| March 29 – April 5, 2025 | Finalized | |
| April 5 – April 12, 2025 | Finalized | |
| June 11 – June 18, 2025 | Limited | Enroll Now |
| July 2 – July 9, 2025 | Full | |
| July 9 – July 16, 2025 (Age 12-14 Group) | Limited | Enroll Now |
| July 23 – July 30, 2025 | Full | |
Prepare to immerse yourself in a captivating journey as we embark on a week-long adventure in the Land of the Rising Sun. From the bustling streets of Tokyo, adorned with neon lights and innovative technology, to the serene beauty of Kamakura, this trip captures the essence of Japan’s striking duality. Brace yourself for unforgettable experiences such as marveling at the Meiji Jingu shrine, immersing in the vibrant energy of Harajuku, diving into a Japanese calligraphy class, wielding a kendo sword, and indulging in mouthwatering sushi, ramen, okonomiyaki, and other delectable Japanese cuisines. Join us as we unravel the sheer brilliance and endless surprises that await in this enigmatic nation.
Chaperoned group flights are not available for the March and April program dates. The spring break sessions will begin and end in Japan. Please do not book any flights until confirmed travel details are provided after enrollment. Your Personal Travel Advisor can also help book your independent flights to the program destination airport.
It’s hard to sum up Tokyo in just one phrase. Is it the mix of old and new, where temples stand next to modern buildings? The variety of food, from sushi to ramen? The busy streets of Shibuya or the quiet parks in the city? Or is it the people and their unique way of life? Tokyo is all of these things and more. Visiting will be an experience you won’t forget
Quote by: Scott Ingram Japan, Country Director
All the accommodations will be smaller than we might be used to. Japanese hotels and houses are much more conservative with their space. Here are details about their accommodations:
The students will go to a comfortable hotel after arriving in Tokyo. It features modern architecture, air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and comfortable beds.
The students will provide up to 8 hours of community service while in the program.
Students will work on a project to cleanup park space along a river in Tokyo. Japan is a famously clean place, but we’ll learn first-hand the sense of pride for caring for our space when we pitch in with a local environmental organization.
The students will be working with a local cultural exchange organization to immerse young local children in English and excite them for language learning and international exchange. The Rustic students will prepare activities and games. Then they’ll join an afternoon group of young children to play and learn in English. The students may collaborate on an English project and exchange stories.
The project will allow the Rustic students to see what Japanese children know about their countries. In return, the Japanese students will get to practice their English skills and get excited about how English learning can open up connections to new people.
“Through my travels, I learned a lot of things about myself. I learned how much I enjoyed doing service projects, interacting with the local people, and learning about new cultures. I discovered how passionate I am about helping others.”
–Rachel Rowland, Former Rustic student who traveled on three different programs
The students will eat a large variety of food while they’re in the program. Breakfast will be eaten at a delicious buffet in our accommodations offering a mix of Japanese foods and Western staples. Lunch, dinner, and snacks will often be eaten out.
Expect to get a chance to eat many different types of Japanese dishes including sushi, ramen, tempura, curry rice, okonomiyaki, and more. We’ll also be able to eat more familiar foods when that is your preference. Japanese versions of Western food can sometimes be quite unique, as well.
Depending on the type of food meals may be individual plates, but in some cases, we may eat from shared dishes family-style.
Chopsticks are the most commonly used utensils, however, you can always ask for a fork or spoon if that is more comfortable
English Speaking Rustic Pathways international and local leaders
Meet and greet with private transportation to and from the airport
All nights of accommodation
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout your stay
All transportation between program locations and activities
Every activity, entrance fee, and experience in your itinerary
On-call support throughout the program for peace of mind
Included emergency evacuation assurance plan
Airport taxes, departure fees, donations, and guide tips
Packing the right gear (and the right amounts) is the first step to an incredible travel experience. Follow these tips to pack like a pro:
A school backpack is ideal as it will be used for daily activities and outings.
40-50 liter duffel bag, backpack, or wheeled luggage is ideal. We will ride trains and want to be able to carry our luggage around stations and fit it with us. Large suitcases won’t fit on trains or be easy to maneuver.
Clothes
Toiletries (Travel size bottles in Ziploc bags)
Notes
