Walk Japan has been successfully planning and leading school trips for over 20 years. Not only has the number of schools the company works with increased significantly, but also the programmes undertaken by Walk Japan have become firmly established in many school’s annual program of educational tours.
But without a doubt, the best measure of success is knowing that participating students and teachers return to their schools with great memories, photos, stories and experiences to share with their friends and colleagues. Please read below how teachers describe their experiences with Walk Japan.
Laurie Mathews and Mike Jackson, The Bush School
Each year, in May, our school offers middle schoolers an opportunity to dive deeply into an experience for two weeks. Some of these are on-campus or local (Seattle, USA), some are in various places around the United States and two programs each year take a group of 7th and 8th graders on an overseas adventure. These are highly sought after, often repeated every other year and very carefully vetted to ensure safety and quality. Walk Japan was a new organization for us this year and they worked tirelessly to ensure all our questions were answered and our trip (Kunisaki) was catered to our specific needs. An overseas trip with 16 middle schoolers has countless logistical challenges and they guided us patiently through all of the pre-trip planning, answering many of our questions before we even had them!
Our trip to rural Kunisaki was incredible. Our guides were patient, knowledgeable, flexible and coordinated all aspects of this trip in ways that maximized our time and experience. They communicated with us constantly, and were always available and willing to answer our questions or even shift a plan based on the energy and interests of the group. The tour was customized to us, on the fly, with offers of different types of activities and the freedom for us to adapt as needs arose (energy levels, interests of the group, weather conditions, etc).
There was a perfect balance between education, physical activity, down time, and fun. Our guides had the sense of humor and listening skills necessary to connect with middle school students. Our students fell in love with them and shed tears when we said goodbye. One highlight of the experience was the homestay component. The placements were thoughtfully arranged and as teachers, we were able to relax knowing that the host families had been vetted and our students’ needs were being carefully managed (e.g. dietary/medical details). Throughout the trip, we were only barely aware of the millions of logistical pieces that Walk Japan and our guides took care of (reservations, timing, communication, dietary restrictions, etc.).
Thank you again for a wonderful program and we look forward to working with you again in the future!
Kris Schulte, The Lawrenceville School
Our group of 12 students and 3 chaperones had an amazing trip with Walk Japan. Every aspect of the trip was exquisitely planned. Mario and Connor worked with us to customize the itinerary, and were patient with us throughout the planning process. The trip provided an excellent introduction to Japanese culture and history, with a great variety of activities for the students. From Kyoto, Hiroshima, walking along the Nakasendo Way, and spending time in Tokyo, the students had a wonderful, varied experience. They loved meditating in a Buddhist monastery, visiting temples and old neighborhoods in Kyoto, staying in traditional Inns along the Nakasendo with their unique onsens and even a traditional singer who performed for the group, making soba noodles, and shopping and seeing sites (with karaoke too) in Tokyo. The trip combined history, physical exertion, culture, and shopping in a wonderful balance. Walk Japan provided the outline of the trip, but they were incredibly open to customizing the trip to meet our needs and desires. And when one of our students had difficulty doing the hikes along the Nakasendo Way, Mario adjusted the itinerary for this student seamlessly, without making her feel singled out. We also had the pleasure of a Walk Japan employee named Mina joining us for a good portion of the trip, and she too related well to the students. She was able to take up the rear of the group as we walked, and that made it easier on the teacher chaperones. All the money transactions were taken care of by Mario, so the chaperones could enjoy the trip themselves and focus on the students rather than logistics. Everything was incredibly seamless.
Mario was an amazing tour guide. First, he was so thorough in all he did, making sure that the students' dietary needs were met, being sure that we were always safe, and planning lots of complex movement on trains, buses and subways. He connected so well to the students and adults and had a wonderful, gentle way about him. The students adored him! He was very knowledgeable about all we saw, and he conveyed this effectively and with just the right amount of detail. He was superb at summarizing controversial topics, presenting an excellent and balanced overview of all we saw. He patiently explained all the food we were eating and experiences we were having, and encouraged us to try everything and embrace Japanese culture.
We stayed in clean and comfortable hotels in Kyoto and Tokyo, and wonderful inns along the Nakasendo way. Walk Japan made sure that we tasted a great variety of Japanese dishes, and every restaurant visit was well planned.
