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Japan School Trips & Student Tours

Japan – the land of the rising sun plays host to home spectacular landscapes and stunning destinations ranging from rolling hills, flat farmlands, towering mountains to majestic grand temples, serene shrines and Japan’s Edo-period buildings. Interestingly, there is a limitless number of things to do, see and experience in sprawling megacenter Tokyo, which is a truly inspirational experience for students of all subject backgrounds.

Educational School Trip  is proud of as a reputable tour company developing wonderful student tours to Japan. We specially tailor-made Japan student tours to serve all your student’s needs and your learning objectives. Coming to Japan, students will have ample opportunity to encounter a myriad of custom, deep history, ancient culture in Japan, explore amazing things in the bustling streets of Tokyo, join in state-of-the-art bullet trains and cherish the hospitality of Japanese people. These educational tours definitely will leave students with once-in-a-lifetime experience and meaningful lessons. Let’s Japan school trip awake your student’s travel sense.

Geography Japan School Trip – 14 Days

A Glance of Japan Rugby School Tour – 8 days

Science and Discovery Japan School Trip – 7 Days

Active Japan School Trip – 10 Days

Taste of Japan School Trip – 6 Days

Experience Japan School Trip – 9 Days

Reasons to Choose Japan School Trip for students

Cultural and historical immersion

Marvelous natural sights

High- tech World experience

Safe and secure destination.

Best Places to Visit in Japan School Trips

The capital city of tokyo.

Marvellous Okinawa

The ancient kyoto, charming nara.

Best seasons for Japan students tours

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Promotion of Educational Travel to Japan

ABOUT JAPAN EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL

• arrow_right WHY JAPAN?
• arrow_right Traditional culture
• arrow_right Modern culture
• arrow_right Natural environment
• arrow_right Japanese food
• arrow_right Sports
• arrow_right Made in Japan
• arrow_right Crisis management
• arrow_right Social systems and infrastructure
• arrow_right Peace and friendship
• arrow_right SCHOOL IN JAPAN
• arrow_right JAPANESE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
• arrow_right SCHOOL LIFE IN JAPAN
• arrow_right PLAN YOUR TRIP
• arrow_right SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
• arrow_right SCHOOL EXCHANGES
• arrow_right TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL ONLINE SCHOOL EXCHANGE
• arrow_right IN-PERSON EXCHANGES
• arrow_right ONLINE EXCHANGES
• arrow_right VISITOR'S VOICES

Educational travel in Japan is an excellent learning opportunity for all students!

• 2024.03.18 News arrow_right Education for Sustainable Development Programs in Japan: A Deep Dive into Sustainable Initiatives in the Shikoku Region
• 2024.03.18 Update arrow_right Visitor’s voices and Stories of National Chu-Pei Senior high school released
• 2024.03.15 Update arrow_right Visitor’s voices and Stories of Balmoral State High School released
• 2024.02.21 Update arrow_right Visitor’s voices and Stories of Hanlim Art & Design High School released
• 2024.01.31 News arrow_right Hosted “Japan Educational Tours Seminar” in Melbourne, Australia

What is Educational Travel?

Educational travel refers to group tours organized by schools for their students with faculty members as group leaders. These trips have clear learning objectives and usually include visits to local schools, site visits, hands-on activities, and so much more. Japan has always been a popular destination for overseas educational travel, with its rich culture and abundant learning opportunities attracting students and schools from all over the world every year.

• Rich in history, culture, and natural scenery
• High-quality and diverse education
• Rich and Diverse learning opportunities
• Safe and secure environment

WHY JAPAN ?

The educational travel can be theme specific, focused on culture, history, nature, food, sports or any other theme you would like.

SCHOOL EXCHANGES

Information about school exchanges during educational travel in japan.

• School exchanges for educational travel in Japan
• The Process of School Exchange
• How to Arrange a School Exchange?

Visitor’s voices: Impressions of educational travel and school exchanges in Japan

Experinces of students and teachers who have participated in educational travel and school exchanges in Japan.

ONLINE SCHOOL EXCHANGE

Online school exchange is interaction with overseas schools online. By using online meeting tools, etc., students can talk to other students while looking at each other and feel that they are in the same classroom despite being far away.

Schools from around the world share their experiences of educational travel in Japan.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

SCHOOL IN JAPAN

What is JNTO ?

JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization) is involved in a broad range of activities both domestically and worldwide, to encourage international tourists from all over the world to visit Japan. The JNTO engages in promotional activities for every regional market and functions as a centralized reception point for inquiries and for the acceptance of tourists wanting to visit Japan for educational travel.

• UK & Europe +44 (0)20 8064 0592 / USA +1 (617) 334 7755 / China +86 139 1651 9541 / Middle East +971 50 867 4801

Japan Student School Trips & Educational Tours

Embark on your Learning Adventure to Japan, exploring the vibrant culture, ancient architecture and modern metropolises in your tailored itinerary.

  Our educational tours, faculty-led programs, and school trips to Japan offer students the opportunity to explore the country’s unique balance between modern and traditional culture, architecture, history and much more. Our school trips provide the perfect combination of experiential activities and adventure to ensure that your students learn as much as possible while creating life-long memories.

Whether you’re looking for meaningful historical insight in Hiroshima, cultural experiences in Tokyo and Kyoto, or a case study of the country’s unique geology, we have the perfect school trip or college program for you.

Browse our school and university trips to Japan:

History School Trip to Japan

⭐ Tokyo National Museum, Kiyomizu-Dera, river cruise 📌 Tokyo & Kyoto 🕐 7 days

Japan Economics & Business School Trip

⭐ Bank of Japan, Currency Museum, Coca-Cola Plant 📌 Tokyo & Kyoto 🕐 7 days

Robotics & STEM in Japan

⭐ Miraikan, Maglev Exhibition Centre, Kawaguchiko 📌 Tokyo 🕐 7 days

Geography School Trip to Japan

⭐ Rinkai Disaster Park, Fukushima, Rikuzentakata 📌 Tokyo, Kesennuma & Fukushima 🕐 7 days

Culture School Trip to Tokyo

⭐ Kamakura excursion, sushi-making, Hakone excursion 📌 Tokyo 🕐 7 days

Ski in Japan

This exciting winter sports trip takes students skiing in the beautiful Japan.

Golden Route Japan School Trip

⭐ Hakone day trip, sushi-making class, Arashiyama 📌 Tokyo, Hiroshima & Kyoto 🕐 10 days (7 day alternative available)

Art, Anime & Manga in Japan

⭐ TeamLab, International Manga Museum, Higashiyama 📌 Tokyo & Kyoto 🕐 7 days

Why we provide academic travel programs in Japan:

Japan offers learning opportunities that other countries can’t. media students can learn all about manga and anime in tokyo, whilst science or geography groups can get to the heart of disaster management, as they travel to fukushima and hiroshima. some of the activities we offer – such as a talk by an a-bomb legacy successor, visiting tsunami evacuation sites and hiking mount fuji – are once-in-a-lifetime educational experiences..

About our service:

All-Inclusive Programs

Most institutions book all-inclusive trips. We cater for all dietary requirements, provide a variety of transport options and include all activities. We can even book you ATOL-protected flights or arrange a more flexible tour.

100% Organized by Us

We plan, book and operate every component of your trip, including guides, transportation and Health & Safety audits. Our commitment to overseeing our tours means that we can offer you an exceptional program at the best price possible.

On-the-Ground Support

Your dedicated Operational Officer will contact you regularly whilst you are on the ground to check how your educational tour is progressing. Your Adventure Leader will also gather your feedback every evening.

Learn more about how The Learning Adventure makes your program hassle-free for teachers, academics and staff.

Speak to a specialist

• Design Your Program

Japan School Trips & Projects

Program Finder

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Japan is an intriguing land of contrasts; ancient yet hyper modern, traditional and high-tech, peaceful and exhausting. Intriguing history, energetic cities, dazzling natural beauty, ancient cultural traditions and a gracious, humble people make this a remarkable destination for an educational travel experience.

Students will be fascinated by the world-class city that is Tokyo then hop on a bullet train to stunning Kyoto, where you can study the sublime gardens, temples and traditional architecture as well as visit the famous Geisha district to learn the intricacies of traditional Japanese culture.

For school groups looking for a more active Japanese school adventure, trek along ancient pilgrimage trails; challenge yourself with a climb to the summit of majestic Mount Fuji; or take one of our superb cycle trails and explore Japan's scenic backroads at handlebar level.

Whether you want to stick to Japan's fabulous cities and cultural icons or explore ancient temples, imperial palaces, historic sites and experience Japanese hospitality, Japan is a destination you can explore by foot, bike or kayak and our unique school group itinerary options can cater for almost any request.

Talk to our experts about tailoring a Japan school trip to your budget and needs.

School trip and project ideas in Japan

Japan Experiential Learning Journey

Activities:.

Japan School Adventure

Introductory

More about Japan

• Japan projects

Japan highlights

Why travel with us.

• Responsible travel

Quality Services

• Leaders in the field
• Custom made itineraries
• Related articles

Testimonials

Important information, popular activities.

Self Guided Walking

Self Guided Cycling

Guided Walking

Guided Cycling

Dive into an ancient culture

Stroll the gardens of Kyoto

Explore vibrant Tokyo

Hike through stunning wilderness

Picnic under the Sakura trees

Popular regions in japan.

Safety - our number 1 priority

Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when travelling with World Expeditions Schools.

Minimising risk

Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners our track record is exemplary.

Service Learning specialists

School Service Learning Community Projects offer a unique way to experience genuine cultural interaction while also providing real tangible benefits to underprivileged communities. Every Service Learning project is guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Trusted accommodations

We only utilise trusted accommodation on a twin-share basis (unless otherwise requested) which we know to be clean, reliable, in a safe location and are regularly inspected by local authorities. Wherever possible, adjoining rooms are provided to ensure that students are provided with adequate supervision.

When camping your group will be provided with all group camping equipment including tents, quality sleeping bags, sleeping mats, eating utensils, kit bags as well as three hearty meals per day prepared by our trained cooks in a hygienic and controlled environment.

Reliable, private internal transport

We only use trusted transport providers and always use private buses. Using private buses not only ensures we can control the safety of the service but it also provides a measure of flexibility in our trips with each group provided vehicles dedicated to their needs. It also means the group is not taking seats away from locals who are in more need of the local services.

Hygienically prepared meals

When trekking, our trained staff and team of cooks provide a hygienic camp as well as fresh, nutritious meals.

