Ten junior high students from Bandai, Japan leave their homeland early Friday and end up in a billet bed in the evening in Canada.

The group is here in South Okanagan for three days before returning home. Students were asked if they had ever been out of Japan – they answer – first trip off the island.

Picture above shows Bandai Mayor Gen-ichi Igarashi (2nd from right at top). Igarashi has been to Oliver many times but not this visit.

Below the 12 member groups convenes for dinner at the home of Mayor Ron Hovanes.

Oliver is the sister city of Bandai.

The Japanese students will tour Osoyoos, the new high school in Oliver and attend the Michael Burgess concert in the park tonight.