I cannot recommend Walk Japan highly enough!
Daniel Budd of Hong Kong International School
Our group of 20 High School students recently embarked on an incredible journey along a section of the Nakasendo Trail led by Walk Japan. Over the course of 5 days, we travelled from Ena to Nagoya, passing through Magome, O-Tsumago, Kiso-Fukushima, and Kaida Plateau. This experience was nothing short of extraordinary.
The tour guides from Walk Japan were exceptionally knowledgeable, providing our students with in-depth insights into the historical significance of the region. They taught us about the language, culture, and, of course, Japan's famous cuisine. Our students were fully immersed in the rich heritage of the Nakasendo Trail, gaining a deeper understanding of Japan's past. The physical challenges of trekking through mountainous terrain, enduring rain and heavy snow, pushed our students to their limits. Yet, they persevered and emerged with a true sense of accomplishment. The resilience and determination they displayed will undoubtedly stay with them for a lifetime.
The students had the time of their lives during this journey. It was a trip filled with adventure, learning, and personal growth. The memories created will be cherished forever. Walk Japan provided the perfect balance of education, cultural immersion, and physical activity, ensuring that our students had an authentic experience of Japan. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the tour guides who went above and beyond to make this trip unforgettable. Their dedication, hospitality, and genuine care for our students were evident throughout the entire journey. They fostered a deep bond with our group and helped us develop a broader worldview.
We wholeheartedly recommend Walk Japan to anyone seeking an immersive and educational travel experience. The combination of historical exploration, breathtaking landscapes, and the warmth of the local people made this trip truly exceptional. Thank you, Walk Japan, for providing our students with an experience they will treasure for the rest of their lives.
Lauren Jackson of International Community School
Samurai swords sticking out of backpacks and big plushies won from claw machines reminded me that my high school students are still kids, exploring a new culture with wonder and joy, making their own decisions with the gentle support of our Walk Japan guides, Mary Beth, Masaki, and myself. The Nakasendo Way tour was perfect for our summer trip with 15 students, a parent and me. International Community School is a small public school that is part of a large suburban district outside Seattle. When the district discontinued all international travel during the school year, I chose to plan this trip independently because I believe in the value of this kind of travel for students. I have worked and led a variety of trips for students at private international schools outside the US and wanted my public school students to have the same chance to travel with their peers. Walk Japan was such a good choice because they planned everything for our time in Japan and supported me in the pre-trip planning.
Before the trip, Mario Anton held an online meeting with the families to explain the trip and answer questions. I got room configurations so I could make up rooming lists prior to the trip. Our pre-trip packet gave daily itineraries and contact information for the inns. The packing list helped me answer questions and prepare students for what to bring, and the cultural information was also very helpful in getting students ready for what they would be seeing and learning along the way.
During the trip, Mary Beth and Masaki became part of our group, getting to know the students and adults, treating us as old friends, answering every question we had about what we were seeing along each day's walk and translating for us in stores and with our innkeepers, taking interest in the students personally. Mary Beth gathered the students around her to give short history lessons at just the right intervals to hold our students' attention and teach them about the important aspects of the Nakasendo Way. Masaki took time to work with some students who had been independently studying Japanese to read signs and help them further their language skills. They gave us clear instructions and support for getting on and off of trains and buses and their timing for our group was amazing. We never had to rush to get somewhere and we never sat around waiting for anything.
Each day, we walked with purpose but not to exhaustion, took breaks and checked for hydration levels in the heat. Masaki and Mary Beth carried snacks and salt candies that they shared during our breaks. They had a first aid kit for blisters and other issues. When one student overheated, they quickly helped get him to the inn early by bus so he could rest and recover and worked with us to make decisions about how to treat him medically. We arrived at our inns with enough time each afternoon for all the students to bathe and relax in their yukata before dinner. Masaki explained every dish before dinner started and we enjoyed the amazing meals that were spread before us each evening with 12-15 different kinds of food to try. They and the innkeepers were very attentive to our vegetarian students to make sure they had a good experience. (They were not just full at the end of the meal, they also got to try many different foods). Masaki and Mary Beth helped us find a place to gather in the inns and often stayed with us for our after-dinner reflection and journaling times, sharing highlights from the day and things they were thankful for. Our students felt a great sense of accomplishment each day and were tired enough to want to head to bed (always one of my goals on student trips).
