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Educational Trips to Japan for Schools and Groups

Fun Opportunity Abroad (FOA) creates customized educational trips to Japan for schools and student groups. Our programs combine Japanese homestays, language learning, cultural activities, and guided sightseeing, giving students opportunities to practice Japanese and experience everyday life in Japan. We work with group organizers to tailor itineraries around their students’ interests and learning goals.

Who Our Japan Programs Are For

Our Japan programs welcome high school and college students, school groups, and educational organizations interested in cultural exchange.

A school trip to Japan can support Japanese language study, global education, cultural studies, and student enrichment. You can discuss your group’s interests with FOA and explore a combination of lessons, visits, and activities.

When you contact us, please share:

  • Your students’ ages and school level.

  • Your estimated number of students and accompanying adults.

  • Your preferred travel dates and trip length.

  • Your learning objectives and students’ Japanese language experience.

  • Any accommodation, dietary, accessibility, or other support requirements.

We’ll use these details to assess suitable options and prepare a proposal.

Person wearing a kimono posing with students in a classroom
Three visitors wearing kimono on a traditional Japanese street
Japanese family of four wearing kimono outdoors
Group posing outdoors in Japanese school uniforms

What Students Can Learn in Japan

An educational trip gives students opportunities to apply their learning in unfamiliar settings, ask questions, and reflect on different ways of life.

Your itinerary can be designed around these learning goals:

Put Japanese Into Practice

Connect language lessons with everyday situations, such as introducing yourself, asking questions, ordering food, and speaking with a host family.

Explore how customs, etiquette, food, and family routines shape daily life. Encourage students to observe thoughtfully and discuss differences without relying on stereotypes.

Connect History With Contemporary Japan

Use visits around Tokyo to explore the relationship between traditional culture and modern city life.

Build Communication and Independence

Give students opportunities to navigate new situations, communicate respectfully, work together, and take responsibility within the group’s agreed supervision arrangements.

Reflect on the Experience

Teachers can build short journals, discussion prompts, or group presentations into the trip. Students might compare expectations with observations, document new vocabulary, or explain how an experience changed their understanding.

Tell us which outcomes matter most to your school so we can discuss suitable activities.

Educational Programs in Japan

Choose a program built around your students’ interests—from Japanese language and family life to outdoor learning, anime, and contemporary culture. FOA can discuss adjustments to the schedule, activities, and trip length to support your group’s educational goals.

Tokyo Homestay and Cultural Learning

Connect with everyday life in Japan through a combination of Japanese language lessons, cultural activities, Tokyo sightseeing, and time with a Japanese host family.

Students can put classroom learning into practice through conversation, shared meals, and new experiences. Cultural activities give teachers opportunities to connect language study with Japanese traditions and contemporary life.
 

Learning focus: Japanese communication, cultural understanding, and reflection on everyday life.

Participants wearing kimono at a Japanese tea ceremony
Two people wearing kimono on a Japanese shopping street
Traveler looking across a lake toward Mount Fuji
Two hikers on a mountain trail above the clouds
Riders on a roller coaster at Fuji-Q Highland

Mt. Fuji Outdoor Adventure Program

Explore Japan through outdoor activities and cultural exchange in the Mt. Fuji and Izu areas. This program offers a different setting for students to experience the country, combining active exploration with opportunities to learn about local life.

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An outdoor itinerary can support discussions about teamwork, preparation, environmental responsibility, and the relationship between landscapes and communities. Teachers can build these themes into journals, group discussions, or projects before and after the trip.

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Activities are seasonal. Ask FOA to confirm available dates, routes, activity requirements, and accommodation for your group. Any proposed mountain ascent should be confirmed separately as part of the agreed itinerary.

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Learning focus: Teamwork, environmental awareness, preparation, and cultural exchange.

Tokyo Anime and Pop Culture Program

Use students’ interest in anime, manga, and contemporary Japanese culture as a starting point for exploring Tokyo. Discover how entertainment, creative expression, and city life connect through visits to neighborhoods and attractions associated with Japanese popular culture.

