Why should you consider Japan as a destination for educational trips?

In 2024 alone, a record-breaking number of over 36 million travelers visited Japan. But it’s not just manga fans, Japow-chasing skiers, and avid shoppers who are crazy about visiting Japan. The country is also an increasingly popular destination for educational tours and service learning programs. 

For instance, the IB (International Baccalaureate) program emphasizes travel as a way to learn. Students must undertake a CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) project as part of the IB DP core curriculum. Students must also learn two languages. What better way to complete these requirements than through an extended stay in Japan? 

When it comes to the education of young minds, as a teacher, advisor, supervisor, or coordinator, you understand the importance of destination in shaping learning outcomes. A trip abroad for a young person is one of the most memorable parts of growing up. It is an opportunity for a young student to be immersed in a different culture and develop empathy. It is an opportunity to challenge them to think creatively, critically, and even engage in service learning. 

Japan is a great destination for educational trips as it is the perfect blend of nature, sports, history, and modern culture. The infrastructure is dependable. The train transportation network is well-developed. The water and food quality are high, and even eggs are routinely eaten raw. The country is also well known for being a safe country; elementary school children go to school on their own.

Luxury isn’t just about penthouse suites and fine dining—it’s about ease, exclusivity, and experiences that aren’t on every itinerary. A trip to Japan should feel effortless and entirely your own. This is exactly what luxury Japan travel agent, TokudAw, strives to offer. 

It doesn’t do generic sightseeing tours or off-the-rack schedules. Instead, everything is tailored to your interests, pace, and travel style. It focuses specifically on private car travel, which means you’ll have the flexibility to explore comfortably and avoid the usual crowds or rigid schedules. 

If adjustments are needed along the way—due to weather, mood, or energy levels—TokudAw’s tight-knit team is always there to support from the background and help fine-tune things in real time.

This isn’t just travel. It’s Japan at its most extraordinary. Here’s how TokudAw makes it happen.

If you’re planning a private tour in Japan, you’ve probably come across both travel agencies and transportation services—and it’s easy to assume they’re one and the same. In reality, they serve different purposes, and knowing how they work together can make your trip planning a whole lot smoother.

At TokudAw, we operate as a Destination Management Company (DMC)—a step beyond a typical travel agency. We help you plan your trip from start to finish, then pair it with the right transportation, whether that’s our in-house fleet in Tokyo or one of our long-standing, vetted partners across Japan.

We’ve found that guests sometimes expect a private car service to come with a full tour guide, or assume that all vehicles are operated directly by the agency. These expectations are completely understandable—but clarifying the difference between who plans your journey and who drives you during it helps us ensure the right fit from the start.

This blog breaks it all down: what a travel agency or DMC like TokudAw does, what a transportation service provides, and how the two work together to deliver the kind of thoughtful, well-executed travel experience we’re known for.

At TokudAw, we believe meaningful travel starts with genuine connection, thoughtful service, and mutual respect. Based in Japan, we’re a Destination Management Company (DMC) with three pillars: a licensed travel agency, our own private transport fleet (Japan Private Drivers), and a consulting arm for businesses entering Japan.

For travelers, we specialize in bespoke itineraries paired with door-to-door car service, designed for families, travelers with accessibility needs, and anyone seeking a slower, more personal way to explore Japan. While we proudly prioritize our in-house fleet, we also work with trusted partners to ensure seamless experiences during peak seasons and beyond our licensed areas.

Every member of our diverse team—drivers, coordinators, and guides—is chosen for professionalism, hospitality, and care. We ask for the same respect in return, to uphold the welcoming spirit we stand for.

At TokudAw, it’s simple: we listen, plan, and support every step of your journey—with heart, flexibility, and insight.

— Wanping
Co-Founder & Managing Director, TokudAw Inc.

Every five years, the world hits pause to imagine what’s next. In 2025, the future lands in Japan, as the Osaka Expo 2025 transforms Yumeshima Island into a living blueprint of tomorrow. Think AI-powered cities, space-age biotech, and the kind of innovation that makes sci-fi feel outdated—all unfolding across a six-month global spectacle.

Expect pavilions that defy gravity, immersive experiences that rewire your senses, and technology so advanced it borders on magic—all set against the backdrop of Japan’s deep-rooted traditions. From April 13 to October 13, 2025, this isn’t just an event—it’s 28 million people stepping inside the future.

Whether you’re a tech obsessive, culture connoisseur, or food lover chasing the next culinary revolution, this is where the world meets what’s next.

The second sakura season begins, Japan transforms. Shelves fill with pastel-colored packaging, cafés roll out their once-a-year menus, and entire product lines disappear as fast as they arrive. It’s not subtle—it’s a full-scale seasonal takeover.

Some of it is novelty (yes, even cherry blossom potato chips exist), but some of it is genuinely worth hunting down. Delicate sakura ceramics, limited-edition sweets, handcrafted textiles—pieces that feel tied to the season in a way that isn’t just about aesthetics. Some are edible, some are collectible, and some you’ll wish you’d bought twice.

But timing is everything. These aren’t souvenirs that wait around. If you want the good stuff, you need to know what to look for—and exactly where to find it before it’s gone.