The natural beauty along the trails, the experience of walking through villages and farmland, past everyday life in rural Japan, and meeting the kind and welcoming innkeepers and folks who came to share history and music with us, relaxing in beautiful onsen and tatami rooms with tea and snacks, and getting to know students and guides deeply along the way is an experience I will always cherish and hope to repeat in the future. Thank you so much.
Cort Bosc of Montclair Kimberley Academy
I cannot say thank you enough for the leadership, time, and care of Walk Japan in building and executing our two-week high school program in Honshu and Kyushu. Their leaders' ability to connect with and listen to our students was essential to making our students feel safe and therefore, more willing to engage with every aspect of the trip no matter how far it might have been out of their comfort zone. Mario, Kaho, and Connor (our Walk Japan guides) were calm under pressure, incredibly knowledgeable and great at adjusting in cooperation with our chaperones. But probably most importantly, Walk Japan has spent years cultivating connections with community members across the country that allowed our students a unique window into how life is lived in Japan both in its urban and rural settings. Students in our group meditated with a local Buddhist monk, spent an evening working at a farm alongside their homestay parents, learned to make Soba noodles from an expert, listened to the stories of survival from someone who lived through the bombing of Hiroshima, and met a master kimono maker. And all of this is just a small window into the experiences the two weeks offered. In our feedback from students, all 30 said they would recommend this trip to their friends, that they would want to travel again with Kaho, Mario, and Connor, and that they had a deeper understanding and appreciation for Japanese culture, history, and people. Finally, as a faculty chaperone, I have been on few trips where I felt more supported and at ease. I truly enjoyed every moment of the experience.
Martin Foakes, Outdoor Education department head of Tanglin Trust School
Here at Tanglin we run an extensive programme of expeditions and service learning opportunities, with each Grade or Year group having its own residential trip during year, from Year 3 at the Zoo to Year 12 Himalayan expeditions. In a typical year we probably organise around 80 different overseas and residential trips involving over 3000 student journeys. We try to ensure progression in scope and sequence of the outdoor learning experience from Year 3 up, so this does put pressure on the senior trips and by the time you get to the Year 12 summer expeditions the trips do need to be really amazing! In order to provide the best possible experience in safety we have got used to working closely with a wide range of professional tour operators in the region, some of whom we have worked with for many years. We select our educational travel partners very carefully and in order to work with us we require the highest standards of care and attention to detail. I am happy to say that ‘Walk Japan’ more than met our expectations on every trip! We expect students to build up their basic outdoor expeditions skills of course, such as packing a bag for an overnight trip or an extended hiking expedition. We also want our students to commit to travelling responsibly, understand sustainability issues and to build up their knowledge and experience of living and communicating effectively with another culture. We want our students to feel secure and to be used to functioning positively in a setting that may be very different from their comfortable and familiar family home back in Singapore.
In Year 12 we offer our students a limited range of around 6 different trip options for their summer CAS expeditions. The choices vary a little every year but the focus is always on supporting the CAS learning objectives and providing what is likely to be the highlight of their time at our school. The trips therefore need to be iconic, inspiring and flawlessly planned. Our community has a low tolerance for risk and uncertainty, and the team at Walk Japan were always able to deal effectively with some searching requests for detailed information about risk management on the trips, crisis response plans and so on.
The experience that our students get while exploring the Kunisaki peninsula with Walk Japan stand out as an opportunity to explore and experience authentic Japanese culture, it has been so much more than just a taste of another way of life. It can be very difficult to find and set up a truly authentic collaboration with another culture, but that was the stand out feature of our trip. The knowledge and expertise of our guides was amazing, and their ability to act as a bridge between our group and the local community meant that the students got a truly authentic and immersive experience. So much so that this year our repeat trip to Japan was clearly one of the most popular choices on the list, with places heavily oversubscribed. The popularity of the trip is a result of its positive reputation (it is the ‘coolest’ trip!) among the school community, and I am very sure that Walk Japan will be on our list of trusted providers for many years to come. While setting up the trip a few years ago with our Head of Sixth Form I was lucky enough to ‘walk through’ the same itinerary that the student group would be following, and I am happy to say that it was an absolute privilege to have such a fantastic guide to some rarely visited parts of this amazing country. I will never forget sharing a cup of green tea and a chat in the front room of a an elderly Japanese couple in their farm house, sharing stories about our respective families, all the while staring down at us from the walls of the family shrine were old black and white photos of their ancestors in traditional Japanese dress and military uniforms. Walk Japan are highly recommended for amazing school trips and we are really looking forward to coming back!
