More Than a Trip: Building a Kellogg Family Through Japan Trek
- Cathy Campo
- Jan 24
- 8 min read
Updated: Jan 27
By: Yuka Okunaga
Giving Back Through What Matters Most to Me
As my first year at Kellogg was coming to an end, I found myself filled with gratitude. Before arriving, I never imagined I would be surrounded by so many inspiring people, nor did I expect to gain so many new perspectives simply by being part of this community. My Kellogg friends challenged how I see the world, broadened my thinking, and supported me in ways I could not have anticipated. As I reflected on that first year, one question kept returning to me: How can I give back to this incredible community in my second year at Kellogg?
I have many sides to who I am—a consultant, someone passionate about healthcare, a musician—but at the core of my identity is something deeply personal: I am Japanese, and I was raised in Japan. It felt natural that the most meaningful way I could contribute would be to share Japan with my Kellogg friends and help them experience the country beyond what guidebooks can offer.
With that in mind, I decided to lead the Japan Trek alongside Teisan Tatsumi (MMM '26), my fellow Japan Club Co-President who shared the same vision, and Akshay Acharya (MBA '26) and Rutuja Bagul (MBA '26)—both originally from India—who chose to live in Japan and, in many ways, came to know the country even more deeply than I did. Together, we set out to create a trek that would reflect our collective perspectives and love for the country.
Designing a Trek with Care, Intention, and Heart
We began planning in the middle of summer, starting with the big questions: Should the trek take place in winter or spring? Which cities should we visit, and how much time should we spend in each? While juggling internships, family responsibilities, and other commitments, we met repeatedly—often early in the morning—to move quickly from vision to execution.
One principle guided every decision we made: keep the group small enough to truly care for each individual. We wanted a group size where the leaders could know everyone by name, understand their interests, and ensure that each person felt supported and included throughout the journey.
Another priority was to design experiences that are only possible because this was a trek. Japan has become an increasingly popular destination for individual travel, but we wanted to offer something different—experiences that truly shine in a group setting. As a result, the itinerary included a dinner cruise on a traditional yakatabune, sushi-making and wagashi (Japanese sweets) workshops, and a deeply moving talk by a Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor. These moments became defining experiences of the trek.
Spreading the Word: Making Sure No One Missed Out
When the fall quarter began, we launched our promotion across Kellogg. Because the time between the announcement and the trek application was short, we were determined not to have any one miss out simply because they hadn’t heard about it.
We held info sessions, promoted relentlessly on Instagram, showed up at events, tabled in Gies Plaza, and talked about the trek wherever we could. Our goal was simple: no one should later say, “I wanted to join, but I didn’t know about it.” Balancing this with our other commitments wasn’t easy, but the leadership team supported one another throughout the process and pushed through together.
Eight Days That Flew By in a Blink
When the trek finally arrived, watching my Kellogg friends experience Japan was nothing short of magical. The days flew by—and we were incredibly lucky to have clear skies for the entire week.
Day 1 (Tokyo): Tokyo Tower, Odaiba, Tsukiji Market, and a yakatabune dinner cruise!
Day 2 (Tokyo): A Mt. Fuji tour under perfect blue skies, seeing the mountain up close!
Day 3 (Tokyo): teamLab, Akihabara (maid cafés and Animate), sushi-making, and a night out at Japanese izakayas
Day 4 (Hiroshima): Visit to Itsukushima Shrine, followed by an unforgettable karaoke night
Day 5 (Hiroshima): Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and a survivor’s testimony—an emotionally powerful day of learning
Day 6 (Kyoto/Nara): Hozugawa river boat ride, bamboo grove walk, the Great Buddha of Nara, and time with the deer; some ventured to Osaka at night
Day 7 (Kyoto): Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera, kimono photos, wagashi-making, and a heartfelt farewell dinner.
Day 8 (Kyoto): Parting ways—some Kellogg students stayed in Kyoto, others went skiing in the north of the country (Hokkaido), traveled across Asia, or returned to Evanston or home countries
Rediscovering Japan Through Fresh Eyes
For us leaders, Japan Trek turned out to be a journey of rediscovery. None of us had ever seen Mt. Fuji from that close, visited teamLab, or gone drinking in Shinjuku’s Golden Gai. We were also pleasantly surprised by how popular 7-Eleven onigiri became among participants. It reminded us that Japan still holds countless charms, even for those of us who grew up there.
At the same time, the trek highlighted areas where Japan still has room to grow. The limited availability of vegetarian and gluten-free options was a clear reminder that Japan has not yet fully adapted to diverse dietary needs. In a society that has long been relatively homogeneous, building a more inclusive environment remains an important challenge for the future.
Most importantly, by the end of the trek, something special had formed. The group had truly become a family. It may sound cliché, but it genuinely feels that way. Back in Evanston, running into fellow Japan Trek friends always brings instant smiles and animated conversations. Creating this “Japan Trek family” is something I will treasure forever.
