Japan 9 days, 8 nights

Itinerary – Arrive in Tokyo.  Clear customs and meet your English-speaking Tour Guide, who will remain with you throughout your journey.  Transfer to your hotel to relax before attending an orientation to Japan.  Discuss your itinerary, Japanese culture, and safe travel practices.  Enjoy a welcome dinner and get a view of Tokyo you will not see anyplace else, with a trip to the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.

Overnight:  Tokyo

Meals:  Breakfast/Lunch (based on arrival time) & Dinner

Itinerary – Enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of Tokyo. You’ll experience Japanese culture as you board the bus with our local guide on a private tour of Tokyo.

Visit Japan’s major science center at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan), where you can learn about the incredible advancements the country is making in science and technology.

Next, step into the realm of robotics at Kawasaki Robospace, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to showcasing the latest advancements in robotics technology.  Explore the interactive exhibits demonstrating the capabilities of humanoid robots, industrial automation, and cutting-edge AI applications.

This evening, enjoy the views from the Odaiba Waterfront.  Witness the stunning illuminations on the Rainbow Bridge and see a replica of the Statue of Liberty, commemorating the French Year in Japan.

Overnight:  Tokyo

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary – Visit the test site for the Toyko to Nagoya train, the Maglev Exhibition Center.  The train floats above the tracks on electromagnets and should launch in 2027. See a live test of the train hurtling out of the tunnel at over 300 miles per hour, and have experts from the center explain more about the technology related to maglev trains, such as superconductors & magnetic coils.

Later, enjoy the views of the iconic Mt. Fuji at Kawaguchi-ko.

Overnight:  Tokyo

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary – Delve into the world of cutting-edge technology and innovation at the TEPIA Advanced Technology Gallery in Tokyo. This interactive museum showcases the latest advancements in science, engineering, and technology through engaging exhibits and hands-on displays.

Visit the beautiful Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji, who, in the early 20th century, began Japan’s transformation from a feudal to a modern society.

Then, move on to the Harajuku district, Tokyo’s cultural epicenter, to see Pokemon, punks, goths, and fashionistas. Anything goes in Harajuku!

This evening, pay a visit to the famous Shibuya Crossing. When the lights turn red at this busy intersection, pedestrians surge into the junction from all sides like a floodgate opening. It’s arguably one of the most iconic modern sights in Tokyo!

Overnight:  Tokyo

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary –  Visit the Tokyo Skytree Campus, a creation of the Chiba Institute of Technology. The campus has two areas. AREA I focuses on robotics.  It features many technological developments, including the disaster support robots used at the Fukushima Power Plant.   AREA II focuses on space technology.  Enjoy a virtual space tour or a virtual moon landing experience.

Walk through the district of Asakusa, where the atmosphere of ancient Tokyo survives. Discover the charming streets lined with traditional craft shops and street food stalls.  Visit Sensoji Temple, one of Tokyo’s most popular and colorful Buddhist temples.

This afternoon, attain peace of mind through the historical practices of the Japanese tea ceremony and discover Zen with a nationally qualified tea master.

Following dinner, hop aboard the Sumida River Cruise for a breathtaking view of the Tokyo Skyline.

Overnight:  Tokyo

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary – Explore the forward-thinking KEK Lab to learn more about how modern science advances our understanding of the universe.   KEK, the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, is one of the world’s leading accelerator science research laboratories, using high-energy particle beams and synchrotron light sources to probe the fundamental properties of matter.

Visit Tsukuba Space Center, JAXA, which supports the Japanese government’s aerospace development and utilization. Join a tour of the facility and visit the Astronaut Training Facility and the 24-hour Control Centre.

Tonight, visit Akihabara, nicknamed Japan’s ‘Electric Town’ thanks to its postwar industry. Today, a cultural center for anime and manga lovers, it is also home to Japan’s most famous J-pop group, AKB48.

Overnight:  Tokyo

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary – Japan is a country prone to natural disasters.  It is focused on prevention, and ensuring timely response is a priority. The sprawling Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park is home to the functioning headquarters of the disaster strategy response unit serving the Tokyo metropolitan area. At the visitor center, join a tour that includes the simulation of a large-scale earthquake in an urban setting. Students learn how to survive in the first crucial hours with interactive quizzes to test their knowledge.

After lunch, discover the mesmerizing world of digital art at TeamLab in Japan.  Step into interactive installations that combine technology, art, and nature, creating immersive and ethereal experiences.

This evening, on the last night in Japan, there will be a chance to come together for a reflection session. Through discussion, listening, and guided thought, participants can process their experiences, digest new ideas, and consider what they have learned about the region, its people, and themselves during the trip.

Overnight:  Tokyo

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Your STEM journey to Japan ends after breakfast with a transfer to the Tokyo Airport and your flight home.

Meals Included:  Breakfast (Lunch/Dinner based on flight time)