Katy Cowles and Anna Murphy of Pace Academy
Walk Japan was a wonderful organization to work with for planning and guiding our Middle School Study Tour. They thoughtfully customized our trip to fit the needs of our group from arranging gluten-free or vegetarian meals to incorporating as much art into the itinerary as possible. Not only were they accommodating to our needs, but they were prompt, knowledgeable and clear in their communication during the planning stages. In addition, Walk Japan prepared the entire group well prior to departure by sending us a booklet outlining the things we would need to bring and the cultural norms we would need to be respectful of. Mario even came to visit to meet our students, parents, and teachers! The depth of knowledge about and relationships with local communities Mario has made our planning and visit an authentic, special and smooth one. It is clear to us that we picked the right organization to work with. I would highly recommend working with them and look forward to doing so next summer.
Clare Sisisky, Executive Director of Global Education Benchmark Group
Partnering with Walk Japan for a custom designed program for educators allowed us to benefit from the unique relationships and opportunities made possible through their extensive network. Our partnership from the early design phase all the way through to execution of the program was collaborative, open, and customised to our needs. Mario's expertise and warm manner as a group leader was invaluable to our participants in expanding the richness of their learning and overall experience.
Russ Hovater of Athens Academy
Walk Japan provided the best authentic experience of Japan for our students. From the historic temples and shrines of Kyoto and the gracious hospitality of the innkeepers along the Nakasendo Way, to the bustling, high tech metropolis of Tokyo, we made the most of our ten-day tour of Japan: it far exceeded everyone’s expectations.
Our guides, Mario and Kaho, went above and beyond to bond with our students and help them better understand Japan, both past and present. Our students returned to the States with beautiful photographs, fond memories, and, most importantly, a broader worldview. Personally, I would like to thank Mario and Kaho for gladly accommodating my special requests (like helping me acquire items for our art gallery) and for providing world class service every step of the way. Arigatou gozaimasu!
Paul Bloomfield of Wilbraham & Monson Academy
[Our trip with Walk Japan] was well-planned. It was interesting, provided new experiences, and our guides offered a depth of understanding that would not have been possible any other way. We walked along different terrain with our guide Tetsuo showing us vegetation, animal life, and an appreciation for the natural world. At the same time, our travels on the Nakasendo Way in particular allowed us to connect unfamiliar history with real life examples, locations, and customs. Experiencing Japan in this way is important because without understanding the context, you simply miss the complexity, depth, and heart of the country, which is beyond the surface for the casual or business visitor.
Though I expected to prefer the city experiences, on reflection I felt very happy in the woods and mountain trails. In the cities, students enjoyed the vast shopping opportunities and of course the Karaoke night. In almost every situation the food was delicious, and an adventure at times, but the countryside inn cuisine was spectacular in its variety, creativity, and colors, as well as being healthful.
All of the meals were able to accommodate our requests including vegetarian, non-pork, and gluten free diets. Tetsuo conversed to kitchen and then to us at every meal to ensure we were well fed and diets met. The staff and owners of the inns were gracious and understanding.
This tour, personally, gave me insight that no book, You Tube show, or individual travel could ever come close to. Travel is a big aspect for WMA and this was a perfect educational experience for our high school students. I strongly recommend any high school considering going to Japan to use Walk Japan. This type of tour contains some degree of physicality, which all of our students really enjoyed, and made the journey more earned than simply given. Students appreciate this dynamic. This intensified bonding, sharing, and learning. We all felt safe and respected by Tetuso. Later we were joined by Michelle, whose cultural background made her a big hit with our students. Our experience certainly provided us with depth of culture, history, people and geography.
