Join us for a unique study abroad experience in Japan, where culture and healthcare meet. This immersive trip offers students interested in the health professions the opportunity to explore Japan’s healthcare system, engage in cross-cultural learning, and gain new perspectives on patient care. Beyond academics, you’ll experience Japan’s rich traditions, modern innovations and vibrant communities. Expand your knowledge, grow as a professional, and make unforgettable memories abroad!
Secure Your Spot on this Trip
To ensure you have a spot on this study abroad trip, you must pay your deposit and fill out the registration form.
Trip Cost and Inclusions
| Payment Number | Cost | Due Date |
| 1st Payment (Initial Deposit) | $1,000 | 11/3/2025 |
| 2nd Payment | $1,000 | 1/1/2026 |
| 3rd Payment | $1,800 | 2/23/2026 |
What is Included:
- All experiences and planned activities
- 9 nights' accommodation
- Airport pick-up and drop-off to and from the hotels
- Private daily charter bus
- Bullet train tickets
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (except for 2 dinners and 1 lunch that is at your own expense)
- Dedicated private tour guide speaking English and Japanese
- CISI travel medical insurance
- Tips for the tour guide and bus driver(s)
Additional Costs:
- If you would like to be in an individual room (without a roommate), you will pay an additional $450 fee.
- Each participant is responsible for their own international airfare to and from Tokyo. This cost will vary depending on the flight you select. Estimated costs are $900 - $1,300.
- Travel insurance is not included but is recommended. The cost will vary depending on your age, the policy type, and how long you travel for. Estimated costs are $200 - $350.
Approximate Total Trip Cost:
- With a roommate (including travel insurance): ~$5,200
- Without a roommate in an individual room (including travel insurance): $5,650
Purchasing Travel Insurance:
- It is recommended to purchase travel insurance within 14 days of paying your initial deposit for the trip.
- You are welcome to select any insurance provider, but the UIW Study Abroad Office recommends CISI (website linked below).
Study Abroad Itinerary
Welcome to Japan!
This study abroad tour will start in Tokyo, Japan. The tour guide will welcome you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. Dinner and refreshments will be served upon arrival.
Note: Participants are responsible for booking and paying for their own airfare to and from Tokyo. You have the option of arriving early (or leaving late) to explore the country on your own. If you choose to do this, you will need to find your own transportation to the hotel from the airport. Those participants arriving on Friday afternoon will be provided transportation to the hotel.
Overnight accommodations in Tokyo.
Tokyo City Exploration
Begin your journey with a full-day guided tour of Tokyo, led by a private guide. Explore some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, immerse yourself in Japanese culture, and get a glimpse of everyday life as you navigate the world-famous Tokyo Metro. This experience offers the perfect introduction to Japan’s capital—the largest city in the nation and the most populous metropolis in the world.
Day 2 Itinerary:
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Morning: Visit Asakusa – Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise Shopping Street for traditional snacks and souvenirs
- Lunch: Included in the program
- Afternoon: Visit Meiji Jingu Shrine – a peaceful Shinto shrine in the heart of Tokyo. Learn about Shinto purification rituals.
- Evening: Explore Harajuku’s vibrant street culture and fashion scene. End the day at Shibuya Crossing and the iconic Hachiko Statue.
- Welcome dinner at a local restaurant near Shibuya – included in the program
Overnight accommodations in Tokyo.
Immersive Cultural Experience
Take part in an authentic Japanese tea ceremony, guided step-by-step by a cultural expert, while dressed in a beautiful traditional kimono. Afterward, choose your own adventure with one of three unforgettable experiences: try your hand at ninja training, explore the interactive digital art of TeamLab Planets, or witness the excitement of live sumo wrestling. It’s the perfect balance of tradition and adventure in Tokyo.
Day 3 Itinerary:
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Morning: Private Tea ceremony and Kimono experience
- Lunch: Included in the program
- Afternoon: Out of your comfort zone activities: 1 activity to choose from:
- Ninja Training in Tokyo (2 Hours) at the Samurai Museum
- Watch Live Sumo Wrestling
- TeamLab Planets museum - Immerse yourself physically in the massive artwork spaces, perceive them with your body, and become one with the art.
- Dinner: At your own expense
Overnight accommodations in Tokyo.
