Why Do Japanese Students Travel Together Before Graduating? (The “Shugaku-Ryoko” Tradition)

Last updated: March 20, 2026

The Ultimate School Memory
If you watch Japanese anime or dramas, you will often see a special episode where the whole class goes on a big trip, staying in hotels and exploring a new city. This is called “Shugaku-Ryoko” (School Excursion), and it is the most anticipated event of a Japanese student’s life.

The Standard Destinations
Usually held in the final year of junior high or high school, the school organizes a multi-day trip for the entire grade. The most classic destinations are historic cities like Kyoto and Nara to learn about traditional culture, or Tokyo to visit Disneyland! Some lucky high schools even fly their students overseas to Hawaii or Taiwan.

Learning Independence (and Rules!)
It is not just a vacation; it is an educational exercise in group harmony. Students must navigate unfamiliar train systems in small squads, manage their own budgets, and strictly follow the schedule. Everyone wears their school uniforms or matching tracksuits while exploring the city.

The “Lights Out” Rebellion
However, the true fun happens at night in the hotel or Ryokan (traditional inn). There is a classic trope: “Lights out” is strictly at 10:00 PM. But of course, teenagers stay up whispering, playing cards, and talking about their crushes in the dark. Suddenly, the angry teacher slides the door open and scolds everyone! It is a rite of passage.

A Bond for Life
In Japan, where group harmony is highly valued, spending 3 to 4 days eating, traveling, and sleeping in the same room with your classmates creates an unbreakable bond. Decades later, adults still laugh and share stories about who got yelled at by the teacher during their Shugaku-Ryoko!

Memories and Discipline in Japanese Schools (Related Articles)
The school trip is the highlight of youth, but everyday school life and the final goodbye are just as unique!

1. The Romantic Graduation Custom Most Japanese schools hold their solemn graduation ceremonies in March to coincide with the end of the fiscal year. There is a unique, romantic custom where boys give the second button of their uniform—the one closest to the heart—to the person they love!
👉 Want to know where this started? Check out: “Why Japanese students get the second button from their crash on graduation day?”

Why Japanese students get the second button from their crash on graduation day?

2. The Daily Cleaning Duty Before they can graduate, students spend years learning discipline and teamwork through daily chores. In a routine called “O-Soji,” Japanese elementary school students scrub floors and wipe windows instead of relying entirely on professional cleaners.
👉 Why do kids clean the school? Check out: “Why Do Japanese Kids Clean Their Own School? (The ‘O-Soji’ Culture)”

Why Do Japanese Kids Clean Their Own School? (The “O-Soji” Culture)

LEARN MORE JAPAN Fun Facts

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