Drew Doty of No Barriers
Our non-profit works with tour operators in over 22 different countries around the world. Having just returned from our pilot program to Japan, I can say with the upmost gratitude that Walk Japan provided an experience far and above what we have ever expected from a tour operator. From the very beginning of planning over a year ago all the way to the last day of our program this year, Walk Japan was truly a joy to work with. Our participants come from a wide variety of backgrounds and ability levels, and we found Walk Japan to be more than accommodating to everyone. Highly organized, responsive, and thoughtful! Looking forward to many years of programming to come!
Jeff Dione of Ashley Hall
I lived in Japan for 13 years and am now based in the US. I’ve just returned from leading a group of 11 American high school girls to Japan, and I chose Walk Japan to handle the final week of our stay. It was a sublime experience with Walk Japan. Mario Anton accommodated our every custom request in the planning stages, and even visited our school prior to the journey to meet our students, parents, and teachers. In Japan our incredible guide was Jamie Dwyer. As someone who is fluent in the language and very familiar with the culture, I was deeply impressed by Jamie's high level of care, his depth of knowledge, his language ability, and the phenomenal choices made for accommodations and food. Everything was perfect, and any challenges were met with intelligent and quick solutions. Absolutely outstanding all around, and an incredible value as well. There was not one low point in our journey, and each moment felt magical and smooth. I can not imagine how to improve any part of what Mario, Jamie, and Walk Japan accomplished for us, and I recommend anyone, whether it be a school program or a personal pilgrimage, to experience Japan with Walk Japan!
James Burke of Tyee Middle School
As an experienced world traveler with younger secondary students, Walk Japan is without a doubt the finest tour operation I have ever worked with. From their accommodating itinerary planning that completely met our group’s needs to the first-class treatment in-country with our tour guides, I will happily select Walk Japan for all my future school trips. Choosing a tour company for travel with middle school students is no easy task. Mario and his peers made it a trip of a lifetime for the organizers, our students, and the accompanying parents. For many of us, it was our first time in Japan, but the ease and comfort in which we arrived, toured two islands, and returned home to Seattle safely, one could easily think that we had been to Japan many times already.
The tour engaged the students with plenty of pertinent history and culture, but most of all, the trip provided a real world, engaging, personal experience for everyone involved. We tried almost every type of travel option the country provides – from taxis to bullet trains – and even had the pleasure of an inter-island ferry to the island of Kyushu. The temples we visited were more than just eye candy. We were able to meet the monks that took care of them and were even treated at one temple to training in meditation. Again, all of these activities were superbly coordinated by the Walk Japan tour guides.
However, the greatest parts of the trip for the organizers were the community connections that were made. Students learned tree planting techniques, shiitake mushroom farming, and participated in a home stay with families that were eager to share their culture with our group. The heartfelt relationships that were fostered will last a lifetime. This is what world travel is all about: making connections with people. Walk Japan is a breath of fresh air in a world of commercial tour options and our trip organizer Mario made it all happen. Domo arigato gozaimasu and thank you very much. Peace.
Cheryl Lee of Tyee Middle School
Walk Japan unequivocally exceeded our expectations for our school's first ever trip to Japan. Not only did our guide Mario and other Walk Japan employees exude passion, warmth, and enthusiasm in introducing our students to the Land of the Rising Sun, but they also displayed a sense of humor, patience, flexibility, and problem-solving skills that made our trip as smooth and enjoyable as a trip overseas could be for a group of 19 people, many of whom had never even traveled abroad or to Asia. All members of our group were put at ease at every turn of events, at every location of interest, at every juncture of cross-cultural communication - there was never a point where our group felt unsure, uncomfortable, or disengaged from our experience; rather, all of us were always at ease, engaged, and enthusiastic throughout the journey.
What also made an enormously positive impact on our experience was Walk Japan's on-the-ground, grassroots relationship with local communities and their first-hand knowledge of organizations, resources, and activities that would suit our group's preferences and tastes. Obtaining an authentic taste of life in rural Japan would not have been possible without this particular strength of Walk Japan - something that other larger educational tour companies were unable to offer us. From the intimacy of meeting a local monk in the countryside of Kyushu to the pleasures of partaking in daily family life with locals, the long-standing and long-forged relationships between Walk Japan and the local people of Japan made all the difference on our trip.
