Urban Environments & Culture in Japan
Group Leader's name: Bryan Rivers
Requested return date: 5/26/2024
Tokyo is a place where cutting-edge technology leaps from the towers in flashes of light.
But there is a polite order to this urbanization that is defined by the ancient world that remains. The Osaka Castle is seemingly unfazed by the neighboring sea of skyscrapers, and is a living testimony of Japan’s unique journey into modernization. Japan is a microcosm of civilization at heart.
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Day 1: Fly overnight to Japan
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Day 2: Osaka
Meet your Field Director at the airportEnjoy dinner in Osaka
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Day 3: Osaka • Hiroshima
Travel via Himeji Castle to Hiroshima
Visit Himeji Castle, the largest castle in Japan comprised of 83 buildings
Enjoy dinner in Hiroshima
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Day 4: Hiroshima • Kyoto
Take an excursion to Miyajima Park, also called the "Sacred Island"
Visit Itsukushima Shrine, known for its floating torii guarding the entrance
Tour Hiroshima with an expert local guide, where the world’s first atomic bomb was dropped on August 6, 1945
Visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, a UNESCO Heritage Site that contains the Atomic Bomb Dome and focuses on the devastation of the nuclear attack
Travel by bullet train, which reaches speeds of 180 miles per hour, to Kyoto
Enjoy dinner in Kyoto
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Day 5: Kyoto
Tour Kyoto with an expert local guide and learn about the history and culture of the city
Visit Nijo Castle, a structure built almost entirely out of Japanese cypress
Visit Inari Taisha ShrineVisit the Gold Pavilion, a Zen temple whose top two floors are covered in gold leaf
See a Kimono Show at the Nishijin Textile Center
Enjoy dinner in Kyoto
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Day 6: Kyoto
Tour the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove with your Field Director
Add this in-depth excursion
Nara
Today, join a half-day excursion to Nara, one of Japan’s ancient capitals. Visit the Todaji Temple and see the Daibutsu, the world’s largest bronze Buddha. Then walk through the wooded Nara Park, also known by the nickname of “Deer Park” because of its many four legged inhabitants. Just outside the park, you will visit Kasuga Shrine, one of the most famous Shinto shrines in the country. Twice a year, some 3,000 lanterns are lit here simultaneously during the Lantern Festival. (Please note: comfortable walking shoes are recommended.)
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Day 7: Kyoto • Hakone–Atami area
Travel by bullet train to Hakone
Stop to snap a photo outside of Odawara Castle, which changed hands and was demolished multiple times
Visit Hakone National Park, known for its hot springs, lakes, historic sites, and close-up views of majestic Mount Fuji
Ride a cable car up Mount KomagatakeVisit the Hakone Open Air Museum
Enjoy a traditional dinner in Hakone
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Day 8: Hakone–Atami area • Kamakura • Tokyo
Travel via Kamakura to Tokyo
Visit the Hachimangu Shrine, dedicated to the patron god of the samurai
Spend time exploring Kamakura on your own
See the Great Buddha of Kamakura, which stands over 37 feet tall
Enjoy dinner in Tokyo
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Day 9: Tokyo
Visit the Asakusa Kannon Temple, Tokyo's oldest temple
Take a guided tour of Tokyo
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Harajuku shopping district, the trendy district popular among younger locals
- Shibuya district, home to the famed Shibuya crosswalk that has upwards of 3,000 people crossing at a time
- Shinjuku district, a large entertainment and business area
Visit the Meiji Shrine and its elaborate wooded Inner Garden
See the Imperial Plaza and Metropolitan Government Building
Enjoy free time for lunch in the Harajuku area
Spend time exploring Akihabara on your own
Enjoy dinner in Tokyo
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Day 10: Tokyo
Take a walking tour of Shibuya and get to know the area with your Field Director
Spend a half day exploring Tokyo on your own
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Day 11: Depart for home
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Day 1: Fly overnight to Japan
-
Day 2: Osaka
Meet your Field Director at the airportEnjoy dinner in Osaka
-
Day 3: Osaka • Hiroshima
Travel via Himeji Castle to Hiroshima
Visit Himeji Castle, the largest castle in Japan comprised of 83 buildings
Enjoy dinner in Hiroshima
-
Day 4: Hiroshima • Kyoto
Take an excursion to Miyajima Park, also called the "Sacred Island"
Visit Itsukushima Shrine, known for its floating torii guarding the entrance
Tour Hiroshima with an expert local guide, where the world’s first atomic bomb was dropped on August 6, 1945
Visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, a UNESCO Heritage Site that contains the Atomic Bomb Dome and focuses on the devastation of the nuclear attack
Travel by bullet train, which reaches speeds of 180 miles per hour, to Kyoto
Enjoy dinner in Kyoto
-
Day 5: Kyoto
Tour Kyoto with an expert local guide and learn about the history and culture of the city
Visit Nijo Castle, a structure built almost entirely out of Japanese cypress
Visit Inari Taisha ShrineVisit the Gold Pavilion, a Zen temple whose top two floors are covered in gold leaf
See a Kimono Show at the Nishijin Textile Center
Enjoy dinner in Kyoto
-
Day 6: Kyoto
Tour the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove with your Field Director
Add this in-depth excursion
Nara
Today, join a half-day excursion to Nara, one of Japan’s ancient capitals. Visit the Todaji Temple and see the Daibutsu, the world’s largest bronze Buddha. Then walk through the wooded Nara Park, also known by the nickname of “Deer Park” because of its many four legged inhabitants. Just outside the park, you will visit Kasuga Shrine, one of the most famous Shinto shrines in the country. Twice a year, some 3,000 lanterns are lit here simultaneously during the Lantern Festival. (Please note: comfortable walking shoes are recommended.)
-
Day 7: Kyoto • Hakone–Atami area
Travel by bullet train to Hakone
Stop to snap a photo outside of Odawara Castle, which changed hands and was demolished multiple times
Visit Hakone National Park, known for its hot springs, lakes, historic sites, and close-up views of majestic Mount Fuji
Ride a cable car up Mount KomagatakeVisit the Hakone Open Air Museum
Enjoy a traditional dinner in Hakone
-
Day 8: Hakone–Atami area • Kamakura • Tokyo
Travel via Kamakura to Tokyo
Visit the Hachimangu Shrine, dedicated to the patron god of the samurai
Spend time exploring Kamakura on your own
See the Great Buddha of Kamakura, which stands over 37 feet tall
Enjoy dinner in Tokyo
-
Day 9: Tokyo
Visit the Asakusa Kannon Temple, Tokyo's oldest temple
Take a guided tour of Tokyo
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Harajuku shopping district, the trendy district popular among younger locals
- Shibuya district, home to the famed Shibuya crosswalk that has upwards of 3,000 people crossing at a time
- Shinjuku district, a large entertainment and business area
Visit the Meiji Shrine and its elaborate wooded Inner Garden
See the Imperial Plaza and Metropolitan Government Building
Enjoy free time for lunch in the Harajuku area
Spend time exploring Akihabara on your own
Enjoy dinner in Tokyo
-
Day 10: Tokyo
Take a walking tour of Shibuya and get to know the area with your Field Director
Spend a half day exploring Tokyo on your own
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Day 11: Depart for home
What's Included
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Transportation
Various modes of transport are tailored to your program. While some transfers are included, others may come at additional cost.
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Accommodations
Safe, comfortable lodging will be waiting for you at your destination.
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Select meals
Enjoy a combination of included meals and the freedom to explore local cuisine on your own.
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End-to-end support
Your dedicated EF team helps secure administrative approval and academic credit, provides enrollment tools, and helps establish your program’s ongoing presence on campus.
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EF Global Learning Toolkit
We offer various tools to help educators facilitate student growth abroad and on campus, including academically enriched travel programs, industry engagement opportunities, global learning resources, and a Global Competencies Assessment tool.
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Guided exploration
Gain insider knowledge and cultural perspective from licensed local guides: natural historians who provide cultural insights to enhance learning moments throughout the program.
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Field Visits
Experience academics in action during engaging visits with relevant organizations, thought leaders, and partners.
Building skills for a global world
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| 97% growth in the number of students who were confident navigating unfamiliar places post study abroad.1 | 93% of students who studied abroad and entered the workforce were employed within 6 months of graduation, compared to 49% who did not study abroad.2 | Students who studied abroad saw 100% greater improvement in GPA.3 |
*Sources: 1: EF Study Abroad Program Impact 2018; 2: IES Abroad 2015; 3: Georgia Learning Outcomes of Students Studying Abroad Research Initiative 2010
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