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Teachers can connect the experience to media studies, art, storytelling, Japanese language, and cultural identity. Guided observation and discussion can help students look beyond familiar characters and consider the wider cultural context.

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Your proposal will identify the selected destinations, activities, and accommodation arrangements.

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Learning focus: Media literacy, creative expression, contemporary culture, and language in context. ​

Group of cosplayers wearing anime and game character costumes
Anime illustration held in front of its matching real-life street location
Four visitors posing beside a wooden bridge

Customize Your Group’s Japan Experience

Interested in more than one theme? Tell us which experiences matter most to your students. We can discuss whether language learning, cultural activities, outdoor experiences, or anime-related visits can fit together within your dates and budget.

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Accommodation varies by program. Your proposal will specify whether the itinerary includes homestays, guesthouses, hotels, or a combination.

Places students can explore in Japan

Chose from some of the numerous exciting destinations around Tokyo and beyond.

Visitors beneath the red gate at Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa

Asakusa

Discover Tokyo’s historic heart, with traditional streets, local street food, kimono rentals, and a rich cultural atmosphere.

Colorful signs and illuminated buildings in Akihabara, Tokyo

Akihabara

Dive into Tokyo’s pop culture hub, known for anime, manga, gaming, electronics, and themed cafés in a lively, tech-driven setting.

Cinderella Castle at Tokyo Disneyland

Tokyo Disneyland

Experience the beloved Tokyo Disneyland park, where classic Disney magic comes to life through enchanting lands, iconic attractions, and exclusive experiences found only in Japan.

Illustrated overview of Tokyo Disney Resort attractions

Tokyo DisneySea

Experience the one-of-a-kind, ocean-themed Tokyo DisneySea park featuring imaginative scenery, exclusive attractions, and unforgettable rides found only in Japan.

Tokyo Skytree rising above pink cherry blossoms

Tokyo SkyTree

Enjoy sweeping views from Tokyo Skytree, with observation decks offering skyline panoramas and glimpses of Mount Fuji on clear days.

Life-size Unicorn Gundam statue outside DiverCity Tokyo Plaza in Odaiba

Odaiba Gundam Statue

Marvel at the life-sized Unicorn Gundam statue in Odaiba, an iconic landmark and tribute to Japan’s legendary Gundam franchise.

Crowds crossing Shibuya Crossing beneath illuminated signs at night

Shibuya Crossing

Visit the iconic Shibuya Crossing, one of the world's busiest intersections and a defining symbol of modern Tokyo.

Visitors surrounded by colorful digital projections at a teamLab exhibition

teamLab

Step into interactive digital artworks by teamLab, where light, color, and motion create ever-changing gallery experiences.

Cultural Immersion Activities

Japanese language instructor teaching beside a whiteboard

Japanese Lessons

Learn the basics of Japanese with experienced instructors in engaging, beginner-friendly lessons.

Two people wearing kimono on a Japanese shopping street

Kimono Rentals

Experience traditional Japanese fashion by renting a beautiful kimono as you explore Asakusa.

Two participants wearing kimono and holding bowls at a tea ceremony

Tea Ceremony

Experience the grace of the Japanese tea ceremony, a peaceful tradition of culture and hospitality.

Kendo practitioner holding a bamboo sword in a bamboo grove

Kendo Class

Try your hand at Kendo, learning the fundamentals of Japanese swordsmanship and discipline.

Participants preparing sushi during a hands-on cooking class

Sushi Making Class

Roll your own sushi with hands-on guidance from expert chefs in a fun, interactive class.

Students studying at desks in a Japanese classroom

Japanese School Tours

Join local students in a Japanese classroom, experience school life, and make new friends.

Festival visitors wearing yukata beneath rows of red lanterns

Japanese Summer Festivals

Dive into the lively atmosphere of a traditional Japanese summer festival, complete with fireworks, games, and delicious street food.

