Sustainable Energy in Japan

As you touch down at the Tokyo International Airport (also known as the Haneda Airport), grab your bags and get ready for a week full of new adventures and constant learning. As you exit the arrivals gate, you will be greeted by your local guide who will ensure that you get to your accommodation smoothly. 

Upon arriving at the hotel, the guide will provide a briefing of the week’s itinerary and will teach you some traditional Japanese customs and phrases which you can use during the duration of your trip in Japan.

Following a traditional Japanese breakfast, you will get the opportunity to connect with the experts at Japan Center for a Sustainable Environment and Society (JACSES), an NGO that focuses on environmental and social rights. Learn about the current status of Japan’s environmental efforts as well as uncovering more about the brutal history of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant’s horrific spill and how it still affects Japan today. 

After the morning seminar with JACSES, take the afternoon and evening to explore downtown Tokyo at your leisure. Your local guide will also be available to show you around some of the city’s bustling night markets, which are simply a must-see while in Japan.  

This morning you will take part in a seminar hosted by the Energy Conservation Center to learn about the current strategies in place to support sustainable energy around Japan. The Energy Conservation Center is a supporter of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), an initiative launched by the United Nations to help promote reusable, efficient and accessible energy around the world. 

Following the seminar, you will head back to your accommodation and connect with your guide for a briefing of tomorrow’s full-day trek. Make sure you eat a hearty meal and hit the sack early as you will be rising before the sun to trek the iconic Mount Fuji!

Today is the day you will take in views of Japan unlike any others you’ve seen before. Situated about 100 km outside the city of Tokyo, Mount Fuji is an active volcano that stands at 3,776 meters tall. Although the altitude is formidable, your local guide will ensure that you have all the resources you need to summit the volcano safely. 

If you are physically fit, you can summit Mount Fuji within five to seven hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle bus halfway up and start your trek from the middle of the volcano. Once you reach the top, take a look into the crater of the volcano and check out the bubbling lava. Then, snap those well-deserved selfies and get ready to begin your descent. Following the trek, you’ll head back to your accommodation in Tokyo. 

On day five of this dynamic adventure, you will connect with the experts in the field of sustainability at United Nations University. Focused on social, economic and environmental sustainability, this institute is one of the best in the country. Take the opportunity to listen and ask questions directly to the experts on site. 

Afterward, enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the Zōjōji Temple. This stunning Buddhist temple boasts stellar views of the Tokyo Tower. It’s also a great place to meditate or simply walk around and take in the beauty of the temple’s detailed architecture. 

On your final full day of this adventure, you will be visiting a small town in Japan’s Gunma Prefecture called Minakami. Here you will have the opportunity to take part in a river rafting of canyoning excursion down the Tone River. Take note of the stark contrasts of this small town compared to the larger cities you’ve visited during this trip. 

After a few hours of navigating downriver, you deserve a rest. On that note, head over to Kinseikan Seseragi, a hot spring that is more than 600 years old and is renowned for have been healing locals in the area for many years. Following your soaking session, you’ll be transferred back to Tokyo to prepare for tomorrow’s departure. 

On your final day in Tokyo, you will get the chance to indulge in a traditional Japanese lunch before heading back to the airport. After a week-long trip full of adventure and discovery, rest assured that you have taken full advantage of your time in Japan. However, there will always be more to experience. You may just have to plan a return trip someday!