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Gen Z Travels PLUS: Japan
A next-gen adventure mixing Ainu spirit, Samurai mindset, and real-world climate action for a better future
This Is Japan: Your Moment to See the World Differently
Stand above Tokyo’s skyline and see the pulse of 37 million lives below you. Step inside a 1,300-year-old temple and experience where past and present meet through community traditions. Move between forest paths walked by samurai and futuristic trains flying hundreds of kilometres per hour. This is Japan through Gen Z eyes, where tradition and futurism collide to remind us what balance, beauty, and purpose really look like.
You're not just watching. You're part of it. Stand above Tokyo's skyline, feel the pulse of 37 million lives below. Step inside a 1,300-year-old temple where fire, chant, and silence meet. Walk rice terraces carved by ancestors and ride trains racing into the future. This is Japan like no tourist ever sees, where tradition meets technology, and every moment brings you closer to something real.
Unstuck, Empowered, and Inspired: Your Story Begins Here
Do you have big ideas and dreams—but feel stuck, anxious, overwhelmed, or unsure of where you’re heading next? Do love… or hate… the term “neuro-spicy” and wonder how you’ll navigate the world in your own way?
You’re not alone. And yes—you can travel, grow, and feel fully supported.
DATES
July 19–August 15, 2026 (28 days)
First and second halves available separately — contact us to learn more.
AGES
18+ (co-ed)
LOCATIONS
Tokyo • Niigata • Kyoto • Shodoshima Island • Hokkaido
PRICES (CAD)
Early Bird Rate (ends Dec. 1, 2025): $9,999 + GST (5%)
Regular Rate: $9,999 + GST (5%)
Deposit: $1000 + GST
Flights not included — we can help book your airfare.
This trip includes:
– Two pre-departure Zoom check-ins
– Ten hours online cultural orientation and pre-trip coaching
– Japanese language lessons woven throughout the journey (5 hours minimum in country)
– 8-hour Japanese lessons throughout the experience.
– 8-hour Coaching either in person (Vancouver) or online
– 24/7 supervision by experienced bilingual guides
– All land transportation (JR Rail Pass not included)
– Dorm accommodations, community homestays, and tent camping
– Most meals and cultural workshops
– Museum and heritage site admissions
– Daily Gen Z Cultural & Climate Leadership workshops
– Post-course mentorship and Duke of Edinburgh Award alignment
Does not include: Airfare, JR Rail Pass, and anything not listed above.
More info: office@firesideadventures.ca
Introducing GEN Z TRAVELS: PLUS
PLUS is our expanded support model designed specifically for Gen Z travellers who want adventure and intentional guidance. It’s for young people who are navigating anxiety, identity exploration, neurodivergence, family challenges, or major life transitions—and still want to see the world, connect deeply, and experience something real.
PLUS combines:
• Adventure travel that builds confidence and independence
• Intentional mentorship from trained Fireside leaders
• Well-being support such as reflection circles, grounding practices, and narrative-based guidance
• A supportive small-group culture where you can show up as your full self
Our team of skilled facilitators creates an environment where participants can safely explore who they are, overcome internal barriers, and expand what they believe is possible.
This is more than a trip.
It’s an empowering, wellness-centred adventure designed to help Gen Z step into adulthood with clarity, resilience, leadership, and purpose—while building the confidence to shape a sustainable future.
Your story doesn’t have to stay stuck.
This is where it begins.
Why Gen Z is choosing Japan
Japan isn’t just a hot destination for Gen Z—it’s the bucket-list trip your friends talk about nonstop. It’s the perfect mix of deep culture, futuristic creativity, and unreal safety. This is the kind of adventure people used to discover “backpacking in the 1990s.” Yes—your parents would be proud, and honestly, they’d probably still buy you a Lonely Planet guidebook for this one. Hopefully, they will also throw money at this adventure to cover some of the costs. Fingers crossed.
But Gen Z doesn’t travel to check boxes. You travel to feel something. To collect stories, not souvenirs. To find connection, curiosity, meaning—and maybe even a version of yourself you haven’t met yet.
This trip is built for exactly that.
If you want a trip that feels like adventure, culture, nature, meaning, memories—and your own 1990s-backpacker-era coming-of-age story—this is it.
