JCE Hitachi & Tokyo
2026 APPLICATIONS - closed
In association with Tauranga City and Hitachi City Council’s Sister City activities…
- Dates: Wednesday 30th September to Sunday 11th October 2026
- Program duration: 11 nights 12 days
- Location: Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture, & Tokyo City, Japan
- Age: Open to students from year 9 to year 13,who living or attending schools in Tauranga City and surrounding areas (includes Katikati and Te Puke)
- You must be a NZ citizen or a permanent resident.
- If you are a holder of a foreign passport and require a visa to enter Japan, it is your responsibility to apply for an appropriate visa. Visa application fee is not included in the program fee.
- Numbers: Strictly limited to 10 students so be quick!
- Fees: $6995 (price subject to change until paid in full)
Program Fee Details
Included in the fees are:
- Return Flights (Proposed Air NZ and subject to availability)
- Return transport from Tauranga to Auckland International Airport
- Auckland Accommodation at the Holiday Inn Auckland Airport (or similar)
- 5 nights homestay with a Japanese family in Hitachi City
- Hitachi City sightseeing
- Japanese Junior High school experience
- Hitachi Senior Technical High School Visit and Kendo experience
- Hitachi City Cultural day
- 3 nights in Tokyo City Central Youth Hostel
- Tokyo Sightseeing (incl Harajuku, Shibuya, Asakusa Sensoji Temple, Sky tree etc.)
- All transport on buses, trains in and around Tokyo
- Day pass to Tokyo Disneyland
- All meals (except lunch in Disneyland)
- Fully escorted by a Japanese Speaking leader from NZ Study Tours
Not included in the fees are:
- lunch in Disneyland (allow $30-$40)
- Personal Spending Money (Suggested $400-500)
- Travel Insurance (Participants must arrange and pay for their own travel insurance)
Conditions
All costs are subject to change without notice due to tariff rises and currency fluctuations until paid in full. *Non-refundable deposit per person is required at time of application. Other cancellation charges will apply as we get closer to the departure date. See T’s and C’s for details
*Note: refund in full if the program is cancelled due to insufficient numbers.
Important Dates
| Application: | 2026 applications open now – two spots remain |
| Deposit: | On application $690 payable to NZ Study Tours |
| Info Pack I: | Sent to you after applications close (April 2026) |
| Balance of Program fees due: | July |
| Info pack II: | Sent to you in July |
| Host Information: | September |
| Online meetings | TBA – usually 2-3 |
| Tauranga Departure Date: | Wednesday 30th September 2026 |
| Japan Departure Date: | Thursday 1st October 2026 |
| NZ Arrival Date: | Sunday 11th October 2026 |
Program Key Points
- Application and Participants
The program is open to New Zealand student in year 9 to 13. Students must be interested in Japan and have a willingness to accept another culture. Japanese language is not necessary. Applicant numbers are limited and minimum numbers are required for the program to go ahead. - NZ Departure
Participants will meet in Tauranga and depart for Auckland as a group. - Flight
The group will fly with Air New Zealand to Japan. Please note that the flights may change due to availability. - Japan Arrival
The group will arrive at Narita International Airport and then transfer to Hitachi City by bus, stay the night in a youth hostel in Hitachi city, Japanese style. - The Homestay
Experience a 5 night homestay with a Hitachi City family. - Japanese Culture
Enjoy the day in Hitachi, visit local museum, science hall and planetarium. Try traditional tea ceremony and try on a kimono with the ladies from the Kiwi-Hitachi group. - Hitachi City Mayor Visit
The group will meet with the Mayor of Hitachi City and take part in some formal ceremonies - School experience
Visit a Junior or Senior High school in Hitachi City. You will experience first hand what Japanese school life is like, join normal classes and meet local students. - Nissenko Hitachi Senior Technical High School
Visit the unique Hitachi Senior Technical High School known as ” Nissenko”. Nissenko has been visiting Tauranga on a school trip since 2004 and has a long lasting relationship with people in Tauranga. You will experience a traditional Japanese martial art “Kendo” and make a simple item. - Hitachi Departure and Tokyo
The group will leave their hosts and head for Tokyo by the Super Hitachi Express Train. That afternoon visit Tokyo icons – Harajuku shopping streets and Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Accommodation will be in the Tokyo Central Youth Hostel - Tokyo Disneyland
A full day in Tokyo Disneyland, one of the world’s best theme parks. See Tokyo Disneyland website - Tokyo Discovery
Visit some places of interest including the world’s tallest tower Sky Tree, Asakusa’s Sensoji Temple, Kaminarimon and the Nakamise shopping street. - Transfer to Narita Airport
Enjoy a relaxing morning in Tokyo. After lunch travel to Narita International Airport by train. Check in for the NZ bound flight departing that evening. - Arrive in Auckland
After clearing customs in Auckland the group will arrive in Auckland International Airport and bus back to Tauranga. - Group Escort
A Japanese speaking guide from NZ Study Tours will escort the group to and from Japan and be in charge of the group throughout the program. During the time in Hitachi City the group will also be under the care of the Hitachi City Office. - Handling and Support
The program is being handled by NZ Study Tours, Tauranga. All Homestay and Cultural arrangements are provided by the Hitachi City Office.
Contact Details:
Stuart Cundy
Email: outbound@nzstudytours.co.nz
Mobile: 027 294 314
Delivered as part of Tauranga’s Sister City activities, in association with Priority One and Education Tauranga.
Click here to register for an online meeting
You will receive an email from us with the teams meeting link details.