Osaka, Tokyo, Kyoto Japan-Modern and Ancient Asian Tradition

Visiting Japan has always been at the top of my travel destinations. Traveling with the Bethel Global Studies group was the easy button. Each day was packed with just enough events to be fully immersed with this magical and enchanting culture. Can’t wait to see what future trips we will be going on with this great group of people!

Japan is a beautiful country, and I enjoyed seeing places like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. The hotels were comfortable, and many of the destinations we visited were memorable and worth seeing. However, one of my biggest frustrations was the amount of time spent on the bus. At times, it felt like we spent more time traveling between locations than actually experiencing them. There were days when we would travel for hours only to spend 20–30 minutes at a destination before getting back on the bus and moving on to the next stop. While I understand that seeing multiple cities requires travel, the pace often felt rushed and left little time to truly enjoy or explore many of the places we visited. I would have preferred fewer stops with more time to experience each destination, interact with the local culture, and enjoy Japan at a slower pace. I also felt that communication leading up to the trip could have been improved. There was limited information provided before departure, which left me unsure of what to expect. Even something as simple as a text message the night before our flight to Japan with final reminders, meeting information, and travel expectations would have been extremely helpful. Additionally, I felt there was a lack of guidance while navigating the airports in Japan. As a first-time international traveler, I expected more direction from the trip leader, but instead I often felt like I was navigating the airports and travel process on my own. Having clearer instructions and more active guidance would have made the experience much less stressful. Looking back, I think my biggest disappointment is that I left feeling like I didn't truly get to experience Japan the way I had hoped. The country itself was incredible, but the pace of the trip and the amount of structured travel left me wishing I had planned the trip independently. I believe I would have enjoyed spending more time in fewer locations, exploring at my own pace, and having the flexibility to create my own experience. Overall, I am grateful for the opportunity to visit Japan and make memories, but I left feeling that the trip was not the right fit for the type of travel experience I was looking for.

I genuinely had the time of my life!! We truly got lucky with Shirley (tour guide) and such great weather… I can’t believe I actually got to physically see Mt. Fuji with my own eyes! However, my only critique would be the amount of time we spent at places. For instance, we spent more time on the bus some days than actually getting to experience Japan. It sucks when we spend 2+ hours on a bus to get only 30 minutes to look around each destination. I do understand how stuff like this does happen while traveling with traffic etc etc. Overall, this was an unforgettable experience that allowed me to see and learn so much about Japan. I made amazing memories, met wonderful people, and would absolutely recommend this program to anyone considering traveling or studying abroad!!

I really enjoyed this trip. It was fun, exciting, and gave me an opportunity I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else. This program gives students, and proves to students that anything is possible. It made me realize my dreams aren’t just dreams and than I’m capable. The leaders are willing to make it possible and work with you.

Every time I travel with this group I become more confident to step outside my comfort zone and see each place from a different perspective. I’ve traveled to 6 countries across 4 continents now and I’m always amazed at what I discover. Spending the last week in Japan has opened my eyes to both the history of the country and the changes to modern day. Each stop gave me a better understanding as well as an experience to mark share and always remember. I definitely plan to return.

Well organized and informative. Enjoyed it all. Food culture everyone was so nice. Our group leader was a wealth of knowledge. This was the best trip. A trip of a lifetime. I would recommend this trip to anyone wanting to explore other countries.

When I was back home in America, I often found myself not wanting much. Although I would make plans and set goals that had some ambition behind them, I never really cared where I was or where I would eventually end up. I moved through life almost on autopilot, always looking beyond the horizon but never taking the steps to go past the ends of my own irises. Things felt distant, and while I wasn’t unhappy, I wasn’t truly engaged either. When I finally arrived in Japan, the first day was a little rough. The travel was exhausting, and everything felt unfamiliar. But after arriving at the hotel and taking a long nap, something changed. I woke up early the next morning, which was unusual for me, and I continued waking up early for the rest of the trip. It almost felt like a sign that something inside me had shifted. Throughout the trip, I took buses, trains, and walked more than I ever expected. We visited shrines, cities, and places filled with people. Sometimes I would notice how crowded everything was and think about how annoying it should have been, yet I never felt negative about it. Instead, I felt present. I felt happy. For most of my life, I’ve placed limits on my own enjoyment. I don’t know exactly why. Maybe part of me was afraid of becoming too invested and experiencing disappointment later. Whatever the reason, those limits seemed to disappear during this trip. This experience changed me, even if only for a short time. I believe that those 10 days compared to the 16 years compared to the even longer after, were of much more value.

I adored this trip and this program! It was so fun to be able to see the world and make a dream that I assumed wouldn’t happen until I was out of college, happen in my young adult years! Something this big didn’t seem possible for me, nor did I even consider it until the opportunity was laid before me. I’m so grateful for the program and staff for their support and flexibility, and I would love to have this opportunity again!