10 or 13 days
Osaka, Kyoto, Takayama, Kanazawa, Tokyo, extension to South Korea

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.

  • Day 1: Fly overnight to Japan

  • Day 2: Osaka

    Meet your Tour Director at the airport
  • Day 3: Osaka • Kyoto

    Visit the Cupnoodles Museum

    Travel to Kyoto

    Take a tour of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

    Walk along Kamogawa River banks

  • Day 4: Kyoto

    Take a guided tour of Kyoto

    Visit the Golden Pavilion, a Zen Buddhist temple 

    Visit Kiyomizu Temple

    Sample green tea ice cream

    Enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony

  • Day 5: Kyoto • Takayama

    Travel to Takayama

    Enjoy a Zen meditation experience

  • Day 6: Takayama • Kanazawa

    Visit the Takayama morning market

    Travel via Shirakawa-go to Kanazawa

    Stop to learn about Shirakawa-go's traditional architecture at an open air museum

  • 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 

    Take and customize photos in a purikura - a sticker photo booth

    Take a walking tour of Shibuya

  • Day 9: Tokyo

    Visit the Miraikan Science Museum

    Take a tour of Akihabara Electric Town

    Explore on your own or
    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Karaoke

    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.

    Take a tour of 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
    • visit the National Folk Museum

    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 or
    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Korea Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

    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.

  • Day 13: Depart for home

Interested in learning more about this tour?
  • Day 1: Fly overnight to Japan

  • Day 2: Osaka

    Meet your Tour Director at the airport
  • Day 3: Osaka • Kyoto

    Visit the Cupnoodles Museum

    Travel to Kyoto

    Take a tour of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

    Walk along Kamogawa River banks

  • Day 4: Kyoto

    Take a guided tour of Kyoto

    Visit the Golden Pavilion, a Zen Buddhist temple 

    Visit Kiyomizu Temple

    Sample green tea ice cream

    Enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony

  • Day 5: Kyoto • Takayama

    Travel to Takayama

    Enjoy a Zen meditation experience

  • Day 6: Takayama • Kanazawa

    Visit the Takayama morning market

    Travel via Shirakawa-go to Kanazawa

    Stop to learn about Shirakawa-go's traditional architecture at an open air museum

  • 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 

    Take and customize photos in a purikura - a sticker photo booth

    Take a walking tour of Shibuya

  • Day 9: Tokyo

    Visit the Miraikan Science Museum

    Take a tour of Akihabara Electric Town

    Explore on your own or
    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Karaoke

    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.

    Take a tour of 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
    • visit the National Folk Museum

    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 or
    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Korea Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

    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.

  • Day 13: Depart for home

Interested in learning more about this tour?

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Your experience includes

  • Airfare & transportation

    Round-trip flights on major carriers; comfortable motorcoach; bullet train

  • Hotels

    8 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (11 with extension)

  • Regional-style meals

    Breakfast and dinner daily

  • Guided sightseeing

    2 sightseeing tours led by expert, licensed local guides; 1 walking tour

  • Entrances

    CupNoodles Museum; 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; goldleaf chopstick activity; Meiji Shinto Shrine; purikura sticker photo booth; Miraikan - The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation; Asakusa Kannon Temple (with extension: N Seoul Tower; Gyeongbokgung Palace; Korean cooking class; Bukchon Hanok Village; Huyndai Motorstudio)

  • 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.

  • Expert Local Guides

    Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.

  • Personalized Learning Support

    Our personalized learning experience engages students before, during and after tour, with the option to create a final, reflective project for academic credit.

  • Continuous Support

    Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.

  • 24-hour Emergency Service

    Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.

  • 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

Includes airfare, hotels, meals, full-time Tour Director, and more.
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      $4,719*
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      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.

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