Lastly, we as educators and teachers cannot stress enough the importance of a holistic educational experience. By the end of our 8-day journey, our students became more conscientious, more competent, more empathetic, and more compassionate young people who valued understanding ourselves and our world, and who value acknowledging differences and embracing them rather than being afraid of them. From the eye-opening and sobering talk with a Hiroshima bombing survivor to serene walks in the countryside, our student’s holistic inner growth from this truly immersive experience is ultimately the most worthwhile and valuable asset Walk Japan has bestowed on us. We at Tyee Middle School wholeheartedly recommend Walk Japan and continue to look forward to working together for many years to come!
Nora Yamada of the British School in Tokyo
“Without a doubt (and all the teachers on the trip agreed) this was the best school trip that I have ever been on! Mario was brilliantly flexible and ensured that we had an amazing, unique, challenging (but safe!) experience which came in on budget and ticked all our boxes. Walk Japan's close relationship with local people enabled us to get an intense taste of what life in rural Japan is like - we certainly didn't expect to be visiting peoples' homes or meeting their extended family - but that's what we did!
I have lived in Japan for over ten years, but I felt that I learned something new from the trip, and I know that my students got a glimpse of a world that is alien to them, despite many of them having lived here for years. The accommodation far exceeded our expectations and the food was deliciously prepared and delightfully local. I would not hesitate to plan another trip with Walk Japan, in fact, Mario's already got our dates for next year!”
Becky Green of the Singapore American School
"Walk Japan offers our high schoolers everything we could hope for on a high-school interim trip: Connections with amazing adults, pushes out of comfort zones, unique experiences, outdoor adventure, and relevant learnings. For the second year in a row, we’ve returned from a winter hike on the Nakasendo Way grateful, invigorated, and wonder-filled. Our students have many options for their interim excursions, and Walk Japan’s Nakasendo Way is one of the first to fill, as students spread the word that it’s a fascinating, enjoyable, and memorable week.
As a trip leader, I can’t sing the Walk Japan guides’ praises enough. They make my job easy with their positive attitudes, careful planning, and flexibility. I feel like they truly partner with our trip teachers and also make it a goal to connect to our students and spend the week alongside them. We’re already looking at calendars to make sure next year’s students get the same tremendous experience with Walk Japan!"
Barry Barankin of the Head Royce School
"I just realized I haven’t yet told you what an absolutely wonderful trip to Japan we had. Mario was spectacular. How he made the movement of 27 people through 1500km of Japan, including so many one-of-a-kind experiences, SOOO smooth and pleasant was frankly magical. Plus, he was supremely competent, confident, patient, knowledgeable, open to new things, and downright nice to be around. When we said goodbye to him at Narita the students just swamped him and wouldn’t let go. The four adults felt the same way. We’re going to have a little reunion in the Bay Area in August, I believe.
For me it was the trip to Japan I hoped but never expected to have. We did some things I’ve done before, and a lot of things that were new and exciting for me. Best of all, I got to do them with my daughter, who was 7 months old the first/last time she was in Japan. She has always wanted to know why Japan was so important to me, and at the end of the trip she said she not only understood, but that it had become important to her in that same way. Sitting in the Heian Shrine garden surrounded by the irises in bloom, as I had in 1962 but this time with Meghan, was a gift. And there were so many moments like that!"
Ashley Ault of The Harbour School
"The trip remains a vivid memory for students years later as they visit classrooms discussing the highlights from the year before. Students are enthralled by the peacefulness, artistry, tradition and natural beauty surrounding them along the route. For me as a teacher I am always so impressed with the sense of self and independence that the students take away from the trip. Walk Japan allows students to experience history and the evolution of Japan through their knowledgable guides and friendly and professional organization."
Brian Christian, Principal of the British School in Tokyo
Running Through History
It is dark. It is raining. The occasional vehicle sweeps past, splashing up rainbows of spray beneath the streetlights. It is four o’clock in the morning and a motley crew of slightly dazed students and teachers from the British School in Tokyo are huddled together at one end of an ancient bridge in Kyoto. They are about to find out if a crazy idea can possibly be made to work. They are preparing to run the Nakasendo Way.
