Japan: Tokyo, Nikko, Hiroshima and Kyoto

Flight from your preferred airport to 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.

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

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.

Tour Highlights

• Studio Ghibli Museum
• Shibuya
• Harajuku

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!

Tour Highlights

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

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!

Tour Highlights

• Nagoya
• Karate Lesson
• Karaoke in 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.

Tour Highlights

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

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.

Tour Highlights

• Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
• Himeji Castle

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!

Tour Highlights

• Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
• Taiko Lesson

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.