Japan
Japan: An Exploration of History, Culture and Society
Program No. 19724RJ
Fulfill the dream of a lifetime as you immerse yourself in the traditions, history and stunning landscapes of one of the world’s most ancient and beautiful cultures: Japan.
Enroll with Confidence
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more
Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Apr 1 - Apr 17, 2025
Starting at
9,649May 6 - May 22, 2025
Starting at
9,649May 20 - Jun 5, 2025
Starting at
9,649Oct 14 - Oct 30, 2025
Starting at
9,649Oct 21 - Nov 6, 2025
Starting at
9,649Nov 11 - Nov 27, 2025
Starting at
9,649DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Mar 11 - Mar 27, 2025
Starting at
10,619Apr 1 - Apr 17, 2025
Starting at
10,619Apr 15 - May 1, 2025
Starting at
10,619May 6 - May 22, 2025
Starting at
10,619May 20 - Jun 5, 2025
Starting at
10,619Sep 23 - Oct 9, 2025
Starting at
10,619Oct 14 - Oct 30, 2025
Starting at
10,619Oct 21 - Nov 6, 2025
Starting at
10,619Nov 11 - Nov 27, 2025
Starting at
10,619Nov 25 - Dec 11, 2025
Starting at
10,619Not seeing the date you're looking for?
To be notified if dates of this program become available, click the button below.
This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!
17 days
16 nights
33 meals
15B 8L 10D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
5
The Nakasendo Way, Print Museum, Post Towns of Kiso Valley
Kiso-Fukushima
6
Make Soba Noodles, Barrier Stations
Kiso-Fukushima
17
Program Concludes
In Flight
At a Glance
From the frantic pace of the world’s largest metropolis to the elaborate rituals of the Way of Tea, from samurai castles to serene Buddhist temples, delve into the history and modern identity of Japan. Discover Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Fukuoka and the hidden jewels of rural Japan.
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Walking up to six miles (throughout the day) and standing for up to three hours daily. Uneven, hilly terrain, many stairs. Must handle own luggage on and off transport. Elevations up to 4,000 feet.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Journey through Japan’s cities, mountains and rural areas via Shinkansen bullet train, bus, street tram, ferry and on foot.
- Learn about the Nakasendo Way, a centuries-old route between Tokyo and Kyoto, and stay at one of its historic port towns.
- Experience the art of Japanese cuisine from fresh sushi to regional specialties and learn the symbolic ritual of the tea ceremony with a tea master.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Michael Drzmisek Sozui
Michael was born in Switzerland and first came in contact with Japanese culture came through the martial arts Aikido and Iaido. He originally started to study Japanese calligraphy and later chanoyu to complement martial arts studies but became increasingly interested in tea over the years. After more than twenty years of experience, Michael sees chanoyu as a way of communication between people and ideas. The focus of his tea studies is not only to be a tea master, but to become a true tea person.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Michael Drzmisek Sozui
View biography
Michael was born in Switzerland and first came in contact with Japanese culture came through the martial arts Aikido and Iaido. He originally started to study Japanese calligraphy and later chanoyu to complement martial arts studies but became increasingly interested in tea over the years. After more than twenty years of experience, Michael sees chanoyu as a way of communication between people and ideas. The focus of his tea studies is not only to be a tea master, but to become a true tea person.
Yuta Arai
View biography
Yuta Arai, born in Yokohama, moved with his family to San Francisco at the age of two, and lived in California up to early adulthood. In 2013, Yuta returned to Japan, and in 2017, he entered Tokyo’s Temple University to gain a qualification in the teaching of English. When not studying, he explored Japan by train, bicycle, and on foot. Yuta now works part-time as a translator specializing in the automotive industry, and as a mechanic for a professional Japanese auto racing team.
Suggested Reading List
(25 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Japan: An Exploration of History, Culture and Society
Program Number: 19724
Culture Smart! Japan
A concise, no-nonsense guide to local customs, etiquette and culture, this is a helpful travel tool for visitors to Japan.
Kaempfer's Japan: Tokugawa Culture Observed
A good account of what it was like to travel in the Tokugawa period.
The Book of Tea
A graceful, witty meditation on Japanese aesthetics and culture as reflected through the tea ceremony. A celebrity and cultural ambassador, Okakura was a curator at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts.
The Art of Setting Stones & Other Writings from the Japanese Garden
In these lyrical essays, Kyoto resident and landscape architect Marc Peter Keane uses eight Japanese gardens as bases for essays on nature, religion and aesthetics. His rich, meditative excursions find beauty in garden composition - every element gaining importance and interconnectedness.
Super Sushi Ramen Express
Using keen insight and sarcastic wit, Booth describes the cuisine and culture of Japan as he recaps the nearly three months-long foodie road trip he and his family took through the island nation. A fun journey, sure to both entertain and inform.
Walking the Kiso Road: A Modern-Day Exploration of Old Japan
William Scott Wilson travels along the ancient Kiso Road, historically used by samurai and warlords and relatively unchanged today. As he makes his way, Wilson engagingly ruminates on Japanese history, culture and folklore.
