Japan Trip 2026 | August 2025 Information

Thank you to the many Dublin Taiko families who have expressed an interest in the Japan Trip 2026. If you are likely to participate in the Japan Trip and haven't completed this Dublin Taiko Japan 2026 Interest Form, take a minute to let us know you're interested!  Submitting this form will not obligate you to come on the trip. 

We have compiled this Dublin Taiko Japan Trip FAQs as a running list of questions that the Dublin Taiko Board has received, along with their corresponding answers. Keep this link handy, as it will be regularly updated. Please note that the list has been created by order of most recent questions received - not by topic or importance - and questions with the answer "Unknown" will be updated as that information becomes clear. 

We will also host meetings to discuss the Japan Trip 2026 - dates for these meetings are TBD and will be communicated with Dublin Taiko families. 
 JAPAN TRIP 2026 
 JAPAN TRIP 2026 

​WHEN
May 28-June 8, 2026

WHERE
link for Preliminary Itinerary 


WHO
All of the Dublin Taiko community, including current members, alumni who have graduated, and immediate family members (parents/guardians, siblings)


TRIP COST

The maximum cost per traveler will be $5,998

• This price will likely decrease by $100-$300, depending on the total number of people that attend the trip. In addition, the price for Dublin Taiko Performers (i.e.: students in Beginners, Veterans, JV, DTG) could decrease further, depending on the amount of fundraising* we achieve. 

• Cost will cover:
  • Ten (10) Nights of Hotel Accommodations while in Japan
  • Breakfast provided at the hotel each morning
  • Lunch and Dinner provided throughout, and will be noted in the final itinerary
  • Admissions and Sightseeing, as noted in the final itinerary
  • Admission Ticket to Universal Studios of Japan
  • Ordinary Class Bullet Train ticket (2 one-ways)
  • Local bus transportation as noted in the final itinerary
  • Estimated Round Trip Airfare Allowance of $2,000 (international taxes and fees are subject to change)
  • English Speaking Tour Guide while in Japan
  • Online billing and payment services
  • Liability insurance (explained in FAQs)

• Cost will not cover:
  • Travel insurance
  • Baggage fees
  • Some food outside of the hotel (i.e.: lunches in Mashiko; more details about the exact number of meals covered TBD)

DEPOSIT & PAYMENT SCHEDULE

• A non-refundable $1,000 deposit for each traveler will be due late October to secure hotel and airfare booking.
• We are currently working with the travel company to set up a payment system for the deposit as well as a payment schedule for subsequent payments. These details TBD.

OPTIONS FOR TRAVEL

1) Group Rate:  travel company will book round-trip travel and prepare the full itinerary for you to follow the Dublin Taiko Japan Trip 2026. (Cost: maximum $5,998 per traveler)

• Anyone taking advantage of the group rate through the travel company's airline cost must travel round-trip with the group and participate in the full itinerary, as the travel company does not allow deviations from international and domestic entry/exit ports and itinerary dates for attractions.

2) Booking Flights Independently:  use your airline miles to book round-trip travel independently, but the travel company will prepare the full itinerary for you to follow the Dublin Taiko Japan Trip 2026. (Cost: your round-trip airline tickets + travel company's rate for full itinerary excluding round-trip travel TBD)  

• Anyone booking international flights independently by using airline miles (or to accrue airline miles), but who will otherwise follow the full itinerary established for Dublin Taiko, will have a separate rate. The travel company's trip package rate for these travelers TBD. 

• NOTE for travelers using this option: it will be critical to schedule flights that arrive at the same time or earlier than the group flight to ensure that travel on the bus from Tokyo to Mashiko can be coordinated with the group. The cost of the bus will be included in the trip package and will not be reimbursed if you are unable to be on the bus at the scheduled time. The tentative arrival time in Tokyo is 3pm, but we will share the flight number once the group package is confirmed so that everyone booking their own international travel will be able to coordinate the time appropriately.

3) Booking Flights, Accommodations, and Attractions Independently: book round-trip travel independently and will not follow the travel company's full itinerary for Dublin Taiko Japan Trip 2026. (Cost: all expenses, no rate from travel company)

• Anyone booking international flights independently who does not plan to follow the full itinerary established for Dublin Taiko during the group's stay in Japan are welcome to join Dublin Taiko (i.e.: performance in Mashiko, or for only part of the stay or some attractions, etc.) but will be responsible for arranging all accommodations, transportation, attractions admission, and incurring all expenses therein.

FUNDRAISING

• Any funds collected for the Japan Trip through fundraising efforts will only benefit current Dublin Taiko performers traveling to Japan.

• Funds must be equally applied to all Dublin Taiko performers participating in the Japan Trip.

• Final fundraising outcomes will not be available until close to, or possibly, after the trip. Therefore, families should prepare to pay the total cost of the trip throughout the year. Once the amounts are finalized, families will be reimbursed for any fundraising amount that is equally divided among current Dublin Taiko performers participating in the Japan Trip.

• Fundraising can only be achieved through Fundraising Committee volunteers. Please volunteer through this GoogleForm to sign up.

PASSPORTS & VISA

A few preliminary points to consider are:

1. New passports: the issuance process for new passports takes a few months - please start the process earlier rather than later
2. Current passport holders: you will need to renew your passport if it expires before December 2026.
3. No Visa necessary to travel to Japan

PRELIMINARY ITINERARY
All items are subject to change, however, we do not anticipate anything major. Final details will be shared as soon as they are available. 

