Recently, Hayley and her school joined The Learning Adventure on a transformative culture-based educational tour to Japan. We spoke with Hayley to find out more about her school’s program, their experience of Japan, and how the Learning Adventure helped them book an exciting, enriching school trip.
What inspired you to organize a school trip to Japan, and how did you go about planning it?
At Haydon School, we are proud of our reputation of being committed to developing the provision and opportunities we provide our students, with a focus on building on their individual cultural capital through international school trips. My colleagues and I were inspired to select Japan as our next ‘culture trip’ destination because we wanted to encourage our students to deepen their knowledge about Japan’s rich history, modern economy and diverse culture, all of which are key elements of their studies in their humanities-based subjects.
After researching a number of trip providers, my colleagues and I discovered The Learning Adventure and were impressed with their broad offer of international trips and for their willingness to collaborate and build a tailor-made Japan itinerary with us.
What did you hope your students would gain from a trip to Japan?
We wanted our students to have hands-on experiences of Japanese culture that would transpire to become core memories shared with fellow students. When establishing an itinerary, we prioritised eclecticism, ensuring that students would not only experience Japan’s bustling cities but also its ethereal nature, traditional cuisine, and poignant historical monuments.
What were the top 3 highlights of the trip for your students?
- Hiroshima Peace Park and Memorial Museum: We were given a tour by local guides around the Peace Memorial Park monuments, attended the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and listened to a talk from a legacy bomb successor. It was truly wonderful to see our students share their thoughts and questions and engage with the guides. Students described the overall experience as solemn yet powerful and many expressed their gratitude with regards to having the opportunity to visit somewhere so poignant in history. Many students identified this experience as one of their favourite elements of the trip.
- Miyajima Island: Whilst in Hiroshima, we boarded a ferry to Miyajima Island where we explored the Itsukushima Shrine. This was a peaceful oasis where students really enjoyed learning about Buddhist practices and the auspicious nature of the omamori whilst being accompanied by the island’s wandering wild deer.
- Shibuya: One evening, we were taken to the Shibuya crossing and the Harajuku district, an area where pushing the boundaries of fashion norms is praised and such self-expression left our students captivated by the Japanese youth’s dedication to Kawaii culture.
What were your top 3 highlights as a teacher?
- Surprise visit to Tokyo Disneyland: We organised for students to go on a surprise trip to Tokyo Disneyland and informed them the evening before. Our students were incredibly excited and from a staff perspective it was rewarding to see them enjoy this magical experience, watching the parades; meeting the Disney characters and going on the various rides.
- Tokyo National Museum: While in Tokyo, we visited the Tokyo National Museum, one of the oldest and largest museums in Japan that houses over 120,000 artefacts including samurai armour and swords; ancient Buddhist statues; historic tea houses and pieces of art by revered Japanese artists.
- Hakone and Mount Fuji: We enjoyed spectacular views whilst on board the Hakone Komagatake Ropeway, seeing the incredible Mount Fuji on a clear sunny day before then enjoying the panoramic views of the landscape while sailing on Lake Ashinoko. We then finished the day exploring the Hakone Shrine and seeing the iconic red gate of peace.
Can you share any memorable cultural experiences or interactions your students had during their time in Japan?
Our students thoroughly enjoyed participating in a traditional shodō class (Japanese calligraphy). The experts leading the class were engaging and informative. Moreover, the experts ensured they interacted with all students and staff, providing us with reassuring advice and praise for refining our calligraphy skills. Students were filled with a sense of achievement showing each other the masterpieces they had created.
Were there any particular landmarks, attractions, or activities in Japan that stood out as must-visit destinations for educational groups?
A visit to Hiroshima is an absolute must-visit destination for school groups. Wandering through the Peace Memorial Park, seeing the Genbaku Dome and the exhibits at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is a uniquely powerful experience. Not only does it highlight the reality of a tragic period of Japan’s history, but also places emphasis on the importance of peace and remembering the legacy of the lives lost and those impacted by the atrocities of 1945. Moreover, it was also a fantastic opportunity for students to see the diverse aspects to the city in reality. Students enjoyed being able to witness the extent to which the cosmopolitan city has been redeveloped and, in contrast, experiencing the tranquillity of Miyajima Island.
What were your educational goals or learning outcomes for the trip? Were they achieved?
The learning outcomes we selected for our trip were as follows:
- Discover Japanese culture through hands-on activities and a wide variety of excursions, which offer a balance between the modern and the traditional elements of Japanese society.
- Practise Japanese language skills with the assistance of our Japanese-speaking guides.
- Uncover Japan’s rich history, from its ancient traditions to the devastation it suffered in the Second World War and the country’s emergence as a major economic player in the 20th century.
As teachers, we were satisfied all outcomes were successfully achieved and this was evident through the students’ personal reflections and testimonies shared throughout the duration of the trip, and upon their return to school.
How did your local Adventure Leader in Japan enrich your trip?
We were exceptionally lucky to have Vic as our local Adventure Leader. Having spent a significant amount of time travelling and living in Japan, Vic had extensive knowledge about local customs, tourist attractions, and traditional cuisine – and was able to speak fluent Japanese, which made liaising with the locals much easier. Vic quickly developed an excellent rapport with our students and went above and beyond to ensure they all had the trip of a lifetime – we are eternally grateful for her support and guidance on this trip!
What advice would you give to other teachers interested in organising a school trip to Japan?
Some key advice we would give to other teachers organising a school trip to Japan:
- Give students and parents/guardians around 18–24 months to pay for the trip in instalments. This will increase inclusivity and provide more students with the opportunity to attend.
- Liaise with The Learning Adventure about significant tourist attractions and activities that you want included in the itinerary, they are incredibly helpful and accommodating and will make it happen.
- Provide your students and their parents/guardians with a guidebook that details all key information they could possibly need to know about the trip.
- Provide students with a branded school backpack to bring with them on the trip. Not only is it a great souvenir to commemorate the trip but it is also practical, as branded backpacks enable you to easily spot your group of students out in busy public places when moving.
- Create bag tags for the students that include emergency telephone numbers, accommodation addresses, instructions about what to do if they get lost, dietary requirements, and allergy information.
What made you choose to travel with The Learning Adventure? Would you travel with us again, and why?
In light of our positive experience working with The Learning Adventure, we have already chosen to co-ordinate another cultural school trip with them which is due to take place in China in October 2026. The Learning Adventure ensured that the entirety of our trip experience, from the initial organising process, to the experience itself, was seamless and enjoyable. The Learning Adventure always responded in an efficient manner to our queries and worked tirelessly to make sure the itinerary met all of our requests. We are appreciative of their unwavering support and attention to detail.
If you’d like to learn more about our Learning Adventures to Japan, you can view a selection of our standard itineraries here. Alternatively, you can reach out to our team by form, phone, or email.
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