What Makes This Experience Different
What Makes This Experience Different
This isn’t a typical Gen Z trip to Japan—and it’s definitely not a social-media scavenger hunt. Our instructors won’t be texting you reminders or asking for curated Instagram shots. They will be guiding you through a meaningful, unplugged deep dive into Japan’s culture, climate realities, and way of life. Created by Gen X and Gen Z Canadian and Japanese adventure-travel specialists, this course breaks the status quo on what people think Japan is—and what Gen Z travel can be.
Across Japan’s three distinct worlds—Tokyo/Niigata, Kyoto/Shodoshima, and Hokkaido—you’ll engage with scientists, farmers, elders, artists, and innovators. You’ll learn how ancient philosophies like mottainai (no waste) and monozukuri(craftsmanship) shape modern sustainability and climate action. These real-world encounters turn Japan into a living classroom.
You’re a welcome guest, not a tourist.
We travel with intention, guided by educators, community hosts, and local partners who invite you into neighbourhoods, villages, and cultural spaces far beyond the tourist trail.
Authentic cultural access, guided respectfully.
Learn directly from knowledge keepers, including leaders within Japan’s Indigenous Ainu community. Every encounter is grounded in cultural protocol, curiosity, and relationship.Through the Lens: a 28-Day Storytelling Project.
Document your experience using short videos and photos, then create a 2–3 minute mini-film capturing who you’ve become—your voice, your growth, your story.Japanese Language in Action.
No classrooms. You learn naturally—on trains, in markets, with homestay families—with support from local instructors.Climate-smart travel in practice.
Public transit, local food systems, low-impact lodging, and conversations with climate innovators show you how Japan is adapting to a warming world.Urban to rural. Modern to ancient.
From Tokyo’s electric pace to Hokkaido’s quiet forests, from samurai discipline to climate activism, you’ll explore how Japan bridges past and future—and where your own creativity fits in.Learn → Practice → Reflect.
Each day blends context, hands-on immersion, and guided reflection to help you build awareness, empathy, and leadership skills you’ll take home.Designed for depth—not distraction.
Small groups, experienced instructors, and intentional unplugged time help you move beyond sightseeing. You won’t just visit Japan. You’ll build a relationship with it—and discover who you are within its story.
gen Z Travels Japan
The Best of Japan
“A warrior is worthless unless he rises above others and stands strong in the midst of a storm.”
Kick off in Tokyo, where neon energy meets sustainability and tradition. From the Skytree powered by renewable tech to the timeless streets of Asakusa, you’ll see how Japan honours its past while reimagining its future.
Then head to the mountains of Niigata Satoyama, where life moves more slowly and more deeply. Learn calligraphy, explore bushido philosophy, meditate, and discover how ancient wisdom shapes modern well-being. It’s less about “more” and more about grounding, balance, and feeling fully alive.
Tokyo
Japan’s bustling capital, Tokyo, is a mesmerizing blend of modernity and tradition. Skyscrapers rise above ancient temples and peaceful gardens. In Asakusa, the historic heart of Tokyo, Senso-ji temple and lively market streets showcase the city's timeless charm.
Niigata
Japan's largest rice-producing prefecture. This great agricultural region leads the way in the Satoyama initiative, a vision for sustainable rural societies in harmony with nature. A harmony that contributes to human well-being and biodiversity conservation.
“The Samurai always has to rise and move on, because new challenges will come.”
World Two: Kyoto and Shodoshima Island - Samurai Spirit and Island Traditions Experience
In Kyoto, walk through a thousand years of history—temples, shrines, tea ceremonies, and quiet moments that stay with you. On Shodoshima, paddle the coastline, study marine life, and see how an island once known for pollution transformed itself through creativity and community.
Kyoto
For over 1000 years, Kyoto was the imperial capital city of Japan. Home to esteemed historical sights, Kyoto is known for its profound serenity and timeless allure. It is steeped in rich history and tradition, once serving as a center for Samurai culture, where warriors upheld the code of bushido and shaped Japan's legacy of honor and discipline.
Shodoshima Island
A hidden gem with breathtaking views, ancient history, and real-life examples of climate solutions in action. Japan’s “Olive Island” and its inhabitants are a symbol of resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity.