Visitors interacting with a humanoid robot during a company visit

Japanese Company Tours

Visit a local company and gain insight into Japanese business culture, operations, and unique workplace practices.

Real Life Anime Locations

Jujutsu Kaisen characters at Shibuya Crossing in an anime scene
Character from Your Name standing at Shibuya Crossing
Video game character at Shibuya Crossing at night
Crowds crossing Shibuya Crossing beneath illuminated signs at night

Shibuya Crossing

Featured in Jujutsu Kaisen, Your Name, Weathering With You, Kingdom Hearts 4, Persona 5, The World Ends With You, & many more.

Characters from Your Name passing on shrine steps
Shrine steps with red handrails overlooking a Tokyo neighborhood

Saga Shrine

Featured in Your Name.

Two anime characters facing each other in a city setting
Love Live! characters outside an electronics store in Akihabara
Colorful electronics store building in Akihabara

Akihabara

Featured in Love Live: School Idol Project and Steins;Gate.

Demon Slayer characters walking through an illuminated street in Asakusa
Demon Slayer characters overlaid on a photograph of an Asakusa shopping street

Asakusa

Featured in Demon Slayer.

Slam Dunk character beside a seaside railway crossing
Green-and-yellow Enoden train passing a railway crossing in Kamakura

Kamakura

Featured in Slam Dunk.

Anohana characters gathered beside a bridge
Pedestrian walkway leading toward a cable-stayed bridge in Chichibu

Chichibu

Many locations in Chichibu are featured in Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day.

Love Live! Sunshine!! character in front of a shopping arcade
Arched entrance to a covered shopping arcade in Numazu

Numazu

Many locations in Numazu are featured throughout Love Live Sunshine.

Laid-Back Camp characters with Mount Fuji in the background
Evangelion robot statue displayed inside a glass pavilion

Hakone

Hakone Park is the location of the fictional city Tokyo-3 in the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise.

Japanese Food 

Diner cooking slices of beef on a tabletop barbecue grill
Plate of marbled beef slices arranged for Japanese barbecue

Wagyu Beef Japanese BBQ (all you can eat)

Okonomiyaki topped with sauce, mayonnaise, seaweed, and green onions
Thick layered okonomiyaki served on a green plate

Okonomiyaki

Sushi plates moving past diners on a restaurant conveyor belt
Tuna nigiri and other sushi plates at a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant

Conveyor Belt Sushi

Chopsticks lifting noodles from a bowl of ramen
Ramen topped with sliced pork, egg, corn, and vegetables

Ramen

Shrimp and vegetable tempura served with dipping sauce
Assorted shrimp and vegetable tempura arranged in a basket

Tempura

Cultural Immersion Tokyo Educational Trip
Sample Schedule: 10 Days

This suggested itinerary shows how language learning, cultural activities, and reflection could fit into a Tokyo-focused school trip. It is an illustration, rather than a confirmed departure or package.

Day 1
Sun

Passenger airplane viewed head-on on an airport taxiway

Arrive at airport.
Travel to meeting location.
Meet host family.
Dinner with host family.
Stay with host family.

Day 2
Mon

Japanese language teacher pointing to writing on a classroom board
Colorful signs and illuminated buildings in Akihabara, Tokyo

Breakfast with host family.
AM: Japanese lesson. PM: Akihabara
Dinner with host family.
Stay with host family.

Day 3
Tue

Japanese language teacher pointing to writing on a classroom board
Students studying at desks in a Japanese classroom

Breakfast with host family.
Japanese school tour.
Lunch at school.
Dinner with host family.

Stay with host family.

Day 4
Wed

Japanese language teacher pointing to writing on a classroom board
Participants preparing sushi with an instructor

Breakfast with host family.
AM: Japanese lesson.
PM: Sushi making class.
Dinner with host family.
Stay with host family.