The Little Book of Japan
Veteran Japanophiles Vilhar and Anderson produced this illuminating collection of 44 essays on Japanese life and culture, which, even in the 21st century remains elusive and poorly understood.
Eyewitness Guide Japan
Dazzling illustrations, architectural cutaways and color photographs, along with useful local maps, give this guide to Japan's many attractions a distinct edge.
Memoirs of a Geisha, A Novel
The runaway best-selling novel about a geisha in the celebrated Gion district of Kyoto. A major feat of literary impersonation, the novel is rich in period detail and ceremony.
The Samurai
This historical novel by one of Japan's best-known modern writers is set in the world of the 17th-century Samurai. A Roman Catholic, Endo explored Christianity and morals in his many novels and stories.
Kyoto, A Cultural History
A rich portrait and guide to the gardens, monasteries, art, history and culture of Kyoto, once Japan's capital, founded 1,200-years ago.
A Traveller's History of Japan
A lively and concise narrative history of Japan and its transformation from Shinto, Shogun and Samurai traditions to 20th-century powerhouse.
Learning to Bow, Inside the Heart of Japan
As surprising, helpful and informative as it is funny, this is an insightful account of travels and teaching in Japan. Feiler presents anecdotes on the rituals, personality traits and cultural peccadilloes of the Japanese.
The Dog Shogun
Arguably one of the most notorious figures in Japanese history, Tsunayoshi (1646 to 1709) was viewed as a tyrant with eccentric policies, including the Laws of Compassion, which made maltreatment of dogs an illegal offense, punishable by death. Bodart-Bailey delves deep into the shogun’s life, offering an engaging and brilliantly researched biography of the fifth Tokygawa shogun.
Japan Adventure Map
Printed on waterproof and tear-resistant paper, this double-sided map shows all the islands of Japan at a scale of 1:1,300,000.
Lonely Planet Japanese Phrasebook
A handy palm-sized guide to pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler.
Japan's Cuisines
This illustrated overview charts the transformation of Japanese cuisine over the ages, revealing the influences of private and public institutions, exploring the rise of tea and showing how lunch became a gourmet meal.
Tokyo, A Biography
In his 500-year history of Tokyo, Mansfield presents the Japanese capital as an "indestructible organism" that has survived bombs, earthquakes and radiation and continues to thrive. An easy introduction to a fascinating city.
Where the Dead Pause, and the Japanese Say Goodbye
When her American father passes away, Mockett seeks consolation in her mother’s home country of Japan. She visits a radiation zone, a Buddhist school, temples and festivals in an effort to understand the Japanese way of grieving, to bury her dead and find healing.
Bending Adversity, Japan and the Art of Survival
Financial Times Asia editor Pilling captures the dynamism and diversity of Japan after the 2011 tsunami. He interviews, among many, novelist Haruki Murakami, former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, industrialists, bankers, activists and artists, teenagers and octogenarians.
The Book of Tokyo: A City in Short Fiction
This anthology of contemporary Japanese short stories was edited with the traveler in mind. The ten pieces of literature, mystery, science fiction and horror form an imaginary tour of the city of Tokyo.
In Praise of Shadows
This extended essay by the great Japanese novelist, first published in 1933, offers tremendous insight into traditional Japanese art, architecture and design.
Hiroshima
This classic book, first published in 1946, has been hailed as the greatest piece of journalism in the 20th century. Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Hersey puts a human face on the Hiroshima tragedy through interviews with survivors.
The Inland Sea
Richie's masterpiece, more than a travel account, is a beautiful reflection on all things Japanese by one of its most acute observers.
Thousand Cranes
This novella by the great Kawabata may be Japan's best-known literary work, a story of love, grief and redemption. Kawabata's prose is as economical as the tea ceremony itself and very beautiful.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
17 days
16 nights
What's Included
33 meals (
15B, 8L, 10D
)
2 expert-led lectures
21 expert-led field trips
3 hands-on experiences
An experienced Group Leader
15 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
Arrive Tokyo, Check-in, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Tokyo
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hotel Kazusaya
Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m., meet group in lobby at 6:45 p.m.
Afternoon:
The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This program will be accompanied by both a Group Leader, who will primarily handle logistics, and a Study Leader who will lead most lectures and field trips, unless otherwise specified. Meals will include water and tea; other beverages will be available for purchase. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. Please refer to the attachments at the end of this document for suggestions. The Group Leader will also be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel, we’ll have a tasty plated meal for our Welcome Dinner, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
3
Historical Edo, The Samurai & Economic Heart Of Feudal Japan
Location:
Tokyo
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Hotel Kazusaya
Activity Note
Introductory lecture to Japan and its history, followed by a walk around the Nihonbashi area. In the afternoon, explore the Imperial Palace East Gardens, formerly Edo Castle, seat of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Total walking up to six miles.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, the breakfast buffet will include a variety of items, plus juice, coffee, tea, water.
Morning:
After the program Orientation, which will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, and logistics, we'll start out the day with a lecture from our Study Leader focusing on the history of Tokyo, but including general Japanese history, allowing us to gain some familiarity with the development of the nation and its people. Following our lecture we set out on a walking exploration of the Nihonbashi district of Tokyo with our Study Leader. Edo, as Tokyo used to be known in the feudal period, was the de facto political and military center of Japan. Nihonbashi was Edo’s heart with the five main highways of Japan terminating here.
