Student Blog

3min to read

Every October, Tenkusai (Campus Festival) is held on the APU campus, and last year, it celebrated its 22nd anniversary! There were so many events to join, delicious foods to try, and amazing performances to enjoy. I hope this article will make you want to visit Tenkusai this year.

APU’s Tenkusai is bustling with not only current students, but also parents, alumni, and many visitors, including residents of Beppu City. Tenkusai, which literally means “heavenly festival,” is a testament to the multicultural spirit that defines APU. This festival celebrates the rich diversity of the student body, with participants from across the globe coming together to share their heritage, food, music, dance, and art in a lively and festive atmosphere.

Arauma dance performers at Tenkusai

Tenkusai is an embodiment of APU’s diverse community, where students converge to create a vibrant multicultural hub. During the festival, students represent their countries by setting up booths, organizing performances, and sharing their traditions with the wider APU community. From traditional Japanese tea ceremonies and Filipino folk dances to Chinese calligraphy and Korean K-pop performances, Tenkusai allows students to introduce their unique cultures to their peers, fostering understanding and appreciation for different backgrounds.

One of the highlights of Tenkusai is the wide array of international cuisine available for students and visitors to enjoy. Whether it's Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Indonesian, Korean, Indian or Central Asian, the festival is a food lover’s dream. Student-run food stalls offer an authentic taste of home, allowing attendees to experience the flavors of different regions of the world. For many students, it’s a chance to reconnect with their roots and share their traditional dishes with friends from different parts of the world.

Along with the culinary delights, Tenkusai is also filled with music and dance performances. Students form groups to perform traditional dances, modern performances, or even fusion genres that blend different cultural elements. These performances are often accompanied by live music, ranging from instrumental ensembles to contemporary band performances, showcasing the talents of APU’s students.

Tenkusai is not just a celebration—it’s an opportunity for students to take an active role in event planning and execution. The festival is entirely student-run, with different student organizations, cultural clubs, and academic departments involved in the planning process. This allows students to develop leadership skills, work in teams, and manage large-scale events, all while fostering a sense of ownership and pride in the cultural diversity of APU.

In the months leading up to Tenkusai, students work tirelessly to prepare their booths, rehearsals, and logistics, and the success of the event relies heavily on the collaborative efforts of the APU community. Whether they are designing promotional materials, coordinating food stalls, or managing stage performances, every detail is handled by the students themselves, providing them with valuable hands-on experience in event management.

One of the most important aspects of Tenkusai is the opportunity it provides for students to connect with one another. In a university where students come from a wide range of cultural and geographical backgrounds, Tenkusai serves as a bridge between communities. By sharing their cultures and traditions, students break down barriers and develop a deeper sense of understanding and respect for each other’s differences.

For APU students, Tenkusai is a time to feel a sense of belonging and pride in their heritage. It’s an opportunity to share their country’s history, customs, and values with others, and it often becomes one of the most cherished memories of their time at APU. For visitors, it’s an invaluable opportunity to learn about the world beyond Japan, gaining insight into the experiences and perspectives of people from across the globe.

While honoring its traditions, Tenkusai continues to evolve each year by embracing new ideas and innovations.
Is there anything that particularly caught your interest or that you'd like to learn more about? We hope you're looking forward to this year’s Tenkusai !

Abid Aziz

Hello, I am Abid, a 3rd year student studying Hospitality and Tourism. After trying multiple times, I finally got the position of a Student PR Assistant and I am happy to start my journey here. My message to all the readers would be that "Do not let people tell you that you cannot have it all!"