Urban Environments & Culture in Japan
Group Leader's name: Michael Genz
Requested return date: 5/23/2023
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 the Gold Pavilion, a Zen temple whose top two floors are covered in gold leaf
Visit Inari Taisha ShrineSee 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 Tour 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
Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Ashi and soak in views of Mt. Fuji
Ride a cable car up Mount KomagatakeEnjoy 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
Spend time exploring Akihabara on your own
Enjoy free time for lunch in the Harajuku area
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 Tour 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
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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 the Gold Pavilion, a Zen temple whose top two floors are covered in gold leaf
Visit Inari Taisha ShrineSee a Kimono Show at the Nishijin Textile Center
Enjoy dinner in Kyoto
-
Day 6: Kyoto
Tour the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove with your Tour 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
Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Ashi and soak in views of Mt. Fuji
Ride a cable car up Mount KomagatakeEnjoy 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
Spend time exploring Akihabara on your own
Enjoy free time for lunch in the Harajuku area
Enjoy dinner in Tokyo
-
Day 10: Tokyo
Take a walking tour of Shibuya and get to know the area with your Tour Director
Spend a half day exploring Tokyo on your own
-
Day 11: Depart for home
Your experience includes
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Round-trip airfare
Your price includes round-trip airfare for your whole group
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Accommodations
Safe, comfortable hotels with private bathrooms will be waiting for you at your destination.
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On-tour transportation
Land transportation
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Regional-style meals
Daily breakfasts and select local dinners are included in your program. Generally, we leave lunch up to you so your group has an opportunity to explore its own tastes.
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End-to-end Support
Your team helps to secure administrative approval and academic credit, provides recruiting tools and helps establish your program's ongoing presence on campus.
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Full-time Tour Director
Your expert Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all program logistics.
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Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and enhancing teaching moments wherever your curriculum takes you.
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Guided sightseeing
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove; Akihabara
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Entrances
Himeji Castle; Istukushima Shrine; Peace Memorial museum; Nijo Castle; Gold Pavilion; Inari Taisha Shrine; Kiyomizu Temple; Gion Corner; Hachimangu Shrine; Odawara Castle; Lake Hakone Cruise; Mount Komagatake Cable Car; Meiji Shinto Shrine; Asakusa Kannon Temple; Tokyo National Museum
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Worldwide support, safety and security
EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide. We provide 24-hour emergency support service along with a comprehensive $50 million liability policy that covers you and your institution while abroad.
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Flexible Payment Options
Give more students the opportunity to study abroad by offering them two different payment plan options, along with our TripFunder website to help fundraise for the program.
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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