Lunch:
On your own to sample the local fare.
Afternoon:
We’ll visit the nearby Imperial Palace Gardens on the site of the former shogun’s castle. We’ll then return to the hotel for some time to freshen up before walking to a nearby restaurant for dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant, we’ll enjoy a tasty family-style meal with tea and water; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
After returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening will be at leisure.
Day
4
Asakusa & Senso-ji Temple, Yanaka & Edo, City of Townspeople
Location:
Tokyo
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Kazusaya
Activity Note
Walking up to approximately 5 miles throughout the day; gentle pace. Use of transportation including assorted rail and subway transfers; about 1 hour total; some stairs, flat city streets, elevators/escalators sometimes available. Shoes may need to be removed to visit some of the sites today.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
After transferring via subway to Asakusa, we will visit the famous Senso-ji temple led by our Study leader. Asakusa is the centre of Tokyo’s Shitamachi, the low city, and was an entertainment district for the lower classes. Senso-ji is a very popular Buddhist temple that was built in the 7th century with a market and entertainment street leading up to it.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant, we’ll have a plated meal with tea and water; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
Next, we’ll travel to the charming neighborhood of Yanaka, a quiet quarter with winding streets and narrow alleyways, local shops and an intimate feel. Yanaka provides perhaps the closest approximation to how life once was in downtown Edo through to the pre-war years of Tokyo. As we walk around and soak up the atmosphere, we’ll see a part of Tokyo that survived the air raids of the 2nd World War and learn about the specifics from our Study Leader. The remainder of the afternoon will be free for independent exploration. It is a straightforward journey on the Yamanote line back to the vicinity of the hotel.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. Please refer to the list of suggested restaurants in the attachments as well as in the handouts provided by the Group Leader.
Evening:
At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning. Main luggage will be gathered in the morning and sent to Kiso-Fukushima via overnight courier, be sure to pack overnight belongings in a day pack for our stay on the first night in Kiso-Fukushima.
Day
5
The Nakasendo Way, Print Museum, Post Towns of Kiso Valley
Location:
Kiso-Fukushima
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Kisojino-yado Iwaya
Activity Note
Traveling approx. 300 miles; about 5 hours total throughout the day by rail and motorcoach, with stops. Walking approx. 2 miles around Tsumago; elective additional trail hike of about 3 miles; approx. 1.5 hours; some uneven terrain, stone trail. Sleeping in lodgings on traditional futons on tatami mats on the floor. Main luggage will be sent by overnight courier from Tokyo to arrive in Kiso-Fukushima tomorrow. Shoes will need to be removed to enter some of the attractions today.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
Once checked out of the hotel, we’ll set off early by bullet train to the picturesque Kiso Valley and the Nakasendo Way. Upon arrival in town, we’ll learn about the woodblock printing process at the Hiroshige Print Museum, then try our hands at producing some of our own. These iconic prints give great insight into the daily life of Edo-period Japan, particularly along the Nakasendo Way, an old highway of Japan. We’ll then head to a Japanese supermarket for lunch.
Lunch:
On your own to explore local fare while experiencing the novelty of a Japanese supermarket.
Afternoon:
We’ll then board a motorcoach to continue our transfer to Tsumago, a picturesque old post town and probably the most famous in Japan. As we approach, you may choose to embark on an elective walk along the old Nakasendo. You may also choose to drive the whole way to Tsumago and spend more time exploring before we all regroup to discover the workings of a traditional high-class inn, and visit the local history museum. Next, we’ll travel onward to Kiso-Fukushima and our lodgings where we will be able to immerse ourselves fully in Japanese culture at an excellent modern Japanese inn with onsen, also known as hot spring baths.
Dinner:
At the ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, we’ll enjoy a customary plated Japanese dinner with tea and water; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
6
Make Soba Noodles, Barrier Stations
Location:
Kiso-Fukushima
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Kisojino-yado Iwaya
Activity Note
Transferring via local bus approx. 6 miles one way; about 1 hour roundtrip. Walking approximately 2 miles throughout Kiso-Fukushima; about 2 hours; fairly flat, on pavement. Sleeping on floor in traditional Japanese fashion. Shoes will need to be removed to enter some of the attractions today.
Breakfast:
In the ryokan, we’ll have a traditional Japanese-style plated breakfast with tea and water.
Morning:
Setting out from the ryokan, we’ll transfer via local bus to our cookery workshop where we’ll roll up our sleeves and learn from a team of local folks how buckwheat soba noodles, a local specialty, are made by hand.
Lunch:
At the cookery workshop, we’ll enjoy the noodles we made with tea and water.
Afternoon:
We’ll then return to Kiso-Fukushima the way we came, enjoying a stroll as we learn about the town's history as a barrier station checkpoint that monitored traffic and enforced the strict regulations imposed by the Tokugawa Shogunate. Afterwards, we'll have a bit of free time before returning to our lodgings.
Dinner:
Ryokan traditional plated meal.