Experienced & highly trained local guides

We believe local guides provide the best experience. Their local knowledge is unparalleled in terms of interpreting the natural and cultural environments, outlining the history of a region, engaging local dialogue and also re-arranging services if required.

Many of our local guides have worked for our company for a decade or longer. They are first aid trained, experienced, passionate about their country and we have the utmost confidence in their ability to provide an experience for your school better than any western guide can.

Well thought out, tailored itineraries

If itinerary design was an art form our work would be hanging in galleries around the world. At the very least it is most certainly a science and we have years of destinational experience to ensure your itinerary is safe and achievable.

When it comes to travelling at altitude we always allow ample days to allow for proper acclimatisation as well as to allow for inclement weather.

Related Articles

• Where to Go & Weather
• Dialing Code

Electricity

• Health & Safety

Where to Go

Explore neon Tokyo

Marvel at Kyoto’s sublime gardens, temples and traditional architecture

Set your eyes on—or climb!—majestic Mount Fuji

Experience Japanese hospitality in a ryokan family inn

Explore Japan’s ancient temples, palaces and historic sites

See Japanese culture in living colour at one of many matsuri festivals

Play in some of the world’s best powder snow in Hokkaido

Head to Japan’s stunning wilderness areas to hike among the coloured autumn leaves

Picnic under the glorious sakura blossoms in spring

Take the time to enjoy Japan’s traditional tea ceremony

Catch a live kabuki performance, sumo match or karate tournament

Travel like a local on super fast, super efficient bullet trains

Japan’s climatic conditions vary considerably from north to south, owing to the mountainous spine than runs through the islands and the archipelago’s deep latitudinal span. Main moderating influences on Japan’s weather are its mountains, surrounding oceans, proximity to the Asian mainland and the effects of monsoons, in which alternating wet/dry periods are caused by the seasonal reversal of prevailing winds.

Japan’s prevailing summer and winter conditions are the result of interactions between two huge air masses: the moist tropical air mass coming off the Pacific Ocean and the cold continental polar air mass coming mainly from Siberia.

The summer monsoon (April to early September) brings rains and warmer temperatures, often causing cyclones, typhoons and storms in later summer. The winter monsoon (late September to early March) brings cold air that picks up moisture in the Sea of Japan, depositing rain and heavy snow along Japan’s western side and bringing cold, dry winds to the eastern side.

Japan is wettest in the early summer and driest in the winter, with the exception being the Sea of Japan coast, which receives heavy snowfall in winter. East Asia experiences a summer rainy season commonly called the “plum rains”, or baiu in Japanese, bringing hot, humid weather, typhoons and torrential rain during June and July.

Japan has some of the world’s best and heaviest snowfall, and is naturally a haven for skiers and snowboarders. The main island of Honshu receives snow in many parts, but it is the northern-most island of Hokkaido that is world-renowned for heavy powder snow during its ski season of December to March.

As a general rule, the coldest month is January, and the warmest month is August. The transitional seasons of autumn and spring are generally shorter, and temperatures are generally lower, in the north compared to the south.

In Tokyo, average daily temperatures vary from a minimum of 2.5°C (36.5°F) to a maximum of 9.9°C (50°F) in January; to a minimum of 24.5°C (76.1°F) to a maximum of 31.1°C (88°F) in August.

In Sapporo, average daily temperatures vary from a minimum of -7°C (°F) to a maximum of -0.6°C (°F) in January; to a minimum of 19.1°C (°F) to a maximum of 26.4°C (°F) in August.

Time in Japan

Japan is +9 hours ahead of UTC/GMT

Japanese is the official national language, spoken as the primary language by almost all of the population. Many different regional dialects exist, however, Standard Japanese (as spoken in Tokyo) is understood nationwide and is the language used for news broadcasting

Written Japanese uses a combination of kanji (Chinese pictogram characters denoting specific words/concepts) and kana (Japanese phonetic characters denoting specific syllables, which form words when grouped together). The Latin/Roman alphabet is also used sometimes to spell Japanese phonetically (called romaji) for those who cannot read written Japanese

Most public and private schools require students to take courses in both Japanese and English, however, few Japanese are able to speak English at a high international standard due to a lack of rigorous English language training, the inherent shyness that is part of Japanese culture, and the difficulty for native Japanese speakers in pronouncing English words, due to the far greater number of different phonemes (syllable sounds) in English compared to Japanese

The unit of currency is the Yen

It is strongly recommended that you buy Yen prior to departure as the rate in your home country is likely to be more favourable than in Japan.

Japan is still very much a cash-only society.

Credit cards are not widely accepted outside of expensive shops and restaurants, and there are surprisingly few opportunities to change money.

Our inns will not have cashing facilities, and currency other than Japanese Yen will not be accepted.

Visits to ATM machines will be scheduled in Tokyo and again near the tour’s end. There will be an opportunity for one bank visit around the tour mid-point, which may be the only opportunity to cash travellers cheques.

International Dialing Code

Electricity in Japan is 100 Volts, at 50/60 hertz. The most common pin type is A. (2 flat prong).

The following passport holders can travel to Japan for up to 3 months without a visa:

New Zealand

UK (6 months)

If you are travelling on any other type of passport we would request that you contact us, or your travel agent, to check the visa requirements.

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.

Ready to tailor a school trip to Japan?

Our educational travel experts are ready to help you tailor an itinerary or service learning project in Japan to suit your school’s needs and budget. Contact us today to receive a free consultation.

Assisted over 14,000 Students Worldwide

Since the 1980's, we   have helped students from around the globe to experience the world's most exciting destinations, allowing them to travel, give, grow .

400+ Service Learning Programs

Together with students, we have completed over 400 Service Learning programs in developing countries. We will always continue to support causes including social justice, animal welfare, the environment and more.

Fully Customised School Travel Programs

Want to include service learning, your school curriculum and a physical challenge, or any of the above? Contact us and we can design a program fully catered for your students and budget.

Safety and Support - Our #1 Priority

Every school receives a detailed risk management plan that is guided by government advisories and the local partners we work with. We never compromise on the safety of your students to reduce the price of the program.

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Study Trips

Japanese study trips by go go nihon.

An immersive travel experience, combining Japanese language lessons with authentic cultural experiences and engaging activities in Japan.

We partner with leading Japanese language schools to help you level up your Japanese skills.

Accommodation

We have a range of accommodation options, from fun share houses, cosy dorms to private hotel rooms.

Our activities are carefully chosen to give you a full experience of life, culture, and society in Japan. 

GO! GO! NIHON

What is a study trip.

Study Trips by Go! Go! Nihon are your chance to live and study in a Japan for a short time, while experiencing the culture through a range of unique and fun activities. The trips last between two to four weeks and encompass your language lessons, cultural activities, and accommodation.

Our Japanese Study Trips are the perfect way to experience Japan, the language, and the culture in a short amount of time – a great option for those who can’t commit to learning at a language school long-term, or those who are looking for a more immersive experience.

Whether you’re interested in pop culture, traditional Japanese culture, Japan during the spring, or something else entirely, you’ll find a trip for you in our offerings. Experience a Japanese tea ceremony one day and visit the Ghibli Museum the next; or start your week stepping into a traditional yukata and finish it off with a karaoke session.

studytrip.com brings all our trips together so that you can pick the life-changing experience that’s right for you, simply choose the trip that suits you best.

Stress-free travel

Our experienced Study Trips team plans and organizes your entire experience, so you only need to worry about booking your flights. We take away the stress, so you can focus on immersing yourself in travel.

Make friends for life

Our Japanese Study Trips attract people from all over the world. Your fellow travelers will not only be immediate travel buddies, but you’ll leave Japan with global friendships and irreplaceable memories.

Awesome tour leaders

Our trip leaders are the best, if we do say so ourselves! They’re experts in Japanese culture and language, know all the best spots to visit, and will support you fully during your trip.

A taste of Japan life

Maybe you’ve thought about living in Japan, but aren’t sure if you’d like it? Study Trips are a fantastic way to see if living in Japan longer term is for you.

Japanese Study Trips

Study trip milestones, 50+ activities.

Immerse yourself in authentic Japanese culture

70+ Countries

Our travelers come from all over the world

9.1/10 Service

Our 700+ participants rate our service highly

9.4/10 Tour Leader

Study Trip travelers love our expert guides!

Go! Go! Nihon

Have more questions visit our faq page for more details..

Office hours: Monday-Friday 10:00-13:00 & 14:00-18:00 JST Telephone: +81 50 5357 5357

Normally, it takes us between 1 – 3 business days to respond to your email. Sometimes it takes us a bit longer, but don’t worry we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!

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Educational tours & school trips to Japan

Our tour packages are a perfect mix of education and cultural activities, allowing you to discover all that Tokyo has to offer, as well as traditional Japanese arts, such as the tea ceremony or learning how to play Taiko, Japanese drums.

Get in Touch

Group trips to Japan

We organize trips to Japan with one goal in mind: offering the best possible Japanese experience and providing a painless organization process to teachers, institutions and organizations.

Our educational and cultural tours are a balanced combination of language learning and activities, in a safe, international environment. We work closely with you, the trip organizer, to create fully customizable solutions that fits your needs. Our tour packages allow you to discover the secrets of a traditional tea ceremony, test your sushi making skills, sing your favourite songs at Karaoke, learn how to play traditional taiko drums and enjoy many other unique activities as well as starting or developing your journey to learn Japanese.

We take care of everything

With our highly-vetted and trusted partners, we take the stress out of organizing your trip to Japan. We take care of the cultural activities, language schools, accommodation and more, so you can just enjoy the experience.

100% customizable tours and bespoke trips

After seven years running successful trips in Japan, we know that one solution doesn’t fit all, that’s why our bespoke tours can be customized and tailored to your requirements. Whether you are organizing a trip for students, employees, or for family, we’ll make sure you have an ultimate break in Japan. Our wide range of activities mean that no matter what you’re looking for we can build a tour package perfect for you.

Our qualified tour leaders have extensive experience in dealing with diverse groups and always go the extra mile to make sure you have an unforgettable experience.

Local staff and support

We have our own highly knowledgable, multilingual, local staff who act as your guide, translator, and general support for your trip, ensuring you have the best possible experience.

Age is just a number! We have organized trips for travelers from 15 – 55, so get in touch to see how we can help.

What students say about our service?

Spring Course

Nicole’s Story (Australian)

It was really fun, I loved trying a variety of Japanese foods and hanging out with our tour guide. The school and staff super helpful, I’d attend again for sure.

Summer Course

Thomas’s Story (British)

The Summer Course was my first introduction to Japan and it did not disappoint. From the moment I was welcomed at the airport to leaving the dorm for the last time, I had the most fun I have had in a long time. Getting to experience Japan with new people who became fast friends was incredible.

