第２８８回 Workshop報告（１０月４日）

≪FIRST HALF≫

A Spoonful of Sugar: Sweetening the Bitter Tasks

We all face tasks we don’t really want to do — like managing difficult clients, studying boring or tricky subjects, doing laundry, washing dishes, and so on.

For me, studying bookkeeping is definitely one of those bitter tasks. It’s quite tricky and not something I naturally enjoy. So, I’ve been wondering: Is there a way to make it a piece of cake?

Today’s topic is inspired by the classic Mary Poppins song, “A Spoonful of Sugar.” In the song, the mysterious nanny Mary Poppins teaches children that even unpleasant tasks can be more enjoyable if you find a little bit of fun.

In this session, I’d like you to explore how we can sweeten our bitter tasks — just like how a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.

※If you’re not familiar with the song, I recommend checking it out on YouTube before the session.

Reference

<Questions>

1.Have you ever managed to “sweeten” a bitter task?

For example: I used to hate commuting every day, but now I actually enjoy it because I listen to BBC Radio 4 during my commute, which helps me improve my English.

Yes → How did you find “a spoonful of sugar”? What made it better? Please share your own experience.

No → If you haven’t found a way to enjoy it, have you tried anything to make it more bearable? What do you usually do to get through boring or unpleasant tasks?

(Note: “A bitter task” doesn’t have to be something serious — it can be as small as getting up early or as big as handling difficult clients.)

2.Which has greater value: the benefits of doing necessary but unpleasant tasks or the rewards of spending time on your favourite activities?

3.What do you think is crucial to turning a bitter task into a piece of cake? How can we make a bitter task bearable? Please explain, sharing your own experience if possible.

At the end of the workshop, share the group summary of Q.3 and the most interesting “spoonful of sugar” in your group.

≪LATTER HALF≫

Japan’s New Theme Park Charges Tourists More

A new theme park has just opened in Japan, and it’s already getting attention for how much it charges tourists. Junglia Okinawa is located in Nakijin, a small village of less than 1,000 people in Okinawa, a group of tropical islands in southern Japan. Known for its beaches, warm weather and unique culture, Okinawa is a popular destination for both Japanese and international travelers. Junglia Okinawa includes 22 attractions, such as a dinosaur safari, hot-air balloon rides and jungle swings.

But the biggest talking point is the park’s dual pricing system. Tickets cost 6,930 yen, or about $47, for residents of Japan. But for foreign tourists, tickets are more expensive — 8,800 yen, or about $59. To get the local price, buyers must have a Japanese address and phone number.

Dual pricing like this is getting common across Japan. Himeji Castle, one of Japan’s most famous landmarks, will start using this system in 2026, with plans for non-residents to pay at least twice as much as local visitors. Nanzoin Temple in Fukuoka is already charging foreign tourists an extra 300 yen (about $2) to help repair damage caused by high numbers of visitors.

The pricing system is getting mixed reactions, with some foreign tourists saying it’s unfair. “They should charge it equally or not charge it at all”, one visitor said. However, Japan now has record numbers of tourists, and for some sites, dual pricing is a way to respond to the huge numbers of visitors. Supporters of dual pricing say it helps cover the cost of extra cleaning, repairs, and staff needed to manage these large crowds. They also argue it protects locals from having to pay higher prices. With Japan’s weak yen making the country feel cheap to many tourists, some worry that prices in Japan are rising in ways that residents can’t keep up with.

 <Questions>

1. Do you enjoy going to theme parks? Why or why not?

    Have you been to or would you like to visit Junglia Okinawa?

2. Have you encountered dual pricing when traveling abroad? How did you feel about it?

3. What are your thoughts on the dual pricing system at Junglia Okinawa?

    Do you think a dual pricing system is a good way for Japan to respond to record-high visitor numbers and protect local residents? Please share a summary of your discussion on Q.3

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