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Japan: Land of the Rising Sun

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

Optional 2 day extension

Tokyo Tower and Mount Fuji at dusk above the city skyline on Japan: Land of the Rising Sun.
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OVERVIEW

Feel Japan’s past, present, and future come to life, from ancient temples and buzzing streets to the innovations shaping tomorrow

Experience the fascinating duality of Japan, where centuries-old 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. In the capital, they move from the quiet rituals of Meiji Shrine to the vibrant gaming and anime culture of Akihabara. Then, cable cars and open-air museums around Mount Fuji invite students to pause, relax, and reflect before continuing through the stunning golden pavilions and bamboo groves of Kyoto. Along the way, students build cultural awareness through Japan’s art, trends, and cuisine.

What makes this tour special?

Download a tour overview
Explore Asakusa Kannon Temple, one of Tokyo's oldest and most significant Buddhist temples

Explore Asakusa Kannon Temple, one of Tokyo's oldest and most significant Buddhist temples

Tour Akihabara Electric Town, Tokyo’s buzzing hub for tech, gaming, manga, and anime culture

Tour Akihabara Electric Town, Tokyo’s buzzing hub for tech, gaming, manga, and anime culture

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

Japan: Land of the Rising Sun route map

What you’ll do

Explore a sample itinerary

Day 1: Fly overnight to Japan

Board your international flight to Tokyo

Day 2: Tokyo

Meet your Tour Director at the destination airport

Day 3: Tokyo

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, Japan's largest and oldest museum

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

Enjoy a sumo-style hot pot dinner

Day 4: Tokyo

Visit the Meiji Shinto Shrine

Visit the Harajuku shopping district

Take a walking tour of Shibuya

Enjoy time to explore independently, making your own discoveries as you connect with local culture. Or groups can add this activity:


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.

Day 5: Tokyo • Kamakura • Fuji-Hakone-Izu region

Travel to Kamakura

Visit the Great Buddha of Kamakura

Visit the Hachimangu shrine

Explore Kamakura on your own

Travel to the Fuji-Hakone-Izu region

Day 6: Fuji-Hakone-Izu region • Odawara • Kansai region

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: Kansai region

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: Kansai region

Visit the Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine

Visit Todaiji Temple

Take a guided tour of Nara

Day 9: Depart for home

Board your flight home from Osaka

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
Experiential learning
Full-time Tour Director
Expert Local Guides
Personalized Learning Support
Continuous Support

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.

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