Youth Japan

Alex’s Story (American)

Because of the program, I plan on applying to Japanese university next year because of how much I enjoyed living in Japan and how much I want to return.

Winter Course

Anthony’s Story (British)

It was a very enjoyable experience. The events held by Studytrip.com were amazing and I made some great friendships with other on the course. It was a great experience that I would recommend anyone who wanted to visit Japan to try. It was fairly priced, the staff were great and the events were amazing.

About our tour leaders

Jose (Japan)

I originally came to Tokyo pursuing my passion of the Japanese language and culture. After studying in Japan for 4 years, I started working as Study Trip’s Tour Leader. Through my work, I aim to show people the many reasons why I fell in love with this country, making sure they enjoy their time to the fullest, and engage in a cultural exchange that will enrich everyone’s experience abroad. In my many years as a Tour Guide I have been able to meet a lot of amazing people and help them have the time of their life while in Tokyo.

Students chose our trips

Available courses, customer satisfaction, international offices, photos from our previous study trips.

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Why choosing Japan?

Japan is one of the most advanced countries in the world, but it’s still strongly linked to its traditional roots. Exploring this country you will get on a journey through time, nature, technology, history and future. Discovering a culture so different from the rest of the world will allow students to expand their horizons, and get a deeper knowledge of the world and its diversity.

Japan offers all type of cuisines from all around the world, as long as its specialities, such as sushi, tempura, okonimyaki, ramen, etc. Contrary to what people think, many Japanese restaurants offer lunch and dinner for less than 1,000 yen (10$), so you can easily enjoy a delicious meal without breaking the budget.

Transportations

Japanese public transport is famous for being clean, punctual and a lot less complicated than it seems. Taking the train to school is a sure way to learn how to navigate your way around the city.

Japan is a great choice for a school trip, being that it’s famous for being one of the safest countries in the world. That’s why Japanese parents are able to allow their children to be independent from a young age and even takes themselves to school as early as 4 years old.

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Japan: Tokyo, Nikko, Hiroshima and Kyoto

Japan school trip overview.

Embark on a Japan school trip on one of our educational tours and introduce your students to the fascinating culture and global influence of the Land of the Rising Sun. This immersive tour takes students through the ancient history and ultra-modern society of Japan as we travel to its three most important cities: Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima.

From visiting historic landmarks to experiencing traditional Japanese practices such as a tea ceremony, a Taiko lesson, and of course karaoke, this journey is filled with interactive activities that are sure to leave a lasting impression. Explore the bustling city of Tokyo and its vibrant culture, and make unforgettable memories with your students on this school trip to Tokyo. This trip is designed to expand your students’ perspectives and give them a deeper understanding of Japan’s culture and influence on the world.

Did You Know? Teachers travel for free! Learn more about the Benefits for Teachers .

Starting at $5595

What's Included

• Accommodation
• Airfare and transportation
• Authentic local meals
• All listed activities and entrances
• Full-time trip director
• Expert local guides
• 24/7 support and marketing materials
• A customizable itinerary

This Trip is Ideal For...

Geography, History, Language

Map and Route

• Day 1: Overnight flight to Japan
• Days 2-4: Tokyo
• Days 5: Nikko
• Days 6-7: Kyoto
• Day 8: Hiroshima
• Day 9: Kyoto
• Day 10: Return flight

Possible Extensions for a 11-12 Day Trip

• Extra Day 1: Miyajima island
• Extra Day 2: Tokyo Disneyland

Interested in learning more about this tour?

Detailed Trip Itinerary

Learn more about what each day is like on tour! Click on the day to discover the different sites and activities you will experience

DAY 1: Depart for Japan

Flight from your preferred airport to Tokyo.

DAY 2: Tokyo

Upon your arrival in Tokyo, you’ll be greeted at the airport by your Travel For Teens guides, who will accompany you for the duration of your journey. After getting settled into the hotel, we’ll have our first dinner of traditional Japanese cuisine at one of our favorite local restaurants.

DAY 3: Tokyo

On our first day on the ground in Tokyo, we’ll begin with a visit to the Sensoji Temple, one of Tokyo’s oldest and most colorful temples. After lunch, catch the water bus to Hamarikyu Gardens, a beautiful green oasis in the middle of urban Tokyo. This afternoon, try your hand at Virtual Reality in the world capital of technology and video games.

Tour Highlights

• Sensoji Temple
• Hamarikyu Gardens
• Virtual Reality Arcade

DAY 4: Tokyo

This morning, visit the most important collection of anime culture in Japan, the Ghibli Museum. After lunch, explore the vibrant neighborhoods of Shibuya and Harajuku, famous around the world for their funky fashion scene, as well as for having the world’s busiest crosswalk. This evening, we’ll head to the top of the Observatory Building for some of the best views in all Tokyo.

• Studio Ghibli Museum

DAY 5: Nikko

Then it’s off to visit the sacred site of Nikko – a town famous for its rich cultural heritage, beautiful natural scenery, and UNESCO sites. Here we will visit the Toshu-gu Shrine, Nikko’s iconic red bridge, hike through the tranquil countryside to discover the natural beauty of Northern Japan, including Kegon falls!

• Toshu-gu Shrine
• Nikko’s Red Bridge & Stream
• Kegon falls

Day 6: Kyoto

Depart for the train station – we’re heading to our next destination: Kyoto! On the way, we’ll stop in Nagoya for a traditional karate lesson. Try your hand at the historic fighting technique of karate, developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom (now Okinawa)! Head back to the train station and continue on for Kyoto. Check in to our Kyoto accommodation, have dinner, and head out for our evening activity – karaoke!

• Karate Lesson
• Karaoke in Kyoto

Day 7: Kyoto

Head to Fushimi Inari Taisha, known for its stunning vermilion-colored torii gates that form a tunnel through the forest on the mountain behind the main shrine. Visit, Kiyomizu-deraa, UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous and visited temples in Japan. In the afternoon, enjoy free time in Ninenzaka/Sannenzaka – wandering the traditional shops and Japanese-style restaurants in this incredible place.

• Fushimi Inari Taisha
• Kiyomizu-deraa
• Ninenzaka/Sannenzaka

DAY 8: Hiroshima & Himeji

Take a day trip from Kyoto to Hiroshima. Hiroshima today is dedicated to bringing peace to the world, a direct result of the destruction the atomic bomb brought to it during WWII. During our time here we will have the special opportunity to meet with a local survivor and hear his or her perspective on this tragic event. Every year our students are moved by hearing such a personal and emotional story, and come away with a greater understanding of the effects of WWII.

On the way back to Kyoto, stop at Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous castles in Japan.

• Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
• Himeji Castle

DAY 9: Kyoto

This morning, visit the incredible Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, a popular tourist destination since 749AD. Stop by the Togetsukyo Bridge, stroll through the bamboo groves, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. We will also enjoy a fun and exciting taiko lesson, where we will learn to play these traditional Japanese drums with instructors in a fun and easy to learn format. To cap off our lesson we might even have a drum battle!

• Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
• Taiko Lesson

DAY 10: Depart Japan

Your TFT guides will accompany you to the airport and assist you with check-in for your flight. Wave goodbye as you head through security and sit back and relax on your flight home.

The TFT Difference

We never combine groups (unless you want to).

Your tour is special and just for you and your students! We will never combine two or more groups on the same bus or tour unless you request traveling with another teacher. We will lead a trip with as few as six people and a teacher. Your Trip Director travels with you for the duration of your educational tour. If you have another group you would like to travel with, let us know and we can arrange for that as well!

Stress-Free Planning and 24/7 Support

We are there for you every step of the way, and our support begins the moment you decide to do a TFT educational tour! We will provide you with a team member who will help bring your tour to life, along with everything you need to help get students to sign up for the adventure! On the tour you will have 24/7 dedicated staff with you to ensure everything runs smoothly and because we know travel is full of surprises, solve anything that may pop up along the way.

Photos and Email Updates

We make sure your travel memories are captured forever! Expect frequent personal email updates and hundreds of photos from your TFT staff shared with you and your students’ families so everyone can follow along on the journey. We are the only educational tour company to offer this in-depth trip communication and it truly makes all the difference!

Central Accommodation and Local Meals

Authenticity is engrained in everything we do. We stay at locally owned accommodation in the city center so you don’t waste your valuable time commuting. We dine at charming authentic restaurants to get a real flavor (literally!) for the local culture. The best way to travel is like a local. So ditch the tour bus and have a real traveler’s experience with us!

Request A Free Custom Quote For This Itinerary

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School Groups & Excursions

Beautiful, relaxing, profound, fashionable, mouth-watering, historic, exciting, majestic – which Japan would you like to experience?

A visit to Japan is a feast for all the senses: cityscapes beyond imagination, awe inspiring natural beauty, vibrant and unique festivals, delicious regional delicacies, refined and elegant gardens and architecture.

On a school excursion to Japan, you can experience firsthand a culture far more beautiful and diverse than your textbook could ever portray.

Become a part of this fascinating country, be captured by the people and the surroundings – It will be the greatest learning experience you can find. With genuine and heart-warming hospitality, Japan awaits you.

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Six great reasons to visit Japan on a school excursion

Native interaction, firsthand experiences Nothing compares to interacting with native Japanese people as a tool to improve learning the language. School visits and home stays provide students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in to Japanese culture.

Affordable Although Japan is often thought of as an expensive destination there are in fact a wide variety of budget accommodation and transport options, along with many free and inexpensive tourist attractions making Japan an affordable destination.

Well developed transport network Japan’s transport network is very extensive and allows for speedy and efficient traveling. Major cities within the country are connected to each other by air, rail and highways.

High security standard Japan has long led the world as one of the most crime-free economically advanced countries where even the larger cities are remarkably safe.

Location, Location, Location Japan is only one hour behind Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) and three hours behind New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) meaning travelers experience almost no jetlag and more time can be spent exploring. Japan also has four distinct seasons with each regional area has its own unique climate and culture.

Sister City and Sister School Relationships Japan has many Sister City and Sister School relationships with Australia and New Zealand promoting international exchange and cooperation between the nations.

Further Information & Resources

• Educational Tours to Japan   – This brochure (pictured above) introduces some of Japan’s regional areas, educational attractions and activities, information on home-stay and school exchange and case studies.