University Visits
Gain firsthand insight into the education of nursing and pharmacy students with a guided visit to a local university. Tour the campus facilities, connect with faculty and students, and learn about healthcare education and professional practices in Japan. You will also visit a local pharmacy and medicine center to discover the practice of traditional herbal medicine, explore treatments, and learn about its role in Japanese healthcare.
Day 4 Itinerary:
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Morning: Visit a university with Nursing and Pharmacy departments for academic exchange and a campus tour
- Lunch on campus: Included in the program
- Afternoon: Visit a local pharmacy and a Kampo Medicine Center
- Dinner: Included in the program
Overnight accommodations in Tokyo.
Travel to Hiroshima
Depart Tokyo aboard the famous bullet train and head to Hiroshima. Upon arrival, take part in an okonomiyaki cooking lesson, learning how to make this beloved Japanese dish. End the day with group karaoke and a lively cultural dinner experience.
Day 5 Itinerary:
- Breakfast at the hotel, then checkout.
- Morning: Bullet train to Hiroshima.
- Afternoon: Okonomiyaki cooking lesson – learn to make Hiroshima’s famous savory pancakes. Included as a late lunch in the program.
- Evening: Group karaoke night with a fun and interactive cultural experience and dinner – included in the program.
Overnight accommodations in Hiroshima.
Hiroshima History and Travel to Kyoto
Discover Hiroshima’s past with a visit to the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, exploring the impact of the atomic bombing and the city’s enduring message of peace. Enjoy coffee and lunch at Hachidori Social Book Cafe.
Day 6 Itinerary:
- Breakfast at the hotel, then checkout.
- Morning: Visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum for a reflective exploration of history.
- Coffee and conversation at Hachidori Social Book Cafe – a unique space supporting peace and community.
- Lunch at or near Hachidori: Included in the program
- Afternoon: Bullet train to Kyoto.
- Evening: Group dinner in a traditional Kyoto-style restaurant – included in the program
Overnight accommodations in Kyoto.
Kyoto Cultural and Wellness Activities
Begin the morning with a guided Shinrin Yoku (forest bathing) experience in the tranquil Tadasu no Mori near Shimogamo Shrine, followed by a rejuvenating soak in a traditional Japanese onsen surrounded by peaceful natural scenery. For lunch, enjoy a hands-on sushi-making class at Umemori, celebrated for its authentic and interactive culinary experience. In the afternoon, explore Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site admired for its breathtaking architecture, rich history, and beautifully preserved gardens.
Day 7 Itinerary:
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Morning: 'Shirin Yoku' (Forest Bathing) experience and relaxing soak.
- Lunch: Sushi-making class at Umemori
- Afternoon: Visit to Nijo Castle
- Dinner: Included in the program
Overnight accommodations in Kyoto.
Tasting Day in Kyoto
Discover the art of sake brewing with a guided tasting session at a traditional Kyoto brewery. Learn about the brewing process, sample a variety of premium sake, and deepen your appreciation for this iconic Japanese beverage in an authentic setting.
Day 8 Itinerary:
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Morning: Sake tasting experience in Kyoto
- Lunch at or near Kyoto Brewery – Included in the program
- Afternoon: Free Afternoon and evening
- Dinner: At own expense
Overnight accommodations in Kyoto.
Travel to Tokyo and Farewell
Day 9 Itinerary:
- Breakfast at the hotel, then checkout.
- Morning: Bullet train back to Tokyo.
- Lunch: At own expense.
- Afternoon: Final shopping and sightseeing.
- Farewell dinner: Included in the program.
Overnight accommodations in Tokyo.
Today marks the end of the tour in Japan
We hope you have made lasting memories!
Day 10 Itinerary:
- Breakfast at the hotel, then checkout.
- Airport transfer from the hotel to the airport.
Note: Participants are responsible for booking and paying for their own airfare to and from Tokyo. You have the option of leaving later to continue exploring the country on your own. If you choose to do this, you will need to find your own transportation to the airport from the hotel when you depart. If you select a flight that leaves late morning or afternoon on Sunday, June 7th, then transportation to the airport will be provided.
Hotel Accommodations
| Dates | City | Hotel |
| May 29 - June 2 | Tokyo | TBD |
| June 2 - 3 | Hiroshima | TBD |
| June 3 - 6 | Kyoto | TBD |
| June 6 - 7 | Tokyo | TBD |