Sediment Study Workshop in Taiwan – March 14–15, 2025

Four students from Hiroshima University—Chonlada (D2), Matsuo (D1), Kido (D1), and Joyce (M2)—participated in a sediment study workshop held for the first time overseas, in Taiwan.

Day 1 – Workshop & University Visit

We walked to the university from our hotel, enjoying the familiar-yet-different Chinese characters around the city. The workshop featured oral presentations by professors from Japan and Taiwan, and poster sessions by students, including all of us. The discussions were lively and in-depth—more so than typical academic poster sessions.

We also toured National Cheng Kung University’s experimental facilities. Their wide range of flumes, especially those replicating steep mountain rivers, was impressive and inspiring.

In the evening, a social gathering on campus brought together students from various countries over Taiwanese food and drinks. It was a great opportunity to connect and relax.

Day 2 – Field Excursion

We went on a field trip to two disaster sites, traveling two hours by bus.

Our first stop was the Mingba Kelu Bridge, a site frequently hit by typhoons and known for massive sediment discharge. In particular, a typhoon in 2011 caused a debris flow that shifted the river’s course and destroyed the bridge. The slope of the terrain was incredibly steep, and there were many large rocks that seemed likely to be swept away by the flow. The overwhelming landscape made it easy to understand why Taiwan experiences such large-scale sediment transport.

Before heading to the second site, we had a lunch break. We were amazed at how much food—and beer—was served. It was hard to believe we still had another site to visit afterward! Interestingly, we didn’t see many of the stereotypical “Taiwanese dishes” like xiaolongbao, but instead enjoyed many new flavors. Some dishes were incredibly delicious, while others were more of an acquired taste. But that’s part of the joy of traveling abroad, and I’m glad I got to experience it.

The second site was Miachong Temple. A large slope behind the temple had once collapsed, but thanks to government restoration efforts, its stability has significantly improved.

We couldn’t see much of the actual disaster site from where we were, but we did get to look inside the temple itself. The interior was stunning—exactly the kind of ornate design you’d expect to see in a drama or anime. Despite our huge lunch, we were offered a large peach-shaped steamed bun for dessert. Joyce, who’s from Taiwan, told us, “If you finish this, you’ll be blessed with happiness!” So I gave it my best shot. It actually tasted great—next time, I want to try it on an empty stomach!

Evening Fun – Night Market

That night, we visited a nearby night market. There were all kinds of unfamiliar foods that we hadn’t seen during the day. I finally got to try the infamous stinky tofu, which I had only heard about on YouTube. Surprisingly, it didn’t smell as bad as I expected—it was actually quite tasty!

Day 3 – Souvenir Shopping & Departure

On our final day, we visited local supermarkets and department stores to buy souvenirs before heading back to Japan.

This was my first time visiting Taiwan, and I’m really glad I went. There was so much fascinating research in the field of sediment management, the landscapes were completely different from Japan’s, and the food was absolutely amazing. I’d love to visit Taiwan again someday!