Japan: Between Two Worlds

Trip Name
Japan: Cities, Shrines + Sacred Mountains

Who It’s For
High school students (completing grades 9–12)

2026 Sessions
Session 1: July 2 – July 16, 2026
Note: These dates reflect your teen’s departure from the U.S. and return to the U.S.
Exact flight times and meeting details will be shared after enrollment.

Location
Japan

Trip Length
15 Days

Service Hours
5–15

Tuition
$7,350

This is the plan, but plans can shift. Weather, group energy, and new opportunities sometimes lead us to make changes. No two trips are exactly the same, and that’s part of what makes the experience so memorable.

Days 1–2: Arrive in Tokyo & Explore the City
Settle in with a welcome meal and begin exploring Japan’s contrasts — from historic Sensoji Temple and tranquil Hamarikyu Gardens to the vibrant Tsukiji Market and a high-tech esports arcade.

Day 3: Street Style, Shrines & Shibuya
Visit Meiji Shrine, wander Harajuku’s famous fashion street, and end the day in the lights and buzz of Shibuya Crossing.

Day 4: Great Buddha & the Coast
Take a day trip to Kamakura to see the Great Buddha at Kotoku-in, then unwind on Enoshima Island with seaside views and free time.

Day 5: Bullet Train to Yamagata & City Tour
Ride the Shinkansen north to Yamagata. Explore the city’s parks, museums, and historic district, then join a local cooking class to make imoni, Yamagata’s signature stew.

Day 6: Temples, Safflowers & Haikus
Hike up to the mountaintop temple of Yamadera, harvest and dye with safflowers, and write your own haikus after visiting the Basho Memorial Museum.

Day 7: Connect Through Culture in Local Schools
Spend time at local elementary and high schools — introducing yourself in Japanese, leading cultural games, and forming connections with students through shared experiences.

Day 8: Craft & Serve
Create zori sandals with local artisans, then head into the mountains to volunteer at a rural temple — learning rituals, writing goshuin, and sharing a traditional meal with community members.

Day 9: Samurai, Soba & Spirited Away
Train in samurai techniques, make your own soba noodles, cruise the Mogami River, and finish the evening dressed in kimono in the fairytale town of Ginzan Onsen.

Day 10: Sacred Mountains & Village Life
Hike Mount Yudono, one of Japan’s three sacred peaks, then explore the mountain village of Tamugimata. Stay overnight at a shukubo (pilgrim lodge) used by Yamabushi monks.

Day 11: Rituals, Jellyfish & Zen
Join a Yamabushi ritual and climb Mount Haguro. Visit the world-famous Kamo Jellyfish Aquarium and spend time at the seaside in Yura.

Day 12: Crackers, Markets & Maiko Performance
In Sakata, tour a rice cracker factory, explore the historic Sankyo rice storehouses, enjoy a fresh seafood market lunch, and attend a traditional Maiko performance.

Day 13-14: Return to Tokyo & Reflect
Travel back to Tokyo. Visit Narita’s historic canal district or explore Tokyo’s futuristic Odaiba Island. Enjoy a farewell dinner and time to reflect on the journey.

Day 15: Depart for Home
Fly home, carrying new friendships, deeper cultural understanding, and memories to last a lifetime.

We stay in a mix of modern hotels and one traditional lodge during the trip.

Hotels
Throughout Tokyo, Yamagata, and Tsuruoka, students stay in twin rooms at clean, locally run hotels. Rooms are shared by gender and include private bathrooms. Hotels are simple, comfortable, and well-located.

Shukubo Lodge
For one night, we’ll stay in a shukubo, a traditional pilgrim lodge used by mountain monks. Students sleep on futons in tatami-mat rooms and experience a peaceful, slower pace in the Japanese countryside.

What to Expect
Accommodations are safe, student-friendly, and close to the action. Expect modern amenities like AC and Wi-Fi in most hotels, with a more rustic and immersive night at the mountain lodge. Most locations include access to laundry and have staff on hand to help with local recommendations.

