A guide to special interest trips in Japan

What makes our special interest trips in Japan so unique?

Our special interest trips in Japan are curated adventures designed for people who want to dive deep into their passion, whether it is modern pop culture or timeless traditions. This guide is a key part of our complete plan for your life-changing Japan Study Trip. 

Main key takeaways

• Our special interest Study Trips are designed for participants with a deep passion for a specific aspect of Japanese culture.
• The Otaku Japan Study Trip is perfect for fans of anime, manga, and gaming.
• The Traditional Japan Study Trip is ideal for those who love history, arts, and ancient culture.
• These trips are a great way to meet and make friends with other individuals who share your interests.
• Data from our 2024 Study Trippers shows a strong interest in the authentic, historical experiences offered on our Traditional Japan trip.

Which adventure fits your style? A comparison

Choosing between our special interest trips comes down to the kind of atmosphere you are looking for. Here is a quick comparison to help you decide.

What is your Japanese passion?

Every Study Tripper’s dream of Japan is different, and our special interest trips are designed to match your unique passion. 

When we ask our Study Trippers what they are most excited about, we hear a wonderful variety of answers. As our Student Advisor, Crystal, notes, many are passionate about “anime, manga,” while our Tour Leader, Jose, has found that recently, 

“Study Trippers are mostly interested in mingling with locals and actually seeing sights and temples… as well as exploring the nightlife and cuisine.” 

Whatever your main interest is, there is an adventure waiting for you.

Will I find friends who share my passion?

Yes, one of the best parts of a special interest Study Trip is that you will be surrounded by a community of Study Trippers from around the world who share your passion. 

These trips are the perfect place to “find your people.” As our Tour Leader, Jose, shared:

“I had one Study Tripper who was a bit of an outcast back home. He did not have a circle of friends who knew and loved pop culture and anime as much as he did, so when he came to our Otaku Japan and saw how many people loved anime and games as much as he did, he mentioned it made him feel like he finally found friends”.

For the pop culture fan: the Otaku Japan Study Trip

The Otaku Japan Study Trip is one of the ultimate anime tours in Japan, designed to immerse you in the world of anime, manga, and gaming with a community of fellow fans. This Study Trip is for someone who has dreamed of visiting the places they have only seen on screen. It is more than a Japan pop culture tour; it is a chance to connect with others who share your passion.

For the history buff: the Traditional Japan Study Trip

The Traditional Japan Study Trip is one of our most popular cultural tours in Japan, offering a journey into the country’s rich history and timeless arts, including a trip to the ancient capital of Kyoto. 

This Study Trip is for someone who wants an authentic Japan experience steeped in history. As our Student Advisor, Crystal, notes, 

“Study Trippers love the small town feel of Kyoto, temples, and old time atmosphere. This is the Japan they imagined”. 

Our Tour Leader, Jose, also shared a story about a Study Tripper who felt “like she was in a fairy tale” seeing the sights from her Asian studies class come to life.

Which trip did our 2024 Study Trippers choose?

Caption: In 2024, the Traditional Japan Study Trip was more popular among participants due to their desire for authentic cultural experiences.

In 2024, our survey data showed that more Study Trippers chose the Traditional Japan Study Trip. 

While both trips are incredibly popular, the broader appeal of experiencing Japan’s rich history and timeless culture resonated with more Study Trippers last year. This aligns with what we see in our research: they deeply crave “authentic experiences” and want to “truly experience the culture” beyond just modern trends. The Traditional Japan trip, with its focus on historical sites and ancient arts, is a direct answer to that core motivation.

Frequently asked questions about special interest trips in Japan

1. Do I need to be an expert to join?
   Not at all. Our trips are designed for fans of all levels, from curious newcomers to longtime experts.
2. Will I have free time to explore on my own?
   Yes, our study trips are a great balance of group activities and personal time to explore your own interests.
3. What if I am traveling alone?
   Most of our Study Trippers travel solo. These trips are the best way to meet new people and make friends who share your passion.
4. What is the balance between Japanese lessons and activities?
   Our special interest Study Trips are designed to be a perfect mix of learning and adventure. You will typically have Japanese language lessons in the morning, leaving your afternoons and evenings free to dive into the themed cultural activities and explore with your new friends.
5. How is this different from a regular tour of Japan?
   The biggest difference is the focus on community and hands-on participation. Unlike a standard tour where you just see the sights, our Study Trips allow you to learn a skill, connect with a group of international people who share your specific passion, and get a real taste of what it is like to live in Japan.

Conclusion

Your passion is the key to an unforgettable adventure in Japan. Whether you dream of exploring the electric streets of Akihabara with fellow anime fans or walking through the serene temples of Kyoto, our special interest Study Trips offer a unique opportunity to connect with Japanese culture on a deeper level. We handle all the planning so you can focus on what is important: immersing yourself in what you love and creating lifelong memories with a new community of friends.