From centuries-old temples to cutting-edge digital art, Tokyo is a city where the past, present, and future collide – and it’s the perfect classroom for curious minds. The city is home to a remarkable variety of educational sites, offering students countless ways to engage with history, technology, culture, and innovation. On our educational tours through Japan’s capital, students don’t just visit – they experience, question, and connect. Here are some of our must-see stops on a school tour to Tokyo, each packed with immersive learning opportunities.
Our Must-See Educational Sites in Tokyo:
Team Lab
This immersive digital art museum is a student favorite. Here, they don’t just observe -they become part of the artwork, engaging with light, sound, motion, and even their own reflections to shape the space around them. Team Lab is also a powerful site for deeper learning. It invites students to think critically about how digital technology can be used not just to entertain, but to provoke thought and emotion.
This visit is an excellent opportunity to inspire creativity, collaboration, and forward-thinking. Whether learning how digital art is created, thinking about why some artworks change or disappear, or exploring how technology tells stories about our world, a visit to Team Lab is more than just fun – it gets students thinking in new ways. They’ll leave inspired, curious, and ready to keep the conversation going long after the visit ends.
Meiji Shrine
In the heart of Shibuya, the peaceful Meiji Shrine provides a welcome contrast and a powerful moment to slow down and reflect. It offers students a chance to step into Japan’s spiritual and cultural traditions.
A visit here introduces students to Japan’s indigenous religion, including rituals, symbolism, and the deep connection between nature and spirituality. They also gain insight into Japan’s modern history, as the shrine was built to honor Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken, key figures in Japan’s transformation during the Meiji Restoration. This stop highlights how tradition and progress coexist in Japan, making it an ideal place for discussions about cultural continuity, identity, and the balance between modern urban life and historical heritage.
Senso-ji Temple
In Asakusa, students can explore Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple. Their journey begins at the iconic Kaminarimon gate, leading them through a lively street filled with traditional shops and local treats. At Senso-ji, students learn about the foundations of Japanese Buddhism through direct observation of rituals like incense burning and fortune-telling. They also gain a deeper appreciation for how temples serve not just as places of worship, but as community hubs that have endured through major historical events.
This visit provides a meaningful context for understanding how religion, history, and culture intersect in Japan. For students, it’s a chance to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences – seeing how the past is preserved and honored in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic cities.
Tokyo National Museum
Located in the tranquil Ueno Park, the Tokyo National Museum is a true treasure trove of Japan’s rich art, archaeology, and cultural heritage. The museum offers students an immersive experience, with expert-led sessions that provide valuable context to the incredible artifacts on display. From intricately crafted samurai swords to delicate ancient ceramics, each exhibit tells a story of Japan’s evolving identity over the centuries.
This visit provides an exceptional opportunity to explore a wide range of topics, including Japan’s feudal era, the rise of the samurai class, traditional craftsmanship, and the influences of religion and culture on Japanese art.
Akihabara
Known as Electric Town, Akihabara is one of Tokyo’s most iconic districts, renowned for its vibrant mix of technology, gaming, and anime culture. It’s an ideal destination for students to dive into Japan’s significant and ongoing influence on global media and technology. As they explore the bustling streets, students are immersed in a world where innovation and pop culture collide, offering a firsthand look at how Japan has shaped modern entertainment, digital technology, and gaming.
Akihabara’s multi-story electronics shops are a treasure trove of cutting-edge gadgets, from advanced robotics to the latest gaming consoles and VR technology. Beyond gadgets, Akihabara is the birthplace of some of Japan’s most influential cultural exports, such as anime, manga, and video games. Students can learn about the history and their impact on global pop culture.