All meals are included and offer a wide range of fresh, local Japanese flavors. From street food in Tokyo to quiet meals in the mountains, food is a key part of the cultural experience on this trip. Expect variety, balance, and a chance to try new things.

Meals
Breakfasts are served at the hotel and offer a mix of Western and Japanese options. Lunches are often grab-and-go or at casual spots, while dinners are typically sit-down meals arranged in advance at local restaurants. A few highlights include a soba-making class, a home-cooked imoni dinner, and a traditional kaiseki meal.

Cook Crew
Students won’t cook most meals, but they may lend a hand during our cooking class or help prep during cultural exchange meals.

Diets + Allergies
We can accommodate most dietary needs, including vegetarian, gluten-free, nut-free, and dairy-free. Please reach out to the RLT team to discuss specific needs ahead of time.

Water + Snacks
Safe drinking water is always available. Snacks can be picked up from markets and convenience stores—expect lots of new treats to try!

Flights
All participants fly together from either Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO) to Tokyo, Japan (Narita International Airport).
Do not book until you receive flight windows from our team.

Additional Internal Travel
There will be one internal bullet train ride from Tokyo to Yamagata, and then back to Tokyo at the end of the trip. RLT will organize and manage this for the group.

Unaccompanied Minors
We’ll walk you through the process if your teen is flying as an airline-designated Unaccompanied Minor (for major airlines this is often kids who are 14 years old or younger, and are flying without a parent.) Every airline has different policies so it is important to coordinate with RLT and look into each airline’s specific policies.
Generally speaking, we will have an RLT leader available to meet Unaccompanied Minors at the arrival airport for each trip.

Packing
Participants are responsible for bringing their own personal clothing, toiletries, and other personal gear. The Road Less Traveled provides all group gear, any specialized activity equipment needed for the trip. A detailed packing list will be sent to families well in advance (and is available upon request at any time) to ensure your child is prepared.
We encourage packing clothing that’s comfortable, durable, and culturally appropriate. Closed-toe shoes (such as tennis shoes) suitable for casual hiking are recommended.
One important note is that students are required to bring a small gift from home to offer during the school exchange. This could be a $15 item that represents their hometown or state. RLT will also supply group gifts for students to distribute.
Our list will also provide guidance based on weather, location, cultural expectations, and planned activities to help participants bring the right items for a safe and enjoyable experience.

Luggage Note
Due to luggage restrictions on Japan’s trains, each student must bring one carry-on size suitcase (not to exceed airline carry-on dimensions) and a small soft bag or backpack. Laundry will be readily available throughout the trip.

After enrollment, you’ll complete required forms in the RLT Portal:
Medical history
Emergency contact info
Participant agreement

Medical Clearance
No doctor’s note required unless a new condition has developed. We review all forms to ensure readiness.

Medications
All meds (prescription + over-the-counter) must be listed in the medical form. Leaders manage meds as needed.

Behavior Expectations
All teens agree to our Code of Conduct. It’s how we build a safe, respectful group culture.

Trip Insurance
Required for international travel. You’re free to use any provider—see our FAQ for guidance.

Passport
Required. Your teen’s passport must be valid for at least 6 months past the return date.

Vaccinations
Please make sure your teen is up to date on routine immunizations per CDC guidelines, including a tetanus booster (Td or Tdap) within the past 10 years.

Please note that travel to Japan does not typically require additional vaccinations beyond routine CDC recommendations. We still encourage you to consult with your physician or a travel nurse for the most up-to-date information.

Device-Free Philosophy
We collect phones and electronics on Day 1. They’re stored safely and returned at the end of the trip.

Why?
Unplugging lets teens:

• Be fully present

• Build strong friendships

• Step out of their comfort zone

Cameras Welcome
Digital cameras or GoPros are fine—just no internet access. Leaders take photos throughout the trip and share an album afterward.

Communication
We send regular updates to families while the trip is in progress. For emergencies, our on-call team is available 24/7.