• Preparatory Learning Guide for Educational Travel in Japan - This workbook is designed to help students prepare for their educational travel by prompting research on Japan’s geography, culture, lifestyle, and their upcoming school visit.
• List of school tour operators  – Change 'Product type' to 'School Groups' to see a list of travel agents specialising in arranging school tours to Japan.
• Japan Educational Tours  – Contains list of educational contacts at local tourism bureaus, FAQs and more

Resources for specific regions in Japan

Note: Listed alphabetically by prefecture

• Shinshu-Iiyama Tourism Bureau, Nagano Prefecture: Welcome to Iiyama - One-stop Iiyama School Trip Booking Service (PDF)
• Wakayama Prefecture: Homestays, School Exchanges and Field Trips

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Japan is the ideal destination for a learning adventure where age-old traditions rub shoulders with cutting-edge technology.  Japan has achieved the perfect balance between the eastern and western values while still preserving its own distinctive identity. With a fascinating mix of ancient temples, sacred shrines, spectacular landscapes, towering Mount Fuji, high speed bullet trains and shiny neon lights, Japan will leave students with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Tokyo is one of the largest and most populated cities of the world and the capital city alone is a wonderland of attractions. Students will be immersed in the ancient traditions by visiting the many shrines and temples. Students will also experience modern Tokyo as they climb the Tokyo Tower for vistas of this mega-city, explore the bustling streets of Tokyo and travel by some of the fastest rail networks in the world on a bullet train. Japan’s ancient culture is alive and well in Kyoto and students can explore the cobbled streets, the many temples, shrines, beautiful gardens, and museums. With a visit to the famous Geisha district, students can learn the intricacies of traditional Japanese culture and learn the ancient art of tea ceremonies and calligraphy. Students can experience firsthand the devastating war site of Hiroshima and the powerful perspective of standing in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome, then pay a visit to the Hiroshima Memorial Peace Museum to gain the insights into the history of the World War II and learn what it means for the future of our world. From Geisha's and golden temples to Sumo wrestlers and sushi, this is a country of contrasts that is both modern and old, innovative, and traditional. Your students will be guaranteed a mind-blowing history lesson.

Our suggested itineraries are based on personal recommendation and can be tailored to suit your school and group..

All year round

Japan is a destination where ancient traditions are fused with modern life and offers a true cultural immersion for students. Our “adventure” tour will engage your students in the history,

As required

Japan is a fascinating land of contrasts, a melting pot of both the ancient and hyper modern worlds, where traditional and high-tech culture collide. Japan school tours offer one of the greatest learn

While many Japan school tours hit the main tourist cities, this school trip will focus on Japan’s many hidden gems; the itinerary is focused on digging beneath the surface to uncover genuine and

Why you choose to book with us?

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K-12 School Gallery Tours

School Gallery Tours invite students to observe, discuss, and explore various Japanese art forms and their rich historical backgrounds through seasonal exhibitions led by experienced museum educators and teaching artists.

Available Programming

None Whatsoever: Zen Paintings from the Gitter-Yelen Collection

ONSITE TOUR | 60 MINUTES VIRTUAL TOUR | 45 MINUTES March 8—June 16, 2024

Guided by museum educators, K-12 students will dive into the captivating world of Zen Buddhism through a private collection of ink paintings and calligraphies. One of the world’s most fascinating artistic traditions, the distinct influence of Zen can be seen in myriad forms of art and culture in Japan, including garden design, aesthetics of the tea ceremony, way-of-living practices and more. Through selected works, students will experience four centuries of Zen-inspired pieces by artists, including the celebrated Hakuin Ekaku (1685–1768), expressing Zen teachings through playful and profound art.

Shikō Munakata: A Way of Seeing

VIRTUAL TOUR | 45 MINUTES

Shikō Munakata (1903-1975) is a 20th century Japanese artist primarily known for his powerfully expressive woodblock prints. Borrowing from Japan Society’s permanent collection, virtual school tours introduce selected works of Munakata prints. Students explore bold print works inspired by Japanese folk tales, Buddhism, and nature motifs through close looking, discussion and developing meanings and activities. This interactive tour will be available year-round via video conferencing.

Registration and Pricing Information

Japan Society’s gallery tour offers an interactive art experience led by trained museum educators, who incorporate close-looking, personal connections, inquiry, and related activities for K-12 students. Maximum group size at one time is 30 students for both Virtual and On-site Gallery Tours, with a requirement of 2 chaperones for On-site Gallery Tour. Groups of more than 15 students will be divided into smaller groups for on-site tours. We request each reservation to be made at least two weeks in advance of your desired date. A one-week notice for any cancellations or changes is required to avoid fees barring extreme weather or case-by-case emergencies. For more details or to make a reservation, please contact us at [email protected] or (212) 715-1254.

Above: Yoko Ono with White Chess Set , 1966.© Graham Keen / TopFoto.

Japan Society School Partnerships and K-12 Manga Workshops/K-12 Gallery Tour & Workshops are made possible by a generous grant from MetLife Foundation and supported by the United States-Japan Foundation and MUFG Bank, Ltd.

Japan Society programs are made possible by leadership support from Booth Ferris Foundation and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Education and Family Programs are generously supported by an anonymous donor; ORIX Corporation USA; Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas); public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; The Masako Mera and Koichi Mera, PhD Fund for Education and the Arts; The Norinchukin Foundation; and Friends of Education and Family Programs.

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Give your mind a workout on an educational tour of Japan, where age-old etiquette blend s with cutting-edge robotics , AI-powered futures and the 24/7 hustle of the world’s third largest economy . While feeding your mind, you’ll also feast on world-class food – from delectable handmade sushi, to nourishing bowls of ramen and sl ippery soba noodles.  

Travel in Japan is efficient and easy, thanks to affordable public transport and fast bullet trains. In the morning, learn about Japan’s emperors and samurai warriors from inside an imperial palace or feudal castle. In the afternoon, muse on rapid industrialisation and urban sprawl atop a Tokyo skyscraper. And in the evening, enjoy a sunset in Gion while hearing the history and myths surrounding Japan’s geisha.  

Keen to expand your knowledge of art and culture? Stop by contemporary art museums, galleries and design studios. Or develop your creative practice by experiencing traditional Japanese arts like origami, woodblock printing, calligraphy, pottery, manga and more.   

Customised Japan tours to suit your group  

Each group of travellers is unique, which is why we tailor every Japan tour we run.   

• Student trips : we’ll ensure your trip meets your school’s curriculum, budget, student needs and learning goals
• Private tours : we’ll customise your itinerary to suit your transport and accommodation preferences, as well as your group’s budget and special interests  

Choose what you learn  

Whatever you’re most curious about, we’ll work with you to create the perfect program. Here are just some of the ideas you can explore on a trip to Japan :  

Robotics , manufacturing and technology  

• Catch innovation in action inside leading technology , artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics research companies  
• I nteract with Japan’s most famous humanoid robot a nd uncover robots ’ role in an ag e ing society  
• See the process of invention and manufacture up close in Japan’s extraordinary factories, plant s and industrial museums  

Economics , commerce and global industries  

• Visit The Bank of Japan to understand how central banks maintain Asian currencies and control inflation  
• Discover how Japan’s economy recovered after World War II to become a global centre of finance and trade  
• S kill up on Japanese work culture and business etiquette, while considering the social trade-offs of rapid industrialisation  

History, politics and peace  

• Contemplate peace and coexistence in Hiroshima, site of the world’s first atomic bomb ing  
• Investigate Japan’s post-WWII reconciliat ion with the US and its regional neighbours in Asia  
• Examine the Fukushima nuclear disaster and the subsequent rise of alternative energ y  

Add some adventure  

If you like an action-packed itinerary, expand your agenda with these exciting local activities:   

Sit ringside at a s umo w restl ing tournament  

Board a high-speed  shinkansen   (bullet train)  

E xplore Kyoto’s temples and bamboo forests by bike  

Take part in sushi-making and Japanese tea ceremonies  

Improve your conversation with a Japanese language class  

E njoy a fun and physical  k endo , aikido  or  j udo martial arts class  

Sample trips.

Whatever your students want to learn, we’ll help you create the perfect program. Check out our sample itineraries to get a taste of your school’s next adventure.

Remember, these sample itineraries can be modified to suit your learning objectives and budget. The prices are guides only and subject to change.

A week without walls

7 days from $4500 AUD / person

10 days from A$3,750 / person

Past, Present and Future

9 days from A$3,500 / person

Trains , Technology and Traditions

Get in touch today to find out more information, request an itinerary or tailor your next trip.

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VS Oceania offers quality, education-centric exchange programs, specialising in student exchange and study tour programs

Staying with a host family provides Japanese students a rare opportunity to experience the Australian way of life

Value Learning

Each visiting student benefits from being exposed to a different culture, new opportunities and new learning experiences.

VS Oceania assists schools make the natural progression from hosting an educational study tour in your own school by planning and facilitating the Educational Study Tour for your students to travel to Japan. This is a chance of a lifetime to travel to a beautiful country with a vastly different culture.

These programs provide the students with the opportunity to:

• Attend local Japanese schools • Homestay with a Japanese family • Visit cultural and tourist landmarks and attractions • Experience the Japanse way of life

For all students of a foreign language, the benefit of an in-country learning experience is immeasurable. The VS Oceania study tour program not only allows students the chance to utilise the language skills they have learned in the classroom, but also to experience the cultural and historical aspects of the country first hand. In past tours we have found this has lead to a broadening of the students' minds and a greater understanding of their part in our global community. An international school excursion to Japan organised by VS Oceania will have your school visiting the most popular tourist spots in Japan. Typically 10 to 12 days in length, VS Oceania tours include visits to Kyoto, Hiroshima, Osaka and Tokyo.

Role of VS Oceania

• VSO liaises with Japan to organise all aspects of the tour, including airfares, accommodation, transport, homestay, and the host school. • VSO creates an original itinerary to suit your school's requirements • VSO provides a Japanese speaking guide/liaison to accompany the group in Japan • VSO provides an orientation for participants prior to departure

Role of the school

• To liaise with VSO in regard to the organisation of the group • To publicise the tour at the school and allocate participating student places • To assist VS Oceania in liaising with participants • To organise for an adult (or adults) to accompany the tour and supervise participants throughout the tour 

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Search group tours, search private journeys, japan tours & vacations | best japanese travel plans and excursions.

