Robotics in Japan
Think Outside The Classroom School Trips
Why should you consider Robotics in Japan with Think Outside The Classroom for your next School Trip or Educational Visit?
A Robotics themed trip to Japan can inspire your students and expose them to Japanese culture alongside the opportunity to see robots in action and understand technological developments that solve real world problems.Academic highlights we strongly suggest including in your trip are the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation with thought provoking interactive exhibits, Cyberdyne to learn how a new artificial skeleton can change lives, Chiba Institute of Technology's Skytree Campus to experience the 'technology of the future', in other words some of the projects researchers are actively developing, and building Arduino-based robots in teams. If you have students with more of a DT, engineering or physics interest, the KEK high energy accelerator is very interesting, or a visit to the Maglev exhibition and test centre on the way to Mt Fuji, and of course a visit to the Nissan automated factory is popular amongst students.
A residential field trip to Japan will allow your students to enjoy more than just computing as they make lifelong memories making sushi, immersing themselves in digital art or simply wandering the eclectic streets of Akihabara. Trips are roughly one third academic, one third cultural and one third fun to give a rewarding balance to participants, but of course we can adjust this based on your needs and interests.
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Example Itineraries
Here is an example itinerary for a full week in Japan.
Day 1: Arrival
Arrival in Tokyo, transfer to accommodation. Depending on flight timings, it may be possible to arrange other activities on the first day.
Day 2: New Technology
Begin with a visit to the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, including hands on experiences such as interaction with robots (including Asimo) and a giant simulation of network packet switching using ball bearings. Follow this with a trip to the Tepia Advanced Technology Gallery, 'an educational museum to inspire the future leaders of society', before exploring Akihabara (Tokyo's 'electric town'), a neon-lit land of anime, cosplay and electronics shopping.
Day 3: Yokohama
Today will see Japanese industry and engineering at its best, with a tour of the Nissan Plant to see car making robots in action, and a visit to the Mitsubishi Industrial Museum to interact with exhibits detailing the innovations made by the Mitsubishi company. Later students can make their own cup noodle as they learn about the instant noodle industry at the Cup Noodle Museum, and relax in Aka-Renga Soko, a shopping zone in old warehouses near the port. Visit in winter for ice skating!
Day 4: Tsukuba Science City
Key attractions here are the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology where we will explore industrial technology research and development and play with robotic pets, and Cyberdyne, where you will understand how robotic limbs are changing lives - and try controlling a robotic arm yourself. There is also an opportunity to change one of these visits to an insightful look at the largest particle physics lab in Japan, the KEK High Energy Accelerator.
Day 5: Robots and Sushi
Time to work together to construct and program simple robots using Arduino technology in the morning robot building workshop, followed by a sushi making workshop where you wlll learn how to make sushi rolls. Later relax at Tokyo Dome City, a city centre amusement park that lets you ride a rollercoaster through a building!
Day 6: Mt. Fuji
A day trip to see Japan's most famous mountain, learn about the volcanic geology and enjoy some time enjoying the views over Lake Kawaguchiko.
Day 7: Tokyo
Soak up Japanese culture at the beautiful Meiji Shrine, see the best views over the city at Tokyo Skytree, and visit Chiba Institute of Technology's Skytree Campus. Enjoy a hot beverage made by a robot barista at Shinbashi station before immersing yourself fully in teamLab's Borderless digital art installation.
Day 8: Return
Experience a simulated earthquake aftermath at Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park to learn how Japan prepares for natural disasters.
Transfer to airport by private coach, return flight to home country.
Extra activities can be added on travel days depending on flight timings. Alternative destinations and activities are available. We recommend adding two extra days to visit Osaka by Shinkansen (bullet train), where students can enjoy Universal Studios Japan featuring Super Nintendo World, or play classic games and learn about video game history at the Nintendo museum. It may also be possible to organise your return flights from Osaka to reduce travel time.
Day 1: Arrival
Arrival in Tokyo, transfer to accommodation. Depending on flight timings, it may be possible to arrange other activities on the first day.
Day 2: New Technology
Begin with a visit to the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, including hands on experiences such as interaction with robots (including Asimo) and a giant simulation of network packet switching using ball bearings. Follow this with a trip to the Tepia Advanced Technology Gallery, 'an educational museum to inspire the future leaders of society', before exploring Akihabara (Tokyo's 'electric town'), a neon-lit land of anime, cosplay and electronics shopping.
Day 3: Yokohama
Today will see Japanese industry and engineering at its best, with a tour of the Nissan Plant to see car making robots in action, and a visit to the Mitsubishi Industrial Museum to interact with exhibits detailing the innovations made by the Mitsubishi company. Later students can make their own cup noodle as they learn about the instant noodle industry at the Cup Noodle Museum, and relax in Aka-Renga Soko, a shopping zone in old warehouses near the port. Visit in winter for ice skating!
