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Experience Japan

10 days in Osaka, Kyoto, the Takayama region, and Tokyo

Optional 3 day extension

Woman in traditional Japanese dress holding a parasol in Kyoto.
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OVERVIEW

Experience Japan's centuries-old pursuit of balance—in nature, culture, and connection

Students experience how spirituality and tradition shape Japanese culture as they explore Buddhist and Shinto principles in tranquil gardens, temples, and shrines. They embrace stillness during Zen meditation and take part in the intricate art of a tea ceremony. On a bullet train to Tokyo, they shift their focus to the future, admiring Harajuku fashion, feeling the energy of Shibuya Crossing, and exploring Otaku culture in Akihabara. Through these contrasts, students deepen their understanding of how Japan’s past and future coexist in daily life.

Experience Japan route map

What you’ll do

Explore a sample itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Japan

Board your international flight to Osaka

Day 2: Osaka

Meet your Tour Director at the destination airport

Day 3: Osaka • Kyoto

Visit Osaka Castle

Travel to Kyoto

Take a tour of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

Stop for a photo along the banks of the Kamogawa River

Take a walking tour of Nishiki Market and the Pontocho district with your Tour Director

Day 4: Kyoto

Take a guided tour of Kyoto

Visit the Golden Pavilion, a Zen Buddhist temple

Visit Kiyomizu Temple

Sample green tea ice cream

Enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony

Day 5: Kyoto • Takayama region

Travel to Takayama region

Enjoy a Zen meditation experience

Day 6: Takayama region • Kanazawa

Visit the Takayama morning market

Travel to Shirakawa-go 

Stop to learn about Shirakawa-go's traditional architecture

Travel to Kanazawa

Day 7: Kanazawa

Visit Kanazawa Castle

Visit Kenroku-en Garden

Discover how gold leaf is made and create your own pair of gold leaf chopsticks to take home

Day 8: Kanazawa • Tokyo

Travel by bullet train to Tokyo

Tour Tokyo with an expert local guide

Visit the Meiji Shinto Shrine

Visit the Harajuku shopping district

Discover the world of Japanese gaming culture with a visit to a local arcade

Take a walking tour of Shibuya

Day 9: Tokyo

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

Add this in-depth experience
Karaoke

Karaoke

A trip to Japan wouldn't be complete without an evening of singing with friends in your very own private karaoke lounge. Belt your favorite jams in English or Japanese, or just clap along and enjoy a truly authentic Japanese pastime.

Take a tour of Asakusa Kannon Temple

Day 10: Depart for home

Board your flight home from Tokyo

What makes this tour special?

Engage in hands-on cultural experiences, like brewing tea in a traditional ceremony, crafting gold-leaf chopsticks, and playing games in a lively arcade

Engage in hands-on cultural experiences, like brewing tea in a traditional ceremony, crafting gold-leaf chopsticks, and playing games in a lively arcade

See Japan's dynamic contrasts firsthand, from Tokyo's modern cityscape to the preserved traditions of Takayama

See Japan's dynamic contrasts firsthand, from Tokyo's modern cityscape to the preserved traditions of Takayama

Discover the many sides of Tokyo, from Harajuku's colorful creativity to Shibuya's fast-paced commercial energy

Discover the many sides of Tokyo, from Harajuku's colorful creativity to Shibuya's fast-paced commercial energy

All of our tours are powered by our proven EF Method

Learn more

Your experience includes

Airfare & transportation
Hotels
Regional-style meals
Guided sightseeing
Entrances
Full-time Tour Director
Expert Local Guides
Personalized Learning Support
Continuous Support
24-hour Emergency Service

Travelers save when you lead this tour before October 1, 2027

See 2027 pricing

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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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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 tours in our portfolio that match your curriculum or catch your eye), explain student pricing, and show you just how easy it is to partner with EF.

Once you decide to lead a 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 your first destination until your final goodbye. 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 their destination

  • 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 of your choosing. For example, if 30 students sign up, that’s four free chaperone spots in addition to yours.

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 over 60 years. Not only do our educational tours amplify the lessons 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, 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 destination primarily on foot, so be sure to pack your comfiest sneakers. You’ll have time to rest on the bus while traveling between cities and activities. If any travelers need accommodations, just let your EF Travel Team know in advance.

Every hotel your group stays in is required to meet EF’s rigorous standards for quality, safety, and cleanliness. (We have an entire team dedicated to ensuring that!) However, it’s important to remember that international hotels designed for student travel may feel a little different from what students are familiar with. For example, some hotels may not have an elevator. Rooms will have multiple single beds or shared double beds, and every room will have a private bathroom.

You’ll receive more detailed meal information closer to your tour, but here’s an overview of what to expect:

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

  • Most tours include daily group dinners, which 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, but this varies by itinerary. If lunch isn’t included, this is the perfect opportunity for students to explore local markets and discover their new favorite food.

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! Start a live one-on-one chat with a team member.

Where learning meets life