Purpose
- Contribute to international cultural exchange among the younger generation and enhance mutual understanding
- Nurture fans of Nagano to increase the number of repeating foreign tourists
Past School Tours Organized
We have supported countless school tours in the past, mainly from countries in South East Asia, Europe, USA, and Oceania.
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Japan Educational Travel School Tours Organized (Number of groups)
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Japan Educational Travel School Tours Organized (Number of students)
Countries and regions welcomed thus far
Taiwan, China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, The Philippines, Mongolia, India, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, France, Germany, Turkey, and more.Schools Matched
Including public and private schools, Nagano Prefecture has a total of 95 high schools, 196 junior high schools, and 363 elementary schools. If you are planning an educational travel experience in Japan, consider coming to Nagano Prefecture, where there is ample opportunity for school tours. School tours within the abundant nature of Nagano will surely be an unforgettable and memorable experience for both the visiting students as well as the local children or students of the accepting school. To ensure a smooth and fruitful school tour experience, Nagano Tourism Organization will conduct school matchings as follows.
- Accepting school tour applications from foreign schools or travel agencies as well as contacting and coordinating with accepting school in Nagano
- Coordination of school tour
- Support on the day of the tour itself
Scheduling of school tour
- Apply for school tour to Nagano Tourism Organization (by phone or email)（gakushu@nagano-tabi.net）
- Selection and coordination of accepting school based on application requests
Application(3–6 months prior to desired date of tour)
- Tour itinerary scheduling
(tourist attractions, souvenirs, participation in classes & club activities, get-together sessions, and more)
- Interpreter arrangement
Confirmation of school to visit (1 month prior)- School tour support by organization staff and interpreter
- Lunch arrangements
- Farewell party
- Commemorative photo
On the appointed day of the school tour- Questionnaire and feedback (By accepting/tour school)
Follow upItinerary example
1. Nagano high school tour
| Time | Activities |
|---|---|
| 10:00 | Arrival at designated school |
| 10:20 | Welcome ceremony |
| 11:10 | Class experience ① |
| 12:00 | Lunch experience |
| 13:00 | Class experience ② |
| 14:00 | Get-together session |
| 15:00 | Club activity tour & experience |
| 16:00 | Farewell party, commemorative photo, and send-off |
| 16:20 | Departure from school |
2. Nagano elementary school and junior high school tour
| Time | Activities |
|---|---|
| 10:00 | Arrival at designated school |
| 10:20 | Welcome ceremony |
| 11:00 | ① Get-together session (chatting while playing traditional Japanese games) ② Class experience |
| 12:00 | School lunch experience |
| 12:40 | Classroom cleaning experience (elementary school) |
| 13:00 | Farewell party, commemorative photo, and send-off |
| 13:20 | Departure from school |
5 reasons for choosing Nagano as the destination for educational travel
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Safe and reliable
Our schools take strict precautions to prevent against COVID-19 infections and are dedicated to keeping the touring students safe at all times. On the day of the tour, our organization’s staff will be present to support and ensure that all activities go smoothly.
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Located in the center of Japan, Nagano is Japan’s foremost resort destination with well-preserved nature
A popular resort destination in Japan with scenic mountainous landscapes that change their appearance according to the seasons. With international resort destinations such as Kamikochi and the popular Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, there are plenty of mountain resorts to explore. Make pleasant memories of Japan by enjoying the countless scenic views in Nagano.
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Ease of Transport
By Shinkansen, it takes only 2 hours or less to reach the prefectural capital of Nagano from Tokyo and around 3 hours by JR trains from Nagoya. Highway networks are also well developed, allowing travelers to easily reach Nagano in 2–3 hours from the Tokyo area and Chukyo area (Nagoya) by car. Matsumoto, located in the center of the prefecture, is home to the Shinshu-Matsumoto Airport, which services regular flights to and from Fukuoka, Kobe, Osaka, and Sapporo.
