FOR a young Japanese boy visiting Boyanup, the past week has been the adventure of a lifetime.
Nine-year-old Riku Tanaka from Japan has not returned to his home in Tomioka since last year's devastating earthquake and tsunami that wreaked havoc in that country.
Host parent Genieve Ternent said the sponsored holiday in WA was designed to be a treat for some youngsters who were living away from their nuclear contaminated homes - which remained off-limits.
"This has been such an exciting time for Riku who has bounced from one function to another," Mrs Ternent said.
"He's been to the City of Bunbury's Civic Reception, interviewed by GWN, photographed with wildlife and much more."
The youngster's greatest love is soccer and children at the Child Side School in Boyanup where Mrs Ternent's children attend have been happy to take up the challenge at every opportunity.
Mrs Ternent praised the initiative of the Bunbury Runners Club, which raised funds for the airfares.
"The club received a good response from the public to sponsor the three children visiting from Tomioka as well as Tomoe Sato, who was a member of the Japanese Olympic Bobsleigh National Team from 2002-11 and has been acting as chaperone and translator," she said.
The town of Tomioka was evacuated en masse on March 12 last year, once the nuclear situation became clear.
As it is well within the 20-kilometre radius around the damaged power plant, residents are not allowed to return to their homes.
