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Business & Culture in Japan

See our educational approach to program design
Connect with us
See our educational approach to program design
Connect with us

10 days

Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka


Japan has long been a stage for the biggest players in the global economy. With a model of efficiency that has lead the way through decades of technological innovation, Japan fosters a business environment deserving of admiration. See how this small archipelago can reveal so many natural and cultural wonders—from the feudal castles of Nagoya to the cherry blossoms of Kyoto.Image displaying map describing the itinerary of the Business & Culture in Japan tour

Day 1: Fly overnight to Japan

Day 2: Tokyo

Meet your Field Director at the destination airport

Enjoy dinner in Tokyo

Day 3: Tokyo

Take a guided tour of Tokyo

With your expert local guide you will see:

  • Harajuku shopping district, the trendy district popular among younger locals 
  • Shibuya district, home to the famed Shibuya crosswalk that has upwards of 3,000 people crossing at a time
  • Shinjuku district, a large entertainment and business area

Visit Imperial Palace Plaza, the residence of Japan's Imperial Family

Visit the Meiji Shrine and its elaborate wooded Inner Garden 

Visit the Asakusa Kannon Temple, Tokyo's oldest temple

Enjoy free time for lunch in the Harajuku area

Enjoy dinner in Tokyo

Day 4: Tokyo

Visit the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the world's second-largest stock exchange

Industry Engagement: Attend a lecture to gain insights on local business practices

Day 5: Tokyo • Nagoya

Industry Engagement: Meet with an industry expert 

Travel by bullet train to Nagoya

Enjoy dinner in Nagoya

Day 6: Nagoya

Take a guided tour of Nagoya with an expert local guide and  learn about the home of some of the world’s top companies and car manufacturing plants

Visit Nagoya Castle, decorated with turrets and golden dolphins and, in the spring, draped in fragrant cherry blossom trees 

Industry Engagement: Meet with an industry expert 

Enjoy dinner in Nagoya

Day 7: Nagoya • Kyoto

Travel to Kyoto

Take a guided tour of Kyoto with an expert local guide and learn about the history and culture of the city 

Visit Nijo Castle, a structure built almost entirely out of Japanese cypress 

Visit Kiyomizu Temple, which dates back to A.D. 798 and provides spectacular views of the city and surrounding valley 

Visit the Gold Pavilion, a Zen temple whose top two floors are covered in gold leaf 

Enjoy dinner in Kyoto

Day 8: Kyoto

Add this in-depth excursion:


Nara

Nara

Today, join a half-day excursion to Nara, one of Japan’s ancient capitals. Visit the Todaji Temple and see the Daibutsu, the world’s largest bronze Buddha. Then walk through the wooded Nara Park, also known by the nickname of “Deer Park” because of its many four legged inhabitants. Just outside the park, you will visit Kasuga Shrine, one of the most famous Shinto shrines in the country. Twice a year, some 3,000 lanterns are lit here simultaneously during the Lantern Festival. (Please note: comfortable walking shoes are recommended.) 

Day 9: Kyoto • Osaka

Travel to Osaka

Take a guided tour of Osaka with an expert local guide and learn what makes Osaka the commercial and industrial center of western Japan 

Visit the Umeda Sky Building and cross the skywalk

Industry Engagement: Meet with an industry expert 

Enjoy dinner in Osaka

Day 10: Depart for home


Learning outcomes on this program

Confidence • Curiosity • Global perspective • Empathy • Adaptability • Relatability • Self-Awareness

Academic resources

With this program, you get access to our Global Learning Resources, which include:

  • Discussion questions

  • Sample assignments

  • Journal prompts

  • Webinars

  • EF's Global Competency Assessment, a pre- and post-program assessment to measure competency development

See the resources you get

Your experience includes

Transportation
Accommodations
Select meals
End-to-end support
EF Global Learning Toolkit
Field Director
Guided exploration
Field Visits

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