Culture School Trip to Japan and South Korea

On this 9 day culture school trip to Japan and South Korea, students will gain a deeper understanding of history, tradition, and modern society in both countries. In Japan, they’ll explore significant sites like Shibuya Crossing, Meiji Shrine, and the Harajuku District while learning about their cultural and historical importance. Hands-on workshops, including a traditional tea ceremony and kimono-making class, will offer insight into Japanese customs and craftsmanship. In Seoul, students will engage with Korean heritage through activities like Taekwondo, K-Pop dancing, and sustainable cooking, gaining perspective on both traditional and contemporary culture. They’ll also visit historic landmarks such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, explore bustling local markets, and learn about urban development at N Seoul Tower.

Feefo logo

Prices from £2,250 

for 9 days

Price based on 20 students and 2 free staff, not including flights.

Prices from €2,700 

for 9 days

Price based on 20 students and 2 free staff, not including flights.

Prices from $2,910 

for 9 days

Price based on 20 students and 2 free staff, not including flights.

for 9 days

Price based on 20 students and 2 free staff, not including flights.

Highlights

Taiko Drumming

K-Pop Dance Class

Cooking Class

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo

  • Students will touch down in Tokyo, ready for the start of their culture trip! They’ll meet their Adventure Leader and they will have a trip briefing. Alongside running through the next 9 days of the itinerary, they’ll also introduce students to the local culture in Japan and provide some tips for adjusting to local life, while also explaining the best ways to stay safe while they travel.
  • After settling in, students will end their first evening by enjoying a view of Tokyo like no other with a trip to the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.

Day 2: Tokyo

  • To start their morning, students will walk through the district of Asakusa, where an atmosphere of ancient Tokyo survives. They will get the chance to discover the charming streets lined with traditional craft shops and street-food stalls, whilst also being able to visit Sensoji Temple, one of Tokyo’s most colorful and popular Buddhist temples.
  • After exploring popular temples, students will head to Edo Taito Craft Center where they will see many exhibitions and over 250 items covering over 50 styles of traditional craftwork.
  • In the afternoon, students can attain peace of mind through the historical practices of a Japanese tea ceremony, in actual tea house. During this tea ceremony, students will discover Zen with a nationally qualified tea master.

Day 3: Tokyo

  • Today, students will join a Taiko class to learn about the traditional typical Japanese instrument. Taiko has a mythological origin in Japanese folklore, its function has varied throughout history, ranging from communication, military action, theatrical accompaniment, and religious ceremony to both festival and concert performances.
  • After lunch, it’s time for students to take a visit to the beautiful Meiji Shrine. Students can take a stroll through the Meiji Gardens and explore freely the Meiji Jingu Museum.
  • Next, students will move on to the Harajuku district, Tokyo’s cultural epicentre, to see Pokémon, punks, goths and fashionistas. Anything goes in Harajuku!
  • In the evening, students will pay a visit to the famous Shibuya Crossing. When the lights turn red at this busy intersection, pedestrians surge into the junction from all sides like a floodgate opening. It’s arguably one of the most iconic modern sights in Tokyo!

Day 4: Tokyo

  • For their last day in Tokyo, students will get to create a Kimono, a traditional Japanese dress, made from antique Kimono fabric. During this workshop students will learn about the tradition behind a Kimono, see the structure, touch the fabric, and create their own product.
  • To end their time in Tokyo, students will discover the mesmerizing world of digital art at Team Lab. They will step into interactive installations that combine technology, art, and nature, creating immersive and ethereal experiences

Day 5: Seoul

  • This morning its time to leave Tokyo and fly to the second destination of the trip, Seoul.
  • The Adventure Leader will introduce students to the local culture in South Korea and provide some tips for adjusting to local life, while also explaining the best ways to stay safe while they travel in this new destination.
  • Arriving in a new city can be overwhelming for anyone, so for the students first day in Seoul, they will experience a walking tour of the local area. The Adventure Leader will talk students through some of the cultural differences they should be aware of, as well as giving them some top tips for their tour.

