graphic of a postcard with Japanese building and the words "Visit Japan"
Japan 2026
Japan 2026 — The Soul of Japan

Trip Leaders: Dr. Jeremy Hegi and Nathan Richardson

This tour will highlight Japan's historical, cultural (and pop-cultural), and religious contours while providing opportunities for students to learn how to create digital media content that enables them to meaningfully convey, reflect on, and interpret their experiences to people and institutions outside the course. 

We will begin in Tokyo, where we will explore critical cultural locations, from the Imperial Palace and Meiji Shrine to the open-air architectural museum and Akihabara district, something straight out of a cyberpunk future. Afterward, we will take a bullet train West to Nagoya, where we will tour the newly opened Ghibli theme park, exploring the animation studio that helped make Japanese animation an international phenomenon. From there, we will proceed to Japan's culturally, historically, and artistically rich ancient capital, Kyoto. After we are finished in the Kyoto area, we will head to Southern Japan, where we will go to Hiroshima and visit the Peace Memorial Park, which commemorates the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in World War II. The trip's exploration of Japan's blend of tradition and modernity will provide a perfect context for creating digital media content, such as documentaries and social media posts. As part of the course, students will capture their experiences at significant landmarks like the Meiji Shrine, Studio Ghibli Park, and Hiroshima while reflecting on cultural differences and their role as Americans abroad. This content will not only deepen students' understanding of Japan but can also serve as promotional media for future study abroad opportunities.

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Cities Visited
  • Tokyo
  • Nagoya
  • Kyoto
  • Hiroshima
  • Osaka

Trip Highlights*

  • Shibuya Crossing
  • Asakusa District – Senso-Ji Temple and Surrounding Area
  • Imperial Palace
  • Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
  • Meiji Shrine
  • Tokyo Sky Tree
  • Toyosu Fish Market (Early Morning)
  • Tsukiji Outer Market
  • Akihabara District
  • Owl Café
  • Edo Tokyo Museum and Surrounding Area
  • Tokyo Tower
  • TeamLab Borderless
  • Sumo Wrestling or a Tokyo Giants Baseball Game
  • Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum
  • Studio Ghibli Museum
  • Mount Fuji or Hakone
  • Studio Ghibli Park
  • Ancient Capital, Kyoto
  • Universal Studies/Super Nintendo World and Night Life with Street Food
  • Todai-ji Temple and Nara Deer
  • Osaka Aquarium and Night Life with Street Food
  • Bamboo Forest and Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama
  • Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima
  • Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima
  • Miyajima Island Excursion: Hiking and Itsukushima Shrine (Floating Shrine)
  • Nikko Toshogu Shrine and surrounding area
  • Disney and Disney Sea Tokyo
  • TeamLab Worlds
  • Tsukiji Outer Market

*The above list is preliminary itinerary. Changes and substitutions may need to occur. 

Frequently Asked Questions