Get creative
Organize your art supplies and get to crafting. Consider painting Mount Fuji, recreating this famous Japanese masterpiece, or learning origami.
Need more inspiration? Check out these virtual tours of famous Japanese museums and more.
Pick a film
Watch a movie that relates to your destination. Some ideas for Japan include:
- Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
- Lost in Translation (2003)*
- Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)
*Rated R (may not be suitable for all students)
Study some history
Dive deep into the history of specific sites you’ll visit on tour. Study the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, the former feudal checkpoint of Hakone, or the samurai district of Kanazawa. Then, tour some of Japan’s ancient history and modern marvels with this virtual reality video.
Choose a book
Read and discuss a book that takes place in your destination or describes the local culture. Pick from titles like:
- Lost Japan by Alex Kerr
- The Street of a Thousand Blossoms by Gail Tsukiyama
- A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki
Fill up your plate
Arrange a potluck and encourage your friends to bring a traditional dish from your destination. Know a chef? Hold a virtual Japanese cooking class with your travel group or support a local restaurant that offers delivery/take-out of your destination’s cuisine. Try tempura, sashimi, mochi, udon, or onigiri (rice balls).
Learn the language
Call up a friend or set up a group video chat and practice your language skills. It helps to make flashcards with common sayings to use on the phone or throughout your travels (think about ordering at restaurants, buying souvenirs, and chatting with locals).
Did you know?
The country of Japan is made up of 6,852 islands!