Japan
Embark on an unforgettable 8-day STEM-focused journey based in the vibrant city of Osaka, Japan! Perfect for youth and family travelers, this exciting tour blends hands-on science, robotics, engineering, and technology with rich cultural exploration and world-class attractions.
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Explore cutting-edge STEM institutions like the Osaka Science Museum, the Kyoto Railway Museum, and the CupNoodles Innovation Center, where creativity and invention come to life. Dive into the worlds of robotics, bullet train engineering, and food science with interactive experiences and optional lab visits to Japan’s top innovation hubs.
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Each day offers thrilling adventures—from a magical day at Universal Studios Japan (with a STEM twist!) to traditional highlights in Kyoto and Nara, where students discover how history, architecture, and sustainability intersect.
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Duration: 8 days/7 nights
Age: 8-18yrs (Parent/Guardian Chaperone Required)
Service Hours: 25
Cost: $1595 plus Airfare
Service Focus: Engineering, Technology, Anime, Cultural Immersion
Program Type: Large Group
01
Welcome to Osaka
Afternoon-
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Arrive in Osaka and check into your hotel (recommend staying in Namba or Tennoji for best access).
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Welcome briefing and orientation with your tour director.
Evening
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Stroll around Dotonbori for dinner – neon lights, takoyaki stands, and lively energy!
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​Enjoy the neon from the river (and without all the crowds) with a Tonbori River Cruise. You’ll see all of the tourist spots along the way, making this an efficient way to capture the iconic area in all its splendor.
02
Osaka Science Day
Morning – Osaka Science Day
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Osaka Science Museum – Hands-on exhibits on space, chemistry, physics & electricity.
Great planetarium and youth-friendly experiments.​​
Afternoon
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Return to hotel, group dinner at a themed restaurant in Osaka (robot-themed sushi bar or conveyor belt sushi)
03
Nara + Instant Ramen Museum
Morning
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Depart to Nara (~1 hour by bus)
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Visit Nara Park (home to friendly roaming deer)
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Explore Todai-ji Temple – houses Japan’s largest bronze Buddha statue.
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Learn about ancient architectural feats using wood joinery with no nails!
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Afternoon
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Head to Ikeda City for the CupNoodles Museum Osaka Ikeda
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Design your own CupNoodle
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Learn the science of food preservation, packaging & flavor chemistry
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04
Fun Meets STEM at Universal Studios Japan
All Day – Fun Meets STEM at USJ!
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Depart via charter bus or local train to Universal Studios Japan.
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Enjoy attractions like:
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Super Nintendo World (gamification & tech marvel)
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The Flying Dinosaur (STEM meets physics thrill!)
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Space Fantasy – The Ride
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05
Kyoto Day Trip: Innovation Meets Tradition
Morning
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Bus transfer to Kyoto (~1.5 hours)
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Visit Kyocera Museum of Art and Technology – showcases the evolution of Japanese electronics and green tech.
Afternoon
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Visit the Kyoto Railway Museum – interactive train simulators, engineering design exhibits, and bullet train innovation.
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Quick visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine or Kiyomizu Temple (light cultural walk)
06
Explore Shinsekai and Tsutenkaku Tower
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Exploring the Shinsekai area will satisfy your stomach and allow you to wander one of Osaka’s most nostalgic retro districts.
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Full of small restaurants, bars, and shops, this alley offers a great view of the iconic Tsutenkaku Tower at the end.
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You’ll be able to find every specialty of Japanese food in Shinsekai—including high-quality sushi, wagyu, and takoyaki— but kushikatsu is best tried here.
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07
Free Day of Shopping and Relaxation (or) Kimono Rental Photo Shoot at Osaka Castle
Optional Activities:
Morning
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One of the most famous Japanese landmarks, Osaka Castle, has a history that dates back 450 years. Surrounded by a moat and park, this five-story castle promises a dynamic visit that you will need a couple of hours for
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​If you’d like to rent a kimono to wear around the castle and grounds, you’ll find many rental shops nearby, including Kimono Rental Wargo.
Afternoon
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Visit Umeda Skytree, one of the most famous contemporary buildings in Japan, with a 360-observatory on top for great views of the city.
08
Departure
Early morning transfer and depart for USA.
