EXPERIENCE JAPAN’S CULTURE AND INFLUENCE
Embark on the ultimate Japanese experience to learn about the culture, history, cuisine, and technological influence. By comparing Eastern and Western traditions, students will gain a deeper appreciation for global diversity and leadership in an international economy.
ITINERARY
DAY ONE | Flight from LAX
DAY TWO | Osaka
- Land at Kansai International Airport | Touch down in Japan and begin the adventure.
- Private Coach to Hotel | Board the chartered coach at the arrivals exit. Approx. 45 min drive to downtown Osaka.
DAY THREE | Osaka | Nara | Kyoto
- Osaka Castle Park | One of Japan’s most iconic landmarks — a majestic keep surrounded by moats and seasonal cherry blossoms, a vivid window into the Sengoku era.
- Nara Deer Park | Hundreds of free-roaming sacred sika deer wander the park grounds. Get up close, feed them deer crackers and enjoy one of Japan’s most charming wildlife experiences.
- All-You-Can-Eat BBQ Lunch | Enjoy a lively Japanese yakiniku buffet in Nara — grill your own premium meats and replenish energy for the afternoon.
- Todai-ji Temple | Home to the world’s largest wooden structure and a 15-metre bronze Great Buddha. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the head temple of the Kegon school of Buddhism.
- Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine | Thousands of vermilion torii gates wind up a forested hillside in a breathtaking tunnel of color. Dedicated to the god of rice and commerce — Kyoto’s most-visited attraction.
- Sushi Dinner | Savour freshly prepared nigiri and sashimi at a local sushi restaurant on the shores of Lake Biwa.
DAY FOUR | Kyoto | Hamamatsu
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) | Three tiers of gold-leaf brilliance reflected in a mirror-still pond — the quintessential image of Kyoto. A Muromachi-era masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Matcha Tea Ceremony Experience Activity | Step inside a traditional tea house and learn to prepare ceremonial matcha — an authentic taste of Japanese cultural refinement.
- Japanese Hot Pot (Nabe) Lunch | A delicate Kyoto-style hot pot featuring silken tofu, seasonal vegetables and premium wagyu — a comforting midday break in the heart of Gion.
- Ninen-zaka & Sannen-zaka | Kyoto’s best-preserved Edo-period stone-paved lanes flanked by teahouses, lacquerware shops and the occasional kimono-clad figure — stepping back 400 years.
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple | A thousand-year-old temple perched on a cliff, its famous wooden stage built without a single nail. Sweeping views over the Kyoto cityscape.
- Coach to Hamamatsu | Head east along the Meishin and Tomei expressways, crossing the heartland of Honshu toward the Pacific coast.
- Local Ramen Dinner | Try Hamamatsu’s signature soy-pork broth ramen at a beloved local noodle shop — rich, comforting and satisfying after a long travel day.
DAY FIVE | Hamamatsu | Mt. Fuji Area
- Lake Ashi Sightseeing
- Owakudani Ropeway | Glide above the active volcanic valley, gazing down at steaming sulphur vents. Try a black egg (kuro-tamago) — said to add 7 years to your life.
- Lunch (Hakone area) A Japanese set meal featuring the region’s celebrated hot-spring tofu and mountain vegetables — a true taste of Hakone’s highland cuisine.
- Oishi Park | A lakeside floral paradise at the foot of Mt. Fuji, bursting with lavender, tulips and
- hibiscus in season. The mountain backdrop makes this a world-class photo spot.
- Arakurayama Sengen Park | Climb 398 stone steps to reach the iconic five-storey pagoda framing Mt. Fuji — the most postcard-perfect composition in Japan, beloved by photographers worldwide.
DAY SIX | Mt. Fuji | Tokyo
- University of Tokyo (Hongo Campus) | Japan’s most prestigious university — stately Yasuda Auditorium, the iconic red Akamon gate and beautifully landscaped grounds, spectacular in cherry blossom season.
- Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa | Tokyo’s oldest temple, anchored by the thundering Kaminarimon lantern gate. The Nakamise shopping street buzzes with traditional sweets and souvenirs — the Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa
- Shibuya Scramble Crossing | The world’s busiest pedestrian intersection — a human tide crossing from six directions at once. Best viewed from the Starbucks or Mag’s Park observation deck above.
- Sushi Omakase Dinner | A Tokyo omakase dinner — the chef selects the finest seasonal fish, hand-pressed into perfect nigiri. A refined and memorable meal in the heart of Shinjuku.
DAY SEVEN | Tokyo
- Tokyo Disneyland |Explore all seven themed lands at one of the world’s most beloved theme parks. Rides, parades, character meet-and-greets and spectacular shows await. Lunch is self-arranged inside the park.
- Ginza Shopping | Japan’s answer to Fifth Avenue — Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermès alongside iconic department stores Matsuya and Mitsukoshi. Excellent tax-free shopping throughout.
DAY EIGHT | Tokyo | End Tour
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatory | Free admission to the 202-metre twin-tower observation deck — a sweeping 360° panorama of Tokyo, and on clear days a distant silhouette of Mt. Fuji.
- Miraikan — National Museum of Emerging Science | Founded by astronaut Mamoru Mohri, this cutting-edge museum showcases Japan’s vision for the future — hands-on robotics, space exploration and AI exhibits for all ages.
- Haneda International Airport | Ample time to reach Haneda and complete all departure formalities without rushing. Flight Departs Japan.
CLICK TO BEGIN REGISTRATION PROCESS THROUGH CAMPBRAIN
Initial registration/deposits will be conducted through CampBrain, rather than trip-specific sites (where applicable), to protect money collected.