Day 4: Tsukuba Science City
Key attractions here are the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology where we will explore industrial technology research and development and play with robotic pets, and Cyberdyne, where you will understand how robotic limbs are changing lives - and try controlling a robotic arm yourself. There is also an opportunity to change one of these visits to an insightful look at the largest particle physics lab in Japan, the KEK High Energy Accelerator.
Day 5: Robots and Sushi
Time to work together to construct and program simple robots using Arduino technology in the morning robot building workshop, followed by a sushi making workshop where you wlll learn how to make sushi rolls. Later relax at Tokyo Dome City, a city centre amusement park that lets you ride a rollercoaster through a building!
Day 6: Mt. Fuji
A day trip to see Japan's most famous mountain, learn about the volcanic geology and enjoy some time enjoying the views over Lake Kawaguchiko.
Day 7: Tokyo
Soak up Japanese culture at the beautiful Meiji Shrine, see the best views over the city at Tokyo Skytree, and visit Chiba Institute of Technology's Skytree Campus. Enjoy a hot beverage made by a robot barista at Shinbashi station before immersing yourself fully in teamLab's Borderless digital art installation.
Day 8: Return
Experience a simulated earthquake aftermath at Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park to learn how Japan prepares for natural disasters.
Transfer to airport by private coach, return flight to home country.
Extra activities can be added on travel days depending on flight timings. Alternative destinations and activities are available. We recommend adding two extra days to visit Osaka by Shinkansen (bullet train), where students can enjoy Universal Studios Japan featuring Super Nintendo World, or play classic games and learn about video game history at the Nintendo museum. It may also be possible to organise your return flights from Osaka to reduce travel time.
Which Curriculum Subjects do you cater for?
Ask your students about Japan and chances are they will be able to name many aspects of Japanese culture. Whether your students are more interested in anime and cosplay, sushi and katsu or indeed robotics and automation, this residential journey into Japan will provide them with a little of everything.
Physics is as present on this trip to Japan as computer science, with opportunities to visit the largest particle accelerator in Japan, see a test run of a Maglev train at 600km/h or learn about disaster survival, stem cells and space at the Emerging Science and Innovation museum. Of course, the trip itinerary can be adapted should you wish to include more science related aspects and reduce the focus on computer science.
This robotics and computer science trip to Japan focuses on technological developments and robots in industry and everyday life. While a key focus is on automation and robotics, other computer science concepts are covered with a favourite being the interactive model of the internet to help students understand packet switching. Your students can experience hands-on some of the ways in which robots are changing the everyday lives of people in Japan, whilst gaining an insight into the culture of this interesting country.
Seeing cars being built by robots, projects to connect cities with 600km/h floating trains and a simulation of disaster management and recovery following an earthquake, Japan certainly has a lot to offer engineering students. The innovation on display at the Mitsubishi museum along with the projects underway in everything from renewable energy to automated ports will inspire them in their future studies.
What size groups do you cater for?
Most trips to Japan have around 30 students, but it is completely possible to arrange a tour with a smaller or larger group. Some activities may require larger groups to divide into smaller groups.
We offer a free teacher place for every 10 students on your trip.
We offer a free teacher place for every 10 students on your trip.
Do you offer access for visitors with disabilities?
Depending on the nature of the disability we may need to plan alternative activities but we welcome all students on our trips - just let us know what your needs are.
Do you cater for visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?
All students are welcome, just let us know how we can best accommodate their individual needs so that they enjoy and get the most out of the trip.
Anything else?
Japan is an amazing place and there are many more activities and places to visit than we could fit into the typical itinerary. Should you have particular interests do let us know as we can customise your trip completely.
Who are Think Outside The Classroom?
Think Outside The Classroom specialises in robotics and computer science themed trips (as well as geography and scuba diving). Trips are planned, organised and often guided by people who are passionate about computer science, technology, artificial intelligence and robotics. We have carefully selected venues and activities in the itinerary based on relevance to topics in the computer science GCSE and A Level syllabi, and can provide educational resources developed with a qualified teacher of computer science. It is also possible to customise further depending on your interests and needs, though please note that language barriers may limit the interactivity of some workshops.
We look after all the small details in Japan beyond the activities planned on your itinerary, as the overall experience of the trip is very important to us. Whether this be (much needed) coffee for the teachers on your trip or reacting to changes in the weather with alternative activities, you can relax as we take care of everything. We are ready to support you 24 hours a day when you are in Japan with anything that your Japanese-speaking guide cannot solve for you.
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