All Japan Tours offers unlimited vacation possibilities to explore and experience an unforgettable trip to Japan. Whether you’re interested in Japanese cherry blossom tours , festival tours , autumn leaves tours or special interest tours , our Japan tour packages will bring your vacation dreams to reality. Choose tours based on style , interest , date , or season . Our Japan group tour packages are fully escorted, and we can also arrange special-interest private tours , custom group tours , and other Asia country tours to match your specific needs. | Why All Japan Tours

From Group Tours, to Custom Private Tours, to Japan Luxury Travel

Whether you're planning for a special occasion, family reunion, company event, luxury trip or an entire Japan holiday package, All Japan Tours can help you plan the perfect Japan experience. No matter what your interests are, you are always in excellent hands when you travel with All Japan Tours. Our Japan vacation packages cover all budgets from luxury to adventure and are available with or without international flights for full flexibility. Join an escorted group tour on a pre-designed itinerary, or let us create one for you. We have the firsthand know-how to take you well beyond ordinary travel.

The Best Japan Vacation Packages & Itineraries

When you consider the cost, hassle, and uncertainty of traveling on your own, you'll discover how an All Japan Tours vacation is like no other. Everything has been arranged in advance, from itinerary to hotel accommodations, so all you have to do is take in the breathtaking scenery. There is no need to worry about getting lost or finding transportation; leave the details to us and start having the time of your life. Our team works together to give you the very best Japan vacation. This includes our long-time tour guides in Japan that offer both current and historical enlightenment of its cities and towns, as well as expertise on where to find the most beautiful Japanese gardens and temples, local restaurants, and interesting shops. We understand how important it is to make your visit to Japan memorable and worthwhile, so our team both in the office and on the tours strive their best to accommodate your specific needs every step of the way. Book a Japan tour with us and start your unforgettable vacation today!

Japan Tour Packages 2024,2025 & 2026

What can we offer for your japan trip, japan escorted group tours.

The most cost-efficient and hassle-free way to travel Japan

AJT group tours are the best way to ensure that you do not miss seeing any of the highlights of Japan. We plan our group tours based on seasonal attractions with must see sites in every tour. All of our Japan group tour itineraries are researched and developed by our professional staff, all of whom have spent years working as a tour guide in Japan. We offer four different tour styles to pick from that are best suited to your interests, from train travel to luxury tours. We are confident that you will find something that is appealing and fascinating to you from our Group Tours. AJT group tour packages offer something suitable for everyone, no matter what your budget or tastes are.

Japan Private Journeys

Just you and your traveling partner

A private journey is the perfect solution for if you can't find a published departure date that you and your companion(s) agree on. Our private journeys allow you to customize the perfect itinerary for you and your companion(s). Our team will do our best to fulfill every detail and request to design your perfect tour.

Japan Custom Group Travel

You plan, with our help, where and when your group travels

Do you wish to travel with family, friends, school, church, club, or organization to Japan? We have the knowledge and experience to fulfill your wants. Let us arrange your sensational trip to Japan!

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When is The Best Time to Visit Tokyo Japan?

Japan Cherry Blossom Tours

Our Japan cherry blossom tours are our most popular tours because we highlight the top places to see sakura, the most renowned flower in the country. Experience Japanese cherry blossom festivals, a cherry blossom dance show performed by geisha, and sakura views from Mt. Fuji, to gardens in Kyoto.

Japan Autumn Leaves Tours

Our Japan autumn leaves tours give you exclusive access to beautiful gardens, temples, shrines, and famous landmarks while enjoying the colorful autumn scenery along the way. We offer Japan tours to rural parts of Japan, historical towns, World Heritage sites, and diverse shopping districts.

Japan Festival Tours

Our Japanese festival tours cover festivals from all seasons. Matsuri (festivals) can range from celebrations to honor a shrine's deity to joyful seasonal occurrences. Participate in one of the biggest festivals in Japan, the Kyoto Aoi Festival, or check out the Gion Summer Festival on one of our Japan tours.

Special Interest Tours

We offer tours for people specifically interested in anime, the pilgrimage route of Japan, visiting the most beautiful places in Japan, focusing on Japan's breathtaking flowers, seeing snow monkeys in winter, visiting the best nature spots of Hokkaido, and spending time at the art island of Naoshima.

Top 12 Attractions in Japan

Takayama Festivals

Lavenders in Hokkaido

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Snow Monkeys

Japan Winter Festivals

Awa Odori Dance Festival

Gion Summer Festival

Kyoto Aoi Festival

Shibazakura Festivals

Baby Blue Eye Flowers at Hitachi Seaside Park

Tohoku 3 Great Summer Festivals

Experience the takayama spring & autumn festivals during your trip to japan, one of japan's most beautiful festivals..

Witness the beautiful Takayama Festivals in Japan, not once, but twice a year. We offer a list of Japan tour packages that allow you to experience the lavishly decorated floats, known as yatai, which feature karakuri (mechanical puppets) that dance and move impressively. Whichever season you prefer, we have a Japan tour package reserved for either Takayama Festivals.

View our Japan tours featuring Takayama Festivals

Get lost in the lovely furano flower fields surrounded with lavender flowers, and enjoy views of the spacious fields in biei..

Our Hokkaido lavender tours showcase the best spots to indulge in lavender beauty during its flowering season. Take a Japan trip to Farm Tomita in Furano, known as one of the best places in Japan to see spectacular backdrops of lavender. Our lavender tours will also take you to a small town called Biei, overlapping with picturesque hills, vast fields, and the popular Panorama Road.

View our Japan tours featuring Lavenders in Hokkaido

The tateyama kurobe alpine route is an amazing route that goes through the northern japan alps..

Visit the famous and long demanded Alpine Route in Japanese Alps. Requiring varying modes of transportation, this route takes you through mountains and valleys for some of the most scenic views in all of Japan. From high mountain peaks reflected in the surface of calm, crystal lakes to the lower elevations at the Kurobe Dam and the famous site of the snow corridor, this route is sure to be unforgettably beautiful.

View our Japan tours featuring Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Take delight in viewing elegant wisteria flowers at ashikaga flower park and kawachi fuji garden during your tour to japan..

Wisteria are dream-like flowers that hang like pink and purple chandeliers. On our Japan Wisteria Tours, you will visit places like the Kawachi Fuji Garden and Ashikaga Flower Park. The Kawachi Fuji Garden features picture-worthy flower tunnels you can walk underneath, while the Ashikaga Flower Park is significant for their "Great Wisteria", a famous tree that's over a 150 years old.

View our Japan tours featuring Wisteria

Watch japanese snow monkeys bathe in hot springs at jigokudani snow monkey park on a japan winter tour..

Our snow monkey tours will take you to the Jigokudani Yaenkoen Park, where you can see Japanese Macaque, known as "snow monkeys". Thousands of people come to see the monkeys, whom are native to northern Japan and can be recognized by their red faces and light brown-grey fur. Watching the snow monkeys bathe up close is quite an experience, so don't forget your camera!

View our Japan tours featuring Snow Monkeys

Our japan tours will take you to the best winter festivals in the country, where you can admire giant ice sculptures and unique fairgrounds..

Believe it or not, some of the best festivals that attract millions of visitors each year are located in the coldest parts of Japan. We have arranged tours to travel to the Sapporo Snow Festival, Otaru Snow Light Path, Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, Asahikawa Winter Festival, and the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival. Experience seeing illuminated ice sculptures on one our tour packages.

View our Japan tours featuring Japan Winter Festivals

Join a tour that visits japan's largest dance festival, awa odori, and enjoy traditional music accompanied with lots of food in a lively celebration..

Attracting over 1.3 million visitors per year, Awa Odori is the largest dance festival in Japan. We have a Japan tour package showing you the best of Japan, including this famous dance festival. It is also called the "Fool's Dance", which originates from 400 years ago. Many instruments including taiko, shamisen, and flutes are accompanied with the dancers that parade through the city.

View our Japan tours featuring Awa Odori Dance Festival

Spend your japan vacation indulging in traditional japanese culture and stunning floats at the gion summer festival..

The Gion Matsuri is Kyoto’s largest annual festival and one of Japan's most famous. We have arranged Japan tour packages that include this 1100 year old celebration, which originally began as a religious ceremony dating back to 869. The main event occurs on July 17th and July 24th, where locals and visitors gather to view two extravagant procession parade floats.

View our Japan tours featuring Gion Summer Festival

Book a trip to japan that includes a taste of japanese history at the elegant and popular kyoto aoi festival..

Every May 15th, the Kyoto Aoi Festival features a large parade of over 500 people dressed in Heian Period (794-1185) styled clothing to illustrate a graceful procession. We provide several tours that highlight one of Kyoto's most celebrated festivals. The Kyoto Aoi Matsuri takes you back to the 10th century, where traditional makeup and impressive costumes can be appreciated.

View our Japan tours featuring Kyoto Aoi Festival

Admire thousands of ground cherry blossoms at the fuji shibazakura festival & takinoue koen park shibazakura festival during your japan tour..

Known as the ground cherry blossoms, our Shibazakura Festival tours will take you to attractions that are blanketed with vivid shibazakura. See the Fuji Shibazakura Festival, featuring over 800,000 spectacular moss phlox with the great Mt. Fuji in the background. Also visit Takinoue Koen Park, noteworthy for its hillside covered with 100,000 square meters of shibazakura.

View our Japan tours featuring Shibazakura Festivals

Take your japan tour to the majestic flower gardens at hitachi seaside park, widely known for its hillside of 4.5 million baby blue eye flowers..

Scientifically known as Nemophila, the largest collection of baby blue eye flowers can be seen at the Hitachi Seaside Park. There are over 4.5 million baby blue eyes blooming from mid-April to mid-May, referred as "Nemophila Harmony" during its annual bloom. The Hitachi Seaside Park features vast, gorgeous flower gardens of tulips, poppies, roses, kochia, and more.

View our Japan tours featuring Baby Blue Eye Flowers at Hitachi Seaside Park

Join the fiery celebration at tohoku's 3 great summer festivals during your japan trip..

Be keen on Tohoku's Three Great Summer Festivals all in one Japan tour package. These summer festivals known as Aomori Nebuta, Akita Kanto, and Sendai Tanabata are lively experiences you don't want to miss. Enjoy magnificent views of lantern-lit floats, high-spirited dancing, music performances, kanto skills, firework displays, thousands of colorful streamers, and more.

View our Japan tours featuring Tohoku 3 Great Summer Festivals

Top 12 places to visit in japan.

1. Hokkaido

Enjoy a tour to japan in hokkaido, renowned for its flower fields and attractions unique to every season..

