Welcome to Japan! We arrive in Tokyo, one of the world’s biggest and most exciting cities, where glowing skyscrapers, packed neighbourhoods and cutting-edge technology sit alongside centuries of Japanese tradition. After making our way into the city and settling in, we come together for dinner and get ready for an action-packed journey exploring Japan’s technology, science, culture and history. Overnight: Tokyo multi-share hotel rooms

Meals:  D

We dive straight into futuristic Tokyo at teamLab Planets, an immersive digital art experience where we move through enormous interactive spaces filled with light, colour and changing environments. At Miraikan, Japan’s National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, we explore robotics, AI and technologies that could shape our future. After choosing our own lunch, we check out real-world robotics at Kawasaki Robostage before heading to Akihabara, Tokyo’s legendary neighbourhood for electronics, gaming, anime and tech culture. We finish an epic first full day over dinner together. Overnight: Tokyo multi-share hotel rooms

Meals:  B,D

Today is all about big ideas. We travel to Tsukuba, one of Japan’s major science and research centres, and visit the Tsukuba Space Center to discover Japan’s work in satellites, rockets and space exploration. At AIST-Cube, we explore advanced scientific research and technologies being developed for the future. After grabbing our own lunch, things get seriously futuristic at Cyberdyne Studios, where we discover wearable robotic technology designed to work with the human body and assist movement. Over dinner, we compare the inventions and ideas that surprised us most. Overnight: Tokyo multi-share hotel rooms

Meals:  B,D

We start with an experience unique to life in earthquake-prone Japan at the Ikebukuro Disaster Prevention Center, where emergency simulations introduce us to disaster preparedness. The technological innovation used to simulate a disaster is very impressive. Then we hit Harajuku, a colourful neighbourhood famous for youth fashion and creative culture. After choosing our own lunch, we join the crowds at the huge Shibuya Crossing before heading up Tokyo Skytree for a completely different perspective over this enormous city. We finish in Asakusa and Nakamise Street, where temples and traditional shops reveal an older side of Tokyo, followed by dinner together. Overnight: Tokyo multi-share hotel rooms

Meals:  B,D

Today we experience Japanese engineering in action aboard the Shinkansen, Japan’s famous high-speed bullet train, as we travel from Tokyo to Nagoya with a bento lunch along the way. At SCMAGLEV & Railway Park, we explore the evolution of Japan’s railways and discover magnetic levitation technology being developed for ultra-high-speed train travel. Next, the Toyota Kaikan Museum takes us into the world of automotive design, manufacturing and new vehicle technologies. We then continue to Kyoto, swapping futuristic engineering for one of Japan’s great historic cities and finishing the day over dinner. Overnight: Kyoto multi-share hotel rooms

Meals:  B,D

Today we take a break from all the technology and discover a completely different side of Japan. We start at Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto’s famous Golden Pavilion, before stepping beneath the towering bamboo of Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. After exploring lunch options, we slow things down with a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, learning about a practice shaped by mindfulness and respect. Next comes Nishiki Market, a bustling food market packed with local flavours, before one of Kyoto’s most recognisable sights: Fushimi Inari Shrine, where thousands of bright red torii gates create pathways across the hillside. We finish this huge day with dinner together. Overnight: Kyoto multi-share hotel rooms

Meals:  B,D

We board another Shinkansen bullet train and travel to Hiroshima for another day of some broader learning of Japan and its varied history. Our first stop is Shukkei-en Garden, a traditional Japanese landscape garden designed around miniature mountains, valleys and waterways. After choosing our own lunch, the afternoon takes on a more powerful focus at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. We see the preserved A-Bomb Dome and visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, learning about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and its human impact. It’s a thought-provoking day that gives us plenty to discuss over dinner as we consider peace, resilience and global citizenship. Overnight: Hiroshima multi-share hotel rooms

Meals:  B,D

We kick off at the Mazda Museum, discovering how cars move from ideas and engineering to manufacturing. Then we grab a bento lunch and board the Shinkansen bullet train for Osaka, one of Japan’s liveliest cities. Once there, it’s time to stop watching technology and start playing with it. At HADO Arena, we take on an augmented reality sport that combines physical movement, gaming and digital technology, turning the real world into part of the game. As one of the world's most innovative emerging sports, HADO blends esports culture with real-world action, creating a futuristic experience that is highly relevant to today's tech-savvy students. Overnight: Osaka multi-share hotel rooms

Meals:  B,D

Our final full day starts at the futuristic-looking Umeda Sky Building, where we head up for panoramic views across Osaka. Next we visit the Osaka Science Museum, getting hands-on with interactive exhibits exploring science and technology. After choosing our own lunch, we dive into Dotonbori, Osaka’s famous entertainment district packed with huge signs, neon lights and street-food culture. Then it’s time for a sumo experience, where we get an interactive introduction to Japan’s national sport. Our final reflection dinner is a chance to relive the technology, culture, history and unforgettable experiences we’ve packed into the journey. Overnight: Osaka multi-share hotel rooms

Meals:  B,D

It’s time to farewell Japan. We transfer to Osaka airport for our departure, looking back on a journey that has taken us from robots, rockets and augmented reality to bullet trains, bamboo forests, ancient traditions and the powerful history of Hiroshima. We leave with plenty of stories to share — and a completely new perspective on how Japan combines technology, creativity, culture and tradition.

Meals:  B