Evening:
At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning. Main luggage will be gathered in the morning and sent to Kyoto via overnight courier, be sure to pack overnight belongings in a day pack for the night of our stay in Takayama.
Day
7
Matsumoto & Castle Towns, Japan’s Alps, To Takayama
Location:
Takayama
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Tokyu Stay Hida-Takayama
Activity Note
Driving approx. 90 miles throughout the day; about 4 hours total with 1.5 hours in the morning Kiso-Fukushima to Matsumoto and 2.5 hours in the afternoon to Takayama. Walking approx. 3 miles total in and around Matsumoto Castle; mostly flat, some steep stairs that can be quite steep. Main luggage will be sent by overnight courier from Kiso-Fukushima to arrive in Kyoto tomorrow. Shoes will need to be removed to enter some of the attractions today.
Breakfast:
Ryokan traditional plated meal.
Morning:
Once checked out of the ryokan, we’ll travel via motorcoach to the city of Matsumoto for a visit to the city's castle. The keep of Matsumoto Castle, an impressive and imposing structure, is an original which dates back to the late 16th century and is one of only five in Japan to be designated a National Treasure. While here, we’ll be given insights into the establishment and the importance of castle towns under the Tokugawa Shogunate. We’ll also delve into a discussion comparing facts versus myths surrounding the samurai. We’ll then transfer to a traditional miso manufacturer’s facility to learn and see how this essential Japanese foodstuff is made.
Lunch:
At the miso manufacturer’s establishment, we’ll enjoy a delicious plated lunch featuring their product, plus tea and water; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
Continuing by motorcoach, we’ll travel through the spectacular mountains of Japan’s Central Alps to the town of Takayama where we will check into the hotel with time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel, we’ll enjoy a buffet with both Japanese and Western cuisine. Tea and water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
8
An Independent City, Festival Floats Exhibition, To Kyoto
Location:
Kyoto
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto Shijo-Karasuma
Activity Note
Walking approx. 5 miles during morning group activities; more dependent on personal preference; flat terrain, pavement, roads. Transfer to Kyoto is about 165 miles; approx. 3.5 hours. Shoes will need to be removed to enter some of the attractions today.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, the breakfast buffet will feature both Western and Japanese dishes, plus juice, milk, coffee, tea, water.
Morning:
On a walking field trip with our Study Leader, we’ll explore Takayama, a charming, small mountain town. Its streets are lined with Edo-period shops and houses. Largely isolated by the surrounding mountains, Takayama fiercely protected its independence under pressure from the Shogunate, which eventually had to resort to direct rule. Along our way, we’ll visit the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition hall where 4 of the 11 floats for this famous festival are kept and displayed on rotation, with the others kept in their neighborhood warehouses throughout the historical district.
Lunch:
On your own to sample the local fare.
Afternoon:
We’ll then take some time for independent exploration before regrouping at a predetermined time and place and transferring to Kyoto in the mid-afternoon.
Dinner:
Plated dinner at a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure, after transferring to and checking in at the hotel.
Day
9
Japanese Tea Ceremony, Daitoku-ji Temple, Free Time
Location:
Kyoto
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto Shijo-Karasuma
Activity Note
Walking approx. 5 miles throughout the day; more depending on personal preference; some unavoidable stairs. Taxi transfers. Sitting on either tatami mats or small chairs on the floor while participating in the tea ceremony. Note that space is limited at the tea room, and that large groups will be split into two, reversing the daily itinerary. Sitting on the floor at lunch. Shoes will need to be removed to enter some of the attractions today.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
As we explore Kyoto's history and culture on foot led by our Study Leader, we’ll first make a visit to the Daitoku-ji temple complex, associated with the ultimate master of the tea ceremony, Sen-no-rikyu. Then, a short walk away, we’ll experience a tea ceremony in the informative and enthralling company of a tea master. We’ll delve into the ceremony, a delightful and deeply meaningful practice far from the rigid image it often has, and also make tea for each other.
Lunch:
At a Shojin Ryori, a temple vegetarian restaurant, located by the 56-acre Daitoku-ji temple complex, we’ll have plated meals, plus tea and water; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities in the attachments. The Group Leader will be happy to offer other suggestions as well.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like among Kyoto’s abundant, small restaurants. Please refer to the list of suggested restaurants in the attachments as well as in the handouts provided by the Group Leader.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
10
Cultural Icons of Kyoto, Nijo Castle
Location:
Kyoto
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto Shijo-Karasuma
Activity Note
Walking approx. 3 miles throughout the morning’s group activities; more depending on personal preference during free time; some unavoidable stairs. Private transfers via coach.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Setting out from the hotel, we’ll begin a comprehensive multi-stop field trip led by our expert Study Leader. First, we’ll arrive at Ginkaku-ji Temple (Silver Pavilion), built by the 8th Ashikaga Shogun Yoshimasa. Like his grandfather, Yoshimitsu, Yoshimasa was a great patron of the arts but a poor governor of the nation. While Kyoto was engulfed in the internecine and destructive Onin Wars, the Higashiyama culture began and flourished at Ginkaku-ji. Based largely on the ideals and aesthetics of Zen Buddhism and the concept of wabi-sabi, which can be translated as beauty in simplicity, Higashiyama culture centered on the development of the Japanese tea ceremony, ikebana flower arranging, Noh drama, and sumi-e ink painting. Our next stop will be the Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design and begin with an introduction to the city’s splendid artisan crafts before walking to nearby Heian Jingu, a vast Shinto shrine complex that was modeled on an ancient imperial palace.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant, we’ll enjoy plated meals with tea and water; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
To round off the main theme of today, we’ll go on an expert-led field trip to Nijo-jo Castle, the only residence of the shogun still in existence, for a chance to learn about the daily life at the shogun's court.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like among Kyoto’s abundant, small restaurants. Please refer to the list of suggested restaurants in the attachments as well as in the handouts provided by the Group Leader.