It had all started months earlier with one of those what-if conversations. I had just met Paul Christie of Walk Japan and we were throwing around some thoughts about ways in which we could work together to do something special for BST’s 25th Anniversary; something that would involve students of different ages and open their eyes to the beauty and fascinating history of a Japan beyond the urban sprawl of Tokyo. Paul waxed lyrical about the Nakasendo Way, the ancient route from Kyoto to Tokyo through the Kiso Valley and over the Japanese Alps: a 360-mile journey from post town to post town that had reached the peak of its popularity in the Edo period and which probably hadn’t been covered in its entirety for a century or more. We couldn’t possibly take on something like that, could we? Could we?
A few months later, at the beginning of July, we were about to find out. Just like the Emperor’s elite messengers and countless merchants and pilgrims all those years ago, we were going to journey from Sanjo Ohashi in Kyoto to Tokyo’s Nihonbashi – and we were going to do it as an ekiden (a relay) in a little over five days.
What followed exceeded all of our expectations. The 16 students taking part, boys and girls, ranged in age from 12 through to 18 while the teachers and parents included the young and fit as well as the rather worn and decrepit – me! At times it was tough, but there were so many highlights: getting up before dawn and reaching a mountain pass by sunrise or jogging along quiet country roads through immaculate rice fields; an early morning run down a deserted post town street or watching fireflies by the river after a traditional Japanese supper. And, of course, there was the finish: the welcome on Nihonbashi, the whole school lined up to cheer us home on our return to Showa, the glow of accomplishment. We did it – but it would never have happened without Paul, Mario, Mayumi and Yohei from Walk Japan.
From start to finish it was a massively complicated logistical and physical challenge, and without their know-how, their limitless enthusiasm, determination and good humour we would never have carried it off. The last word must go to Paul Christie who was the architect of what will undoubtedly prove to be an unforgettable experience for all of us.
What an adventure! Let me offer a heartfelt thank you to all in the BST/WJ team. This is how the world should work: productive and inspirational – and so much fun!
Eric Usher of the Canadian International School of Hong Kong
"Our first Experience Week trip to the Kunisaki region in November 2013 exceeded the expectations of both students and parents. Students’ reasons for choosing the trip varied, but were often one-dimensional (e.g., good food or relatively safe country), but they came away with a much broader appreciation of Japan, especially traditional Japan and the issues facing those who wish to maintain the traditional lifestyle.
Walk Japan worked with us to develop a trip that combined both action – plenty of hiking – and service through some small farming tasks. The key to the trip’s success was the human element, which took the students beyond sightseeing into true experience. Working alongside resident farmers, having the opportunity to participate in an overnight farmstay, spending a half-day interacting with a local monk, learning traditional crafts from local teachers, even trying to communicate with innkeepers – all contributed to students reflecting more deeply on their own lives and choices. Walk Japan did a great job arranging diverse experiences, and putting us at ease in unfamiliar circumstances. In particular, the guide who journeyed with us throughout the trip quickly developed a good rapport with the students, ensuring that their conversations with him clarified and extended their learning.
Overall, we were extremely pleased with this trip and have plans to return on a yearly basis. The final day visit to watch sumo provided an exclamation point to an eye-opening experience."
Janet Tan, Humanities Dept., Hong Kong International School
"This year marks the fifth year Ian Gill and I are bringing an interim group to Japan for a week’s hiking along the Nakasendo Trail. We look forward to it every year- and each year confirms for us that this is one of the best interims we offer.
For a start it is a new experience for 20 students who do not really know each other much at all, to walk for most of the day along a trail that lives its 1200 year old history. We engage in a unique way with the culture of an area that is both rural, through mountain trails and forests, and quietly urban with its villages and towns, with their traditional shops and houses as well as more modern supermarkets. What makes this trip such a fulfilling experience is that the students learn about the culture and history in an organic manner – as we are hiking, and as they put on their yukata each night at the inns they reach each day, as they eat traditional Japanese meals, and as they engage in activities with a tea master, with a traditional folk singer, and with the Walk Japan guides whose local expertise not only in the language and culture but in the history and terrain, is fantastic. The excursions to the onsens after a longs day’s hike are a treat for aching legs and tired bodies.
