Here it is. Your departure day is fast approaching. Whether this is your first time out of the country or your tenth, it’s bound to be an adventure of a lifetime. We hope this guide helps you feel as prepared as possible, so that you can be ready for whatever comes your way.
Read on
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Here it is. Your departure day is fast approaching. Whether this is your first time out of the country or your tenth, it’s bound to be an adventure of a lifetime. We hope this guide helps you feel as prepared as possible, so that you can be ready for whatever comes your way.
Read on
↓
11 days | 10 nights
Travel documents
Let’s get the paperwork out of the way so we can focus on the fun stuff. Your passport must:
- be valid for at least six months after your return.
- match your name and birthday on file with EF.
- have three blank pages available.
Traveler tip: Make two photocopies of your passport - one to bring with you and one to leave at home.
Baggage
Not to sound cliché, but we can’t say this enough: pack light! Check with your airline to see what size bags they allow to avoid paying any fees.
Most travelers find it easiest to go without checking bag. Here are some tips for getting as much as possible into that carry-on suitcase:
- Wear your bulkiest shoes on the plane and pack the lighter ones. Same thing goes for jackets and heavier clothing.
- Packing cubes or vacuum seal bags can save space and help you stay organized.
- Make the most of your personal item by using a tote bag or backpack that you can reuse throughout the trip.
- Roll your clothes instead of folding them. Pack the bigger items first and use smaller items like socks and underwear to fill in the gaps.
Packing essentials
To see a full packing list, check out our Pocket Guide to Expert Travel. Just make sure you don’t forget these:
- Passport—bring a photo copy and leave one at home too
- Visa (if applicable)
- ATM card and credit card
- Entertainment—for the plane and travel days
- Purse or small day bag with a zipper
- Converter/adapter for any electronics
- Toiletries
- Washcloth—optional, but they aren’t always available
- Medications and a copy of any prescriptions*
- Comfortable, casual clothing
- Dressier outfit
- A scarf or shawl—required when entering religious sites
- Warmer layers, raincoat and umbrella—check the weather before you pack!
- Comfortable walking shoes—for example, one pair of sneakers and one pair of sandals
- The Pocket Guide to Expert Travel
- EF's emergency numbers:
- Calling from within the US: 1-800-873-2250
- Calling from abroad: 001-617-619-2913
*All medications should be in their original containers. Put medications in your carry-on bag only, in case a checked bag gets lost or delayed.
Reading recommendations
Love to read as much as we do? Here are some of our favorites to inspire you before you leave, keep you company in transit, and feed your wanderlust after you return:
- Rice, Noodle, Fish: Deep Travels Through Japan’s Food Culture by Matt Goulding
- After Dark by Haruki Murakami
- Japan 2.0 (Podcast, available on iTunes)
Money matters
- Mo money, less problems: Budget $40 to $60 per day for pocket money. This will cover lunch each day, two dinners, souvenirs, and additional activities. If you're an especially avid souvenir hunter, you'll want to give yourself more wiggle room—financially and in your suitcase.
- Currency: Japanese yen. You can convert money before you depart or withdraw cash once you arrive.
- Tips for tipping: We suggest $6-8 per day for your Field Director, inclusive of the day you arrive at your first program destination and meet your Field Director, and ending the day you depart for home. Your Group Leader will likely collect this money before you depart so that you can budget accordingly.
P.S. Be sure to let your bank know you’ll be traveling so they can put an alert on your account.
Traveler tip: Believe it or not, the most reliable place to withdraw yen using your debit card is at 7-Eleven. You can find them throughout the city.
Arrival day
Imagine it: you’ve finally arrived. It’s been a few hours since you left home, but your feet are firmly planted on the ground again. Today's challenge? Fight off jetlag and make the most of the day.
Unless you arrive at night, be prepared to hit the ground running. Staying awake on arrival day is the best way to beat jetlag and adjust to the time difference. If there are other groups on your program, you may wait at the airport for them to arrive. To make things a bit easier:
- Have toiletries and a change of clothes on hand for when you land.
- Stay hydrated—it helps reduce jetlag.
- Travel in comfort, not necessarily in style, and get as much sleep as you can on the flight.
Field Director
Your dedicated Field Director—a physical, and for some, spiritual guide—will be with you throughout your program. Our Field Directors work tirelessly behind the scenes to coordinate logistics like managing reservations and making sure everything flows seamlessly, so that you can enjoy your time without sweating the details. They are there to acquaint you with each new city and make sure everyone is safe, confident, and making the most of every moment.
