Experience Japan
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.
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Day 1: Fly overnight to Japan
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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
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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
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Day 5: Kyoto • Takayama
Travel to Takayama
Enjoy a Zen meditation experience
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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
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Day 7: Kanazawa
Visit Kanazawa Castle
Visit Kenroku-en Garden
Participate in a gold-leaf chopstick activity
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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 orAdd this in-depth excursion:
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.
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Day 9: Tokyo
Visit the Suginami Animation Museum
Take a tour of Akihabara Electric Town
Enjoy reflection time in Asakusa
Take a tour of Asakusa Kannon Temple
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Day 10: Depart for home
Add 3 more days
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Day 10: Tokyo • Nagasaki
Fly to Nagasaki
Visit the Nagasaki Peace Park and Museum
Reflect on your travels and learn how to fold a paper crane
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Day 11: Nagasaki
Take a guided tour of Nagasaki
Visit Glover Garden and Peace Park
Visit the Dejima Museum
Ride a cable car up Mt. Inasa
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Day 12: Nagasaki • Tokyo
Fly to Tokyo
Participate in a calligraphy activity
Take a tour of the Shibuya district of Tokyo
Enjoy an evening reflection in Asakusa
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Day 13: Depart for home
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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 orAdd this in-depth excursion:
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
Enjoy reflection time in Asakusa
Take a tour of Asakusa Kannon Temple
-
Day 10: Depart for home
Add 3 more days
-
Day 10: Tokyo • Nagasaki
Fly to Nagasaki
Visit the Nagasaki Peace Park and Museum
Reflect on your travels and learn how to fold a paper crane
-
Day 11: Nagasaki
Take a guided tour of Nagasaki
Visit Glover Garden and Peace Park
Visit the Dejima Museum
Ride a cable car up Mt. Inasa
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Day 12: Nagasaki • Tokyo
Fly to Tokyo
Participate in a calligraphy activity
Take a tour of the Shibuya district of Tokyo
Enjoy an evening reflection in Asakusa
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Day 13: Depart for home
Arriving to Japan was the longest trip I have ever taken but so worth it. The views were amazing and the environment was so clean. All the hotels we stayed at were clean and friendly. Breakfast was always ...Amazing journey
Refer a friend or colleague to EF and we’ll thank you with $1,000. Learn more
Your experience includes
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Airfare & transportation
Round-trip flights on major carriers; comfortable motorcoach; bullet train
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Hotels
8 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (11 with extension)
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Regional-style meals
Breakfast and dinner daily
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Guided sightseeing
2 sightseeing tours led by expert, licensed local guides; 1 walking tour
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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
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Experiential learning
Zen meditation; Takayama morning market challenge; Akihabara electric town
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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.
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Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
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Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.
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24-hour Emergency Service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
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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.
Lowest price
Price is valid for students under the age of 20 at the time of travel that room in triples and quads. Minimum participation is required. Change and cancellation fees of up to the total price will apply. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included and can be found at www.eftours.com/baggage. Program price is valid today only.
