A group of fifth-graders from Minnie Gant Elementary School spent a few hours in Japan Wednesday, thanks to a Cal State Long Beach recreation class.

The children were invited to the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden as part of a program students participate in to fulfill course requirements.

"The best way to learn about recreational programming is in class," said Professor Jan Hedges, who teaches the course at CSULB. "The best way to learn how to do it -- is to do it."

The children were given the opportunity to learn more about Japan through games, crafts, storytelling and a tour of the garden.

Hedges said that the class instructs students on how to "put a cultural event together, from planning to evaluation."

Children had the opportunity to run through an obstacle course, at the end of which they were shown how to use chopsticks.

The fifth-graders were also treated to the Japanese folk tale "Momotaro the Peach Boy."

In arts and crafts, the youngsters used origami, Japanese paper folding, to make "talking fish" and also made cherry trees with glue-and-paint.

The tour of the garden was well-received by the more than 110 children, who were given tidbits of information by tour guides, one of whom was Stephen Chavez.

"We're explaining what everything symbolizes," Chavez said.

The children were shown many features of the Garden, including the Tea House and Black Rock Beach. Perhaps the most enjoyed part of the tour was when the children were allowed to feed the koi -- large, colorful, Japanese fish.

Brian Rush, 10, brought a camera along.

"I like the fish and the waterfalls," Rush said.

Diana Post, a parent accompanied the children, said the trip was a positive experience for them.

"It will help them learn about the Japanese culture," Post said Post, "and kind of experience being there."

Post, whose daughter Nicole was part of the group, also said she thought the garden was a pleasant sight.

"It is very beautiful," Post said. "Very tranquil."

For an earlier project, the class went to Horace Mann Elementary School and coordinated games for about 200 children.