An Experience Like No Other: Sophie’s Japanese Adventure

Sophie shares her experience of Japan and provides valuable advice to other teens keen to go!

When high schooler Sophie Duckworth heard about an amazing, guided tour to Japan for WA teens, she vowed to convince her parents to let her go.

Using a PowerPoint presentation to plead her case, whatever Sophie said must have worked, because she jetted off to Japan on the adventure of a lifetime for 11 days in January 2025!

Sophie, a year 12 student at Woodvale Secondary College, was told about the trip by a cousin, then headed over to Gold Educational Tour’s website for more information about the Japan Tour. She then knew she just had to take part in the trip after reading more about it.

She joined a small group of other teens aged 14-18 on a fully guided adventure to Tokyo and Hakone, where Sophie visited Yokohama, Toyosu, Shirokane, Shibuya, Asakusa, Harajuku, and Odaiba. She spent time at shopping centres, temples, schools and in Chinatown.

Sophie’s favourite spot to visit was Hakone, an area famous for beautiful mountains and rivers and a serene, peaceful atmosphere.

“My favourite experience was the homestay and school visit as it was really cool to see the differences in Australian and Japanese culture, both in school and at home. The homestay and school experiences allowed me to make new friends, who I am staying in contact with,” Sophie said.

The entire trip, from accommodation to food, to transport and homestays, was organised by the team at Gold Educational Tours and guided by tour leaders Tomio, Phoebe, and Maiko. The team even made sure everyone was included in the activities and minor issues sorted out, so everyone could enjoy their time away.

“If you are worried about not having any friends, don’t stress because you will become close with everyone on the trip very quickly,” Sophie explained. “Getting ready together, eating together, learning together, and most of all discovering Japan together.”

Sophie studied the Japanese language in school until year 9 and in her own time, but advised others that even if you aren’t confident, just give it a go! Sophie also had lots of other valuable advice for students thinking of taking the tour.

“My advice is…do it! It will be an unforgettable and amazing experience that you will enjoy every second of,” Sophie said. “Don’t be afraid to try new foods, you may never get the chance again. Take lots of photos but also make sure you live in the moment. And pack light! You will need the space to bring back as many souvenirs as possible!”

Sophie noted the transport system in Japan as being the most surprising difference between Japan and Australia, with trains and other transport being right on time and running every few minutes, with apologies issues for 1–2-minute delays. The most surprising thing about Japan was the way they shower and wash, with Japanese people often sitting to shower and taking extremely deep baths to submerge themselves and relax, rather than to wash.

Sophie said the team at Gold Educational Tours took care of every detail for the trip, including medicine for when students didn’t feel well and checking in on how they were doing.

“The itinerary was perfect and covered so many different aspects of Japan,” said Sophie. “I could not have had a better time, and I am so grateful that Gold Educational Tours provided me with this amazing opportunity!”

Gold Educational Tours is currently seeking applicant for its Tokyo Japan Student Tour for 2026, which will take place over 10 days in January 2026. To learn more, head over to the website, where you can read more about the tour or fill out an expression of interest for the next tour.

If you want to send your teen on the trip of a lifetime like Sophie, don’t wait for them to make you a PowerPoint. Check out all the information now at Gold Educational Tours and get them on their way to this unique, guided tour of Japan.