Program Overview
Join Travel For Teens on this journey to Japan, the Land of The Rising Sun. Japan is a country full of ancient cultures, strong traditions, and the technology of the future. Experience a sumo wrestling show, taste the best sushi of your life, and witness the scramble at the world-famous Shibuya crossing.
This program is one of our most popular tours and is packed with hands-on activities. Experience a unique cross-cultural connection with local Japanese students. Visit the charming town of Miyagi and spend time getting to know the high school students here while participating in activities to better understand what it is like to be a teen in Japan! You will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities with students, including traditional club activities and cultural cooking lessons.
From the flashy cityscape of Tokyo to the peaceful temples of Kyoto and the majesty of Mt. Fuji, Japan will astonish even the most well-traveled students.
During this program, you will…
- Eat the best sushi of your life at the Tsukiji Fish Market
- Try your hand at making your own sushi in a cooking class
- Experience a true sumo wrestling match
- Participate in a traditional tea ceremony
- Experience the visceral realities of war and learn about the dangers of nuclear proliferation at the Hiroshima Peace Museum
- Try to spot a Geisha or Maiko in the traditional city of Kyoto
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPART FROM LOS ANGELES (LAX)
DAYS 2 – 4: TOKYO
Our adventure begins amidst the bustling streets and sparkling lights of Tokyo. Visit Team Labs, the interactive museum that is sure to invigorate all of your senses. Hit up the famous Akihabara area, home to video games, anime, and manga, and shop in the colorful Harajuku District.
Head to the top of the government building for incredible views of the city and stare in awe at Shibuya Crossing, the busiest street crossing in the world! Wander through the world-famous Japanese fish market and visit several stunning shrines.
Experience true Japanese culture, including a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
No trip to Tokyo would be complete without tasting everything this bustling city has to offer, including ramen, sushi, and teppanyaki!
DAYS 5-6: Nikko
Our next stop is the scenic mountain town, Nikko. Nikko is famous for its lush forests, many waterfalls, and beautiful hiking trails. Enjoy a hike in a nature reserve and visit a picturesque waterfall. Cross the iconic Shinkyo bridge and stroll through one of the towns stunning gorges.
After your relaxing time in nature it’s time to hop on the bullet train to our next stop!
DAYS 7: Hiroshima
Our last two stops bring us to Hiroshima and Kyoto. 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. In past years, our groups have even had the unique opportunity to be interviewed and featured on the local news for our global perspective!
DAYS 8-9: Kyoto
After Hiroshima it’s on to Japan’s cultural gem: Kyoto. This charming city is famous for its beautiful temples and shrines and we will have several days to explore its stunning golden temple, tranquil rock gardens, and ornate palaces. On the way to Kyoto, stop at the gorgeous 700 year old Himeji Castle!
Our time in Kyoto will also be very interactive. After learning about geishas, we will go for an evening geisha walk to spot them strolling about the historical city center. We will experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and learn exactly what is involved with this ancient art. 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! To enjoy nature, we will hike through a bamboo forest, as well as visit the famous orange torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine.
Kyoto will also include plenty of opportunities to shop and play arcade games. Students who are brave enough will also be able to showcase their singing skills at a local karaoke hotspot!
DAY 10: TOKYO > RETURN FLIGHT TO THE USA
After leaving Kyoto we will have time for one last day in Tokyo to see whatever we may have missed the first time around before heading home. Whether it is shopping, exploring more temples, more arcade time, or getting in a few more bites of our favorite Japanese delicacies, our last day will be the perfect way to cap off an unforgettable journey.
Check out other TFT programs similar to this one!
Travel with us and discover why we are consistently winning awards for Top Youth Travel Organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do students like most about the Japan Adventure & Discovery trip?
Japan Adventure & Discovery students love this program because they get to explore Japanese culture in so many ways! Japanese food, anime, karate, and other cultural forms are very popular in other parts of the world, our students love exploring them in their home country and comparing them their experiences with them at home.
The highlight of this trip is our unique cultural exchange with two different Japanese schools, offering our travelers the opportunity to learn what it is like to be a teenager in Japan and leave with lasting new friendships.
Japan Adventure & Discovery students love this program because they get to explore Japanese culture in so many ways! Japanese food, anime, karate, and other cultural forms are very popular in other parts of the world, our students love exploring them in their home country and comparing them their experiences with them at home.
