Experience Japan
Japan is an island nation of contrasts.
Neon lights pulse and shine on century-old temples, monks walk alongside anime cosplayers, and Zen meditation is practiced in the same parks that people take selfies. It may sound chaotic, but Japan has perfected the balance of ancient and modern. A better understanding of Buddhism and Shinto, higher truth, or just a measure of inner peace await you on this meditative journey through the tranquil side of Japanese culture.
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Day 1: Fly overnight to Japan
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Day 2: Osaka
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 3: Osaka • Kyoto
Visit Osaka Castle
Travel to Kyoto
Take a tour of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
Take a walking tour of Nishiki Market and the Pontocho district with your Tour Director
Stop for a photo along the banks of the Kamogawa River
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Day 4: Kyoto
Take a guided tour of Kyoto
Visit the Golden Pavilion, a Zen Buddhist temple
Visit Kiyomizudera Temple
Sample green tea ice cream
Enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony
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Day 5: Kyoto • Takayama region
Travel to the Takayama region
Enjoy a Zen meditation experience
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Day 6: Takayama region • Kanazawa
Visit the Takayama morning market
Travel via Shirakawa-go to Kanazawa
Stop to learn about Shirakawa-go's traditional architecture
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Day 7: Kanazawa
Visit Kanazawa Castle
Visit Kenroku-en Garden
Participate in a gold-leaf chopstick activity
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Day 8: Kanazawa • Tokyo
Travel by bullet train to Tokyo
Tour Tokyo with an expert local guide
Visit the Meiji Shinto Shrine
Visit the Harajuku shopping district
Discover the world of Japanese gaming culture with a visit to a local arcade
Take a walking tour of Shibuya
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Day 9: Tokyo
Take a tour of Akihabara Electric Town
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Karaoke
A trip to Japan wouldn’t be complete without an evening of singing with friends in your very own private karaoke lounge. Belt your favorite jams in English or Japanese, or just clap along and enjoy a truly authentic Japanese pastime.
Visit the Asakusa Kannon Temple
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Day 10: Depart for home
Add 3 more days
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Day 10: Tokyo • Seoul
Fly to Seoul
View Seoul from the top of N Seoul Tower
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Day 11: Seoul
Take a tour of Seoul
With your Tour Director, you will:
- see the Blue House—the residence and office of the President of South Korea
- visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, where you’ll witness a guard-changing ceremony
Prepare an authentic Korean meal at a cooking class
Visit the Bukchon Hanok Village
Visit the Hyundai Motorstudio, Hyundai's largest Automobile Theme Park
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Day 12: Seoul
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Korea Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
Take a full-day tour to Korea’s Demilitarized Zone (better known as the DMZ). This 150-mile long demarcated military area separates North and South Korea. Learn about Korea’s complicated internal struggle as you visit notable sites including the Third Tunnel—one of four tunnels underneath the border.
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Day 13: Depart for home
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Day 1: Fly overnight to Japan
-
Day 2: Osaka
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 3: Osaka • Kyoto
Visit Osaka Castle
Travel to Kyoto
Take a tour of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
Take a walking tour of Nishiki Market and the Pontocho district with your Tour Director
Stop for a photo along the banks of the Kamogawa River
-
Day 4: Kyoto
Take a guided tour of Kyoto
Visit the Golden Pavilion, a Zen Buddhist temple
Visit Kiyomizudera Temple
Sample green tea ice cream
Enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony
-
Day 5: Kyoto • Takayama region
Travel to the Takayama region
Enjoy a Zen meditation experience
-
Day 6: Takayama region • Kanazawa
Visit the Takayama morning market
Travel via Shirakawa-go to Kanazawa
Stop to learn about Shirakawa-go's traditional architecture
-
Day 7: Kanazawa
Visit Kanazawa Castle
Visit Kenroku-en Garden
Participate in a gold-leaf chopstick activity
-
Day 8: Kanazawa • Tokyo
Travel by bullet train to Tokyo
Tour Tokyo with an expert local guide
Visit the Meiji Shinto Shrine
Visit the Harajuku shopping district
Discover the world of Japanese gaming culture with a visit to a local arcade
Take a walking tour of Shibuya
-
Day 9: Tokyo
Take a tour of Akihabara Electric Town
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Karaoke
A trip to Japan wouldn’t be complete without an evening of singing with friends in your very own private karaoke lounge. Belt your favorite jams in English or Japanese, or just clap along and enjoy a truly authentic Japanese pastime.
Visit the Asakusa Kannon Temple
-
Day 10: Depart for home
Add 3 more days
-
Day 10: Tokyo • Seoul
Fly to Seoul
View Seoul from the top of N Seoul Tower
-
Day 11: Seoul
Take a tour of Seoul
With your Tour Director, you will:
- see the Blue House—the residence and office of the President of South Korea
- visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, where you’ll witness a guard-changing ceremony
Prepare an authentic Korean meal at a cooking class
Visit the Bukchon Hanok Village
Visit the Hyundai Motorstudio, Hyundai's largest Automobile Theme Park
-
Day 12: Seoul
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Korea Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
Take a full-day tour to Korea’s Demilitarized Zone (better known as the DMZ). This 150-mile long demarcated military area separates North and South Korea. Learn about Korea’s complicated internal struggle as you visit notable sites including the Third Tunnel—one of four tunnels underneath the border.
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Day 13: Depart for home
Reviews
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
8 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; 1 walking tour
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Entrances
Osaka Castle; Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine; Golden Pavilion; Kiyomizudera Temple; tea ceremony; Zen meditation; Takayama morning market challenge; Shirakawa-go open-air museum; Kanazawa castle; Kenroku-en Garden; gold-leaf chopstick activity; Meiji Shinto Shrine; arcade; Asakusa Kannon Temple; (with extension: N Seoul Tower; Gyeongbokgung Palace; Korean cooking class; Bukchon Hanok Village; Huyndai Motorstudio)
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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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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.
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 an Early Enrollment Discount; restrictions apply. To determine if you qualify, please contact your Tour Consultant. Tours departing between 10/1/2023 and 9/30/2024 may be eligible for a $100 discount. Tours departing 10/1/2024 and beyond may be eligible for a $200 discount; restrictions apply.
