DAY 1 AUSTRALIA - TOKYO

Fly from Australia to Tokyo (on an overnight flight) . Meet and Greet on arrival where you will exchange your voucher for your JR Rail pass (subject to arrival time in Tokyo). Transfer to your accommodation by private coach.

DAY 2 TOKYO (B)

After you drop your luggage at your hotel and have breakfast, meet your guide in the hotel foyer and then take the train to the National Museum of Emerging Science & Innovation (Miraikan) on Odaiba Island. The Museum is a fabulous hands-on and English friendly experience which asks students to find their own questions, try to answer them and then turn your answers into action. Download the ‘Miraikan notebook app’ on arrival for a deeper understanding of many of the exhibits.

Featuring androids (ASIMO demonstration), DNA cutting edge science experiments, Geo Cosmos movement and screening, interactive student displays in English, Medical research advancements and technologies, Space Exploration, DNA and Cells theatre, Earthquake and Volcano measurement data exhibit and much more. (Please note Miraikan is closed on Tuesdays. Opens 10am all other days. ASIMO demonstration is at 11am each day).

After leaving Miraikan head towards the Diver City Department Store (5-minute walk) where you will take lunch in the food court (own arrangements). There is time for a photo opportunity with the giant transformer at the entrance to the food court!

After lunch continue across to the Sony ExploraScience room which features how new technology aligns with basic science principles. Enjoy interacting with the many exhibits in the Sound Zone, Light Zone and the 4k/3D image and much more. Sony ExploraScience is a short 10-minute walk from the food court.

Return to the nearby station and take the train back to your accommodation later that afternoon. The remainder of the day is allocated as leisure at your teachers’ discretion. Dinner is own arrangements this evening (can be arranged on request).

Optional: visit the Toyota Mega Web Theme Park on Odaiba Island, a combination of museum, automobile technology advancement and interactive stations designed to entertain and educate.

DAY 3 TOKYO – TSUKUBA - TOKYO (B)

After breakfast this morning travel by private coach to Tsukuba Science Park (approximately 1 hour from Tokyo). Originally the site for the World Expo in 1985, it has developed into an incredible science city with a focus on research and development across all branches of science.

The first stop is KEK – home to the Belle II mega accelerator, KEK is a particle accelerator research laboratory. Enjoy a fascinating guided tour of the two main sections of the plant which is a wonderful experience for students of Chemistry and Physics in particular.

Lunch will be taken in the Tsukuba department store food court, there are many options to choose from.

After lunch your coach will take you to JAXA Space Research Facility – visit the exhibition room (self-guided) and guided tours are also recommended of the KIBO Flight Control Room and the Astronaut training facility. Over 70 mins, students witness real time operations of KIBO, the Japanese Experiment Module on the International Space Station and learn about Astronaut selection, training and healthcare. An excellent program and delivered in English. Be sure to have your photo taken alongside the rocket in the carpark.

Optional: visit CYBERDYNE STUDIO – Learn how future use of robot technology aids industry, in particular medical rehabilitation. Guided tour and demonstration includes a short film followed by the opportunity to wear a robot suit.

Return to Tokyo by private coach later that afternoon. Dinner is own arrangements this evening.

DAY 4 TOKYO – TSUKUBA – TOKYO (B)

After breakfast meet your coach at the hotel and head out to Tsukuba for another day of science learnings
Arrive at NIMS – Japan’s National Institute for Materials Science for your workshop. This workshop introduces students to the Metallurgical World and students conduct experiments over the following 2 hours. They compare properties of metals, deform and heat treat metals and investigate shape memory alloys before experiencing a guided tour of the NIMS facilities learning about Creep Test before visiting the NIMS Thermal Spray Laboratory
Lunch will be taken in the Tsukuba department store food court, there are many options to choose from.

After lunch your coach will take you to Science Square Tsukuba, an exhibit on how the progress of science and technology will change our future. Essentially a showroom of industrial technology, it demonstrates the results of research undertaken at the Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (AIST), a public research institute focusing on Manufacturing, Green Technology and Life Technology.

