Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
Japan has had many identities through the centuries, and 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 is filled with natural beauty—see it from the window of the high-speed Shinkansen train and in the majestic lakes and mountains of Fuji-Hakone-Izu 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
Take a guided tour of Tokyo
With your expert local guide, you will:
- See the Imperial Palace Plaza, the residence of Japan's Imperial Family
- Explore the colorful and iconic Harajuku shopping district
- Stop by the Metropolitan Government Building, where the governing body of Tokyo sits
Find a quiet oasis in the middle of the city with a visit to the Meiji Shinto Shrine
Take a walking tour of Shibuya
Explore the Asakusa Kannon Temple, the city's largest temple
Enjoy a 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:
Joypolis indoor theme park
Explore the attractions at Joypolis, a unique indoor theme park, at your own pace. As you immerse yourself in the VR-style arcade games and thrilling rides, you’ll also experience the culture and technology within the Japanese entertainment industry.
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Day 5: Tokyo • Kamakura • Fuji-Hakone-Izu region
Travel via Kamakura to the Fuji-Hakone-Izu region
Visit the Great Buddha of Kamakura
Visit the Hachimangu shrine
Explore Kamakura on your own
Travel to the Fuji-Hakone-Izu region
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Day 6: Fuji-Hakone-Izu region • 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 (weather permitting)
Enjoy free time in Owakudani
See Odawara Castle
Travel by bullet train to Kyoto
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Day 7: Kyoto
Take a guided tour of Kyoto
Visit the Golden Pavilion, a Zen Buddhist temple
See a kimono show at the Nishijin Textile Center
Visit Nijō Castle, where the Tokugawa shogunate kept a second home
Take a tour of the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
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Day 8: Kyoto • Osaka
Visit the Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine
Take a guided tour of Nara
With your Tour Director, you will:
- Visit Todaiji Temple
- See the Daibutsu, the world's largest bronze Buddha
- Spend time with the friendly deer of Nara Park
- Visit Kasuga-taisha, Nara's most celebrated shrine
Travel to Osaka
Take an in-depth tour of Osaka's Dotonbori canal street
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Day 9: Depart for home
Add 2 more days
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Day 9: Osaka • 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
-
Day 1: Fly overnight to Japan
-
Day 2: Tokyo
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 3: Tokyo
Take a guided tour of Tokyo
With your expert local guide, you will:
- See the Imperial Palace Plaza, the residence of Japan's Imperial Family
- Explore the colorful and iconic Harajuku shopping district
- Stop by the Metropolitan Government Building, where the governing body of Tokyo sits
Find a quiet oasis in the middle of the city with a visit to the Meiji Shinto Shrine
Take a walking tour of Shibuya
Explore the Asakusa Kannon Temple, the city's largest temple
Enjoy a 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:
Joypolis indoor theme park
Explore the attractions at Joypolis, a unique indoor theme park, at your own pace. As you immerse yourself in the VR-style arcade games and thrilling rides, you’ll also experience the culture and technology within the Japanese entertainment industry.
-
Day 5: Tokyo • Kamakura • Fuji-Hakone-Izu region
Travel via Kamakura to the Fuji-Hakone-Izu region
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 • 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 (weather permitting)
Enjoy free time in Owakudani
See Odawara Castle
Travel by bullet train to Kyoto
-
Day 7: Kyoto
Take a guided tour of Kyoto
Visit the Golden Pavilion, a Zen Buddhist temple
See a kimono show at the Nishijin Textile Center
Visit Nijō Castle, where the Tokugawa shogunate kept a second home
Take a tour of the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
-
Day 8: Kyoto • Osaka
Visit the Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine
Take a guided tour of Nara
With your Tour Director, you will:
- Visit Todaiji Temple
- See the Daibutsu, the world's largest bronze Buddha
- Spend time with the friendly deer of Nara Park
- Visit Kasuga-taisha, Nara's most celebrated shrine
Travel to Osaka
Take an in-depth tour of Osaka's Dotonbori canal street
-
Day 9: Depart for home
Add 2 more days
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Day 9: Osaka • 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
Reviews
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; Nijō Castle; Golden Pavilion; kimono show; Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine; Todaiji Temple; Daibutsu (with extension: Itsukushima Shrine; Peace Memorial Museum; Himeji Castle)
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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.
Price displayed includes an Early Enrollment Discount; restrictions apply. To determine if you qualify, please contact your Tour Consultant. Tours departing between 10/1/2023 and 9/30/2024 may be eligible for a $100 discount. Tours departing 10/1/2024 and beyond may be eligible for a $200 discount; restrictions apply.
