Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
Japan has had many identities through the centuries; its story is a fascinating one.
Tokyo is the modern-day center of pop culture and business, while Kyoto remains the most traditional of the big cities. The country has unsurpassed natural beauty—see it from the window of the high-speed shinkansen train and in the majestic lakes and mountains of Hakone National Park.
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Day 1: Fly overnight to Japan
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Day 2: Tokyo
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 3: Tokyo
Tour Tokyo with an expert local guide
Visit the Asakusa Kannon Temple
Visit the Harajuku shopping district
Visit the Meiji Shinto Shrine
Sumo-style Hot Pot Dinner
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Day 4: Tokyo
Visit a technology showroom
Take a tour of Akihabara Electric Town
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Local Exchange Visit
Spend time conversing with locals, pick up a few Japanese phrases, and get a first-person perspective of everyday life in Japan. Who knows, you might make a new friend, learn how to eat with chopsticks, or fold a paper crane!
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Day 5: Tokyo • Kamakura • Hakone
Travel via Kamakura to Hakone
Visit the Great Buddha of Kamakura
Visit the Hachimangu shrine
Explore Kamakura on your own
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Day 6: Hakone • Odawara • Kyoto
Travel via Owakudani and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park to Odawara
Visit Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Take a cruise on Lake Ashi
Ride the Mount Komagatake cable car
Enjoy free time in Owakudani
See Odawara Castle
Travel by bullet train to Kyoto
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Day 7: Kyoto
Tour Kyoto with an expert local guide
Visit the Golden Pavilion
See a kimono show at the Nishijin Textile Center
Visit Nijō Castle
Visit the Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine
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Day 8: Kyoto
Take an excursion to Arashiyama
Tour the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Nara
Explore one of Japan’s ancient capitals on your half-day guided excursion. Visit the Todaiji Temple and see the Daibutsu, the world’s largest bronze Buddha. Walk through the wooded Nara Park, known as “Deer Park” because of its four-legged inhabitants. Just outside the park, visit Kasuga Shrine, one of the country’s most famous Shinto shrines. Comfortable walking shoes recommended.
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Day 9: Depart for home
Add 2 more days
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Day 9: Kyoto • Hiroshima
Travel by bullet train to Hiroshima
Tour Hiroshima with an expert local guide
Visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum
Travel by ferry to Miyajima Island
Explore Miyajima Park
Visit Itsukushima Shrine
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Day 10: Hiroshima • Himeji • Osaka
Travel via Himeji to Osaka
Visit Himeji Castle
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Day 11: Depart for home
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Day 1: Fly overnight to Japan
-
Day 2: Tokyo
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 3: Tokyo
Tour Tokyo with an expert local guide
Visit the Asakusa Kannon Temple
Visit the Harajuku shopping district
Visit the Meiji Shinto Shrine
Sumo-style Hot Pot Dinner
-
Day 4: Tokyo
Visit a technology showroom
Take a tour of Akihabara Electric Town
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Local Exchange Visit
Spend time conversing with locals, pick up a few Japanese phrases, and get a first-person perspective of everyday life in Japan. Who knows, you might make a new friend, learn how to eat with chopsticks, or fold a paper crane!
-
Day 5: Tokyo • Kamakura • Hakone
Travel via Kamakura to Hakone
Visit the Great Buddha of Kamakura
Visit the Hachimangu shrine
Explore Kamakura on your own
-
Day 6: Hakone • Odawara • Kyoto
Travel via Owakudani and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park to Odawara
Visit Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Take a cruise on Lake Ashi
Ride the Mount Komagatake cable car
Enjoy free time in Owakudani
See Odawara Castle
Travel by bullet train to Kyoto
-
Day 7: Kyoto
Tour Kyoto with an expert local guide
Visit the Golden Pavilion
See a kimono show at the Nishijin Textile Center
Visit Nijō Castle
Visit the Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine
-
Day 8: Kyoto
Take an excursion to Arashiyama
Tour the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Nara
Explore one of Japan’s ancient capitals on your half-day guided excursion. Visit the Todaiji Temple and see the Daibutsu, the world’s largest bronze Buddha. Walk through the wooded Nara Park, known as “Deer Park” because of its four-legged inhabitants. Just outside the park, visit Kasuga Shrine, one of the country’s most famous Shinto shrines. Comfortable walking shoes recommended.
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Day 9: Depart for home
Add 2 more days
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Day 9: Kyoto • Hiroshima
Travel by bullet train to Hiroshima
Tour Hiroshima with an expert local guide
Visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum
Travel by ferry to Miyajima Island
Explore Miyajima Park
Visit Itsukushima Shrine
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Day 10: Hiroshima • Himeji • Osaka
Travel via Himeji to Osaka
Visit Himeji Castle
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Day 11: Depart for home
This experience has shaped me completely for the better. I felt home here on this tour. It has inspired me beyond words to continue living to see all of Japan. I recommend this trip to anyone looking for ...Lifechanging
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
7 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (9 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
Meiji Shinto Shrine; Asakusa Kannon Temple; sumo-style hot pot dinner; Technology Showroom; Hachimangu Shrine; Lake Ashi cruise; Mount Komagatake ropeway; Nijo Castle; Golden Pavilion; kimono show; Fushimi Inari Shrine (with extension: Itsukushima Shrine; Peace Memorial Museum; Himeji Castle)
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Experiential learning
Local exchange
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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.
Guaranteed 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.
