
c) Because no one knows what happened to the people
Scroll down for answers
Answer
b)
New York City
c)
An empty ship with no people
a)
Food, water, and valuable items
b)
The lifeboat
c)
Because no one knows what happened to the people
BBP staff
Others
Beginner
12.
08
David Bowie's Japanese Connection
Photo credit: Chris Boland@Upsplash
You may not know the name David Bowie, but I’m sure you’ve heard of
Ryuichi Sakamoto and Beat Takeshi – they starred with Bowie in the 1983 film
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, directed by Japanese filmmaker Nagisa Ōshima.
Bowie played Jack Celliers, a British officer held in a Japanese
prisoner-of-war camp during World War II, while Sakamoto and Beat Takeshi
played two of the prison camp officers. The movie explores cultural conflict,
friendship, and the relationship between captors and prisoners. Ryuichi
Sakamoto also composed its music for the film.
Most Japanese students know Ryuichi Sakamoto, and I’m sure they
would recognize the theme tune if they heard it, but many have never heard of
David Bowie. For a British audience, David Bowie is far more well known, but in
fact, this ground-breaking pop star had a strong connection with both
countries.
Born in London, Bowie became interested in Japanese culture through
his dance teacher. When Bowie performed as Ziggy Stardust, a space alien rock
star, he wore heavy make-up inspired by kabuki, as well as clothes designed by
Kansai Yamamoto. This style was a strong influence on visual kei bands such as
X Japan. Yoshiki and Sugizo both called him their hero.
Bowie visited Japan several times and even bought a house in Kyoto,
where he spent part of his honeymoon – in the famous ryokan, Tawaraya. He
enjoyed many Japanese tours: his first was the 1973 Ziggy Stardust Tour, and he
returned through the 1990s and 2000s. Photographer Masayoshi Sukita shot many
iconic Bowie images, including the famous Heroes album cover and the pictures
of Bowie on the Hankyu line.
By starring in Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence and working with
Japanese artists, Bowie built bridges between Western rock and Japanese
culture. He did not just borrow ideas—he lived in Japan, absorbed its
traditions, and let them reshape his art. Even after his death in 2016, Japan
still remembers him as a true cultural friend.
Questions
1. What role did David Bowie play in the film Merry Christmas, Mr.
Lawrence?
2. How did Japanese culture influence Bowie’s style and stage
costumes?
3. Name one Japanese artist or designer who worked closely with
Bowie.
Scroll down for answers
1. A British officer named Jack Celliers.
2. He used make-up and costumes inspired by kabuki.
3. There were several, including the filmmaker Nagisa Ōshima, the
fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto, and the photographer, Masayoshi Sukita.
Chris Hellman
Culture
Intermediate
11.
24
The Mystery of the Yonaguni Undersea Ruins
Photo Credit: Melkov/Wikipedia
Have you ever heard of the Yonaguni Undersea Ruins? They are one of Japan’s mysteries. Many people in Japan have never heard of them, but divers around the world know this strange and beautiful place. The ruins are under the sea, near Yonaguni Island in Okinawa.
In 1986, a local diver discovered something surprising while swimming near the island. He saw huge stone shapes on the sea floor. The shapes looked like steps, walls, and even roads. Everything looked very straight and sharp, almost like they were cut by people. The diver thought he had found an ancient city under the sea.
But here is the mystery: no one knows if the ruins are natural or human-made.
Some scientists say the Yonaguni ruins were made by nature. They believe the rocks slowly broke into shapes over thousands of years. Strong waves, earthquakes, and wind may have created straight lines in the rock. According to these scientists, the ruins are beautiful, but not made by humans.
Other researchers say the ruins look too perfect to be natural. The steps are very even. The walls look straight. Some stones look like they were placed carefully. There is also a wide, flat “plaza” that looks like a meeting place.
Some people believe Yonaguni was once part of a very old civilization from more than 10,000 years ago, before the sea level rose. If this is true, the ruins could be one of the oldest human structures in the world.
The ruins are deep underwater, so it is difficult to study them. Divers can only stay down for a short time. Also, there are no clear signs of tools, pottery, or human bones. Without these, it is hard to prove that people built the ruins.
Because there is not enough evidence, the mystery continues. Are the shapes natural rock formations? Or did people build them long ago?
Today, many divers visit Yonaguni Island to see the ruins with their own eyes. The water is clear and blue. Hammerhead sharks even swim nearby in winter. Whether the ruins are natural or human-made, they are one of Japan’s most interesting and mysterious places.
If you visit Okinawa, you can see the ruins yourself and decide what you think they really are.
Useful Vocabulary
ruins – old buildings that are broken or destroyed
civilization – a large, organized society in history
plaza – a flat open space
formation – the shape something has
evidence – information that shows something is true
Comprehension Questions
A. Multiple Choice
Where are the Yonaguni ruins located?
a) Near Tokyo
b) Under the sea in Okinawa
c) In South America
When were the ruins discovered?
a) 1986
b) 1960
c) 2010
What do some scientists believe?
a) The ruins were made by aliens
b) The ruins are natural rock formations
c) The ruins are a modern building
Why is it difficult to study the ruins?
a) They are too dangerous to touch
b) They are underwater
c) They are in a desert
Scroll down for the answers
Answers
b) Under the sea in Okinawa
a) 1986
b) The ruins are natural rock formations
b) They are underwater
BBP Staff
Travel
Beginner
MORE
ONLINE LEARNING TOOLS
Eラーニング・ソフト
E-learning software
電子書籍・読み物紹介
E-books