Culture & Competition: Beyond Sports in Japan

Learn more about the tours Beyond Sports offers in Japan, including city highlights, excursions details, and an athletics deep dive!

Japan has blossomed into a popular vacation spot over recent decades. Often referred to as “The land of the rising sun”, it is world-renowned for its legendary food scene, cutting-edge technology, and a rich and unique history that seamlessly blends ancient tradition with modernity. Whether you’re navigating the neon-lit streets of Tokyo, wandering in a sacred temple in Kyoto, or admiring the waterfalls in Nikko, Japan offers a cultural immersive experience like no other. 

Beyond Sports launched our Japan sports tours in summer 2024, hosting the University of Florida Football Team. Since then, we have hosted tours for female and male lacrosse players, and softball athletes as well. Upcoming in our 2026 season, we have some exciting additions to our tour lineup. In addition to our college lacrosse and softball tours, we are also hosting a field hockey tour. In the high school space, we are adding a new boys volleyball tour to the mix. 

We chose Japan not only for its beauty but also for its athletic prowess. Competing against athletes from Japan allows our athletes to grow in their game and compete against some of the best international competition. For example, with Lacrosse, Japan is ranked in the top five globally for both their women’s and men’s lacrosse programs. Additionally, with Japan hosting the 2026 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship and the 2027 Men’s Championship, our athletes are sure to engage in competitive play against elite talent. One of the highlights of our tours is the post-game social time, where athletes have the chance to connect with their Japanese counterparts to discuss the game, share cultural differences within the sport, and sometimes even swap social media information to stay in touch across the globe! 

On a Beyond Sports Tour to Japan, you will have the opportunity to reside in both Tokyo and Kyoto, along with day trips to Nikko and Osaka, depending on the tour. As the capital of Japan, Tokyo is the largest metropolitan area in the world, boasting nearly 38 million residents. It also has some of the busiest train stations in the world, and is often referred to as the “Vending Machine Capital of the World” due to its estimated 44 million vending machines. Interested in trying some authentic Japanese food on your trip? You will have endless options, as Tokyo has the most Michelin Star restaurants out of any city in the world. 

From Tokyo, travelers will take a bullet train to the “cultural heart” of the country, Kyoto. This former capital city, adorned with over 2,000 temples and shrines, is famous for traditional tea ceremonies. During your visit to Kyoto, you will explore the Gion district, famed for its geishas, who can often be found wearing intricate Kimonos. Travelers also explore the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and the prominent Golden Temple. 

Depending on the tour, our athletes and fans will have the chance to partake in several cultural experiences, learning about esteemed traditions directly from locals. These experiences include visits to significant temples and other historical sites, a cooking class, a sumo wrestling demonstration, and a samurai experience. Through these hands-on experiences, our travelers don’t just learn about the culture, they embrace it. 

Japan remains a top destination for good reason- they house competitive athletic programs, unique cultural opportunities, and allow our travelers to experience a new corner of the world.

Check out the full itineraries on our website for tour-specific details. Interested in traveling to Japan this summer with Beyond Sports? You can join us one of the following tours:

High School - Girls Lacrosse, Boys Lacrosse, Softball, Boys Volleyball

College - Women’s Lacrosse, Men’s Lacrosse, Softball, Women's Field Hockey

We hope you can join us in Japan this summer! An adventure full of cultural, historical, and culinary experiences awaits you.