Evening:
At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning. Main luggage will be gathered in the morning and sent to Hiroshima via overnight courier, be sure to pack overnight belongings in a day pack for the first night of our stay in Hiroshima.
Day
11
Tale of Heike, Miyajima Island, Shinto Itsukushima Shrine
Location:
Hiroshima
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Hotel Granvia Hiroshima
Activity Note
Bullet train ride of approx. 220 miles to Hiroshima; about 2 hours. Walking approx. 5 miles throughout the day in Hiroshima and Miyajima; mostly flat, pavement, roads. Some short transfers by tram and ferry. Main luggage will be sent by overnight courier from Kyoto to arrive in Hiroshima tomorrow.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll head to the train station for our morning transfer by Shinkansen bullet train to Hiroshima, a vibrant city that belies its recent and infamous past. Next, we’ll transfer to Miyajima-guchi then the ferry to Miyajima Island. The island is justly famous for the Shinto Itsukushima Shrine, built out over the sea, which we will visit. The Shrine is over 1,400 years old but its present form was established in 1168 under the patronage of Taira-no-Kiyomori, who established the first samurai government of Japan. The Taira Clan’s fierce and bloody feud with the Minamoto Clan is related in the epic, Tale of Heike. Finally victorious, the Minamoto established the Shogunate at Kamakura in 1192.
Lunch:
On your own to explore the local cuisine of Miyajima.
Afternoon:
Free time. Miyajima, where vehicles are few, is a pleasant place to stroll around before returning to Hiroshima for check-in at the hotel.
Dinner:
Plated meal with tea and water; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
12
Hiroshima – A City Reborn, Peace Memorial Park, Shukkeien
Location:
Hiroshima
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Granvia Hiroshima
Activity Note
Walking approx. 5 miles total around Hiroshima; mostly flat pavement. Some transfers by tram and taxis.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, we’ll enjoy a breakfast buffet featuring both Western and Japanese-style dishes, plus juice, coffee, tea, water.
Morning:
Our first field trip of the day will bring us to the Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum. Within the grounds of the park is the Atom Bomb Dome, which is the ruin of the old Industry Promotion Hall. The Hall was very close to the epicenter of the explosion and its smashed walls and twisted metal frame vividly recall the blast. The museum itself is a thoughtful and non-sentimental exhibition of the effects of the bomb while the park also contains the eternal flame with a serene, underground memorial hall. The whole area is a thought-provoking site but with an overwhelming feeling of the forward-looking, hopeful way the people of Hiroshima perceive their collective experience.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant, we’ll have plated meals with tea and water; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
We’ll then set out to visit Shukkeien, an archtypal “shrunken” Japanese garden, with our Study Leader. There are a number of tea houses en route as we stroll around – those who wish can enjoy the beautiful scenery over a cup of green tea before returning to the hotel.
Dinner:
On your own to explore some of Hiroshima's many restaurants. Please refer to the list of suggested restaurants in the attachments as well as in the handouts provided by the Group Leader.
Evening:
At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning. Main luggage will be gathered in the morning and sent to Nagasaki via overnight courier, be sure to pack overnight belongings in a day pack for our stay in Yufuin.
Day
13
Early Japanese Buddhism, Kunisaki
Location:
Beppu
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Morinoyu Resort
Activity Note
Train transfer is approx. 180 miles; about 3 hours. Getting on/off motorcoach for short transfer to temples. Walking about 3 miles total throughout the day; some uneven ground and steep steps. Driving approx. 15 miles to hotel; about 40 minutes. Main luggage will be sent by overnight courier from Hiroshima to arrive at the accommodation tomorrow. Shoes will need to be removed at some locations.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
Setting out early from the hotel to the train, we’ll transfer to Kunisaki, a little-known but fabulous area of Japan. Although sparsely populated now, it was once one of the first Buddhist strongholds in Japan with many beautiful temples and thousands of stone Buddhas and deities spread throughout the whole of Kunisaki. Common in years past, monks on pilgrimage are now a rare sight but the local religion, which has morphed over the centuries into an eclectic concoction of Buddhism, Shintoism, and various folk religions, is vibrant. While here, we’ll explore the area’s unique scenery and learn about the Japanese countryside and depopulation.
Lunch:
We’ll enjoy locally-produced, farmhouse plated meals with some of Kunisaki’s residents.