Hokkaido, Japan has a distinctive change of seasons that only adds to its beauty. The island is renowned for its lavender fields in the summer and winter festivals that attract millions of visitors every year. Our Japan tours to Hokkaido will take you to the flower fields in Furano, the atmospheric Otaru Canal, Hokkaido's biggest entertainment district in Susukino, and to Shiraoi to learn about the Ainu people of Hokkaido. A Japan trip to Hokkaido means trying various fresh foods at the famous Nijo Market, strolling through the heart of Sapporo in Odori Park, and stopping by Hokkaido's most famous hot spring resort in Noboribetsu. Hokkaido is proud to have its four distinct seasonal differences that include a number of events and acitivities each unique to the season. There is no other place like Hokkaido to enjoy your Japan vacation to the fullest.

Make your way to the Tohoku region to see the great Towada Lake, visit the prominent Zeuiganji Zen temple, and see one of Japan's three most scenic views during your Japan tour.

Tohoku is known for its great summer festivals, picturesque landscapes, and its long history of samurai. Predominantly mountainous, this region offers broad areas of natural surroundings. A Japan tour to Tohoku involves visiting must-see sites among its six prefectures. Tour to one of Japan's three most scenic views at Matsushina, Tohoku's famous Zuiganji Zen temple, and the lovely Towada Lake. Numerous castles and samurai homes reside in Tohoku, making it an appropriate place to visit and appreciate history. Tohoku is also a suitable backup option when cherry blossom viewing, since the blossoming period takes place a few weeks later than in Kyoto or Tokyo. We offer several tours to see the best of Tohoku in one Japan trip.

Dive into the fascinating world of Tokyo, where you will visit ancient landmarks and electrifying towns during your tour to Japan.

Populated by over 36 million people, Tokyo is the worlds largest city. It is a metropolis that offers a mixture of both futuristic and traditional qualities. We offer tours to Tokyo that take you to destinations such as the Meiji Shrine, the Tokyo Tower, and the Imperial Palace. Indulge in Japanese history at the interesting Edo-Tokyo Musuem. We have Japan tour packages that will also take you to a popular tourist attraction called Odaiba, a man made island that serves as a shopping and entertainment district. Admire Tokyo's oldest temple built in 645, the colorful Sensoji Temple, also known as the Asakusa Kannon Temple. Find yourself in the lively and colorful Shibuya, renowned for endless dining, shopping, and clubbing. Its trademark is a large intersection featured in a number of films and photos. A Japan trip is not complete without traveling to Japans most distinguished city.

Travel to an active volcano in Hakone and ride the scenic Hakone Ropeway on one of our Japan tour packages.

Located in the Kanagawa Prefecture, the town of Hakone is mostly a mountainous region part of the Fuji Hakone Izu National Park. Hakone is a famed holiday resort renowned for its variety of popular hot springs. On our Japan tours, you can enjoy a stunning view of Mt. Fuji in Hakone and its natural beauty. Our tours will also take you to Owakudani, a volcano with active steam vents, hot river valleys, and scenic trails. Enjoy a ride on the Hakone Ropeway, where you can view the active volcano zone and excellent views of Mt. Fuji on clear days. Hakone is a popular destination in Japan for travelers looking to enjoy their tour outside of Tokyo. Since Hakone is in the Kanagawa Prefecture, our Japan tour packages will also include the must-see sites in this region.

5. Mt. Fuji

Check out astonishing views of mt. fuji and all of its natural surroundings when you book a tour to japan..

Take a tour to the highest mountain in Japan, Mt. Fuji, an active volcano standing at 12,380 feet (3,776 meters). Mt. Fuji is not only famous for its majestic cone shape and impressive aura, but also being the subject for distinguished paintings, photos, and literature. It is recognized as an international famous symbol of Japan. Impressive views can be seen from Tokyo and Yokohama on clear days. On the other hand, cloudy days often block visibility of Mt. Fuji, so those who get to experience the clear view of the mountain are considered fortunate. Our Japan tour packages will take you to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station, the halfway point on the climb to Mt. Fuji. It is accessible almost any time of the year and is well developed. This is a popular sightseeing spot for thoroughly admiring the grand and awe-inspiring view of Mt. Fuji and its surroundings.

6. Takayama

Add a traditional touch to your japan tour by visiting rural destinations in takayama and its authentic, historical buildings..

Celebrate at one of Japan's three most beautiful festivals here in Takayama, the Takayama Festivals, held in both spring and autumn. Since Takayama is located in the Japanese Alps, it is preferred among travelers wishing to add a rural destination to their visit to Japan. Takayama has been referred as "Little Kyoto", due to its preserved historical structures and traditional atmosphere. It is also popularly known as Hida-Takayama to refrain from confusion with other places called Takayama. We offer Japan tours to Old Town, where you can view entire streets and structures dating back to the Edo Period (1600-1868). Continue your Japan trip to the Matsumoto Castle, also called "Crow Castle" due to its black exterior. Here you can admire a prime example of original Japanese wooden architecture. Take delight in sightseeing in Takayama on your Japan vacation.

7. Kanazawa

Tour to kanazawa if you wish to see one of japan's three great gardens and a well-preserved samurai district during your trip to japan..

Capital of the Ishikawa Prefecture, the eminent city of Kanazawa is known for its preserved Edo districts and other historical attractions. Since the construction of the Kanazawa Castle during the rule of powerful feudal lord Maeda Toshiie, the city has prospered with many cultural achievements. Visit one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, the Kenrokuen Garden, during your tour to Japan. Its name translates to "Garden of the Six Sublimities", qualities that make up the perfect garden according to Chinese landscape theory. Here you can find Japan's oldest fountain and the two meter tall Kotojitoro Lantern, an icon of Kanazawa and Kenrokuen. Some of our tour packages even travel to Kanazawa's Samurai District. Upon arrival, you will catch sight of well-preserved buildings and the former living quarters of samurai. Tour to Japan to enjoy these attractions unique to Kanazawa.

Say hello to authentic Japanese culture by visiting Japan's most popular temples and shrines, beautiful parks and gardens, and the best summer festivals during a tour to Kyoto.

Kyoto is famous for its numerous Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and ravishing gardens. The city served as Japan's capital and was the residence of the Imperial family during 794 to 1868. During your tour to Kyoto, you will get to participate in sake tasting at the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Musuem, visit the famous tunnel of scarlet torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine, see the iconic Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavillion), and stroll through the city of geisha in Gion. Continue your trip to the former residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu at Nijo Castle, check out the noteworthy Kiyomizu Temple and its impressive wooden stage, and see what a traditional Zen garden looks like at the Tenryuji Temple. Experience three of Kyoto's world-famous festivals, including the Aoi-matsuri Festival, the Gion-matsuri Festival, and the Jidai-matsuri Festival. Tour to Kyoto for an unforgettable Japan experience.

Experience visiting the world's largest wooden building and Japan's biggest bronze statue of Buddha when you travel to Japan.

Located less than one hour away from Kyoto and Osaka, the city of Nara is one of Japan's most rewarding destinations. Nara is Japan's first permanent capital, and is second to Kyoto as a cultural legacy with eight Unesco World Heritage Sites. Under the rule of the Imperial family and aristocrats, many temples and shrines were built here, as well as the development of temple towns. Our tours include seeing one of Japan's most significant temples, the Todaiji Temple, home to the famous Daibutsu (Big Buddha). The temple's main hall (Daibutsuden) is the world's largest wooden building, which is where you can also find the giant bronze statue of Buddha. Your trip to Japan will also give you the opportunity to visit the popular Deer Park nearby the temple, filled with over 1,000 deer you can greet and feed. Choose one of our Japan tour packages to experience Nara's historic treasures.

10. Hiroshima

Travel to the peace memorial park for an awakening experience about war and world peace, as well as the famed "floating" torri gate on the beautiful miyajima island, only in hiroshima..

Hiroshima is located in the Chugoku Region, a major city that is home to over a million residents. After the first atomic bomb dropped, there were predictions that the city would be uninhabitable. However, great endeavors were taken to rebuild Hiroshima and the speculations were proved wrong. During your Japan tour, you can visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome), a must-see exhibition and eye opening experience. You can visit these landmarks of world history at Peace Memorial Park, located in the center of the city. Our Japan tour packages also take you to Itsukushima-jinja, a Shinto shrine located on Miyajima Island. It is famous for its "floating" torii gate and is inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage Site and one of Japan's three most scenic places. Don't miss out on a remarkable tour to Hiroshima.

11. Shikoku

Journey to shikoku during your japan vacation for a tour full of remarkable sites and impressive coastal views, such as the incredibly scenic drive along the great seto bridge and the shimanami kaido toll road..

Shikoku is home to the Shikoku pilgrimage route, which includes 88 temples and other sacred sites. Shikoku offers many historic locations, breathtaking spots in nature, and traditional festivals. Here on your tour to Japan, you can enjoy scenic views from the Great Seto Bridge and the Shimanami Kaido, passing six small islands to get to Shikoku. Shimanami Kaido is renowned for its beautiful drive along its picturesque toll road. Take a pleasant stroll through Shikoku Mura Village and experience an awe-inspiring masterpiece of Japanese landscape at Ritsurin Park, featuring ponds, pavilions, and a Mt. Shuin backdrop. Shikoku may be the smallest main island of Japan, but offers many spectacular attractions to experience.

Explore Kyushu during your tour to Japan, where you'll wander through an abandoned island known as Gunkanjima, and visit the site of legend where the Shinto Sun Goddess hid herself in a cave.

Kyushu is the third largest main island of Japan and offers significant landmarks, natural beauty, and vibrant cities. Our Japan tour packages will take you to the best things to see and do in Kyushu. Take a trip to Gunkanjima, translating to "battleship island", a small and abandoned coal mine with the highest recorded population density in the world. You will also visit Glover Garden, an open-air exhibit featuring mansions of former Western residents in Nagasaki. Tour to Takachiho, a town pervaded with Japanese mythology. There you can visit the supposed site of legend of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu, where she hid in a cave distraught from her brother's cruel pranks, causing other gods and goddesses to attempt to lure her out. Takachiho is a "power spot" profound with spiritual energy and religious importance. Nearby, you can see a cascading waterfall at the Takachiho Gorge.

Though it is possible to do a cherry blossom trip on your own, if you want to see multiple sites and get more out of the trip, I’d suggest a tour. It is much easier to navigate in these rural areas that off the English speaking tourist path when……

Testimonials

My husband, Daniel Levine and myself (Cherilyn Brunetti) just returned from our tour which started in Osaka on July 3 and ended in Tokyo on July 8. It was our first trip to Japan and we had a wonderful experience. I credit our tour guide, Bil……

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Cherry blossoms in Japan have been a major attraction for tourists. The most common question people ask is “when is the cherry blossom season?” It is an easy yet difficult answer because it depends on the area we are talking about.