Day 5
Thu

Tokyo Skytree rising above pink cherry blossoms
Group wearing kimono outside a temple in Asakusa

Breakfast with host family.
AM: Tokyo Skytree
PM: Asakusa, kimono rental, tea ceremony.
Dinner with host family.
Stay with host family.

Day 6
Fri

Visitors interacting with a humanoid robot during a company visit
Visitors surrounded by colorful digital projections at a teamLab exhibition

Breakfast with host family.
AM: Company tour.
PM: teamLAB Museum.
Summer festival.
Dinner at summer festival.
Stay with host family.

Day 7
Sat

Family sitting together on a sofa at home

Breakfast with host family.
Spend the day with host family.
Goodbye host family.
Dinner at restaurant.
Stay at hotel.

Day 8
Sun

Japanese language teacher pointing to writing on a classroom board
Two armored kendo practitioners sparring with bamboo swords

Breakfast at hotel.
AM: Japanese lesson.
PM: Kendo class.
Dinner at restaurant.
Stay at hotel.

Day 9
Mon

Illustrated overview of Tokyo Disney Resort attractions
Fantasy Springs promotional illustration for Tokyo DisneySea

Breakfast at hotel.
DisneySea.
Lunch and Dinner at DisneySea.
Stay at hotel.

Day 10
Tue

Passenger airplane taking off at sunset

Breakfast at hotel.
Travel to airport.
Goodbye!

Example Program price:
$1,980 USD (per person)

What's included:

  • All activities, classes, admission tickets

  • Homestay with Japanese family and/or hotels

  • Breakfast and dinners with Japanese host family 

  • Transportation costs

What's not included:

  • Airfare

  • Travel Insurance (purchase separately, required to participate)

  • Lunches & meals while at hotels

  • Discretionary spending money

Minimum of 10 students per program
English and Japanese speaking staff will be present

Mt. Fuji Outdoor Adventure Program 
Example Schedule (9 days, 8 nights)

Day 1
Mon

Passenger airplane viewed head-on on an airport taxiway

Arrive at airport.
Travel to meeting location.
Meet host family.
Dinner with host family.
Stay with host family.

Day 2
Tue

Helmeted participants canyoning beside a waterfall

Breakfast with host family.
Canyoning.
Dinner with host family.
Stay with host family.

Day 3
Wed

Rocky green mountain rising above a river in the Izu Peninsula

Breakfast with host family.
Mountain climbing in Izu Peninsula.
Dinner with host family.
Stay with host family.

Day 4
Thu

Roller coaster riders with Mount Fuji in the background at Fuji-Q Highland

Breakfast with host family.
Fuji-Q Highland.
Lunch and dinner at Fuji-Q Highland. Stay at hotel.

Day 5
Fri

Long line of hikers ascending a volcanic trail on Mount Fuji

Breakfast at hotel.
Climb Mt. Fuji.
Stay with host family.

Day 6
Sat

Family sitting together on a sofa at home

Breakfast with host family.
Free day with host family.
Dinner with host family.
Stay with host family.

Day 7
Sun

Green crater and circular walking trail at Mount Omuro
Beach with pale sand, turquoise water, and green coastal hills

Breakfast with host family.
Mt. Omuro & Archery.
Afternoon at the beach.
Dinner with host family.
Stay with host family.

Day 8
Mon

Participants riding Segways along a forest trail
Elevated ropes course with suspended obstacles

Breakfast with host family.
Segway Offroading.
High ropes course.
Stay with host family.

Day 9
Tue

Passenger airplane taking off at sunset

Breakfast with host family.
Say goodbye to host family.
Go to airport.
Goodbye!

Program price: $1,980 USD (per person)

What's included:

  • All activities, classes, admission tickets

  • Homestay with Japanese family and/or hotels

  • Breakfast and dinners with Japanese host family 

  • Transportation costs

What's not included:

  • Airfare

  • Travel Insurance (purchase separately, required to participate)

  • Lunches & meals while at hotels

  • Discretionary spending money

This program is only offered from July to September

Tokyo Anime Pop Culture Program

This is an example schedule for a trip focussing on anime cultural locations in Tokyo.

