School Trip in Japan | History, Tradition & Nature

Overview

Highlights

Staying in traditional ryokans
Hiking through forest trails
Wandering the bustling streets of Tokyo
Exploring Kyoto
Experiential learning on Japan's religious history, traditions & nature
Option to include service learning projects that address UN Sustainable Development Goals
Tailor this school trip in Japan to suit your school's needs & budget

Fly over Japan and you will see that the entire archipelago is mountainous except for a narrow strip of coastal shelf, a few broad inland basins and some river valleys. Those flatter lands are where the bulk of the population lives. The mountains are surprisingly unpopulated. From a distance it may seem that the old Samurai-and-Geisha traditions have given way to the mechanical marvels of consumer culture, but come closer and you will find a society shaped by deeply ingrained values, with many living traditions.

On this exceptional school trip in Japan students will first explore the beautiful remote town of Kawazu. Your group will then head to the Kii Peninsula, one of the most remote and mystical areas of Japan. Long a place of pilgrimage, it is the site of the three Grand Shrines of Kumano (Kumano Sanzan), and where, for over 1000 years people from all levels of society have made the arduous and sacred pilgrimage to Kumano, the spiritual heartland of Japan. These pilgrims used a network of routes, now called the Kumano Kodo, and it is through this lush and rugged area that we will walk, ascending and descending on unpaved and paved mountain and village trails. Walking the spiritual Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route students will also have wonderful opportunities to stay in traditional family-run ryokans, soak and relax in the healing waters of a traditional onsen, dine on delicious local cuisine and interact with the friendly locals along the way. This is a unique adventure and a must for anyone looking for a trip that encompasses spectacular hiking along ancient pilgrimage trails with the cuisine, history, art and culture of a deeply traditional society.

Countries:

Starting Point:

Tokyo

Activities:

Grading:Introductory

Itinerary

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Day 1
Arrive Tokyo

On arrival in Tokyo you will be transferred to your hotel. There will be a group briefing this evening with your guide at the hotel followed by a visit to a delicious local restaurant for your first true Japanese meal. After dinner, we will take a walking tour of some of Tokyo’s popular sights including Shibuya, Harajuku & Omotesando. Overnight in a traditional Japanese style Inn.

Meals: D

Day 2
Explore Tokyo

Today we start our sightseeing visiting Asakusa, the traditional neighbourhood of Tokyo with its famous Kaminari-mon Gate and large red lantern. Enjoy a sightseeing boat trip along the Sumida River into Tokyo Bay. Afterwards we visit the lovely Hamarikyu Gardens and finish the day off in Shinjuku. Overnight in a traditional Japanese style Inn.

Meals: B

Day 3
To Izu

This morning is at leisure in Tokyo until noon when we take the Shinkansen (a high speed railway line) to Atami. From here we change trains to Shimoda at the bottom of the peninsula. This is about a 3 hour journey. Overnight at Villa Shirahama which will be your home base for the next 4 nights.

Meals: B

Day 4
In and Around Izu

Today you will explore the nearby town of Kawazu. Kawazu is a town located on the east coast of Izu Peninsula in Kamo District.

Meals: B

Day 5
Travel to Koyasan

We make our way up into the mists of Koya San, an ancient Buddhist retreat high in the mountains of the Kii Peninsula. Established in 816 by the founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, Koya San remains an important pilgrimage point for believers from all over Japan to come and worship and we have the chance to stay in one of the many working monasteries which open their doors to travelers. We take this unique opportunity to experience the life of a monk, eating pure vegetarian food designed to nurture the soul as well as fill the stomach and take part in the evening meditation. Overnight in a Japanese temple.

Meals: B,D

Day 6
Koyasan to Omata

Over the next few days we will be walking the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails. The Kodo (“old ways”) are a key part of the region’s UNESCO designation, and have been in use for over 1000 years. The pilgrimage routes developed as a way for people to move between the sacred areas on the Kii Peninsula. At the center of this religious area are the three Kumano shrines: Hongu Taisha, Hayatama Taisha and Nachi Taisha, collectively known as Kumano Sanzan. Along the journey we will see some temple ruins, remains of old settlements, some active settlements, and terraced rice fields. This is a glimpse into the countryside of old Japan. Today we will walk from Mt Koya to Omata. Walking approx 17 km/6-7 hours. Overnight Nosegawa Spa. ( Japanese style Minshuku)

Meals: B,L,D

Day 7
Omata to Miuraguchi

Today we will walk from Omata to Miuraguchi, 19 km, approx 6-8 hours. Overnight in Japanese style Minshuku.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 8
Miuraguchi to Totsugawa Onsen

Walk Miuraguchi to Totsugawa Onsen, 19km, approx 6-8 hours. Our accommodation this evening is once again in a Japanese style Minsh

Meals: B,L,D

Day 9
To Kyoto

Today we travel to Kyoto in the morning and spend the afternoon and evening on a walking tour of the many sites , temples and shrines. This ancient Japanese capital is the epicentre of Japanese culture. Overnight in a traditional style Inn.

Meals: D

Day 10
In Kyoto

This morning is spent at leisure before being transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Meals: Nil

Learning outcomes for students

World Expeditions Schools journeys are designed to encourage positive personal development and the learning of life skills, while leaving the communities and environments we travel to, in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to:
• build strong friendships and bonds with their peers, their teachers, and the local people they meet.
• increase the confidence to engage with new people, and collaboratively make informed decisions.
• discover the benefits of working cooperatively together as a cohesive team, to achieve a common objective.
• Increase the ability to face, and cope with, mental and physical challenges and therefore increase resilience.
• give students a chance to appreciate and care for the natural world. The environments we travel through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment.
• Learn personal skills i.e., time management, personal hygiene, responsibility for personal gear, patience, tolerance, and public speaking.
We help encourage students to learn what it means to be a true global citizen.

Inclusions

What's included

THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE. IT CAN BE TAILORED FOR YOUR GROUP
meals as stated in the itinerary
Expert bilingual group leader
Comfortable accommodation on twin share basis in hotels and inns
Sightseeing and entry fees as per itinerary

What's not included

International airfare, visa and travel insurance (compulsory)
Meals and beverages not indicated in the program
Items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls, alcohol etc

Grading

Introductory

Why travel with us

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Programs

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