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Autumn leaves in Japan are almost as popular as the cherry blossom season. Kōyō is the Japanese word for autumn leaves. Kōyō and momiji (maple leaves) use the same kanji and has been that way since the Heian Period.

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• Life & Culture

What is school life typically like in Japan?

In terms of education, Japan is one of the top-performing countries in the world , alongside countries like Hong Kong, Finland, and Canada. 

Analysis from the NCEE tells us that “there is a clear correlation between the quality of a country’s educational system and its general economic status and overall well-being”. So, it may come as no surprise that Japan, one of the world’s largest economies in the world, also offers a top-class education .

It begs the question: what is school life like in Japan?

In this article, we explore elements of the Japanese education system that might help to indicate why their education system is so successful, and how that translates into “typical” day-to-day Japanese school life.

The Structure of the Japanese Education System

The first thing to understand is the fact that the Japanese education system is highly standarised , with a national curriculum that ensures a consistent educational experience across the country. Students typically go through a highly uniform educational structure of six years of elementary school, three years of junior high school, and three years of high school.

Western education systems, on the other hand, especially in countries like the United States, can vary significantly between states and even individual schools. Some Western countries have a similar 6-3-3 model , while others may have different divisions, such as elementary, middle, and high school, or primary and secondary education.

Schools in Japan often open at, or shortly after, 8:00 am, with students arriving between 8:00 and 8:30 am. All levels of schools have six periods per day , with the first period usually starting after 8:30am. 

In Japanese elementary school, each period is 45 minutes, while in junior high and high school, each period is 50 minutes, with a small break between periods.

Standardised Learning

Japanese students put in a whopping 240 days a year at school , a whole 60 days more than their American counterparts. 

Although a significant portion of these days are dedicated to preparing for annual school events, Japanese students still log more classroom hours than their Western counterparts. While Saturdays were traditionally half-days , recent educational reforms have led to a decrease in the number of required Saturday sessions.

The Japanese Ministry of Education calls the shots when it comes to course selection and textbooks, leaving schools with limited autonomy in shaping their curriculum. Academic high school students generally tackle a three-year curriculum covering maths, social studies, Japanese, science, and English. Additional subjects may include physical education, music, art, and moral studies. Given the array of mandatory subjects, elective options are relatively scarce .

Japanese education also places a strong emphasis on standardised exams , notably the university entrance exams. Success in these exams often determines a student’s future academic and career paths, since the prospect of finding a good job in Tokyo balances on the school they attend. 

University entrance exams are particularly rigorous and highly competitive, but, practice tests at school and “ juku” (or “cram schools”: summer lessons in nonacademic subjects ) help teachers to usher students toward institutions whose examinations they are most likely to pass.

In comparison, western systems typically prioritise a holistic approach to evaluation , considering factors beyond exams, such as extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendation letters. While standardised tests are common, they might not carry the same weight as in Japan, and universities frequently consider a broader set of criteria than just grades.

What does the Japanese Education System Look Like for the Average Japanese Student?

Travelling to school.

High school students in Japan usually don’t drive cars. Instead, many opt for a stroll or hop on their bicycles if the distance isn’t too far. On your average weekday in Japan, you can expect to see groups of elementary schoolers walking each other to school , rather than their parents. For longer journeys, public buses and trains are the go-to, even if it means changing lines a couple of times — it’s not unusual for students to clock in two or more hours each day just commuting .

Once they’ve sat their standardised high school entrance exams post-junior high, some students find themselves trekking quite a distance to attend the school that their test scores landed them in. As we said before, the school day kicks off at 8:30AM, so these early birds might be leaving their nests as early as 6:30AM.

Some students catch up on much-needed sleep, or dive into their textbooks during the lengthy commute. However, public transportation also becomes a social hub , providing a chance for students to catch up and chat with their pals.

Of course, there are some ground rules. School policies regulate behaviour on the way to school, which can include

• no chewing gum
• no snacking
• or reading books on the move

Basically, nothing that might dent the school’s stellar reputation, which speaks to Japan’s culture of respect and integrity . And speaking of reputation, each school boasts a unique uniform, making its students stand out in the crowd (and far easier to report if they break school policy).

However, whilst policies such as those that suggest students stand on buses and trains to leave seats for others, the further they get from school, the more those rules tend to loosen up.

The Japanese School Day

Once students arrive at school, they step into an area filled with small lockers, where they stash their street shoes and slip into their school slippers. This is a continuation of Japanese customs, whereby guests and residents of homes, accommodations, restaurants, temples, (and even some hospitals and hotels) are expected to take off their shoes at the door , and slip into slippers suitable for inside. 

Many schools kick off the week with a school-wide assembly, and afterward, students gather in their homeroom classes to dive into the day’s studies.

The school day commences with some essential housekeeping tasks, like attendance-taking and announcements. Students handle these responsibilities on a rotating schedule called “toban.” This is one of many ways in which the Japanese school system is quite different to the UK & US system, where teachers usually take attendance and collect work. 

Typically, each homeroom hosts around 40-45 students, and they stick to their homeroom classrooms for most of the day . Teachers, on the other hand, navigate from room to room, operating out of a central teachers’ room. The only time students venture to different parts of the school is for subjects like physical education, laboratory classes, or to use other specialised facilities.

Between classes and during lunch breaks, classrooms buzz with activity and chatter. While some schools may boast a cafeteria, providing healthy, balanced meals, most rely on students bringing box lunches from home. These homemade lunches, usually prepared by mothers in the early morning hours, feature a nutritious mix of rice, fish, eggs, vegetables, and pickled goods . You can find out more about Japan’s healthy food culture in our article, Japan’s Healthcare System vs The US .

As the academic day winds down, all students pitch in for “o soji,” the school cleaning routine. They sweep classrooms and hallways, empty trash cans, tidy up restrooms, clean chalkboards and erasers, and pick up any litter on the school grounds. Again, this is a greatly contrasting element of the Japanese school day, when compared to Western school systems.

The day will typically finish with students returning to their homeroom for end-of-day salutations, which ends before 4:00 pm. After this time, junior high and high school students will usually take part in club activities , “bukatsu”, until about 6:00 pm.

Working in a Japanese School

Working in a Japanese school is a unique and enriching experience that blends tradition, discipline, and a strong sense of community. 

If you’re lucky enough to be an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) , stationed at one of Japan’s broad range of public and private schools, you can expect to teach your own classes, accompanied by a Japanese teacher, to help manage the classroom and overcome any language barriers.

Taking on a teaching role anywhere in the world can be an incredibly formative and life-changing  experience, but there’s nothing quite like teaching in Japan, with one of the best education systems in the world.

Here’s a taste of what you should expect!

Most schools in Japan will have a principal (“kōchō-sensei”) and vice-principal (“kyoto-sensei” or “fuku-kōchō-sensei”). The number of homeroom/form teachers will depend on the school population. Class sizes usually range from 20 to 40 students. Each grade will have a head teacher, and each class will have a homeroom/form teacher, according to the Japanese school system.

Your First Day in a Japanese School

In most cases, you will be introduced to your schools prior to your first working day. You will meet a representative of each school, likely the head of the English program, and quite likely the principal and vice-principal as well. You should be shown your desk, shoebox, and other things that relate to you and will likely be asked to give a brief self-introduction to the other teachers, in Japanese if possible.

On your first day, unless otherwise notified, you will be expected to find your way to school on your own . Be sure to check and double-check your route, as a late arrival on your first day can sour your relationship with the school for the entire year! When you arrive, you should change into your indoor shoes, find your way to the teachers’ room, and offer a hearty “Ohayō gozaimasu!” with a bow at the door. You should already have been shown where to sit, so simply proceed inside and get settled into your role as an inspiring educator . If not, the head of the English program should be ready to guide you.

There may be an official welcome for you given by the students, where you will need to give another introduction, this time in English. If you come at the beginning of the Japanese school year (April), you will likely be introduced along with the other new teachers to the school, as Japanese teachers rotate regularly, only spending an average of three years in a school at a time .

If you want to know more about Japanese culture, Interac is home to a wealth of free articles to help give you a taste of life in Japan. Or, you could experience working and living in Japan first hand, by signing up to be an ALT with Intera c!

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Culture and snow combine for your students with an unforgettable ski experience in Japan.

School ski trips to Japan are an exciting and engaging way to experience a new culture while improving students skiing.

Japan is known worldwide for its consistent snowfall averaging 9 metres of snow each year! With high-speed resort infrastructure and amazing on-mountain facilities, Japan provides the ultimate skiing experience for school groups.  

From beginner to advanced skiers a Japan ski experience in Hakuba will cater to all levels with daily lessons. All ski trip packages include flights, accommodation, lift tickets, and lessons. You school ski trip to Japan is fully customised and you can choose how many days you spend at the resort skiing.

Hakuba is located in the Japanese Alps and is made up of 10 resorts. The deep powder snow and panoramic views make for an incredible ski Japan experience. There are also fascinating cultural activities such as sushi-making classes and a trip to the Jigokudani monkey park to see Japanese (macaque) Snow Monkeys. Experience both sides of Japan the ultramodern and tradition as you take students on a ride on the bullet train to see the geishas of Osaka.

Trip highlights

• Visit the Tokyo Sky Tree.
• Daily ski and snowboard lessons plus gear hire.
• Ski the world's most famous powder snow.
• Visit the snow monkeys at Jigokudani monkey hot springs.
• Exquisite Japanese cuisine.

Trip inclusions

• All flights, accommodation, transport, meals and activities
• Access to our full suite of tools, resources, checklists and support that will make your trip planning and advertising a breeze.
• Free travel for teachers
• An EA tour representative on hand 24/7

Ski Japan itinerary

DAY 1: TRAVEL TO TOKYO

Fly to Tokyo where you will then transfer to your accommodation by coach.

DAY 2: TOKYO SIGHTSEEING

Spend the day exploring Tokyo and visiting attractions.

DAY 3: TRANSFER TO HAKUBA

This morning you will board your private coach for your transfer from Tokyo to Hakuba. The total journey time will take approximately 5 hours.

DAY 4: SKI DAY

Enjoy five days skiing in Hakuba! The group will have two-hour lessons each morning with free time for exploring the runs in the afternoon (full day lessons available).

This evening, experience Taiko Drumming Dinner and Show.

DAY 5: SKI DAY

The group will have two-hour lessons each morning with free time for exploring the runs in the afternoon (full day lessons available).

DAY 6: SKI DAYS

After a day of skiing, head out with your guide to Matsumoto Castle. Located in the city of Matsumoto, in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.

DAY 7: SKI DAY

DAY 8: SKI DAY

This afternoon after a day of skiing, enjoy some fun time at Hakuba Bounce.

