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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.

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Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

Program
At a Glance
Duration
17 days
Program Begins
Tokyo
Program Concludes
Fukuoka
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
32 ( 15B, 8L, 9D )
Activity Level
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.
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.
General Notes
Dietary restrictions: Vegetarian diets - The notion of vegetarianism is not commonly practised nor understood in Japan. Due to the essential and widespread use of dashi stock throughout Japanese cooking, which typically uses fish, or other stock with meat as its base, Road Scholar is unable to provide strict vegetarian or vegan meals on tour. With notice we will try to replace any fish or meat dishes with alternatives but we cannot replace dashi stock. Gluten Free diets - While Japanese culture is based above all on rice, gluten is found in certain ingredients throughout Japanese cuisine, most notably in soy sauce and miso. Although it may be possible to omit certain items that obviously contain gluten, such as bread or noodles, unfortunately Road Scholar is unable to provide fully gluten-free meals due to the use of certain staples that serve as the basis of so many dishes in Japanese cuisine.
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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 the program
Profile Image of Yukiko Kawahara
Yukiko Kawahara
Yukiko Kawahara spent her childhood in Hiroshima and studied English and American literature at a local collage before traveling to the United States to perfect her English and further her education. In academia, Yukiko decided she wanted to see Japan from a non-Japanese perspective and chose Japanese history as her field of study. Before retiring in 2016, Yukiko was a professor of Japanese Studies with her principal areas of expertise being Japan’s language, popular culture, society, and history.
Profile Image of William Steele
William Steele
Bill Steele first came to Japan in 1967 as an exchange student, when he spent one year studying Japanese language, history, religion, politics, and archaeology and was propelled to study history after getting a whiff of the Horyuji temple’s ancient air. Bill earned his PhD in Japanese history, writing his dissertation on the consequences of the Meiji Restoration of 1868, pursuing his interest in alternative narratives. In 1980, Bill began a tenure as a Japanese history professor at the International Christian University, retiring in 2018.
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Timon Screech
Timon Screech was professor of the history of art at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London from 1991 to 2021, when he left the UK in protest over Brexit. He is now a professor at the International Research Center for Japanese Studies (Nichibunken) in Kyoto. Screech is a specialist in the art and culture of early modern Japan.
Profile Image of Mariko Okada
Mariko Okada
Mariko Okada, born and raised in Yokohama, was educated at international and Japanese schools. She traveled overseas for the first time to attend high school in Ventura, California. In 1987, Mariko returned to Japan, graduated from high school, then studied English at Temple University in Tokyo. She later decided to become a group leader, and qualified as a Nationally Licensed Japanese Guide and Interpreter in 2010. When not leading groups, Mariko travels for her own pleasure. She has recently taken up playing the cello.
Profile Image of Katsumi Kameishi
Katsumi Kameishi
Katsumi Kameishi was raised in Osaka, but at the age of five, his parents took him on his first journey abroad to New York where his father was posted for four years. Katsumi attended Kansai Gaidai University and graduated with a degree in English language and communications in 1986. After graduating, Katsumi began work at a cosmetics company, the starting point for a 38-year career that took him around the world. Katsumi’s favorite activity is walking; each month, he walks between 300 to 400 kilometers.
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 (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List (25 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call 800-454-5768
Enroll with Confidence
Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.






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