We can customize schedules, activities, and length of stay based on your group’s needs and interests.

Day 1
Mon

Passenger airplane viewed head-on on an airport taxiway

Arrive in Tokyo
Train to guest house (1 hour 26 min)

Day 2
Tue

Busy Akihabara street lined with colorful electronics and anime signs
Akihabara Radio Kaikan entrance with its bright yellow sign

Train to Akihabara (31 min)
Akihabara sightseeing
Train to guest house (31 min)

Day 3
Wed

Display of anime and video game character figures
Students studying at desks in a Japanese classroom

Train to Ikebukuro (52 min) Sunshine City & Otome Road
Train to school (30 min)
School Tour
Train to guest house (45 min)

Day 4
Thu

Anime illustration held in front of its matching real-life street location
Daytime view of Shibuya Crossing and surrounding buildings

Train  to Suga Shrine (49 min)
Train  to Shibuya (34 min) 
Shibuya sightseeing
Dinner at Japanese BBQ
Train to guest house (36 min)

Day 5
Fri

Life-size Unicorn Gundam statue outside DiverCity Tokyo Plaza in Odaiba
Crowds walking along a Japanese festival street lined with stalls

Train to Odaiba (40 min)
Odaiba sightseeing
Gundam Statue
Japanese Festival
Train to guest house (40 min)

Day 6
Sat

Group wearing kimono outside a temple in Asakusa
Large group of anime cosplayers posing outdoors

Train to Asakusa (54 min)
Kimono rental
Train to Cosplay Convention (30 min)
Dinner at Okonomiyaki Restaurant
Train to guest house (1 hour)

Day 7
Sun

Passenger airplane taking off at sunset

Train to NRT (1 hour 26 min)
Goodbye!

Program price: $1,450 USD (per person)

What's included:

What's not included:

  • All activities, admission tickets, & train transportation

  • Lodgings (6 nights)

  • Breakfasts, 2 Dinners at restaurants

  • Airfare

  • Travel Insurance (please purchase separetely)

  • Lunches & dinners (8 total)

  • Discretionary spending money

Minimum of 10 students per program
English and Japanese speaking staff will be present

Real Life Anime Locations Program

This is an example schedule for a trip focussing on real life anime locations in and around Tokyo.

We can customize schedules, activities, and length of stay based on your group’s needs and interests.

Day 1
Mon

Passenger airplane viewed head-on on an airport taxiway

Arrive in Tokyo
Train to guest house (1 hour 26 min)

Day 2
Tue

Daytime view of Shibuya Crossing and surrounding buildings
Busy Akihabara street lined with colorful electronics and anime signs

Train to Shibuya (31 min)
Train to Saga Shrine (40 min)
Train to Akihabara (30 min)
Train to guest house (31 min)

Day 3
Wed

Pedestrian walkway leading toward a cable-stayed bridge in Chichibu
Anime-themed manhole cover set into a paved street

Train to Chichibu (2 hours 8 min)
Visit Anohana locations.
Train to Tokyo(2 hours 8 min)
Dinner at Okonomiyaki
Train to guest House (20 min)

Day 4
Thu

Arched entrance to a covered shopping arcade in Numazu
Love Live! Sunshine!! character artwork on a Happy Party Train carriage

Bullet Train to Numazu (1 hour 26 min)
Visit Love Live Sunshine locations in Numazu.
Return to guest house (1 hour 26 min)

Day 5
Fri

Green-and-yellow Enoden train passing a railway crossing in Kamakura
Evangelion robot statue displayed inside a glass pavilion

Train to Kamakura (57 min)
Train to Hakone (1 hour 11 minutes)
Train to guest house (1 hour 44 min)

Day 6
Sat

Two people wearing kimono on a Japanese shopping street
Large group of anime cosplayers posing outdoors

Train to Asakusa (54 min)
Kimono rental
Train to Cosplay Convention (30 min)
Train to guest house (1 hour)

Day 7
Sun

Passenger airplane taking off at sunset

Train to NRT (1 hour 26 min)
Goodbye!

