Japan and South Korea Adventure and Service

Japan & South Korea Discovery & Service offers unique insider access to both the old and new of marvelous Japan through an itinerary planned to maximize the cultural experience and executed by TFT’s experienced and energetic team. The volunteer experience and its surrounding setting are truly once in a lifetime. In South Korea, participants have the chance to experience the real life of a Buddhist monk at a temple and train alongside them. The chance to make a difference in the lives of South Korean children and farm and watching dance performances and learning to cook Korean food are just some of the highlights of this trip!

Teens from all over the world join this program! Typically, our participants are culturally curious  individuals who are excited to make new friends, experience something unique, and interested in stepping out of their comfort zones and expanding their horizons.

This program is exclusively for students who are currently in grades 9th through 12th and approximately 14 to 18 years old. Students living outside of the USA are welcome to join!

Japan Discovery & Service students love this program because they get to explore Japanese and South Korean culture in so many ways!

Japanese and South Korean Cuisine, entertainment, martial arts, 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. Students are also often deeply impacted by the community service portion of this program which both gives back to the community and is a tremendous learning experience.

Our hotels are chosen specifically in safe areas and are well suited to facilitating group supervision. We stay in centrally located accommodations, 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.

In Seoul we’ll stay in the vibrant Insadong District, with easy access to the center of Seoul and lots of good eating options nearby. In Busan we’ll stay in the Haeundae Beach District of town, close to some of the places we visit, and with easy access to public transport to those areas farther away. In Gyeongju we’ll make a nearby temple our home for the night. In Suncheon we’ll stay near the center of town, with everything within easy walking distance from the hostel. On Jeju we’ll stay at a guesthouse in Seogwipo.

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.

Yes! In fact, over 75% of students who travel with us choose to come independently. This encourages teens to step further outside their comfort zone and make new friends. We believe that one of the most rewarding and exciting elements of travel is the new friendships that form along the way. When we travel by ourselves, we are bound to make new friends from all over the country and even the world. The best part is, you can travel again with your new friends on another TFT program the next summer!

If you are thinking about joining a TFT program by yourself but you are feeling unsure, please let us know! We have plenty of references from solo travelers who had great experiences and would be happy to chat with you about it.

Absolutely! We ask that if you do come with a friend, you and your friend(s) maintain openness to meeting new people and sharing this special experience with the entire group.

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.

Upon registration, you will be contacted by our International Logistics Team to discuss the program’s flight details. There is no requirement to take the group flight, but there are several advantages to doing so. The group flight is usually chaperoned by a TFT staff member, and it also offers an opportunity for the students to get to know one another prior to the start of the program. Parents are responsible for coordinating transport to the departure airport – however, the logistics team will send out instructions detailing the exact meeting spot and airport point person. For additional information about flights, visit our dedicated flight page.

Our staff is a cut above the rest! We seek out two main characteristics in our counselors – extensive knowledge of and experience in our destinations, and a passion for working with teens. Our staff’s backgrounds include living abroad and working in summer camps or other educational settings. Team members are proven leaders and role models, who connect easily with others and form genuine friendships with each student – all while bringing each destination to life.

We celebrate diversity! Our staff represents 49 different nationalities, speak a combined total of 21 languages, and visited 142 countries. Additionally, 80% of our staff lived or worked abroad in their lives. With so many unique experiences to share, you are sure to gain a global perspective.

Our average minimum ratios are one staff member to every seven participants. Each program has one Trip Director with several support staff, depending on the group size. Directors must be at least 25 years old within the calendar year and have prior experience working with TFT.

Our staff members undergo a rigorous hiring process. They receive the same background check as school educators, an extensive training process to go over all safety precautions and protocols, and are required to be certified in CPR and First Aid.  We exclusively hire responsible, multi-talented individuals who are safety-minded and are as passionate about teen travel as we are.

We pride ourselves on small group sizes to create a more authentic and personalized experience. Our group sizes fall between 13 and 24 students – the perfect size to facilitate new friendships without feeling lost in a crowd! We believe smaller groups eliminate the likelihood of cliques, and allows for a well-rounded, healthy group dynamic.

Our program dates are designed specifically so that participants can opt to combine trips throughout the summer.  When connecting to another program, your counselor will escort you to the airport on the last day of the program and assist you in meeting your next group at your new destination.

In a word – delicious! At TFT, we believe food is an integral aspect of the travel experience, and we make an effort to eat at authentic establishments whenever possible. There is no better way to immerse ourselves in the culture of a place then through sampling the local delicacies. We stray away from westernized restaurants and chains that cater to tourists, because every true traveler knows the best food is found where the locals are eating!

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.

In South Korea there are lots of food options for meat and seafood eaters to try, as well as for vegetarians. Korean food is famous for its pork and beef BBQs. There are many kinds of soup, the rice-based Bibimbap, different varieties of Mangdu (dumplings), Korean pancakes (Jun), Kimchi, and many more. You’ll go to the towns that are famous for particular dishes. There are also districts in the bigger cities that cater for a more international taste, so there is also the opportunity to mix it up. Last but not least, we will try some traditional Korean desserts for those of who you have a sweet tooth.

Of course, we are always willing and able to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, gluten allergies, and other dietary restrictions.

Our staff and teens are nearly always together, but we do provide the opportunity to break up into smaller groups to allow for flexibility and customization within the itinerary.

We offer free time in defined safe areas – for example, shopping in a market or exploring a museum. During these times, students remain in groups of at least two and are given no more than an hour. Of course, the counselors remain nearby and available. Additionally, a lifeguard-certified counselor supervises the campers any time they are involved in water activities.

Due to the nature of our service work in the local village, all you’ll need are clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty.

A more detailed packing list will be provided upon registration.

We recommend checking with your family doctor regarding vaccinations and medical advice for the destination you are visiting. For more information, please check the World Health Organization’s website. Upon registration, we provide a list of recommended vaccinations that can be discussed further with your doctor. For Specific questions pertaining to the COVID-19 vaccine, click here.

No, our skilled staff members will help you get around and even teach you a few fun phrases!