Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Immerse your students in the culture, language, and history of Japan on this engaging tour from Tokyo to Kyoto. Your students will learn about Japanese history during visits to the Meiji Shrine, Matsumoto Castle, and the Todai-ji Temple. Your group will also experience the thrill of Tokyo’s Shibuya, take the stage at a local karaoke venue, spend the night in an authentic Ryokan, and explore Kyoto’s impressive Imperial collection of Shinto and Buddhist shrines and temples.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to Japan (Tokyo)
Day 2
Arrive in Tokyo
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Day 3
Tokyo guided sightseeing tour
Tokyo is a city of contrasts, where neon lights mix with tranquil temples and cutting-edge technology blends with age-old traditions. With your local guide, start at Senso-ji Temple, where incense smoke is believed to heal. Continue to the Meiji Shrine, honoring Emperor Meiji and his empress, then explore the vibrant Harajuku District, famed for bold fashion and youth culture.
Akihabara Electric Town visit
Visit Tokyo’s Akihabara district, the epicenter of electronic goods and otaku culture. Explore countless shops filled with anime, manga, and video games, making it a paradise for fans and tech lovers alike.
Shibuya Crossing
Karaoke experience and dinner
Karaoke, which originated in Japan, remains one of Tokyo’s favorite pastimes. Step into a lively venue, grab a mic, pick your favorite song, and sing your heart out alongside friends.
Day 4
Travel to Hakone region by bus
Hakone excursion
Escape to Hakone, a favorite retreat for Tokyo locals, where lakes, gardens, and shrines create a scene like a living watercolor. Cruise across Lake Ashi with views of Mt. Fuji, then ride the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani Boiling Valley, where sulfur vents and hot springs mark the volcanic landscape. Conclude with a visit to Hakone Shrine, hidden among towering cedars along the lakeshore.
Overnight in a Ryokan
Day 5
Travel to Matsumoto by bus
Matsumoto Castle visit
One of Japan’s most impressive fortresses, Matsumoto Castle features a five-tiered, six-story main tower built in the late 16th century, the oldest surviving castle tower in the nation. Surrounded by a broad moat, graceful swans, and cherry blossoms each spring, it is also among the country’s most photogenic landmarks.
Day 6
Takayama guided sightseeing tour
Explore Takayama with a guided tour that begins at the lively Morning Market, where vendors sell local crafts and fresh produce. Then wander the Old City, with its preserved wooden merchant houses, sake breweries, and narrow streets that evoke the charm of Edo-period Japan.
Shirakawago Village visit
Travel to Kyoto
Day 7
Nara excursion
Discover Nara, where history and tradition come to life. At Todai-ji Temple, marvel at the 50-foot bronze Buddha, dedicated in AD 752, and learn the story of its symbolic “eye-opening.” Continue to Kasuga Grand Shrine, famed for its thousand bronze lanterns. Conclude with a stroll through Nara Deer Park, home to wild deer once regarded as messengers of the gods and still protected as a national treasure.
Kyoto guided sightseeing tour
One of Japan’s best-preserved imperial cities, Kyoto, is home to more than 2,000 temples and shrines. Visit Kinkaku-ji, the famed Golden Pavilion, whose top floors gleam with gold leaf above a reflective pond. Continue to Fushimi Inari Taisha, where thousands of bright red torii gates wind up the hillside. Conclude at Sanjusangendo Temple, with its hall of 1,000 life-size guardian statues.
Day 8
Travel by bus to Osaka
Return home
Optional Extension
Add 2 Days in Hiroshima
Travel by bullet train to Hiroshima, a city rebuilt from the devastation of the atomic bomb, to tour the Atomic Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial Park, and Peace Memorial Museum, then stroll the tranquil Shukkei-en Garden. The next day, ferry to Miyajima to see Itsukushima Shrine’s “floating” torii, visit the Senjokaku Pagoda, and shop along Omotesando Street before heading home.
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theater tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Scenes from Japan
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.