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First-time travelers

Japan: Land of the Rising Sun

9 days in Tokyo, the Fuji-Hakone-Izu region, and the Kansai region

Optional 2 day extension

OverviewWhat you'll doWhat's includedPriceReviewsFAQs

OVERVIEW

Journey through the past, present, and future in nine days

Experience the fascinating duality of Japan, where ancient traditions blend with cutting-edge innovation. Both worlds come to life for students through hands-on experiences across the neon-lit streets of Tokyo, serene temples of Kyoto, and picturesque towns near Mount Fuji. Along the way, students will build more cultural awareness as they explore local art, music, trends, and cuisine.

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What makes this tour special?

Download a tour overview
Find a moment of peace and quiet in the middle of the city at Meiji Shinto Shrine

Find a moment of peace and stillness at Meiji Shinto Shrine and discover its elaborate Inner Garden

Tokyo, Japan

Tour Akihabara Electric Town, a hub for tech trends and fans of gaming, manga, and anime

Tour Akihabara Electric Town, a hub for tech trends and fans of gaming, manga, and anime

Tokyo, Japan

Journey through the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, boasting stunning views of Mount Fuji

Journey through the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, boasting stunning views of Mount Fuji

Fuji-Hakone-Izu region, Japan

What you’ll do

Explore a sample itinerary

Day 1
Fly overnight to Japan

Day 2
Meet your Tour Director at the airport

Day 3
- Tour Tokyo with an expert local guide
- Explore the Asakusa Kannon Temple
- Explore the serene pond, temples, and shrines of Ueno Park
- Visit the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park, Japan’s largest and oldest museum
- Take a tour of Akihabara Electric Town
- Enjoy a sumo-style hot pot dinner

Day 4
- Visit the Meiji Shinto Shrine
- Visit the Harajuku shopping district 
- Take a walking tour of Shibuya
- Explore Tokyo on your own or participate in a Karaoke experience.

Day 5
- Travel via Kamakura to the Fuji-Hakone-Izu region
- Visit the Great Buddha of Kamakura
- Visit the Hachimangu shrine 
- Explore Kamakura on your own

Day 6
- Travel via Owakudani and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park to Odawara
- Visit the Hakone Open Air Museum
- Ride the Mount Komagatake cable car (weather permitting)
- Enjoy free time in Owakudani
- See Odawara Castle
- Travel by bullet train to Kyoto

Day 7
- Take a guided tour of Kyoto
- Visit the Golden Pavilion, a Zen Buddhist temple 
- Visit Nijō Castle, where the Tokugawa shogunate kept a second home 
- Take a tour of the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Day 8
- Visit the Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine
- Take a guided tour of Nara
- Visit Todaiji Temple

Day 9
Depart for home

Hiroshima / 1 night

Day 9
- Travel by bullet train to Hiroshima
- Tour Hiroshima with an expert local guide
- Visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum 
- Travel by ferry to Miyajima Island
- Explore Miyajima Park

- Visit Itsukushima Shrine

Kansai region / 1 night

Day 10
- Travel via Himeji to the Kansai region
- Visit Himeji Castle


Day 11
Depart for home

JPN map

All of our tours are powered by our proven EF Method

Learn more

All of our tours are powered by our proven EF Method

Learn more

what’s included

More than a trip abroad

With EF, you and your students embark on a learning journey that begins the moment you sign up, and it continues long after you return home. We’re also experts at tour planning and handling travel logistics, so you don’t have to sweat the small (or significant) stuff.

Before you go

Students learn about how to become world travelers and prepare to be immersed in new cultures.

During your tour

Every tour is designed with the EF Method, our curriculum of hands-on learning that builds essential skills students need for their futures.

After you return

You and your students continue to reflect on your growth—and can even earn high school or graduate-level credit.

Unlock your lowest price

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We're sorry, this departure date is not available. Please choose another date.


Are you interested in traveling on or after Oct. 1, 2027?

Learn more
Payment plan options

Pay over time interest-free or pay all at once

Fundraising

Every traveler receives a no-fee donation page

Global Citizen Scholarship

Every year EF awards $100,000 to student travelers

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Real talk from real travelers

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Notes on a bullet train

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“Overwhelming, but in a good way.”

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Favorite moments in Japan (so far!)

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On feeling safe walking with the group at night


Frequently asked questions

Let’s unpack that

We’ll connect you with your personal Tour Consultant—someone who works with other teachers in your area and specializes in planning EF tours. They’ll walk you through this itinerary (along with other EF Starter Tours or any tour in our portfolio that you’re curious about), explain student pricing, and show you just how easy it is to partner with EF.

Once you decide to lead our Japan: Land of the Rising Sun tour, your Tour Consultant will help you get school administrators on board, students excited, and families ready to enroll. You’ll host an informational meeting to kick off the enrollment period, and we’ll provide everything you need—from a digital presentation to printed handouts, parent resources, and more.

You’ll have a dedicated Tour Director who will guide your group from the moment you land in Tokyo until your final goodbyes in the Kyoto airport. They:

  • Take all the same transportation and stay in the same hotels as your group

  • Speak the local language (but lead the tour in English!)

  • Support you 24/7 as your right hand

  • Offer deep cultural context to help students feel connected to Japan

  • Handle all the logistics, so you don’t have to

  • Are the secret ingredient that makes your tour truly shine

Yes! You earn a free spot on tour as soon as six paying travelers enroll. For every additional six paying travelers, you earn another free spot for an adult chaperone. For example, if 30 students sign up, that’s five free chaperone spots.

All travelers on international EF tours must have a valid passport. When it comes to documentation, every traveler and destination is different—so once your group starts enrolling, we’ll help direct you and your families to relevant resources.
 
Passports should have at least three blank pages and be valid for at least six months after your return date.

EF has set the standard for travel-based learning for 60 years. Not only do our educational tours amplify the lessons that you’re already exploring in your classroom, but they also help build more empathy, open-mindedness, confidence, and cross-cultural understanding.
 
Our educational philosophy, the EF Method, is built into every itinerary—including Japan: Land of the Rising Sun—so your students are immersed in a continuous journey of engaging, hands-on learning in real-world situations from the moment they step off the plane.

Yes! Plan to explore each city primarily on foot (just like on most of our other Asia tours), so be sure to pack your comfiest sneakers. You’ll have time to rest on the bus—and even on a bullet train—while traveling between cities. If any travelers need accommodations, just let your EF Travel Team know in advance.

You’ll stay in three hotels—three nights in Tokyo, one night in the Fuji-Hakon-Izu region, and three nights in the Kansai region. Each hotel is inspected by EF’s dedicated quality team to meet our high standards for comfort, safety, and cleanliness. Every room includes a private bathroom.

You’ll receive more detailed meal information closer to your tour, but here’s an overview of what to expect on Japan: Land of the Rising Sun:

  • Daily breakfast is served continental-style at your hotel.

  • Daily group dinners take place at local restaurants (or your hotel) and feature a mix of familiar favorites and local dishes from a set menu.

  • Lunches are usually not included—giving students the freedom to explore local markets and discover their new favorite food (like ramen or sashimi!).

Travelers will share allergy or dietary information with EF after signing up, and we’ll help make the necessary accommodations.

We’re here to help! Click here to get in touch or have a live one-on-one chat with a team member.

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