Japan 2021: Gold Medal Moments in Tokyo

Board your overnight flight to Osaka today.

Welcome to Japan! Get settled in to your hotel this evening.

Join your Tour Director and set out to explore Osaka, the birthplace of many of Japan’s well-known arts, such as Kabuki theater and the tea ceremony.

• Visit the massive Osaka Castle, which houses a museum dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the legendary leader who built it
• Stroll through Kuromon Ichiba Market, famous for its selection of fresh fish, vegetables, fruit, and other Japanese specialties

This afternoon, gather with your Tour Director and fellow travelers for a welcome lunch in the city.

Spend a free evening in Osaka or add an excursion.

Board a high-speed bullet train and travel to Hiroshima. Then, get to know this renowned “City of Peace” on a guided sightseeing tour with a local guide.

• Visit Peace Memorial Park to see the Peace Memorial Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome, which was the only structure to withstand the infamous atomic bombing of the city during World War II
• Take a short ferry ride to Miyajima Island to view the 12th-century, UNESCO-listed Itsukushima Shrine

Then, board another high-speed bullet train and continue on to Kyoto.

A local guide leads a tour of Kyoto, the city that served as the capital of Japan for more than 1,000 years—and is still considered its spiritual capital.

• Tour the 17th-century Nijo Castle, which boasts intricate architecture and a unique alarm system: floors that sound like a nightingale when walked on
• See one of Japan’s most famous temples, the glittering Golden Pavilion
• Travel on to Ryoanji Temple, which houses the country’s finest Zen gardens

Enjoy a free afternoon in Kyoto or add an excursion.

Tonight, sit down for an included dinner to enjoy traditional shabu-shabu (hot pot) and sample four varieties of sake during a tasting.

This morning, make your way to the Shunkoin Temple to learn about one of Japan’s most important spiritual practices: Zen meditation.

• Meet an American-educated Vice Abbot who will lead you in a guided Zen meditation session inside Shunkoin Temple
• Explore the temple on a tour following your meditation
• Sit down to sip Matcha green tea alongside a traditional Japanese sweet
• Enjoy an included lunch

Spend a free afternoon in Kyoto or add an excursion.

Take a high-speed train to Hakone, a resort town in the Ōwakudani Valley that’s known for its hot springs. Then, set off on a guided tour of the area.

• Pay a visit to the Hakone Open-Air Museum, which has endless sculptures over its 17 acres and a gallery with more than 700 works by Picasso
• Embark on a cruise on Lake Ashi, which formed after Mount Hakone erupted 3,000 years ago
• Take in surreal views of Mount Fuji looming in the background
• Enjoy a ropeway ride up to the top of Mount Komagatake, admiring spectacular views from the cable car as you go

Sit down for an included dinner this evening followed by free time to relax in the hotel’s hot springs.

En route to Tokyo, make a photo stop at Mount Fuji. This mountain stands an imposing 12,388 feet high, and you’ll take in panoramic views of nearby lakes and villages from the midway-point observatory.

Then, spend the afternoon exploring Tokyo, Japan’s bustling capital, with your Tour Director in the lead.

• View the Imperial Palace and its impressive grounds
• Pass through the Shinjuku District
• Head to the top of the Metropolitan Building to get a bird’s-eye view of the city

Join a local guide and embark on another immersive tour of Tokyo.

• Pass the iconic Shibuya crossing as you drive through the central part of the city
• Set off on a short walk from Yoyogi Park to the Meiji Shrine, final resting place of Emperor Meiji
• Stroll through the colorful Harajuku neighborhood, where Tokyo’s history and present-day pop culture intertwine
• Explore Tokyo’s old town, including the ancient Asakusa Kannon Temple, Tokyo’s oldest and most sacred temple
• Peruse a vibrant variety of handmade crafts and local fare at the centuries-old Nakamise Shopping Arcade

This afternoon, attend a sporting event and cheer on your favorite team as you soak in the spirit of the games.

Head to one of the city’s athletic complexes and watch a sporting event this morning.

• Feel the competitive nature of the international sports rivalries
• Watch world-class athletes perform at the top of their game

This afternoon, head to the EF Village.

• Meet an EF Ambassador and hear about EF’s connection to the games
• Learn why EF was appointed as the Official Partner for Language Training Services of the Tokyo 2021 Summer Olympics
• Discover how EF teaches English language skills to local community members

Please note: The order of today’s activities may change depending on the departure date and event schedule.

Celebrate your trip with your fellow travelers at a farewell dinner this evening.

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.