DAY 1: AUSTRALIA - TOKYO - TSUKUBA

Depart Australia for your flight to Tokyo . On your arrival you will be met by a local representative who will hand over documents and escort you to your private coach. Transfer to your accommodation in Tsukuba.

DAY 2: TSUKUBA - TOKYO (B)

After breakfast check out of your accommodation and meet your guide in the foyer who will escort you to your private coach for a guided visit of Tsukuba for a day of science learning.

Guided tour of Cyberdyne - Learn how future use of robot technology aids industry, in particular medical rehabilitation. Guided tour and demonstration include a short film followed by the opportunity to wear a robot suit.

After lunch (own expense), visit the JAXA Space Research Facility – visit the exhibition room (self-guided) and enjoy a guided tour of the KIBO Flight Control Room and the Astronaut training facility. Over 70 minutes, 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 delivered in English. Be sure to have your photo taken alongside the rocket in the carpark.

Board your private coach to transfer to your accommodation in Tokyo.

DAY 3: TOKYO (B)

After breakfast meet your tour guide in the foyer and board your private coach for a full day sightseeing in Tokyo. Visit Sensoji Temple, Nakamise shopping street and Tokyo Skytree (admission included). Lunch at own expense at food court. In the afternoon visit Ikebukuro Life Learning Centre to learn about Tokyo’s disaster preparedness and experience an Earthquake simulator. Return to your accommodation in the late afternoon.

DAY 4: TOKYO - ODAIBA ISLAND - TOKYO (B)

After breakfast meet your guide in the foyer and 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 the 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 where you will take lunch in the food court (own expense). There is time for a photo opportunity with the giant Gundam Robot at the entrance to the food court!

Next visit the Tokyo Trick Art Museum at the nearby DECKS Tokyo Beach Shopping Mall. Then make your way to nearby Toyosu Station and visit TeamLab Planets. Fully immerse your body and mind in this high-tech digital art museum.

Later in the afternoon return to the nearby station and take the train back to your accommodation. The remainder of the day is under the guidance of your teachers.

DAY 5: TOKYO - YAMANASHI PREFECTURE - FUJINOMIYA - TOKYO (BL)

After breakfast take your luggage to reception to have it couriered to Osaka overnight. Prepare a backpack with a change of clothes for tomorrow, any medications and valuables to carry with you.

Meet your guide in the foyer, board your private coach and travel to Yamanishi and Fujinomiya. First stop is the Maglev Exhibition Centre - students will learn how Japanese engineers have evolved the high-speed train industry using magnets. Experiencing the Maglev train test from the observation desk (runs every 20 minutes – subject to availability) on the 5.7 KM test track where it reaches speeds in excess of 550 KMS per hour is a great thrill. Take part in workshops on superconducting magnets and make your own mini-Maglev.

Enjoy a lunch of organic Soba noodles before visiting the World Heritage Shiraito Waterfall, local trout farm and a micro hydro power site using water from Mt Fuji. Students will learn how Japanese farmers practice sustainable use of water and other resources. If time permits, stop at the Mt Fuji World Heritage Centre to gain an understanding of the great history of the mountain and its special place in Japanese culture before returning to Tokyo later in the afternoon.

DAY 6: TOKYO - OSAKA (B)

After breakfast check out of your accommodation and explore Tokyo under the guidance of your teachers. You might like to visit the Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Dori (a street lined with fast food outlets and fashion boutiques), Shibuya crossing, and the Edo Tokyo Museum.

After lunch (own expense) use your train IC Card to travel to Shinagawa Station and then catch the bullet train to Osaka Station. On arrival you will be met by a local representative who will escort you to your accommodation. Explore Osaka under the guidance of your teachers. You might like to visit Dotonburi, a popular shopping and entertainment district, also known as a food destination.

DAY 7: OSAKA - KYOTO - OSAKA (B)

After breakfast meet your tour guide in the foyer and board your private coach for a full day sightseeing tour of Kyoto visiting Kinkaku-ji, Nijo-jo, Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi-Inari with time for lunch (own expense) allocated at a food court. Today's tour ends back at your accommodation in Osaka.

DAY 8: OSAKA (B)

After breakfast meet your guide in the foyer and use your suica cards to make your way to the Osaka Science Museum. The museum features four 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 lunch (own expense) it’s time to visit the world-renowned Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. With fifteen large tanks, there is a focus on the fish of the Pacific Rim as well as specific zones featuring a Japan Forest, Antarctica and more. But the highlight is the magnificent Pacific Rim tank, over 5,400 tons 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.

DAYS 9-10: OSAKA - TOKYO - AUSTRALIA (B)

After breakfast check out of your accommodation and leave your luggage at reception. Enjoy time to explore Osaka or surrounds under the guidance of your teachers. You might like to visit the Osaka Castle or the Earthquake Museum in Kobe.

Following lunch (own expense) return to your accommodation to collect your luggage and make your way to Shin-Osaka to catch a bullet train to Shinagawa Station. From there take the Narita Express to Narita Airport for your flight home.