Day 1: Thursday, May 28, 2026 Columbus International Airport                      
9am   Approximate departure from Columbus International Airport to Tokyo
 
Day 2: Friday, May 29, 2026 Tokyo and Travel to Mashiko3pm Approximate arrival in Tokyo, Japan
Arrive in Tokyo, meet tour guide at airport and bus transfer to in Mashiko, Hotel Mashikokan (One way transfer provided)
 
Day 3: Saturday, May 30, 2026 Mashiko (Breakfast /Lunch/ Dinner)
Rehearsal all day with Eitetsu

Day 4: Sunday, May 31, 2026 Mashiko (Breakfast /Lunch/ Dinner)
Performance day with Eitetsu

Day 5: Monday, June 1, 2026 Mashiko and then travel to Kyoto (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Dublin Taiko will spend the morning with local Mashiko students learning about Japanese culture. Then, we’ll take in the sights of the Japanese landscape as we travel on a bullet train to Tokyo and then ultimately to Kyoto. The afternoon and evening will be primarily travel.
 
Day 6: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 Kyoto (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
We will explore one of Japan's most enduring images, Kinkakuji, or The Golden Pavilion. This three-story pavilion overlooking Kagayako Pond is a representative example of Muromachi period pavilion architecture, and features opulent gold leaf on the second and third floors. The garden is designated as a Special Historic Site and a Special Place of Scenic Beauty. Experience the serenity of Zen Buddhism at Tenryu-Ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site nestled in the picturesque Arashiyama district of Kyoto. Explore the temple's meticulously maintained gardens, featuring tranquil ponds, lush foliage, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Experience a landscape never-before-seen with a visit to the lush bamboo forest at Chikurin-no-Michi in Arashiyama. Stroll through this magical space filled with the fresh scent of bamboo and lush greenery, embodying the beauty of Arashiyama. Discover the magic of the old cobblestone streets of Ichinenzaka, Ninenzaka, and Sannenzaka that have prospered since ancient times. These sloping streets are lined with historic Japanese architecture that typify Kyoto, even including many souvenir shops. Nearby there are many temples and shrines, making it a popular sightseeing spot. Be immersed in the atmosphere of Kyoto, with Kiyomizu’s three-tiered pagoda overlooking houses and scattered temples as you ascend the gentle incline.
 
Day 7: Wednesday, June 3, 2026 Kyoto/Nara/Osaka (Breakfast /Lunch/Dinner)
We will travel to multiple locations on this date and end in Osaka. We will visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine, a major Shinto shrine complex on Mount Inari. To get onto the beautiful walking trails at the back of the shrine, we’ll pass through corridors of thousands of bright red gates. The seemingly endless path of vibrant gates is an impressive setting and is one of the most famous images of Japan. Then enjoy a half-day trip to Nara. Visit the Todaiji Temple, see the world's largest Buddha statue, and encounter deer as you explore the temples and halls (including Kasugataisha Shrine) in the surrounding grounds of Nara Park. You might even feed the deer with their favorite snacks - Japanese Senbei! (Rice crackers)
 
Day 8: Thursday, June 4,2026 Osaka (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
We will spend the day at Universal Studios Japan, the theme park filled with attractions like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World, Universal Cool Japan 2017, The Amazing Adventures of Spider Man, Jaws, Backdraft and Terminator 2.

Day 9: Friday, June 5, 2026 Osaka/Tokyo
We will travel more on this date, taking in the sights of the Japanese landscape as we travel on the bullet train (Shinkansen) from Osaka to Tokyo; the bullet train used for this journey will vary by train type, taking approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes for the fastest Nozomi trains and up to 3 hours and 54 minutes for the Kodama trains. We’ll also visit and walk through the district of Asakusa, where the atmosphere of ancient Tokyo survives. Discover the charming streets lined with traditional craft shops and street-food stalls and visit Sensoji Temple, one of Tokyo's most colorful and popular Buddhist temples.
 
Day 10: Saturday, June 6, 2026 Tokyo (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
We will visit the beautiful Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and his wife, who, in the early 20th century, began Japan’s transformation from a feudal to a modern society. Then, we’ll move on to the Harajuku district, Tokyo's cultural epicenter, to see Pokémon, punks, goths, and fashionistas. Anything goes in Harajuku! Enjoy spending time in Tokyo's trendy Omotesando and Takeshita District. Omotesando is quite pretty and luxurious, while Takeshita is bursting with shops for all kinds of goodies! We’ll then pay a visit to the famous Shibuya Crossing, where when the lights turn red at this busy intersection, pedestrians surge into the junction from all sides like a floodgate opening. It's arguably one of the most iconic modern sights in Tokyo!

Day 11: Sunday, June 7, 2026 Tokyo (Breakfast / Lunch/ Dinner)
We will explore the gardens of the Tokyo Imperial Palace, built on the site of the old Edo Castle. Then, we’ll experience the hustle and bustle of the world-famous Tsukiji outer market. And we’ll take a trip to Akihabara, nicknamed Japan’s 'Electric Town' thanks to its postwar industry. Today, it's a cultural centre for anime and manga lovers, and is also home to Japan’s most famous J-pop group, AKB48.
 
Day 12: Monday, June 8, 2026 Tokyo (Breakfast)
Time to head home! Departure time is to be determined. We will arrive back in Columbus on June 8th, our time.