As a school trip it is perfect on several levels.
Engagement – we spend the day walking and talking. It is an opportunity to see students engage in a natural way with a culture that is unfamiliar. We are not spending time looking at it through bus windows, but walking through villages and towns and forests so they can engage with the environment, and see it closely- and at a slower pace. The booklet that Walk Japan prepares for us, helps give the students a historical and cultural context for each day’s hike, without overloading them with too much information, about things to look out for and understand – like the jizo for example, that we see all along the way. The evening meal – in the inns provide a situation where it is easy to go round the long table and share observations and insights from the day’s walk. They love wearing the yukata provided and sitting cross-legged at breakfast and dinner tables with home-cooked or inn-cooked beautifully presented Japanese meals. The evenings with the tea master, and the folk singer are always enjoyed.
Challenge – the hiking can be a bit of a challenge for some, but not impossible. The days are broken by breaks at coffee shops, and of course for lunch. Our pre interim hike is essential to see levels of fitness and endurance! There are cultural challenges – the onsens are fantastic after a days hike – and for some this is a little uncomfortable at first, but most students end up loving them. We don’t insist students take part and all the onsens have a waiting area where those kids who really do not want to go in, or cannot for some reason, can sit and read or talk while everyone else goes in.
Relationships – Because we have mixed grade levels taking part, and the students do not initially know each other much at all, this interim provides a great opportunity for genuine connections. They support each other, and because we walk and talk all day, they shift around on the trails and ‘cliques’ just never form. You see seniors and freshmen mixing comfortably.
This interim is one faculty love to run. Outdoors all day, on the Nakasendo trail, everyday is different. The guides are great about stopping to give us information about an area or a landmark that we might otherwise miss, and are clearly comfortable about working with teenagers. By the end of the day we are all tired in the healthiest of ways, and even though we have groups of six or so sleeping together on tatami mats, they go to sleep quickly! An outstanding interim."
Caroline Lui of the Chinese International School, Hong Kong
"Walk Japan is a professional company who customised and prepared our trip to suit our needs. From planning to implementation they paid a lot of attention to detail and made it easy for us to implement. Students found the trip engaging, and even though many have visited Japan before, this trip provided eye-opening experiences that students would never normally experience on a holiday. This gave our students new insight into Japanese culture and was well balanced with physical, cultural and community service activities as well. I highly recommend Walk Japan's school tours for schools, so much so I'm already in the process of organising next year's tour already."
Nathan Mees of the Seoul Foreign School
"It proved to be life giving to our students in ways I could not have predicted. It is a regular topic of conversation in many of my classes, which is exactly the purpose of our Discovery Week. On a personal level, it was a much needed reprieve for Angela and myself in the midst of a crazy fall and it would have been a much longer semester without our time. Brilliant all around."
Chad Lyew of Almaty International School
"Walk Japan was able to offer a custom trip for us that perfectly fit our needs for our week without walls trip. It had the perfect mix of city, countryside, culture, service learning, physical activities, and a homestay at the end. We were late in getting our trips organized, but Walk Japan was able to accommodate our requests and provide all the visa support required. Our professional guide was informative, friendly and really became one of the group. He gave us a deep insight into Japanese culture and was able to meet all of our needs. This was a truly meaningful trip for our students and really provided the learning that we seek on a week without walls trip. I highly recommend Walk Japan for any future school tour and we plan to use them next year."
Joseph Hauet of Yokohama International School
"Walk Japan put together a fantastic experience for our students that included challenging hikes, scenic views and authentic cultural experiences. Our students learned about both the history and culture of the Kiso area from the very knowledgeable guides as well as the many local residences we met along the way. Students were treated to local folk singing, hot springs, authentic and delicious local food and a myriad of unforgettable experiences. Along with being versed in the history, culture and natural environment of the region, the guides from Walk Japan were patient, kind, approachable, receptive and clearly had the best interests of our students in mind. It truly was a great experience for our students"
If you or your school are interested in organizing a trip to Japan, you can find more information on our planning your school trip page, or you can see how our school trips are organized by looking at our sample programmes.
