Few destinations tick every educational box quite like Japan. From history and geography to culture and science, this extraordinary country offers students an enlightening and unforgettable experience. I recently had the privilege of accompanying a school group to Japan, which was truly a trip that delivered on every level.
Day One: Tokyo Skytree, Ikebukuro Museum
We started our journey at the Ikebukuro Earthquake Museum, where students could experience what an earthquake feels like and learn practical survival skills - everything from using a fire extinguisher to escaping a smoke-filled building. This museum provided hands-on learning, and it gave everyone a newfound respect for Japan’s preparedness and resilience.
Next stop: the Tokyo Skytree, one of the tallest structures in the world. The panoramic view from the observation deck is staggering – Tokyo really does look like an ocean of buildings stretching in every direction, with no end in sight. It’s one of the best ways to comprehend the sheer scale of a megacity, and on a clear day, you might even catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji in the distance.
Day Two: Tokyo - Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Shibuya, Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park, Odaiba
We began at the Meiji Shrine, learning about Shintoism, Japan’s indigenous religion, and Emperor Meiji’s role in shaping the country’s modern history. Visiting on a Saturday in October was particularly special, as we were lucky enough to see a traditional wedding procession and children dressed in beautiful kimonos celebrating Shichi-Go-San (a good luck festival for ages three, five and seven).
Just beyond the shrine lies Harajuku, which is the heart of Japanese youth culture. The streets burst with colour, individuality, and creativity. After an hour or two of ambling through the vibrant and crowded streets, we wandered to Shibuya Crossing, the world’s busiest pedestrian intersection and one of the most iconic symbols of Tokyo’s energy and organised chaos.
Later that afternoon, we explored the Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park, another fantastic interactive learning centre where students could simulate surviving an earthquake and learn about emergency response systems. We finished the day with a monorail ride across Tokyo Bay to Odaiba, passing Japan’s largest seaport on the way. Odaiba surprised us all – who knew Tokyo had a white sandy beach? From here we enjoyed views of the Rainbow Bridge (which looks like a mini–Golden Gate), a Statue of Liberty, and, because this is Japan we are talking about, a 65-foot Gundam robot.
Day Three: Tokyo Disneyland
A day at Tokyo Disneyland was pure fun. Perhaps not the most academic stop, but it’s a brilliant way to keep spirits high and reward students after a few packed learning days. As I am sure you can imagine, Japan’s take on Disneyland is truly world-class.
Day Four: Hakone Ropeway, Boat Trip on Lake Ashi
We left the city behind and headed to Hakone, a beautiful town west of Tokyo known for its volcanic activity, hot springs, and stunning views of Mount Fuji. Students learnt about geothermal energy while sampling Hakone’s famous black eggs, boiled in sulphuric fumaroles and said to add seven years to your life.
A cable car ride on the Hakone Ropeway promised stunning mountain views; although, in true travel fashion, the clouds had other ideas that day… A peaceful boat trip across Lake Ashi, surrounded by red torii gates and misty hills, more than made up for it. We ended the evening in Odawara with traditional tempura, a lively round of karaoke (and inevitable headaches), and plenty of laughter.
Day Five: Kyoto - Bullet Trains, Nishiki Market, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, Yasaka Shrine, Shirakawa Street
The next morning, we boarded the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto. Watching these trains fly past at 300km/h before boarding one yourself is absolutely jaw-dropping and is an experience in itself – a true marvel of Japanese engineering and efficiency.
In Kyoto, we explored Nishiki Market, sampling local delicacies like takoyaki (diced octopus cooked in wheat batter), strawberries, and mochi. Stomach’s full, we strolled over to Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto’s most famous Buddhist temple. Here, our wonderful leaders explained the significance of the vermillion colour so common on Japanese shrines, which is believed to ward off evil spirits and symbolise sunlight.
We then admired Kyoto’s five-tiered pagoda, learning how 15th-century architects designed these structures to withstand earthquakes, proof of Japan’s ingenuity long before modern engineering. We then learnt about maiko and geiko entertainers before heading into the narrow streets to see if we could spot any.
Dinner that evening was a bowl of ramen so good it ruined all others for me. We rounded off the night with a visit to the lantern-lit Yasaka Shrine and a walk through Gion’s Shirakawa Street, often described as one of the most beautiful streets in the world.
Day Six: Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nara Deer Park, Tōdai-ji Temple
Early the next morning, we hiked through the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine, with its thousands of vermillion torii gates weaving up the mountain. It’s one of Japan’s most iconic sights, and one that does not fail to impress.
From there, we travelled to Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital. Here, students were delighted by the friendly (and very cheeky) deer of Nara Park, who bow politely in exchange for crackers. We had the chance to dress in kimonos, Japan’s national dress, which is a surprisingly intricate process that deepened our appreciation of the culture. In full attire, we visited Tōdai-ji, one of the world’s largest wooden structures, home to a colossal Buddha statue.
Day Seven: Arashiyama Monkey Park, Gardens of Tenryu-ji, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Our final day in Kyoto began with a walk up to Arashiyama Monkey Park, where we were rewarded with panoramic views of the city below. We then explored the serene gardens of Tenryu-ji Temple and enjoyed a bubbling nabemono hot pot, a fun and interactive meal to share as a group. The nearby Arashiyama Bamboo Forest provided a breath-taking finale – walking among the tall green stalks felt almost otherworldly.
From there, I said my goodbyes to the group and caught another bullet train to Hiroshima, where I joined another of our school groups. That evening, we tucked into Okonomiyaki, savoury Japanese pancakes cooked right in front of us – delicious and great entertainment too.
Day Eight: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Survivors Talk
In Hiroshima, we visited the Peace Memorial Park and Museum. The exhibits are deeply moving, showing the devastating effects of the atomic bomb. The highlight, and the most emotional moment of the trip, was hearing from a Hibakusha, a survivor of the bombing. Despite being only three years old when it happened, his memories and stories were vivid and humbling. Listening to him speak was an unforgettable experience, one which will stay with me for the rest of my life.
From breath-taking temples and deep-rooted spirituality to heated toilet seats and robots in restaurants , Japan is truly one of the most fascinating destinations on Earth and the perfect place to inspire students to see the world with new eyes.