Tour Number: 2499956SH
Group Leader: Shelley Jobe
Requested Departure Date: 7/26/2023
Requested Return Date: 8/4/2023
Requested Departure Gateway: Seattle (WA)

ABOUT EF

For over 55 years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to one global mission: Opening the World Through Education. Our programs help students expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, grow more confident and independent, and understand new people, places, and cultures.

10 days
Osaka, Kyoto, Takayama, Kanazawa, Tokyo, extension to Nagasaki

Japan is an island nation of contrasts.

Neon lights pulse and shine on century-old temples, monks walk alongside anime cosplayers, and Zen meditation is practiced in the same parks that people take selfies. It may sound chaotic, but Japan has perfected the balance of ancient and modern. A better understanding of Buddhism and Shinto, higher truth, or just a measure of inner peace await you on this meditative journey through the tranquil side of Japanese culture.

  • Day 1: Fly overnight to Japan

  • Day 2: Osaka

    Meet your Tour Director at the airport
  • Day 3: Osaka • Kyoto

    Take a walking tour of Osaka Canal Street

    Travel to Kyoto

    Take a tour of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

    Enjoy a walk along the banks of the Kamo Gawa River

  • 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

    Travel to Takayama

    Enjoy a Zen meditation experience

  • Day 6: Takayama • Kanazawa

    Visit the Takayama morning market

    Travel via Shirakawa-go to Kanazawa

    Stop to learn about Shirakawa-go's traditional architecture at an open air museum

  • Day 7: Kanazawa

    Visit Kanazawa Castle

    Visit Kenroku-en Garden

    Participate in a gold-leaf chopstick activity

  • Day 8: Kanazawa • Tokyo

    Travel by bullet train to Tokyo

    Take a tour of the Imperial Palace Plaza

    Visit the Meiji Shinto Shrine

    Visit the Harajuku shopping district

    Take and customize photos in a purikura - a sticker photo booth

    Explore on your own or
    Add this in-depth excursion
    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 9: Tokyo

    Visit the Suginami Animation Museum

    Take a tour of Akihabara Electric Town

    Take a tour of Asakusa Kannon Temple

  • Day 10: Depart for home

  • Day 1: Fly overnight to Japan

  • Day 2: Osaka

    Meet your Tour Director at the airport
  • Day 3: Osaka • Kyoto

    Take a walking tour of Osaka Canal Street

    Travel to Kyoto

    Take a tour of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

    Enjoy a walk along the banks of the Kamo Gawa River

  • 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

    Travel to Takayama

    Enjoy a Zen meditation experience

  • Day 6: Takayama • Kanazawa

    Visit the Takayama morning market

    Travel via Shirakawa-go to Kanazawa

    Stop to learn about Shirakawa-go's traditional architecture at an open air museum

  • Day 7: Kanazawa

    Visit Kanazawa Castle

    Visit Kenroku-en Garden

    Participate in a gold-leaf chopstick activity

  • Day 8: Kanazawa • Tokyo

    Travel by bullet train to Tokyo

    Take a tour of the Imperial Palace Plaza

    Visit the Meiji Shinto Shrine

    Visit the Harajuku shopping district

    Take and customize photos in a purikura - a sticker photo booth

    Explore on your own or
    Add this in-depth excursion
    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 9: Tokyo

    Visit the Suginami Animation Museum

    Take a tour of Akihabara Electric Town

    Take a tour of Asakusa Kannon Temple

  • Day 10: Depart for home


Feel confident helping your child see the world

Visit our parents’ page for everything from payment plans, scholarship opportunities, safety protocols, and more.

Are you the “print it, scribble notes on it, stick it to the fridge” type? You can download a printable version of our Parent Guide, too.

¿Quiere leer la Guía para Padres en español?

Visit our parents’ page

Pagina de padres en español

Visit our video gallery to hear more from fellow parents


Reviews

We’re proud to work with Trustpilot to provide reviews that are live, unedited, and independent—real stories from travelers like you.

See your tour come to life



Your experience includes

  • Airfare & transportation

    Round-trip flights on major carriers; comfortable motorcoach; bullet train

  • Hotels

    8 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (11 with extension)

  • Regional-style meals

    Breakfast and dinner daily

  • Guided sightseeing

    2 sightseeing tours led by expert, licensed local guides; 1 walking tour

  • Entrances

    Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine; Golden Pavilion; Kiyomizu Temple; tea ceremony; Shirakawa-go open-air museum; Kanazawa castle; Kenroku-en Garden; gold-leaf chopstick activity; Imperial Palace Plaza; Meiji Shinto Shrine; purikura sticker photo booth; Suginami Animation Museum; Asakusa Kannon Temple; with extension: Nagasaki Peace Park and Museum; Glover Garden; Dejima Port; Mt. Inasa Cable Car; calligraphy activity

  • Experiential learning

    Zen meditation; Takayama morning market challenge; Akihabara electric town

  • Full-time Tour Director

    Your culturally connected Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.

  • Expert Local Guides

    Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.

  • Personalized Learning Support

    Our personalized learning experience engages students before, during and after tour, with the option to create a final, reflective project for academic credit.

  • Continuous Support

    Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.

  • 24-hour Emergency Service

    Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.

  • Peace of Mind Program

    Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.

Have questions about this tour?  Give us a call at 800-665-5364

Total price

$5,299
View price details

All your EF tour questions, answered

On our easy-to-navigate Help Center, you’ll find information on everything from our Automatic Payment Plan to college credit to our insightful, culturally knowledgeable Tour Directors.

Book today and lock in your price