This trip is sponsored and funded by the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and coordinated by the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and the Japan International Coordination Center (JICE).

JACL’s Kakehashi trip is only open to individuals of Japanese ancestry.

Yes! Someone who is adopted into a Japanese American family is considered to be of Japanese ancestry for the purposes of the program.

There will be 48 participants selected for this year’s program.

If you have previously participated in a MOFA-sponsored program that included an exchange trip to Japan, you are not eligible to participate in this program.

• Round-trip economy class international air tickets to/from Japan and the HUB airports.

  • The most convenient international airport will be chosen for the participants’ HUB group. Airport tax and facility fees are included. Travel between the participant’s home and the HUB  airport, as well as any excess baggage fees incurred during the program, shall be paid by the participant. Changing the designated flight is not permitted, even if the participant pays the cost.

• Overseas travel insurance

  • Chronic diseases, dental diseases, pregnancy, or those already ill or injured before the program are NOT covered. In such cases and other instances when the insurance company disapproves of the payment request, the participant shall be responsible for medical expenses in Japan. Any loss or damage to personal belongings is NOT covered.

• Accommodation, transportation, and most meals during the program in Japan

• Admission fees for scheduled activities in Japan

• Attendance Fee - All participants are required to pay an attendance fee for the trip if they are selected. 

  • This fee will be: 

  • $150 for students

  • $175 for young professionals 

  • $250 for chaperones.

• Travel, such as cab or airfare, between participants' homes and the HUB airports.

• Any souvenirs or other items participants would like to buy in Japan.

• Wireless (WiFi)/Cell Service - JICE and JACL will not provide portable WiFi routers or connectivity devices during the program. For safety reasons, everyone is required to have wireless connectivity during the trip. All participants must have a way to use their cellphones or mobile devices during the program, outside of WiFi provided by hotels or other accommodations. Most cell phone providers offer international data plans, or an e-SIM card may be available for your mobile device.

You’ll be traveling to Japan on a 7-day trip. You’ll visit Tokyo and 1 other city/region: TBA for the December 2025 trip.

You are responsible for meeting with your group at the assigned meet-up location and time at your hub airport. This meet-up time is mandatory for all participants, and you will not be permitted to meet at the group at the gate or at a connecting airport. If you are running late, please notify your flight chaperone as soon as possible (we will provide contact information). Even under circumstances outside of your control, such as weather delays, you remain responsible for meeting at the designated time and location.  If you miss your flight to Japan completely, we will provide you with contact information for a US-based travel agent whom you will call as soon as possible while JACL and JICE discuss what actions to take next. We cannot guarantee that alternative arrangements will be made to get you to Japan and rejoin the group. Furthermore, you will be responsible for paying any additional fees or costs associated with making these arrangements.

You’ll be staying in hotels for the majority of the trip. Each participant will stay in a double or triple room. Chaperones will have their own room. Please ensure that you’ve listed the appropriate food and medical allergies/restrictions on your application.

When you arrive, you’ll be provided with an emergency contact information card in Japanese that you are required to carry with you for the duration of the trip. In the unlikely event that you get separated from the group, the provided emergency contact card has information that you or another person, such as a police officer, can use to reach JICE for further assistance in reunifying with your group

You will have a full schedule each day of the trip, from breakfast through dinner. You will likely not have time to meet with family or friends. You may not miss any scheduled events for any reason, including seeing family or friends.

All participants are prohibited from consuming alcohol for the duration of the program. As a reminder, participants will serve as representatives of the United States, the Japanese American community, and the Japanese American Citizens League. JACL and JICE reserve the right to end the trip at any time for any participant found to have been engaging in any harmful or offensive behavior during the program.

Most major credit cards will be accepted in Japan, though it is important to note that using cash is much more common (and necessary in some cases) in Japan than in the US. ATMs are a common and convenient way to get cash in Japan and can be found in most public places. If you do plan on using any ATM, credit, or debit cards, please be sure to call your card company to put a travel notification on your account to ensure that your card will work in Japan. In addition to that, be sure to ask about any exchange/transaction/ATM usage fees that might be incurred for using your card internationally. Using traveler’s checks or trying to convert US cash to Yen at the airport or a bank is not recommended due to the higher transaction fees.

