Tokyo: The City Experience
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Day 1: Fly overnight to Japan
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Day 2: Tokyo
Meet your Field Director at the airportReceive your included Tokyo Museum Grutt Pass, which gives you free or discounted admission to museums around Tokyo
Enjoy dinner in Tokyo
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Day 3: Tokyo
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
Visit Imperial Palace Plaza, the residence of Japan's Imperial Family
Spend a half day exploring Tokyo on your own
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Day 4: Tokyo
Explore Ueno Park, a space with many museums and shrines, on your own
Take part in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and try matcha tea
Visit the Tokyo National Museum, Japan's largest art museum
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Day 5: Tokyo • Mount Fuji • Hakone
Enjoy a photo stop of Mount Fuji (views of Mount Fuji are completely weather dependent)
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
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Day 6: Tokyo
Spend a full day exploring Tokyo on your own
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Day 7: Tokyo
Take a tour of the Tsukiji Fish Market, the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market
Attend a sushi-making class
Enjoy a sushi lunch
Spend a half day exploring Tokyo on your own
Enjoy dinner in Tokyo
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Day 8: Depart for home
Add more days
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Day 8: Tokyo • Kyoto
Travel by bullet train to Kyoto
Take a guided tour of 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 the Gold Pavilion, a Zen temple whose top two floors are covered in gold leaf
Enjoy dinner in Kyoto
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Day 9: Kyoto
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.)
Visit Gion Corner to experience a Japanese kyo-mai dance performed by maiko dancers
Enjoy dinner in Kyoto
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Day 10: Depart for home
-
Day 1: Fly overnight to Japan
-
Day 2: Tokyo
Meet your Field Director at the airportReceive your included Tokyo Museum Grutt Pass, which gives you free or discounted admission to museums around Tokyo
Enjoy dinner in Tokyo
-
Day 3: Tokyo
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
Visit Imperial Palace Plaza, the residence of Japan's Imperial Family
Spend a half day exploring Tokyo on your own
-
Day 4: Tokyo
Explore Ueno Park, a space with many museums and shrines, on your own
Take part in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and try matcha tea
Visit the Tokyo National Museum, Japan's largest art museum
-
Day 5: Tokyo • Mount Fuji • Hakone
Enjoy a photo stop of Mount Fuji (views of Mount Fuji are completely weather dependent)
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
-
Day 6: Tokyo
Spend a full day exploring Tokyo on your own
-
Day 7: Tokyo
Take a tour of the Tsukiji Fish Market, the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market
Attend a sushi-making class
Enjoy a sushi lunch
Spend a half day exploring Tokyo on your own
Enjoy dinner in Tokyo
-
Day 8: Depart for home
Add more days
-
Day 8: Tokyo • Kyoto
Travel by bullet train to Kyoto
Take a guided tour of 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 the Gold Pavilion, a Zen temple whose top two floors are covered in gold leaf
Enjoy dinner in Kyoto
-
Day 9: Kyoto
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.)
Visit Gion Corner to experience a Japanese kyo-mai dance performed by maiko dancers
Enjoy dinner in Kyoto
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Day 10: Depart for home
Confidence • Curiosity • Global perspective • Empathy • Adaptability • Relatability • Self-Awareness
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.