Afternoon:
Kunisaki, like so many rural areas of Japan, suffers from depopulation and decline. In conversations with residents, we’ll examine the problems this raises for the local community and what is being done to reinvigorate a small part of Japan. We continue onto Beppu, the hot spring capital of Japan. With more hot springs than anywhere else in Japan, it takes the crown as the nation’s top onsen destination.
Dinner:
At the accommodation, we’ll have a traditional Japanese-style plated dinner with tea and water; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
14
Mountains of Kyushu and Oita countryside
Location:
Yufuin
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Yufuin UBL Hotel
Activity Note
Coach transfer is approx. 60 miles; about 3 hours throughout the day, travelling around Oita prefecture. Getting on/off motorcoach to visit sites. Walking about 4 miles total throughout the day; some uneven ground and steps. Accommodation is mostly Japanese style.
Breakfast:
At the accommodation, we’ll have a traditional Japanese-style plated breakfast with tea and water.
Morning:
We explore the old quarter of Kannawa in Beppu. Water vapour emanates from grilles in the streets, and above us from towering vents. Locals are to be seen throughout the day to-ing and fro-ing with towels in hand to the many public baths in the neighbourhood. We re-board our coach to begin a route through the rugged scenery of Northern Kyushu, passing between mountains and verdant forests.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We stop at Yume-no-Ohashi, a suspension footbridge. The bridge spans a gorge into which flow into two waterfalls, weather permitting we will enjoy some spectacular views here. We continue our journey through Oita prefecture, making numerous stops at places of interest before arriving at our accommodation, deep in the countryside.
Dinner:
At the accommodation, we’ll have a traditional Japanese-style plated dinner with tea and water; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
15
Dazaifu and the Kyushu National Museum
Location:
Fukuoka
Meals:
B
Stay:
Oriental Hotel Fukuoka Hakata Station
Activity Note
Coach transfer is approx. 60 miles; about 4 hours throughout the day. Up to 5 miles total walking en route to and around Dazaifu, as well as in the museum.
Breakfast:
At the accommodation, we’ll have a traditional Japanese-style plated breakfast with tea and water; other beverages available for purchase.
Morning:
We board a coach for transfer to Dazaifu, the old western capital of Japan, located on the outskirts of Fukuoka, the biggest city in Kyushu. En-route we stop at a pottery village where we learn about the unique techniques used here.
Lunch:
On your own to explore the local fare.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we visit the Kyushu National Museum to view the collections of calligraphy, sculpture and arts from Japan and its Asian neighbors. Later we stop by the impressive Tenman-Gu Shrine, dating from 905AD and home to 6,000 plum trees. We then transfer to our centrally located hotel in Fukuoka.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like. Please refer to the list of suggested restaurants in the attachments as well as in the handouts provided by the Group Leader.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
16
Fukuoka – Japan's Gateway to Asia
Location:
Fukuoka
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Oriental Hotel Fukuoka Hakata Station
Activity Note
Up to 4 miles total walking around Fukuoka as a group in the morning. Free time in the afternoon.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll set out with our Group Leader to stretch our legs on a morning exploration of this lively city, known as “Japan's gateway to Asia." Our first stop will be Sumiyoshi Shrine, a site of worship for sea travelers bound for ancient China and Korea. It is an appropriate place to consider the relationship between Japan and Asia at large with two millennia of cultural flows between them. We’ll walk onward to Yanagibashi Market where we’ll walk around the market, see the produce, and take in the bustling communal atmosphere. Started in the 1920s, the market is an important center of fresh produce for the locals. Finally, we make a short stop at a small local museum to learn more about the rich history of the Hakata area.
Lunch:
On your own to sample the regional cuisine.
Afternoon:
Free time to explore Fukuoka, do some shopping, pack and plan for onward journeys the following day.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant near the hotel, we’ll celebrate our journey and review the highlights of the program over our family-style farewell dinner. Tea and water included; other beverages available for purchase. Share some of your favorite experiences from the program with new Road Scholar friends.
Evening:
At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departures in the morning.
Day
17
Program Concludes
Location:
In Flight
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
Please select a day to update the map
Map details are not available for this location.
MEALS
33 Meals
15 Breakfasts
8 Lunches
10 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Nov 25, 2025 - Dec 11, 2025
- Mar 11, 2025 - Mar 27, 2025 (Tokyo to Fukuoka)
- Apr 01, 2025 - Apr 17, 2025 (Tokyo to Fukuoka)
- Apr 15, 2025 - May 01, 2025 (Tokyo to Fukuoka)
- May 06, 2025 - May 22, 2025 (Tokyo to Fukuoka)
- May 20, 2025 - Jun 05, 2025 (Tokyo to Fukuoka)
- Sep 23, 2025 - Oct 09, 2025 (Tokyo to Fukuoka)
- Oct 14, 2025 - Oct 30, 2025 (Tokyo to Fukuoka)
- Oct 21, 2025 - Nov 06, 2025 (Tokyo to Fukuoka)
- Nov 11, 2025 - Nov 27, 2025 (Tokyo to Fukuoka)
- Nov 25, 2025 - Dec 11, 2025 (Tokyo to Fukuoka)
Participant Reviews
Based on 31 Reviews
Sort By:
Another brilliant trip by Road Scholar.