Why Treks Are One of Kellogg’s Hidden Gems
Kellogg offers an abundance of incredible learning opportunities, but traveling together as adults is surprisingly rare. Treks are a unique experience—one where leaders grow immensely through planning and execution, and participants gain a deeper, more authentic understanding of a country through the eyes of those who know it best.
With so many choices in an MBA program, leading or joining a trek is an experience I wholeheartedly recommend. My time at Kellogg is filled with highlights, and Japan Trek is undoubtedly one of the most unforgettable moments.
Finally, my deepest thanks to my fellow leaders—Teisan, Akshay, and Rutuja—to the RealAsia team who worked side-by-side with us throughout the planning process, and to all my Kellogg friends who chose the Japan Trek among so many incredible options this winter break. Thank you for trusting us and for making this journey so special.
Voices from the Journey
Before I wrap up, I want to share a few words from the people who were there—plus reflections from Teisan (my fellow Trek leader)—so you can hear what the experience meant, in their own voices.
“We always hear about Kellogg's global network. Normally, that means MBAs meeting other MBAs, EMBAs meeting EMBAs, etc. But Japan Trek brought together people from different programs around the world, uniting us with the shared purpose of seeing a wonderful country through the eyes of some of its biggest fans. This was so good that I wish we had the same opportunity for every nation on earth. This was so good that I want to bring even more people next year. It was so good that I didn't want to leave!” (Iain Lampert, EMBA 138)
“Japan is a beautiful country, and I’m so grateful to have seen it through our student leaders’ eyes. They provided a thoughtful and insightful look into Japan’s culture and it was perfect for a first time visitor such as myself.” (Tara Bhargava, 2Y 2027)
“I enjoyed seeing such variety in beautiful Japan. We spent time in the city and the countryside; shopped for fun treats and reckoned with history; stayed in modern and older hotels; and ate delicious food while also learning how to make some dishes. The group leaders were all wonderful, and I feel amazed by how much we saw in just 7 days. Also, shout out to the leaders for taking care of us when we felt sick. They were so thoughtful and considerate.” (Stender Von Oehsen, JV)
“Lovely trek organized by dedicated leaders! Truly enjoyed an immersive experience.” (Sri Tankasala, MBAi 2027)
“The Japan Trek was amazing! The leaders did an incredible job planning the Trek and making sure everyone had a great time while experiencing the most we could with the time we had.” (Tyler Alford-Getchell, 2Y 2027)
“One of the best trips of my life. Raised the bar for other Kellogg trips I do. The leaders did an outstanding job planning and executing. The country was marvelous and the memories will be forever special.” (Maher Nammour, 2Y 2027)
“You can watch shows about it, learn the language, or take courses on it, but nothing compares with actually being in Japan. Whether you love food, fashion, pop culture or even transit, there is something here for you to explore. Definitely try something matcha-flavored, definitely take the bullet train!” (Andrew Jacobs, MMM)
“This trip felt like the quiet fulfillment of a boyhood dream. For as long as I can remember, Japan had lived in my imagination, not as a destination on a map, but as an idea, a culture, a way of life I longed to understand firsthand. Even since my childhood, I have always had this urge to come to Japan one day, perhaps to connect the dots that I lay in my mind about everything I observed and learned from animes, movies, and TV shows. So, during this trip, whether it was the eclectic options of food, breathtaking views of nature, pristine cleanliness of the city walks, sanctity of the temples, or just observing people go about their lives, I constantly tried to connect those dots that I had laid during my growing years up until the trip. Hence, this trip has been one of a kind for me, it gave me a transformative experience and a new meaning to what a different but unique way of life could mean.” (Anubhab Chaudhuri, 2Y 2026)
“The itinerary was filled with great experiences, never felt rushed, and had room to choose your adventures. The leaders took amazing care of us throughout and the overall energy was really calm and positive.” (Taimur Abbas, 2Y 2026)
“If you’re looking for a culturally and historically immersive trip - the Japan trek should be on your list!” (Fiza Mohamed, 2Y 2026)
“It was a once in a lifetime, carefully curated trip that showcased the best of Japan.” (Andrew Goldstein, 2Y 2026)
“The Japan Trek was without a doubt one of the best experiences I’ve had at Kellogg. Even before the trek began, the preparation process taught me a great deal about leadership—what it takes to bring people together, align diverse perspectives, and create momentum. What made this experience truly special, though, was the people. While the destinations were unforgettable, what mattered most was what we talked about, shared, and experienced together with friends. I honestly enjoyed traveling and connecting with everyone, and those small moments of care and communication are what ultimately made this trek such a meaningful and memorable experience. Thank you so much everyone. I loved every moment with you all!” (Teisan Tatsumi, MMM 2026)
Read About More Kelloggians Abroad: A Look Inside Kellogg's First Saudi Trek
Comments