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Ample experience in arranging farm stays
We accept applications for farm stays, where you can enjoy the nature in Japan by staying at farmhouses and experiencing a life of farming. You will also get to try making soba noodles, a staple in Nagano, and the local delicacy, Oyaki.
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Ample experience in arranging school tours
Since 2004, we have arranged school tours for roughly 1,380 groups and 51,000 students as of 2019 (16 years) and are one of the top school tour organizers in Japan. Thus, the local schools are more than willing to cooperate with us. We can arrange school tours to all types of schools for all ages.
Snapshot of school tour
Video Message
School tour application conditions
- No fees are charged for arrangements but you must stay in Nagano for one night or more.
- Please apply at least 3 months prior to the desired date of the school tour.
- We ask that each applicant school requests only one school for school exchange.
- Please fill in the following form and send it via email to submit your application.
- We will inform you of the school’s name at least 1 month before the day of the school tour.
- If multiple members of a visiting school show symptoms of an infectious disease, we may cancel the school exchange.
Contact details
We accept applications from schools or travel agencies through this address.
Contact details and application submissions：
gakushu@nagano-tabi.net Educational Travel Agent
General Incorporated Nagano Tourism Organization
3F Hotel Shinanoji, 131-4 Okada-machi, Nakagosho, Nagano
TEL：026-219-5274
FAX：026-219-5277
Recommended Plans
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(1) Nagano Prefecture 1-Night Stay Plan A
Day・Activity Activity Day 1 -
Tokyo
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Matsumoto IC Exit
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Matsumoto Castle (National Treasure)・・・Kaichi School (National Treasure)
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Lake Shirakaba or Lake Suwa
Accommodation Lake Shirakaba or Lake Suwa Day 2 -
Hotel
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Suwa Grand Shrine Shimosha Akimiya・・・Gishodo (watchmaking experience)
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School tour (central or south Nagano area)
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Tokyo or Nagoya, Kyoto, and Osaka
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(2) Nagano 1-Night Stay Plan B
Day・Activity Activity Day 1 -
Tokyo
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Nagano IC Exit
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Togakushi Shrine Chu-sha (Togakushi soba noodles for lunch)
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Traditional bamboo crafts experience
Zenkoji Temple (Key to Paradise tour)
Nagano city tour or trip to the Shiga Highlands
Accommodation Nagano city or Shiga Highlands Day 2 -
Hotel
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School tour (north or east Nagano area)
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Tokyo
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(3) Nagano Prefecture 2-Night Stay Plan
Day・Activity Activity Day 1 -
Tokyo
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Matsumoto IC Exit
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Kamikochi (afternoon stroll)
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Omachi Hot Spring Resort Village
Accommodation Omachi Hot Spring or Hakuba Valley Day 2 -
Hotel
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Ogizawa
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Kurobe Dam
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Ogizawa
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School tour (north or central Nagano area)
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Farm stay
Accommodation Farm stay Day 3 A.M.: Farmhouse experience (farming, cooking local food, and more)
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Farmhouse
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Tokyo
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*The above schedule may not be feasible depending on the location of the school tour.
We can create custom itineraries adjusted for school tours. Please specify such requests in your application. We will customize the itineraries accordingly.
We can also include SDGs learning programs. Please specify such requests in your application.
We will suggest programs that may meet your requests.
Nagano Prefecture, a land nurtured by mountains and highlands
Blessed by abundant nature and scenic landscapes as well as timeless historical and cultural heritage, Nagano is a popular tourist destination. Refreshing winds blow across the highlands and the starry night skies as well as majestic mountains are contrasted by the vast country landscape below the horizon. Apart from hot springs popular among the Japanese people since ancient times, the traditional local festivals and crafts that have been passed down through the generations as well as juicy vegetables and fruits nurtured by clean water and rich soil are just some of the many unique features offered by Nagano, a prefecture boasting vast land masses. There is always something new to discover during each visit.
Scenic Nagano Trips