— Review left December 10, 2024
I loved every minute of this trip. Our guides were competent, professional and fun! Masaki made sure everything went smoothly for all of us. The specialty guides were also all good. I enjoyed Kathleen so much-perhaps because I could identify with her and she brought Japan alive from an American perspective.
Hiroshima was so impactful. Seeing the atomic bombing from a Japanese perspective was thought provoking. I also enjoyed the mix of city and rural on the tour.
The group was fun and got along well. A good mix of people and perspectives.
— Review left December 9, 2024
This trip was a wonderful experience. The guides were great. I would recommend this trip!
— Review left October 18, 2024
I was on the tour only a few days as I fell and broke a hip. The guides were excellent. Hiroko was such a help after I was injured. We should have taken the tour when we were younger. Sitting and sleeping on the floor were very uncomfortable and the cultural experience didn't seem worth it. It was so hot one day in Tokyo that there was a heat advisory. I think we should have gone to an indoor museum instead of the Emperor's garden. The Soba noodle cooking was fun.
— Review left October 15, 2024
This program provided tremendous insight into the country and its people.
— Review left June 5, 2024
Can't say enough good things about "Japan - An Exploration of History, Culture and Society"! This program was a wonderful way to experience this fascinating and complex country.
— Review left May 5, 2024
This program was exactly as described and provided a great overview of Japan from geographic, cultural, historical perspectives. I VERY HIGHLY recommend it!
— Review left May 3, 2024
What an eye opener! From the bustle Tokyo's business area to the serenity of a traditional mountain lodge I gained a whole new perspective.
— Review left May 3, 2024
I had heard from a friend that the Japan trip was the best he had ever done. I agree and the food is a big part of the trip.
— Review left April 21, 2024
We'd heard from a friend that this was the best Road Scholar trip he'd been on, and we'd agree. Great organization, education - not just on culture and history but also on Japanese etiquette, how to get around, and other practical information. Leaders were great, organized and knowledgeable. And the food!!!
— Review left April 18, 2024
One of my my favorite RS trips so far. And John McBride [instructor] is The Best!
— Review left April 3, 2024
Comprehensive experience of historical Japan, cultural Japan, lifestyle of Japan
— Review left April 1, 2024
Our program in Japan was AMAZING! Our group leaders (Diane and Hiroko) were splendid, candid, insightful and fun. There were 20 of us in our group and they were all great sports, enthusiastic and just plain fun to be sharing an adventure with. If you're sitting on the fence considering a RoadScholar trip - I'd advise going for it. You won't find better value or people.
— Review left December 16, 2023
Best trip I ever took, I loved every minute of it. Fascinating country and outstanding guides. If you can only take one trip this should be it.
— Review left December 15, 2023
Our Japan by train trip was by far the best led and had the most interesting lectures of all of the 4 programs I have attended both in US and abroad.
— Review left November 4, 2023
Our just completed trip to Japan fulfilled our expectations for a comprehensive introduction to Japanese history, culture and current society. Kristina and Shima, our Swedish/Japanese and Japanese/American study leaders could not have been more knowledgeable, energetic, flexible and organizationally astute. Based on our experience this time, I recommend that all trips have at least one female leader.
The variety of experiences in eight different places over 17 days made for a dizzying adventure, but one so well organized that our deeper understanding and appreciation of Japan will inspire us to dig deeper into Japanese literature and current events. If we were younger, we would return in a few years to Japan.
We loved the variety of Japanese cuisines offered to us, the wide-ranging suggested readings and many of the hotels. My one recommendation and a consideration for us when we plan another long trip with Road Scholar is that you upgrade some of the hotels. Our Ryoken lodgings were charming and the station hotels in Hiroshima and Hakata Station were very good. The same cannot be said about the Nagasaki hotel, Cuore, that felt more like a two-star hotel. At over $10,000 per person, the trip was a pricey one. Would better lodgings for a few thousand more negatively impact enrollment? I'm not sure a higher price would be a deal breaker given the overall level of excellence in all other categories.
— Review left October 13, 2023
This program allows its participants to be thoroughly immersed in the Japanese culture. The guides are remarkably capable of handling any situation in many bustling busy cities. I particularly enjoyed our many rides on Japan's many forms of mass transit.
— Review left September 30, 2023
Japan is a fascinating and beautiful country. We’re glad we went. This is our fourth Road Scholar trip and it lived up to the standards we have experienced with the other tours. Our leaders, Kristina and Kaho worked hard to provide us with a good assortment of accommodations in six big cities, two traditional inns, plus museums, restaurants (bento boxes), temples, shrines, gardens, a tea ceremony, shopping areas, castles, and even lovely and scenic mountains ( snacks, too).. We really enjoyed soba noodle making and block printing. They kept is on the move using trains, bullet trains, subways, buses, street cars, and taxis. We got out early each day and mostly went as a group although we had enough free time to explore on our own. Kristina and Kaho were very familiar with the cities and countryside and were well-versed in Japanese culture, history, and traditions. Last but not least, they accompanied us right up to check in at the airport. We learned a lot while having a great time alongside our fellow travelers. So, we highly recommend this tour. Go!