The highlight of this trip is our unique cultural exchange with two different Japanese schools, offering our travelers the opportunity to learn what it is like to be a teenager in Japan and leave with lasting new friendships.
Where do we stay on the the Japan Adventure & Discovery trip?
Students stay in centrally located, safe, and well-supervised accommodations in each city.
They are well suited to facilitating group supervision and usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.
In Tokyo we stay at a centrally located hotel, close to the metro and major sights, perfect for exploring the city. In Nikko we stay at a peaceful inn on the riverside conveniently placed for exploring the UNESCO world heritage sights of the area. Our accommodation in Tono is a lovely hotel right in town. In Hiroshima we stay at a traditional Ryokan, walking distance to the world-famous landmarks. Our accommodation in the heart of historical Kyoto is a well situated three-star hotel.
For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for the program.
Students stay in centrally located, safe, and well-supervised accommodations in each city.
They are well suited to facilitating group supervision and usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.
In Tokyo we stay at a centrally located hotel, close to the metro and major sights, perfect for exploring the city. In Nikko we stay at a peaceful inn on the riverside conveniently placed for exploring the UNESCO world heritage sights of the area. Our accommodation in Tono is a lovely hotel right in town. In Hiroshima we stay at a traditional Ryokan, walking distance to the world-famous landmarks. Our accommodation in the heart of historical Kyoto is a well situated three-star hotel.
For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for the program.
What is included?
Tuition cost includes: ground transportation; accommodation; chaperones and guides; program-related activities and admissions; taxes and tips; all breakfasts and dinners.
Not included (this is not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; visas and visa application fees; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary; lunches, beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.
Tuition cost includes: ground transportation; accommodation; chaperones and guides; program-related activities and admissions; taxes and tips; all breakfasts and dinners.
Not included (this is not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; visas and visa application fees; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary; lunches, beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.
What is the food like in Japan?
The food on this program is authentic, delicious, and a central part of the cultural travel experience.
We prioritize eating at local, authentic establishments rather than Americanized chains, encouraging students to sample the local specialties wherever we go. We fully accommodate all dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten allergies, and other restrictions.
Japanese cuisine is light and flavorful; it is meant to be eaten with the eyes as well as the mouth. Like many countries, Japan has a national cuisine and also has local specialties in each province. A basic in the Japanese diet is rice, they eat it with almost every meal and it tastes great. While many foreigners think of sushi first (and we will definitely eat some of the best sushi on earth!), it is just one of many awesome Japanese foods. Seafood is an important staple of the Japanese diet, but dishes containing pork, beef, and chicken are also common. Japanese also like to eat a lot of vegetables, they serve them steamed, grilled, or fried (Tempura). Ramen and other dishes involving soba, udon, or other noodles are also there for the tasting. Most dishes are easy to eat with chopsticks if you want to give it a try!
We also love to have bento (Japanese lunch boxes) while we are out on the town from time to time, they are delicious and a great way to taste some local food while sitting out in the fresh air taking in the sights and sounds of our surroundings.
The food on this program is authentic, delicious, and a central part of the cultural travel experience.
We prioritize eating at local, authentic establishments rather than Americanized chains, encouraging students to sample the local specialties wherever we go. We fully accommodate all dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten allergies, and other restrictions.
Japanese cuisine is light and flavorful; it is meant to be eaten with the eyes as well as the mouth. Like many countries, Japan has a national cuisine and also has local specialties in each province. A basic in the Japanese diet is rice, they eat it with almost every meal and it tastes great. While many foreigners think of sushi first (and we will definitely eat some of the best sushi on earth!), it is just one of many awesome Japanese foods. Seafood is an important staple of the Japanese diet, but dishes containing pork, beef, and chicken are also common. Japanese also like to eat a lot of vegetables, they serve them steamed, grilled, or fried (Tempura). Ramen and other dishes involving soba, udon, or other noodles are also there for the tasting. Most dishes are easy to eat with chopsticks if you want to give it a try!
We also love to have bento (Japanese lunch boxes) while we are out on the town from time to time, they are delicious and a great way to taste some local food while sitting out in the fresh air taking in the sights and sounds of our surroundings.