Lastly, because many expenses will be covered by the trip, most participants can estimate their money needs based on smaller purchases like snacks and souvenirs. At the time of writing, one US dollar equates to approximately 140 - 150 Japanese Yen.

Wi-fi is generally common at hotels in Japan, though it may not always be available in other public places. Most major cell carriers offer international phone service passes as a part of their service plan; however, please check your cell plan to determine if this is an option for you. Should you need other options to stay connected, please check options ahead of time and make arrangements to ensure you stay connected for the duration of the program. 

The outlets in Japan are two-pronged and 100V, as opposed to the three-prong, 120V outlets in the US. This means your two-pronged plugs will work just fine in Japanese outlets (so most cell phone and laptop chargers), though a three-pronged plug will need an adapter. The lower voltage is generally only an issue for high-power or heating items (such as a hairdryer), in which case a voltage adapter may also be required.

Most of the weather in Japan is similar to the Midwest or the Northeastern United States. Japan experiences four seasons to varying degrees depending on the region.

In the winter, the temperature generally ranges between 30 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow, sleet, and rain are possible. It is advised to bring warm clothing such as jackets and coats.

You will be representing the United States in meetings with business executives and Japanese government officials, so it is important to dress in a way that reflects professionalism and respect. Please plan to bring business casual attire for at least 3–4 days of the program. For men, this typically includes dress shoes, slacks or khakis (no jeans), a belt, long-sleeved collared shirts, and a sport coat or blazer. Ties are not required, but jackets are expected, and casual items such as hoodies or sweatshirts should be avoided. For women, business casual generally means dress shoes, pants or knee-length skirts or dresses, and a collared shirt or blouse. Clothing should be comfortable but polished, with hemlines and fits that are appropriate for formal meetings.

Outside of the scheduled business engagements, casual clothing is acceptable, but it should still be neat and presentable. Since you may be walking and moving around throughout the trip, it is also helpful to pack shoes that are both professional and comfortable. Additionally, please keep in mind that weather conditions can vary, so we encourage you to bring layers, along with outerwear appropriate for colder temperatures and rain. A more detailed packing guide will be sent out with the final itinerary, but these general guidelines should help you begin preparing.

KAKEHASHI students should wear clothing that is simple, modest, and “appropriate” for the formal environment of a Japanese school or governmental office.

The following lists can serve as a guideline as to what is “appropriate”:

What to wear:

• Knit or woven fabric shirts/blouses (short or long sleeves)

• Solid color pants and skirts

• Comfortable walking shoes that are easy to slip on and off, suitable for uneven surfaces

• Socks ( always carry an extra pair in your bag in case you need to go without shoes inside)

• Neat, presentable jeans (no rips or distressing)

What NOT to wear:

• Strong fragrances,

• Flip-flops

• Distressed clothing

• Shorts

Yes, there are a few things you will need:

• Your Passport: You must remember to bring your valid passport. If you do not have it at the time of the flight, you will not be able to board the plane or travel to Japan until you have it. Additionally, your passport will be your only form of valid ID in Japan. Under Japanese law, foreigners are required to keep their passports on their person at all times. Make sure you have it before you leave for your hub airport, and also ensure that you have a way to carry it on your person throughout the trip.

• A Backpack or an overnight bag: There may be times when your luggage will be sent ahead, and you will need to pack clothes and other necessities for a night or two.

• Omiyage: This is a small gift or souvenir that you should bring for your host family and possibly for meetings with Japanese students or other people. Omiyage is usually meant to be something representative of your local area, and it’s great if it’s something that can be shared. Local food items or even memorabilia from your school or local sports team are common omiyage ideas.

• A laptop: Each group will give a short PowerPoint presentation on their trip at the end of the 7-day program (more details will follow once we arrive in Japan). We’re asking at least one person in each group to bring a laptop that the group can use to make their PowerPoint slides.

Please be aware that certain medications that are legal in the US are restricted or even banned in Japan, even with a valid prescription (Adderall and Sudafed are two common examples of medications that are not allowed in any quantity in Japan). In most instances, travelers are limited to bringing in less than one month’s supply of medication. Medications that you’ve noted on your applications should be fine in less than a month’s supply unless we’ve notified you specifically, but please let us know if you have any questions. For more information, please click here.