For students currently in grades 9–12
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Travel programs with the Smithsonian Institution for grades 8–12

Challenge yourself academically at the world's most prestigious universities

Non-profit organization offering student travel scholarships

High school youth summit focused on public health, climate change, and equity

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Campus-based climate change program for grades 9–12

Japan

Ancient Culture in a Modern World

June 19 — July 10
June 26 — July 17
July 3 — July 24
July 10 — July 31
$8,990 + airfare

Japan

Ancient Culture in a Modern World

June 19 — July 10
June 26 — July 17
July 3 — July 24
July 10 — July 31
$8,990 + airfare

Experience the blend of culture, modernity, and tradition that make up the fabric of life in contemporary Japan. Explore neon-soaked streets in Tokyo and Osaka and historical sites in Kyoto. Travel the countryside and see traditional living in Gassho houses. Get hands-on with traditional food and crafts. Experience the harmony of tea at a chadō ceremony, ride the world’s fastest trains, see the fashion in Harajuku, and relax in hot springs on a journey through Japan’s past and present.

• Explore vibrant food and culture in major cities like Tokyo
• Experience Shinto and Buddhism at shrines and temples
• Learn to draw with a professional illustrator in an anime drawing class
• Relax in picturesque hot-springs, wear yukata, and sleep on tatami
“The trip to Japan exceeded our expectations tenfold. Ella loved every minute of this trip. She was overwhelmed with the beauty and uniqueness of the country and its people. It is the single best thing she has ever done thus far.”
—Julie & Brian C., Saratoga Springs, NY

Itinerary

This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.

Departure — Travel Day

Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your program leaders in San Francisco, California, and fly together to Osaka, Japan. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.

Osaka, Nara, & Himeji — 4 days

Get to know your group in Japan’s second-largest city, and the hub of the Kansai region. Osaka is known as the “nation’s kitchen” for its incredible breadth of cuisine. Try local street foods like taiyaki and takoyaki as you stroll through the dazzling lights and signage of Dotonbori street along the Kizu River. From this centrally located hub in Kansai, Honshu’s western region, take short train rides to some of the most iconic locations in Japan, including Himeji Castle and Nara’s Giant Buddha. Along the way, learn about some of the most famous samurai battles in Japanese history and the cultural context that informs modern Japan.

Tajima, Kinosaki, & Amanohashidate — 5 days

Venture away from the busy Pacific coast and into the rice paddies to explore the rural side of Japan. Stay in a traditional Ryokan inn, eat incredible local wagyu delicacies, and take opportunities to enjoy rejuvenating hot springs, wear traditional yukata, meet local people, and immerse yourself in guided activities that will teach you about local ceramics, soba, and other specialties. Discover one of Japan's "Nihon Sankei," or "Three Most Beautiful Views," at Amanohashidate. The beaches surrounding Miyazu Bay offer an idyllic setting for cycling amid ancient pines or basking in the sun by the waves.

Kyoto — 4 days

Head to the former imperial capital of Kyoto, home to more than 2,000 shrines and temples. Spared bombardments in World War II due to its unique cultural significance, this stop showcases some of Japan’s most important cultural places. As a former imperial capital city, this major urban hub is an incredible mix of modernity and history. Try some traditional shimesaba oshizushi, stroll the shops along the Kamo river, and experience a traditional chadō tea ceremony. Hike the iconic row of orange torii gates leading to Fushimi Inari Taisha for a spectacular view of the city. Visit Kyomizu Temple, see the garden at Ryoanji, and explore the International Manga Museum.

Kanazawa — 2 days

Make a brief stop in Kanazawa, sometimes called “little Kyoto” for its abundance of intact cultural sites. Visit the incredible, sprawling garden complex of Kenroku-En, established by the Maeda clan hundreds of years ago in the Edo era. Decorate your own chopsticks with gold leaf in the local products center, one of Japan’s last producers of traditional gold-leaf decorations. Explore the scenery and beauty of nearby Hakusan National Park and the towering peak of Mt Haku, one of Japan’s three holy mountains before heading to the final stop on your program: Tokyo.

Tokyo — 4 days

Return to urban Japanese life as you hop the shinkansen bullet train to the iconic mega-city of Tokyo, one of the largest cities in the world. Celebrate the end of your journey at iconic spots in Japan: Meiji-Jingu and Harajuku, Toyoosu fish market, Sensō-ji, and more within easy striking distance from centrally located accommodations. Travel by ferry to the Odaiba district to explore the cutting edge of technology and robots at the Miraikan Museum, and experience an immersive digital art and light world at teamLab Borderless. For a dose of Japanese pop culture, hit Takeshita street in the Harajuku district and take in the burst of candy-colored stores, playful Tokyo fashion, and theme cafes. Spend your last night celebrating your experience with your group before bidding sayōnara to Japan.

Return — Travel Day

Fly from Tokyo, Japan, to San Francisco with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.

Itinerary

This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.

Departure — Travel Day

Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your program leaders in San Francisco, California, and fly together to Osaka, Japan. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.

Osaka, Nara, & Himeji — 4 days

Get to know your group in Japan’s second-largest city, and the hub of the Kansai region. Osaka is known as the “nation’s kitchen” for its incredible breadth of cuisine. Try local street foods like taiyaki and takoyaki as you stroll through the dazzling lights and signage of Dotonbori street along the Kizu River. From this centrally located hub in Kansai, Honshu’s western region, take short train rides to some of the most iconic locations in Japan, including Himeji Castle and Nara’s Giant Buddha. Along the way, learn about some of the most famous samurai battles in Japanese history and the cultural context that informs modern Japan.