Program price: $1,580 USD (per person)

What's included:

What's not included:

  • All activities, admission tickets, & train transportation

  • Lodgings (6 nights)

  • Breakfasts, 2 Dinners at restaurants

  • Airfare

  • Travel Insurance (please purchase separetely)

  • Lunches & dinners (8 total)

  • Discretionary spending money

Minimum of 10 students per program
English and Japanese speaking staff will be present

Frequently Asked Questions
About Educational Trips to Japan

Which Japan program is right for our school?

Start with your learning goals and students’ interests. A Tokyo homestay program emphasizes language practice and everyday cultural exchange. The Mt. Fuji program offers an outdoor focus, while the anime programs connect popular culture with places and experiences in Japan. Tell us your priorities so we can discuss suitable options.

What ages can participate?

FOA’s Japan offerings include programs for high school and college students. Please send us your students’ ages and school level so we can assess suitable options. Eligibility may vary by activity and program.

What is the minimum group size?

Our published sample group programs specify a minimum of 10 students. Ask us to confirm the requirement for your chosen itinerary, including how accompanying adults are counted. If you have a group of less than 10, please contact us.

Can teachers accompany the group?

Yes. Please include the number of accompanying teachers or group leaders in your inquiry. Your proposal will set out their accommodation, costs, and agreed responsibilities.

How far ahead should our school book?

Contact us while you are considering dates, before committing to flights. The time needed will depend on group size, accommodation, activities, and any school-visit requests.

Can the trip match our learning objectives?

Yes. FOA offers customized programs. Share your subjects, learning goals, and preferred activities so we can discuss an itinerary that supports them.

Can we combine program themes?

Of course! Tell us which elements interest your group. We can discuss whether a combination of language learning, cultural activities, anime-related visits, or outdoor experiences is practical within your dates and budget. Your agreed itinerary will specify the confirmed activities.

Do students need to speak Japanese?

Japanese is not required. Beginner-friendly Japanese lessons are among the activities described in our Tokyo program. Tell us your students’ experience so we can discuss appropriate lessons and communication support for the itinerary you choose.

Does every program include a homestay?

Accommodation varies by program. Some itineraries include homestays, while others use guesthouses, hotels, or a combination. Your proposal will identify the accommodation included on each part of your trip.

How are host families selected?

FOA’s published homestay information describes our selection process that includes interviews with host families by FOA staff. Contact us for details about the process and the arrangements applicable to your group.

When is the Mt. Fuji Outdoor Adventure Program available?

Outdoor activities are seasonal, and availability depends on the dates and activities requested. Ask us to confirm the operating period and proposed schedule for your group. Any mountain ascent must be specifically confirmed in your itinerary.

Can you accommodate dietary and accessibility needs?

Please describe these needs at the inquiry stage. We will assess the proposed accommodation, transport, and activities and explain what can be arranged before you book.

What is included in the price?

Inclusions vary by itinerary. Your quotation will identify accommodation, meals, activities, transport, staff support, and exclusions so your school can review the full proposed cost.

Can you arrange a Japanese school visit?

Yes. School visits can be requested during planning. Availability depends on a participating school’s calendar, approval, and capacity.

Interested in requesting a proposal?

Let us know what kind of program you're interested in!

Preferred accommodation

A Guide to Planning an Educational Trip to Japan

Planning a school trip to Japan? Our guide helps teachers and group organizers connect learning goals with the right destinations, activities, and accommodation.
 

Explore Japanese homestays, school exchanges, cultural workshops, anime-focused experiences, and outdoor learning around Mt. Fuji. You’ll also find a sample itinerary and practical guidance on budgeting and preparing your students.

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