Introduction

Without a doubt, no other travel destination excites an educator than a student trip to Japan. Japan is an ideal destination; it is safe, clean, efficient and YES, surprisingly affordable!

For many, the misconception of expensive Japanese accommodations and foods, prevent them from getting to the truth to such rumours. As is the case at home and abroad, where you choose to stay and where you eat and the types of food that you eat will affect your budget. It may surprise you to know that a student trip to Japan is economically competitive as student trips to European or some American destinations.

The purpose of this organizer is to encourage you to realize your long held dream of a student trip to Japan. A modest publication of this size can only suggest basic activities and strategies for consideration. It is still up to you to do the detailed work. Each school and boards of education have differing policies governing international school trips and the specific protocol to be followed. Please consult your school principal and the appropriate board officials for further information. All of the recommendations suggested here have been gathered from many teachers who have organized trips to Japan, some small groups of ten students to large sports and musical groups numbering up to one hundred students, including ten staff members and their equipment!

On average, international student trips will require a minimum of one year of preparatory work and ideally two years for large groups such as a school band or a sports team. The only caution with a two-year timeline is that there may be a danger, in some cases, of declining student interest halfway into the project, so it is important for teachers to generate activities that will sustain the momentum. School wide activities such as Japan Day or concerts will help to maintain or regain the momentum.