— Review left June 30, 2023
One of the best RS trips I have taken. This is a comprehensive introduction to Japan. Both of our guides were excellent at their respective functions (logistics and commentary).
I was especially impressed that our group of 19 were able to negotiate trains, buses, trams, and subway travel to almost all of the places we visited with very little hassle. Great job Kaho.
The information presented gave a good historical perspective as well as what is going on today in Japan. I liked getting the info packets in the beginning and all along the way. I am also glad we got the earthquake training as we were all woken that same night by a small earthquake.
Highlights included the Onsen at the traditional as well as more modern Ryokan and walking on the Nakasendo Way.
We had free time in each location with plenty of suggestion for things to do.
— Review left June 28, 2023
Phenomenal program. This was a bucket list trip for me. I left Japan feeling like I really got a good taste of the country. I experienced everything from the cities to the country. Our tour guides Kaori and Reina were awesome. They both went above and beyond to make sure the trip was perfect. I can't believe how wonderful this program was.
— Review left May 11, 2023
I had wanted to travel to Japan for years so I was delighted to see this trip advertised. It covered all the sites I wanted to see and allowed me to better understand the broader history of Japan and not just the Japan of the 1940’s. I cannot say enough about the guides, Kaori and Reina. They were knowledgeable, organized and so much fun. The country is beautiful and the food is delicious. It is not just raw fish. The people are so hospitable and kind and the public transportation, especially the bullet train, is amazing. If you have ever thought of going to Japan, please consider this program.
— Review left May 7, 2023
This was a wonderful immersive trip into Japan's history and culture, a delightful blend of the historical and the modern. Our group donned kimonos, slept on futons in a traditional ryokan, soaked in an onsen, made block prints and soba noodles then hopped on the world's fastest, cleanest trains. We visited a fraction of the many shrines and temples so important to understanding the nation's history and the culture then went to a baseball game organized by our group leader (go Carps!). Enough cannot be said about our Group Leader Masaki, always so patient and helpful, who went out of his way to make sure we had the best experience as a group and as individuals. We were also so lucky to have retired professor William Steele whose passion and knowledge about the history of Japan was infectious and illuminating. These extraordinary guides made this the trip of a lifetime.
A few notes:
-We arrived a few days early to visit Mt. Fuji. While the group lucked out
and was able to see it from the train, this is a serious omission in my
opinion as it is the iconic symbol of Japan. For many of us this trip was
our only opportunity to experience it.
- Visiting in April we were rewarded with amazing blooms not just the cherry
blossoms, but the ornamental peaches, dogwoods and azaleas as well.
- We were happy with most of our accommodations especially the Iwaya ryokan
in Kiso-valley and the Tokyu Stay in Takayama. However the Hotel Gimmond
was subpar and the food inedible.
- This trip definitely earned it's level 4 Let's Go rating! But there
were numerous opportunities to relax and soak in the experience. Masaki
made sure everyone was accommodated in their comfort zone.
— Review left April 30, 2023
We tried filling out the survey online, but it got submitted without the most critical "issues". I feel strongly enough to try to get them in here.
1 - There was too much emphasis on history, as opposed to society and culture, although all three were advertised foci of the program.
2 - Too much time in Dejima. We could have had some free time in Yufuin, gotten to Nagasaki an hour later, and still had time enough.
3 - Too much time in the Kyushu museum at the cost of less than adequate time in Daizaifu.
4 - The food at Hotel Gimmond was terrible - a bad attempt at Italian, and the breakfasts were worse.
5 - Too many temples, they lose their charm and significance - unless you are already an expert.
6 - Trip handouts were distributed in a big, heavy packet at the beginning - when we were exhausted from travel - and went straight into our luggage.
— Review left April 2, 2023
This was another first class Road Scholar experience. I'm sure Japan is lovely anytime, but in November with fall colors blazing in the forests and even the cities, the views were spectacular. The accommodations ranged from luxury hotels to traditional ryokans where we wore kimonos, bathed in hot spring water, slept on the floor, and loved the experience. If you like to walk, try foods you may never have encountered before, and learn about Japanese culture, I recommend this trip. I've put together a website to help me remember everything and you are welcome to have a look.
http://paintrock.net/japan
— Review left December 13, 2022
This was an in-dept study of Japan- it's history, uniquite culture, and response to modern sociatal demands
— Review left October 7, 2022
Road Scholar is a great educational experience that takes the worries out of travel.
— Review left October 6, 2022
A great trip with a balance of hands on cultural interactions and on the move in-depth lectures of all that we saw and experienced ! We are still in awe of this beautiful,friendly,clean and historic country.
— Review left December 9, 2019
This trip through Japan was an amazing experience. It provides a wonderful introduction to Japanese culture and history with expert guides and scholars. An extraordinary journey.
— Review left November 24, 2019
Excellent. Fulfilled a lifelong dream.
— Review left June 14, 2019
Once again Road Scholar has outdone themselves in organization, varied opportunities to have an indepth learning experience while allowing the traveller to feel independant. An excellent way to experience group travel!
— Review left April 16, 2019
Our program coincided with the blooming of the cherry trees in Japan, and these blossoms made over the entire country into a fairyland of beauty.
— Review left April 14, 2019