Return to Tokyo by private coach, arriving at approximately 5pm. The remainder of the day is allocated as leisure at your teachers’ discretion.

DAY 5 TOKYO – YAMANASHI PREFECTURE – MT FUJI - TOKYO (B, L)

After breakfast at your hotel, travel by private coach to the Maglev Exhibition Centre in Yamanashi Prefecture (1.5 hours from Tokyo). Arrival time 10am. Students will learn how Japanese engineers have evolved the high-speed train industry through the use of magnets. Experiencing the Maglev train test from the observation desk (run every 20 minutes) on the 5.7 KM test track where it reaches speeds in excess of 550 KMS per hour is a great thrill. Workshops on superconducting magnets and where students can make their own mini Maglev are included (30 mins).

Departing at around 1130 by private coach to Fujinomiya where you will enjoy lunch of organic Soba noodles before a visit the World Heritage Shiraito Waterfall and the micro hydro power sites using water from Mt Fuji. Students will learn how Japanese farmers practice sustainable use of water and other resources before heading to Mt Fuji 5th Station for some sightseeing - if the weather is kind you will enjoy the view of the summit from here.

If time permits, stop at the Mt Fuji World Heritage Centre for an understanding of the great history of the mountain and its special place in Japanese culture before returning to Tokyo later that afternoon.

DAY 6 TOKYO (B)

After breakfast at your hotel, take the train to Edo Tokyo Museum and discover the fascinating history of Tokyo. Find your lunch nearby before heading to the Meiji Shrine in Harajuku, and spending time wandering the streets known for their colourful street art, cosplay and fashion scene. Finally, walk or train to Shibuya and experience the famous Shibuya crossing. Take particular notice of the beautification of the Shibuya River area which is undergoing huge transformation along its 2.5 km length to Tokyo Bay, and the amazing engineering required to complete this huge task.

DAY 7 TOKYO- OSAKA (B)

After breakfast make your way to the nearby JR station and travel to Osaka by train. On arrival at Shin Osaka station, transfer to the Osaka metro line and make your way to your nearby accommodation to check in.

The remainder of the day is allocated as leisure at your teachers’ discretion.

DAY 8 OSAKA (B)

After breakfast at your hotel head to Osaka Science Museum by local train where you will be met by your guide for a guided tour. A short 60-minute tour, the museum features 4 floors highlighting Familiar Chemistry, Electricity and Energy the Universe and Discovery and more. The best exhibit is in the museum foyer – see the robot solve the Rubik’s Cube in just 16 steps!

Next door to the Osaka Science Museum is the Osaka National Museum of Art which is worth a visit. After taking some lunch nearby, it’s onto the local train again to visit the world-renowned Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (20mins by train). With 15 large tanks, there is a focus on the fish of the Pacific Rim as well as specific zones featuring Japan Forest, Antarctica and more.
But the highlight is the magnificent Pacific Rim tank, over 5,400 tones of water housing some of the largest fish in the sea. There are over 30,000 creatures encompassing 620 species. A superb experience and expertly designed for maximum learning and movement of people throughout the aquarium itself.
Return to your hotel by train and enjoy some leisure time at your teachers’ discretion.

Optional: A visit to Kindai University Osaka can also be arranged where students can learn of the developments in aquaculture and sustainable fishing with regards to Bluefin Tuna, an important food source in Japanese culture.

DAY 9 OSAKA (B)

After breakfast head to Universal Studios for the day (full day activity) – optional
Optional: consider a visit to Kobe’s excellent Earthquake and Disaster Museum or even a day trip to Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan.

DAY 10 OSAKA (B)

This morning has been allocated as leisure time at your teachers’ discretion. Depending on your departure time, transfer to the airport by train for your flight to Australia.

DAY 11 AUSTRALIA

Arrive home to Australia