World Three: Hokkaido - Indigenous and Ancient Origins of Japan Experience
Finally, journey north to Hokkaido, homeland of the Ainu people. Here, landscapes feel wild, ancient, and unfiltered—a place to reconnect with the earth and yourself.
Hokkaido
Hokkaido is a land that reflects the very origins of Japan. Thousands of years-old Jomon sites remain here, offering a glimpse into how people lived in harmony with nature. The culture of the indigenous Ainu people also endures, carrying forward a deep respect for the natural world. Hokkaido is a place that connects the past and the present, and inspires us to think about how we want to live in the future.
Signature Experiences:
Explore the fortress of Goryokaku, site of the samurai’s last stand
Engage in Ainu crafts and stories at Upopoy National Museum and Park
Learn traditional farming on an organic farm and cook farm-to-table meals
Participate in a Buddhist Goma fire ritual inside a 1,300-year-old mountain temple
Discover the digital art frontier at teamLab Tokyo
Experience Kyoto’s tea ceremony and kimono culture
Cycle past olive groves and soy-sauce breweries on Shodoshima Island
Spend a 12-hour solo in a hidden village for deep reflection and personal clarity
Meet your team:
Ami Nagata, Japan Cultural Exchange & Experiential Education Specialist
I was born and raised in Japan and moved to Canada in 2020. So far, I’ve explored 18 countries, driven by a deep passion for discovering new cultures and fostering meaningful cultural exchange. My professional experience includes working at an immigration agency, where I helped Japanese students pursue their dreams of studying in Canada. I believe it is essential for children and youth to explore the world—not only to learn new languages, but also to build social skills, leadership abilities, and a strong sense of identity. My motto, “一期一会” (Ichigo Ichie), or “once in a lifetime encounter”, reflects my desire to inspire more Japanese people to step into the world, embrace meaningful connections, and bring fresh energy and perspective to the global community.
Contact me at international@firesideadventures.ca
Ethan Barnes, Mentorship (Between The Trees) Coordinator
I joined the team as a writer but found myself pulled into the world of outdoor experiential education. I now work for Fireside as a camp coordinator and instructor, and at Vancouver Outdoor School as an intensive 1:1 support worker. Last summer, I had a blast coordinating our kids’ day and overnight camps. It was great to see how kids’ curiosity and confidence grow as they get more comfortable in the outdoors. I’m looking forward to another summer of out-of-the box, nature-based fun!
Sebastian Jenkins: Director of Global Programs & Cultural Exchange
A lifelong traveler and Fireside alumnus, Sebastian Jenkins brings over 15 years of experience in adventure travel, cultural immersion, and educational program design. His passion for connecting people through authentic, place-based experiences has taken him to more than 30 countries across six continents.Sebastian’s expertise bridges independent school programming, cross-cultural leadership, and experiential education. He first joined Fireside Adventures in 2006 as a participant in one of its earliest Alberta expeditions, later returning as a mentor and advisor. His journey continued through Fireside’s international youth leadership program in Germany (2008) and the Yukon Explorer canoe expedition (2021)—experiences that shaped his belief in the transformative power of outdoor and cultural learning.
Beyond Fireside, Sebastian has lived and worked abroad, including a formative year in Mombasa, Kenya, where he volunteered in rural communities, teaching English and helping build local schools. His global background in hospitality, education, and travel logistics allows him to craft experiences that balance adventure, safety, and cultural authenticity.Driven by curiosity and empathy, Sebastian believes that meaningful travel expands worldviews and builds leadership. His goal is to help young people and educators alike gain the skills, confidence, and global perspective needed to thrive in an interconnected world. Contact me at international@firesideadventures.ca
Taiki Ishikawa
As an educator, my commitment is to make learning fun, experiential, and relevant for all learners. I believe that educators must recognize the rapid shifts and changes in our world, which is why the development of a World Bound Japan course is incredibly important for both visitors to Japan and Japanese learners and families.
In my role, I try to inspire learners of all kinds through inquiry-based learning practices that focus on science, culture, and space. My “Space for All” passion-project for accessible space education flourished when I taught this to neurodiverse students. I strongly believe many will become world innovators in solving the problems caused by climate change. I am excited to explore "peace-making skill sets" from a Japanese perspective. It is crucial for youths to develop peacemaking skills and strategies, to navigate the conflicts that will arise due to compromised resources and environments caused by climate change.
