What is a study tour?
A study tour is a program in which participants visit a place, listen to the people who live and work there, and see the situation first-hand in order to learn about social issues, history or culture. In Japan, NGOs and NPOs, travel agencies, universities, schools and local governments run them, both domestically and overseas.
How it differs from tourism and volunteering
| Main purpose | Features | |
|---|---|---|
| Sightseeing | Enjoy and relax | Landmarks and food come first; engaging with local issues is optional. |
| Study tour | Learn and think | Conversations with local people, site visits, and usually study before and after the trip. |
| Volunteering | Contribute through action | Work or support is the core; some study tours include hands-on work. |
Common themes
- International cooperation and poverty
- Peace and history
- Environment and nature
- Disaster prevention and recovery
- Agriculture and local communities
- Education and school trips
A respectful attitude
You are a guest who has been allowed to see and learn. Avoid burdening local people, ask before taking photos, and avoid drawing one-sided conclusions. See How to Choose.