20th Century Japan
In the final days of World War II, Japan was the target of the world’s first atomic weapons.
The bombing of Hiroshima—along with decades of militarization and imperialism—have shaped Japan and its shift from military to technological might. Immerse yourself in a country devoted to rewriting its legacy as one of the world’s leaders in international peacekeeping and technological innovation while exploring the imperialistic roots that led to these changes in national identity.
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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 Harajuku shopping district
Visit the Meiji Shinto Shrine
Take a walking tour of Shibuya
Explore the Asakusa Kannon Temple
Take a tour of Akihabara Electric Town
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Day 4: Tokyo
Visit the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, a museum of historic Japanese buildings
Explore Tokyo on your own
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony
Watch and learn as you participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony led by an expert. What type of tea is used? Do people still do traditional tea ceremonies? Discover the answers to these questions and more while enjoying a relaxing, centuries-old ritual.
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Day 5: Tokyo • Yokohama • Hiroshima
Travel to Yokohama
Visit one of Yokohama's famous noodle museums
Tour Yamashita Park with your Tour Director
Visit the Hikawa Maru
Travel by bullet train to Hiroshima
Enjoy a traditional bento dinner
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Day 6: Hiroshima
Tour Hiroshima with an expert local guide
Visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum
Explore Hiroshima on your own
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Day 7: Hiroshima
Tour the Mazda Museum (if closed groups tour the JMSDF Kure Museum)
Explore Miyajima Park
Travel by ferry to Miyajima Island
Visit the Itsukushima shrine
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Day 8: Hiroshima • Osaka
Travel by bullet train to Osaka
Visit Osaka Castle
Belt your favorite jams in English or Japanese at Karaoke
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Taiko Drum Lesson
Try your hand at making a thunderous beat with a taiko drum lesson! Learn the mythological origins while playing the same traditional drum patterns you’d hear in a local festival. Local experts will teach you through the proper techniques you need to play this powerful instrument.
Try some traditional Japanese street food for dinner
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Day 9: Depart for home
Add 3 more days
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Day 9: Osaka • Seoul
View Seoul from the top of N Seoul Tower
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Day 10: Seoul
Take a tour of Seoul
With your Tour Director, you will:
- see the Blue House—the residence and office of the President of South Korea
- visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, where you’ll witness a guard-changing ceremony
- visit the National Folk Museum
Prepare an authentic Korean meal at a cooking class
Visit the Bukchon Hanok Village
Experience the virtual reality attractions at the T.um VR Station theme park
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Day 11: Seoul
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Korea Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
Take a full-day tour to Korea’s Demilitarized Zone (better known as the DMZ). This 150-mile long demarcated military area separates North and South Korea. Learn about Korea’s complicated internal struggle as you visit notable sites including the Third Tunnel—one of four tunnels underneath the border.
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Day 12: Depart for home
-
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 Harajuku shopping district
Visit the Meiji Shinto Shrine
Take a walking tour of Shibuya
Explore the Asakusa Kannon Temple
Take a tour of Akihabara Electric Town
-
Day 4: Tokyo
Visit the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, a museum of historic Japanese buildings
Explore Tokyo on your own
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony
Watch and learn as you participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony led by an expert. What type of tea is used? Do people still do traditional tea ceremonies? Discover the answers to these questions and more while enjoying a relaxing, centuries-old ritual.
-
Day 5: Tokyo • Yokohama • Hiroshima
Travel to Yokohama
Visit one of Yokohama's famous noodle museums
Tour Yamashita Park with your Tour Director
Visit the Hikawa Maru
Travel by bullet train to Hiroshima
Enjoy a traditional bento dinner
-
Day 6: Hiroshima
Tour Hiroshima with an expert local guide
Visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum
Explore Hiroshima on your own
-
Day 7: Hiroshima
Tour the Mazda Museum (if closed groups tour the JMSDF Kure Museum)
Explore Miyajima Park
Travel by ferry to Miyajima Island
Visit the Itsukushima shrine
-
Day 8: Hiroshima • Osaka
Travel by bullet train to Osaka
Visit Osaka Castle
Belt your favorite jams in English or Japanese at Karaoke
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Taiko Drum Lesson
Try your hand at making a thunderous beat with a taiko drum lesson! Learn the mythological origins while playing the same traditional drum patterns you’d hear in a local festival. Local experts will teach you through the proper techniques you need to play this powerful instrument.
Try some traditional Japanese street food for dinner
-
Day 9: Depart for home
Add 3 more days
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Day 9: Osaka • Seoul
View Seoul from the top of N Seoul Tower
-
Day 10: Seoul
Take a tour of Seoul
With your Tour Director, you will:
- see the Blue House—the residence and office of the President of South Korea
- visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, where you’ll witness a guard-changing ceremony
- visit the National Folk Museum
Prepare an authentic Korean meal at a cooking class
Visit the Bukchon Hanok Village
Experience the virtual reality attractions at the T.um VR Station theme park
-
Day 11: Seoul
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Korea Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
Take a full-day tour to Korea’s Demilitarized Zone (better known as the DMZ). This 150-mile long demarcated military area separates North and South Korea. Learn about Korea’s complicated internal struggle as you visit notable sites including the Third Tunnel—one of four tunnels underneath the border.
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Day 12: 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 (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 (3 with extension)
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Entrances
Meiji Shinto Shrine; Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum; Yokohama Noodle Museum; Hikawa Maru; Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum; Mazda Museum; ferry to Miyajima Island; Miyajima Park; Itsukushima Shrine; Osaka Castle; Osaka river boat ride; Dotonbori Street street food tasting; with extension: N Seoul Tower; Gyeongbokgung Palace; National Folk Museum; Korean cooking class; Bukchon Hanok Village; T.um VR Station
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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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Worldwide Presence
EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.
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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.
