20th Century Japan
In the final days of World War II, Japan was the target of the world’s first atomic weapons.
The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki—along with centuries of militarization and imperialism—has shaped Japan’s future and their shift from military to technological might. Immerse yourself in a country devoted to international peacekeeping and technological innovation, while exploring the imperialistic roots that led to such a drastic change 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
Explore the Imperial Palace Plaza
Visit the Harajuku shopping district
Visit the Meiji Shinto Shrine
Visit Yasukuni Shrine
Visit Yushukan Museum, the most famous Japanese military museum
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Day 4: Tokyo
Visit the Shitamachi Museum
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 the Yokohama Cup Noodle Museum
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 Miyajima Park
Travel by ferry to Miyajima Island
Visit the Itsukushima shrine
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Day 7: Hiroshima
Tour the Mazda Museum (if closed groups tour the JMSDF Kure Museum)
Enjoy free time in Hiroshima
Taste traditional Hiroshima cuisine
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Day 8: Hiroshima • Osaka
Travel by bullet train to Osaka
Visit Osaka Castle
Enjoy an Osaka river cruise
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.
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Day 9: Depart for home
Add 3 more days
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Day 9: Osaka • Nagasaki
Travel 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 10: Nagasaki
Tour Nagasaki with an expert local guide
Visit Glover Garden and Peace Park
Visit Dejima Museum
Ride a cable car up Mt. Inasa
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Day 11: Nagasaki • Tokyo
Fly to Tokyo
Participate in a calligraphy activity
Explore the Shibuya district of Tokyo
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Day 12: 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
Explore the Imperial Palace Plaza
Visit the Harajuku shopping district
Visit the Meiji Shinto Shrine
Visit Yasukuni Shrine
Visit Yushukan Museum, the most famous Japanese military museum
-
Day 4: Tokyo
Visit the Shitamachi Museum
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 the Yokohama Cup Noodle Museum
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 Miyajima Park
Travel by ferry to Miyajima Island
Visit the Itsukushima shrine
-
Day 7: Hiroshima
Tour the Mazda Museum (if closed groups tour the JMSDF Kure Museum)
Enjoy free time in Hiroshima
Taste traditional Hiroshima cuisine
-
Day 8: Hiroshima • Osaka
Travel by bullet train to Osaka
Visit Osaka Castle
Enjoy an Osaka river cruise
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.
-
Day 9: Depart for home
Add 3 more days
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Day 9: Osaka • Nagasaki
Travel to Nagasaki
Visit the Nagasaki Peace Park and Museum
Reflect on your travels and learn how to fold a paper crane
-
Day 10: Nagasaki
Tour Nagasaki with an expert local guide
Visit Glover Garden and Peace Park
Visit Dejima Museum
Ride a cable car up Mt. Inasa
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Day 11: Nagasaki • Tokyo
Fly to Tokyo
Participate in a calligraphy activity
Explore the Shibuya district of Tokyo
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Day 12: Depart for home
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 Shrine; Yushukan Military Museum; Shitamachi Cultural Museum; Yokohama Cup Noodle Museum; Hikawa Maru; Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum; Mazda Museum; Osaka Castle; with extension: Glover Garden; Dejima Port
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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.
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.
Price displayed includes a $200 Early Enrollment Discount; restrictions apply. To determine if you qualify, please contact your Tour Consultant. Discount is only valid for tours departing between 10/1/2019 and 9/30/2020.