Pinellas School District - Japan STEM 10 Day Adventure

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Japan, where cutting-edge technology meets rich cultural traditions. Begin in Tokyo, exploring the dynamic balance between the city’s tech-forward innovations and deep-rooted heritage. Engage with robotics and AI at a top STEM institute, marvel at the immersive digital art of teamLab, and experience Tokyo’s spiritual side at Meiji Shrine and Senso-ji Temple. Next, travel by bullet train to Kyoto and Nara, immersing yourself in Japan’s historical heart. From Kyoto’s iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine and Nijo Castle to a serene tea ceremony and a fascinating look into robotic agriculture in Nara, you’ll discover the perfect harmony of past and future. Finally, Osaka awaits with its vibrant food scene, interactive STEM experiences, and visits to iconic sites like Osaka Castle and the Science Museum. Conclude your adventure with a memorable farewell dinner, reflecting on a journey that blends innovation, tradition, and discovery.

PROPOSED ITINERARY

Tokyo: Technology & Tradition (Days 1–4)

Highlights:
- Begin your journey in Japan’s bustling capital city.
- Engage in a hands-on workshop at a leading STEM institute, exploring cutting-edge robotics and AI.
- Immerse yourself in the digital art installations of teamLab, an unforgettable sensory experience blending technology and creativity.
- Discover Tokyo’s rich history with visits to Meiji Shrine and Asakusa’s Senso-ji Temple, offering insight into Japan’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
- Explore the colorful streets of Harajuku and Akihabara, where tradition meets the latest in pop culture and technology.
- Experience an electrifying tech-infused dinner show at the Robot Restaurant.

Kyoto & Nara: The Heart of Japanese Heritage (Days 5–7)

Highlights:
- Travel to Kyoto via the iconic bullet train, experiencing Japan’s engineering marvels.
- Participate in a STEM workshop at Kyoto Institute of Technology, focusing on sustainability and innovative design.
- Visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for its thousands of vibrant torii gates.
- Delve into Japanese history at Nijo Castle, exploring its architectural ingenuity and “nightingale floors.”
- Enjoy a hands-on traditional tea ceremony workshop, uncovering the cultural and scientific aspects of tea brewing.
- Take a day trip to Nara, where you’ll:
  - Visit the grand Todai-ji Temple, home to a giant bronze Buddha.
  - Interact with the gentle deer at Nara Park.
  - Learn about Japan’s advancements in robotic agriculture through a local STEM session.

Osaka: Innovation & Culinary Adventures (Days 8–10)

Highlights:
- Discover the fusion of traditional and modern engineering at Osaka Castle, a symbol of Japan’s feudal era ingenuity.
- Visit the Osaka Science Museum, featuring hands-on STEM exhibits and interactive workshops.
- Engage in a hands-on session at a local makerspace or tech lab, where students can explore robotics, 3D printing, or coding.
- Stroll through vibrant neighborhoods like Dotonbori and Shinsekai, known for their food culture and retro-modern charm.
- Conclude with a farewell dinner, reflecting on the experiences and memories of the trip.

*-All itinerary elements are subject to availability and scheduling during your trip dates and may be replaced with similar activities if the specific ones mentioned are not available. This itinerary does not reflect everything you will do on the trip and is meant to act as an overview.-*

WHAT's INCLUDED

Roundtrip airfare
9 Nights hotel based on double occupancy (single supplement available)
All transportation while on tour, including Shinkansen, Private Transfers, and local subway fares
Breakfasts & Dinners
All entrance fees per the itinerary
Tips for tour guides & drivers
TripAdventures 24-7 Tour Director handling logistics, communication, and on tour emergency support
Customized, flexible payment plans for individual travelers
Private booking page with Fundraising option
A single point of contact throughout the trip planning & execution phases
Trip protection in the event of unexpected emergencies on tour

About YOUR group leader

TripAdventures is a small company that works differently than most. The founders—Mitch Bach and Alan Armijo—each come with over 20+ years actually leading student travel. We know what makes a great student trip work. We do not spend a single dollar on marketing or sales materials. We rely on word of mouth, based on the strength of the quality of our trips. This means more money goes to your students’ educational experience.

The entire trip is designed to be immersive, engaging, and interactive, making true connection to the culture and location you visit. Our tour guides are the best in the business at making your destination come alive! Every tour is crafted to the exact specifications requested by Pinellas School District. Nothing is cookie cutter, and you always travel in a private group.

The TripAdventures Difference

100% Customized Tour
We don’t believe in cookie cutter. Every trip is tailored to what your school wants to experience, and we go out of our way to make your trip something you can’t get elsewhere.
Authentic, local experiences
Not just photo stops and sightseeing. Transformational, authentic experiences. We travel like a local: we’ll take trains, ferries, walking the streets, and eat like a local. You won’t be tourists.
Better Quality, Better Price
Central hotels. We don’t cheat on quality by staying an hour away from the cities, and yet we can offer a better price because we don’t spend any money on marketing. We run on word of mouth based on our quality, which means your money goes to the trip, not to office space and glossy brochures.
20+ Years of Leading Tours
Our entire team is made up of experienced travel professionals who love what they do, and that shows in the tour.

Important Details, please read

Enrolling is easy! Click on the “Reserve Your Spot” button and submit your deposit. Please note, the deposit is non-refundable. Clicking the booking link will initiate your choice of a payment plan or pay in full.
We encourage you to pay by bank transfer, which is extremely easy to set up. The tour price is based on paying directly from your bank; paying by credit card will incur an extra 2.9% fee (charged by the processor).
Please take a moment to read our booking terms and conditions.
We are committed above all to the health and safety of your student, and will follow all local and national CDC guidelines for travel.

Preferred Travel Protection Plan

We offer travel insurance as part of travel protection plans from our partner TripAssure.
To cover you for the unforeseen, we encourage participants to purchase travel insurance, which may include benefits for trip cancellation, trip interruption, missed connection, travel delay, medical expense/emergency evacuation, baggage and personal effects, baggage delay and more.
Covid-19 and its various strains are treated the same as any other Sickness under the travel protection plan.
TripAssure offers the Basic, Deluxe Plan and Deluxe Plus Plan options. Familiarize yourself with the
contents of each plan to ensure to get the one that best suits your needs.
The travel protection plan that includes “Cancel for any reason” coverage must be purchased within 21 days of enrollment with your deposit.

Base Trip Cost

$5,599

$200 deposit

trip cost is based on student pricing at 2 per room

TripAdventures provides transformative travel experiences for small, private groups of any age.