DAY 9: JIGOKUNDANI MONKEY PARK

Transfer from Hakuba to Tokyo by coach this morning, stopping off just outside Hakuba at the Jigokudani Monkey Park to witness the Japanese snow monkeys at play. Then, after a visit to the Zenkō -ji Temple in Nagano, before continuing your journey back to Tokyo.

Arrive at Tokyo Airport for your flight back home.

Click learn more to get in touch with our team and access the full itinerary.

What to expect on a school ski trip to Japan

On your trip to Japan, you can expect to see your students improve their skiing or snowboarding ability, as well as learn more about Japan's unique culture. Students will have the opportunity to experience Japanese traditions and will be introduced to basic greetings and based on their own learning goals, can put their knowledge of the Japanese language into a practical environment. Your school will experience Japan's ancient traditions and learn how they influence modern living in Japan today. Sample traditional cuisine, improve Japanese language skills and watch as students step out of their comfort zone, building cultural sensitivity and global citizenship.

Trip activities

The Hakuba Valley was home of the 1998 Winter Olympics, it is famous around the world for great skiing, and has reliable, consistent snowfall. Hakuba is a true alpine village with terrain to suit all students. Located in the spectacular Japanese Alps, there is a lot to see and do such as a visit to the local hot springs or the Matsumoto Castle, one of only four castles in Japan considered to be a national treasure. For more than 70 years Hakuba has been providing skiers, snowboarders and outdoor enthusiasts with the ideal conditions for an enjoyable winter experience. The best conditions can generally be found from December to late February, with March perfect for spring skiing and some of the resorts staying open until the first week of May.

Jigokundani Monkey Park

Visit the Jigokundani Monkey Park to witness the Japanese snow monkeys at play.

‍ Toyko Sightseeing

Tokyo’s sprawling, modern skyscrapers stand in contrast to Japans oldest temples and sprawling public gardens, providing an interesting and unique visit for students on a school ski trip to Japan. Tokyo is Japan’s capital city and is well known for its restaurants, fashion, and technology. The unmissable digital neon billboards and towering skyscrapers are impressive feats of design, engineering, and construction, colouring the inner city streets 24/7. Enjoy a half-day tour of Tokyo customizable to your requirements. Our local English speaking guides will take you around their home town. We can customise the destinations in advance for you should you wish to visit any specific landmarks.

"As a result of this trip, we have three students considering picking up mechanical engineering at university, and a host of students considering STEM-related A-Levels. An action-packed, awe-inspiring week away. I can't wait to go back next year!"

"I believe the memories created on an international school trip can drastically enhance a student's entire learning experience. Being immersed in real-life learning is the most powerful educational experiences one can gain."

"The experience for us was personalised, accessible and our consultant was interested in us. This makes the world of difference when you're travelling with students"

“This trip has taken the top spot for my career highlights to date!  The experiences and the way in which the students conducted themselves and embraced opportunities, even when they were out of their comfort zone, will stay with me forever.  I don’t know if it gets better than this.”

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The Saturday Profile

Documentary Filmmaker Explores Japan’s Rigorous Education Rituals

Her movies try to explain why Japan is the way it is, showing both the upsides and downsides of the country’s commonplace practices. Her latest film focuses on an elementary school.

By Motoko Rich

Reporting from Tokyo

The defining experience of Ema Ryan Yamazaki’s childhood left her with badly scraped knees and her classmates with broken bones.

During sixth grade in Osaka, Japan, Ms. Yamazaki — now a 34-year-old documentary filmmaker — practiced for weeks with classmates to form a human pyramid seven levels high for an annual school sports day. Despite the blood and tears the children shed as they struggled to make the pyramid work, the accomplishment she felt when the group kept it from toppling became “a beacon of why I feel like I am resilient and hard-working.”

Now, Ms. Yamazaki, who is half-British, half-Japanese, is using her documentary eye to chronicle such moments that she believes form the essence of Japanese character, for better or worse.

To outsiders, Japan is often seen as an orderly society where the trains run on time, the streets are impeccably clean, and the people are generally polite and work cooperatively. Ms. Yamazaki has trained her camera on the educational practices and rigorous discipline instilled from an early age that she believes create such a society.

Her films present nonjudgmental, nuanced portraits that try to explain why Japan is the way it is, while also showing the potential costs of those practices. By showing both the upsides and downsides of Japan’s commonplace rituals, particularly in education, she also invites insiders to interrogate their longstanding customs.

Her latest film, “ The Making of a Japanese ,” which premiered last fall at the Tokyo International Film Festival, documents one year at an elementary school in western Tokyo, where students align their shoes ramrod straight in storage cubbies, clean their classrooms and serve lunch to their classmates.

In an earlier documentary, “ Koshien: Japan’s Field of Dreams ,” Ms. Yamazaki showed high school baseball players pushed to physical extremes and often reduced to tears as they vied to compete in Japan’s annual summer tournament .

In the schools highlighted by Ms. Yamazaki, both films show what can at times seem like an almost militaristic devotion to order, teamwork and self-sacrifice. But the documentaries also portray teachers and coaches trying to preserve the best of Japanese culture while acknowledging that certain traditions might damage the participants.

“If we can figure out what good things to keep and what should be changed — of course, that’s the million dollar question,” Ms. Yamazaki said.

“If we don’t have those what seem ‘extreme’ parts of society — or more realistically as we have less of it, as I see happening,” wrote Ms. Yamazaki in a follow-up email, “we might see trains in Japan be late in the future.”

Some extreme scenes show up in her films. In “The Making of a Japanese,” for instance, one first-grade teacher strongly chastises a first grader and makes her cry in front of her classmates. But the film also shows the young student conquering her deficiencies to proudly perform in front of the school.

Ms. Yamazaki “showed the reality as it is,” said Hiroshi Sugita, a professor of education at Kokugakuin University who appears briefly in the film lecturing the school’s faculty.

Having grown up in Japan and then trained as a filmmaker at New York University, Ms. Yamazaki has a one-foot-in, one-foot-out perspective.

In contrast to a complete “outsider who is exoticizing things, I think she is able to bring a perspective that has more respect and authenticity,” said Basil Tsiokos, senior programmer of nonfiction features at the Sundance Film Festival who selected two of Ms. Yamazaki’s films for documentary showcases in Nantucket and New York.

Ms. Yamazaki grew up near Osaka, the daughter of a British college professor and Japanese schoolteacher, and spent summers in England. When she transferred from a Japanese school to an international academy in Kobe for her middle and high school years, she was surprised that janitors, not the students, cleaned the classrooms. Relishing the freedom to choose electives, she enrolled in a video film class.

She decided to leave Japan for college partly because, as someone of multiracial heritage, she was tired of being treated as a foreigner.

When she arrived at N.Y.U., most of her classmates wanted to direct feature films. Ms. Yamazaki enrolled in a documentary class taught by Sam Pollard , a filmmaker who also worked as an editor for Spike Lee and others, and embraced the medium.

Mr. Pollard spotted her talent right away. “You have to apply yourself to figure out what the story is,” he said. “She had that.”

While she was still an undergraduate, Mr. Pollard offered Ms. Yamazaki some editing work. After graduation, she said, “a lot of my friends were smoking pot and were these artist dreamer people with grand ideas.” But she took on multiple editing gigs to support her passion projects. Even now, editing helps support her documentary work.

She attributed her work ethic to her years in Japanese elementary school. “People would be like, ‘you’re so responsible, you’re such a good team player, you’re working so hard,’” she recalled. She regarded her efforts as “below average in terms of a Japanese standard.”

She met her future husband, Eric Nyari, while interviewing for a job to edit a documentary about the Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto that Mr. Nyari was producing. She didn’t land the job, but the pair became friends. Mr. Nyari, who describes her as “a dictator — in a good way,” is now the primary producer of all her documentaries.

Ms. Yamazaki made the leap from editing to professional directing with a short film for Al Jazeera, “ Monk by Blood ,” that examined the complicated family and gender dynamics at a Buddhist temple in Kyoto.

Next she chose a subject that had nothing to do with Japan. “ Monkey Business: The Adventures of Curious George’s Creators ” brought her more attention as it screened at film festivals in Los Angeles and Nantucket.

Ms. Yamazaki and Mr. Nyari rented an apartment in Tokyo seven years ago and Ms. Yamazaki began work on “Koshien.”

One of the high schools she wanted to use in the film is where the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani had trained, but his former coach, Hiroshi Sasaki, was wary after years of media requests.

Mr. Sasaki softened when he saw how Ms. Yamazaki showed up with her crew in the morning, often before the players arrived, and stayed late at night to film the team cleaning the field.

One afternoon, after he had barred her from a particularly dramatic practice and then ribbed her for not filming it, she burst into what she said were tears of frustration because her cameras had missed such a great scene.

“I thought this person really is serious about this and I was so moved,” said Coach Sasaki in a video interview with The New York Times. The morning after the practice, he invited her to turn on the camera while he watered his collection of bonsai plants and answered questions about his coaching philosophy. That episode became a pivotal scene in the documentary.

Ms. Yamazaki, who films her subjects for hundreds of hours, captures vulnerable moments that reveal as much to her subjects as to audiences.

In one scene in “Koshien,” the wife of another high school baseball coach says she resented her husband’s career because it often took him away from their three children.

“Seeing the movie, it was my first time knowing these feelings,” said Tetsuya Mizutani, the coach, whose old-fashioned, hard-driving style is highlighted in the film.

Such discomfiting moments distinguish Ms. Yamazaki’s storytelling from most Japanese documentary filmmakers, said Asako Fujioka, former artistic director of the Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival. Filmmakers in Japan try to treat subjects “kindly, like a caring mother or friend,” whereas Ms. Yamazaki “is very bold in the way she creates drama.”

Seita Enomoto, the teacher who chastises a student in “The Making of a Japanese,” said that although some viewers have criticized him, he appreciated that the film also showed the child learning that “she should work hard, and how she changed and succeeded.” Ms. Yamazaki and Mr. Nyari hope next to make a documentary about new recruits at a large Japanese employer, where young staff start with training that can lead to lifelong work at the same company.

For now, they are raising their young son in Tokyo and have enrolled him in a Japanese nursery school. Although human pyramids have been banned by schools because of parental complaints, Ms. Yamazaki hopes her son will absorb some of the values that exercise taught her.

“It was a weird personal experience,” she said, “that I look back on fondly.”

Kiuko Notoya contributed reporting.

Motoko Rich is a reporter in Tokyo, leading coverage of Japan for The Times. More about Motoko Rich