Accommodations
You’ll spend very little time at your hotel (consciously, anyway), but you should still be aware of where you’re staying and who you’re staying there with.
- Hotel du jour: Your hotels will be safe, clean, comfortable, equipped with private bathrooms. Hotels are typically 30-45 minutes from the city center via public transit, which comes in handy if you want to check out different areas and blend in with the locals.
- What to expect: Hotels abroad may feature smaller rooms than you’re used to and may not have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, television, or elevators. All the more reason to get out and explore.
- Roomies: Unless you have opted to upgrade your room, standard accommodations mean you’ll be rooming with two or three other people of the same gender, each with your own bed. You may even take part in an exchange program—that is, rooming with a traveler(s) from another school in your group.
Food
Kick off each day with an included continental breakfast. Seven dinners will be included, too. We work with local restaurants to provide plated meals inspired by the region, giving you the opportunity to experience authentic dishes. Lunches are your opportunity to explore the cuisine as you see fit. Will you go in search of familiar comfort food or try something outside your comfort zone?
Whether you are an adventurous eater or craving comfort food, you can find it all in Japan.
- Broth-based dishes and noodles of all kinds are eaten year-round, and at any time of day – don’t be surprised to see noodles in the breakfast buffet!
- Other common dishes: chicken with curry, ramen, shabu shabu (Japanese hot pot), and of course sushi.
- Rice and miso soup are served at most meals.
- If you’re feeling adventurous, try the takoyaki, or fried balls of octopus.
Traveler tip: Get some noodles and slurp away! Slurping loudly is very normal when eating noodles in Japan. Some say it helps aerate the food and enhance flavor.
Transportation
Since teleportation hasn’t been invented yet, you’ll need these to get from point A to point B (and C and D and E):
- Flights: Overnight to Osaka and home from Tokyo
- Public transportation: For included activities and free time in Tokyo
- Shinkansen train: From Hiroshima to Kyoto and from Kyoto to Hakone
- Bus: Primary mode of transportation on the ground
- Walking: Hands down the best way to explore a new city
Traveler tip: When you travel by bullet train to Hakone, larger luggage is typically sent separately and arrives the following day. You can use a backpack or tote bag as an overnight bag.
Pace
You will explore five+ cities in eleven days, so this trip will feel fast! In order to maximize your time each day, you will leave the hotel bright and early and return some time in the evening (or later if you’re feeling adventurous). Most days will be a mix of planned activities and free time with some days being busier than others. Be ready walk a ton (we're talking 5-7 miles per day) and see as much as possible.
You will spend 1-3 nights in each hotel before moving on to the next, meaning there’s no time to waste! Transfer days can mean long bus rides where you can rest and recharge. Just be ready to hit the ground running in each new place.
Traveler tip: Tokyo is one of the most densely populated cities in the world so here are two etiquette tips for walking the streets: 1) Be aware that people keep to the left on sidewalks and escalators, and 2) Always wait until the light turns to cross the street.
Free time
Free time can vary depending on a few factors: the number of planned activities, whether or not your group has decided to add any optional excursions, and general travel variables like traffic. How you spend your free time is entirely up to you. You could sit in a cafe and people-watch, grab a few friends and discover a new part of the city, or do some souvenir shopping. On busier days, you might just have enough free time for a quick lunch.
Here is a rough breakdown of free time on your itinerary:
- Kyoto: 1 half day
- Tokyo: 2 half days
There is so much to see and do in these cities, so do some research and plan ahead. If you need inspiration, here are our free time suggestions:
- Explore the famous Gion district of Kyoto.
- Sample the street food stalls adjacent to Fushimi Inari shrine in Kyoto.
- Spend some time in Shinjuki Gyoen National Garden in Tokyo.
- Go shopping at one of Tokyo’s impressive shopping malls.
Traveler tip: Tokyo is an enormous city, so when thinking about what you want to do during free time you might find it helpful to narrow it down by neighborhoods. Here are a couple of our favorites:
- Akihabara for gaming and anime
- Harajuku for shopping
- Yoyogi for its parks
Anything else I should know?
Here are some miscellaneous tips & tricks collected by travelers just like you:
- In Tokyo you will not find many trash cans in public spaces. Do as the locals do and keep a plastic bag in your purse or daypack to put trash in until you see a trash can.
- Public transportation can get super crowded. Be prepared to have your personal space bubble burst. It’s important to be quiet and put your phone on silent mode while riding the train.
- You might find it helpful to learn some key phrases in Japanese. Here are a few to help you get started:
- Hello: Kon'nichiwa
- Excuse me: Sumimasen
- Thank you: Arigato