Day 6: Seoul

  • To start the day, students will visit a Dojang, the Korean word for the training hall, where martial arts like Taekwondo & Tangsoodo take place. Here they will have an exciting training session lead by a local instructor.
  • After experiencing a traditional training session, students will visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main Royal Palace of the Joseon Dynasty. Students will get the chance to explore the exquisite palace before walking up the Hill to the East of the palace. At the top, they will find Bukchon Hanok Village, a Korean traditional village of narrow alleys and traditional Korean houses called Hanoks.
  • To end an adventurous day, students will get to explore the Gwangjang Market, one of the oldest and largest traditional markets in South Korea. Students can take their time sampling the local food or wandering the stalls that sell a variety of goods. This is a perfect time for students to buy some souvenirs to bring back home.

Day 7: Seoul

  • Today, students will take a sustainable cooking class and make 3 famous Korean foods. During their cooking class, they will learn about the seasonal and local foods and the reduction of food waste.
  • After learning new cooking skills, students will soak in incredible views over the Metropolis, from the observation deck of Seoul’s second highest point, the N Seoul Tower.
  • Students will then board cable cars near Myeongdong Station and head up Namsan to the based of N Seoul Tower, taking in the city views as they ascend.
  • In the evening, it’s time to do some shopping at Myeong-dong – Korea’s best-known shopping district, where the streets are lined with department stores and shops that sell brand-name cosmetics, clothes, shoes and accessories.

Day 8: Seoul

  • This morning, students have the chance to live like a K-Pop star through experiencing a K-pop dance class! Students can sing along if they know the words and follow the instructions of the professional instructors.
  • Afterwards, students will get to experience K-Pop and view media art at the same time at the HiKR Ground, a homage to all things k-culture. Get immersed in Korean local tourism through various arts, experiences, and exhibitions or enjoy various media arts through the large media “HiKR Wall”. Students can also make their own K-pop music videos using the XR Live Studio!
  • To end their last day in Seoul, students will explore the Starfield COEX Mall, a mall that leads in trends and culture! Combining fashion, food, culture and entertainment, the mall provides everything you need. Or they can relax and entertain themselves at the Starfield Library, home to more than 50,000 books and magazines or visit the COEX Aquarium.

Day 9: Farewell

  • Sadly, today marks the end of the Learning Adventure for your students. We’ll transfer back to the airport, ready for students to head home.

Map

Prices from £2,250 

for 9 days

Price based on 20 students and 2 free staff, not including flights.

Prices from €2,700 

for 9 days

Price based on 20 students and 2 free staff, not including flights.

Prices from $2,910 

for 9 days

Price based on 20 students and 2 free staff, not including flights.

for 9 days

Price based on 20 students and 2 free staff, not including flights.

What's included

  • Adventure Leader for the entire trip
  • All accommodation costs, with option for single rooms for teachers
  • All meals for the entire trip
  • All transportation costs, including airport pick-up and drop-off
  • All activities listed in the itinerary
  • Customisable Free Teacher Ratio
  • 24-hour emergency contact support during the trip
  • Detailed pre-departure summary & briefing
  • Full financial failure protection
  • Public liability insurance
  • Our trips are fully risk-assessed
  • Fully customisable

Learning Outcomes

Students will learn the cultural meaning and the tradition of Kimonos, the Japanese traditional dress, through a hands-on workshop that will give them insights in the Japanese culture as well as the values of recycling and reusing.
Students will explore the impact of the Korean Wave (Hallyu) by engaging in a K-Pop dance activity and visiting a museum dedicated to contemporary media to understand its cultural significance and global influence.
Visiting Japan and Korea, allows students to enhance their ability to compare cultural practices, historical developments, and societal values, deepening their global perspective and appreciation of East Asia’s diverse heritage.

Enquire now for a customised quote