I had the honor and privilege to participate as an exchange scholar in the 2024 AUA Exchange Program with the Japanese Urological Association (JUA). During my exchange, which took place in April 2024, I spent considerable time with the faculty and residents in the Department of Urology at Dokkyo Medical University in Japan, led by Professor Takao Kamai (Figures 1 and 2). The experience culminated with the 111th Annual Meeting of the JUA in Yokohama on April 25 to 27, 2024 (Figures 3-5).

This was a truly unique opportunity to learn how urology is practiced in Japan and to gain exposure to the Japanese health care system. Dokkyo Medical University Hospital is among the busiest hospitals in Japan, with 1195 beds at the main university hospital alone and 2 Intuitive da Vinci Xi robotic consoles. The experience provided firsthand clinical and surgical exposure, with a broad swath of open, robotic, laparoscopic, and endoscopic cases across the spectrum of urologic oncology (Figure 6).

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The experience also entailed a reciprocal academic exchange of ideas with an invitation to present several lectures to the urology department on each day of my stay. My talks spanned various topics in kidney cancer, testicular cancer, upper tract urothelial cancer, and career development, followed by engaging discussions with the residents and faculty. The program helped me broaden my global professional network in urology and even helped bridge a new research collaboration between our institutions. To solidify these collaborations, we are currently building a new program at my home institution to host a postdoctoral fellow from Dokkyo Medical University in my research lab each year.

Aside from the unique clinical experiences, the social and cultural experiences were truly unforgettable. Some of the highlights of my trip outside of the hospital setting included

• Visiting Mount Fuji using the Shinkansen (bullet train) with breathtaking views of the mountain from Lake Kawaguchiko (Figure 7). Not only was I fortunate to be able to see the mountain, but I also caught the cherry blossoms (sakura) in full bloom.
• Touring an underground Oya stone mine near Utsunomiya with Professor Kamai.
• Visiting Nikko, a World Heritage site in Tochigi Prefecture, with Professor Toshiki Kijima and a few residents on April 23, which happened to be the anniversary of Dokkyo Medical University’s founding. We changed into traditional kimonos and visited Nikko Toshogu Shrine, followed by Nikko Edo Village, where we witnessed a procession of courtesans, a ninja show, and a water performance (Figure 8).
• Visiting the historic Odawara Castle with Professors Kamai and Kijima.
• Joining the excursion to Kamakura organized by the JUA to visit numerous temples, shrines, and other historical monuments, including the famous Koutoku-in (Great Buddha) statue.

Despite being vegetarian and not knowing how to speak Japanese, I did not feel these posed challenges during my stay, as the faculty and residents at Dokkyo Medical University were extremely welcoming and hospitable. Furthermore, the AUA ensured a smooth itinerary by coordinating my travel and accommodations. I want to extend a special thanks to Professors Kamai and Kijima for going above and beyond to make sure I was always taken care of and for detailing my trip on their department website (https://dept.dokkyomed.ac.jp/dep-m/uro/category5/). Aside from the invaluable professional enrichment and expanded academic network, I gained a deep and immense appreciation for Japanese history and culture by being completely immersed in it throughout my stay. I am extremely grateful to the AUA, JUA, and the Department of Urology at Dokkyo Medical University for this unique and fruitful opportunity. Domo arigato gozaimasu!