Japan Scout Trip 2027 — Troop 29B San Francisco

Participants

Days in Japan

$5,114

Est. per person

Planning in progress. Cost estimates and itinerary are current as of July 2026. Final figures and payment schedule will be shared by fall 2026. Questions? Contact your troop leader.

Trip Itinerary — tap any event for details

Flight Details

Exact flight will be confirmed by the travel agency. Plan to arrive at SFO at least 3 hours before departure. The flight is overnight — arrive in Osaka the morning of July 12.

Packing Tip

Bring a neck pillow, eye mask, and ear plugs for the overnight flight. Keep important documents — passport, insurance card, emergency contacts — in your carry-on.

Peace Memorial Museum

The museum documents the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. It is a deeply moving and important visit. Leaders will prepare scouts beforehand.

Miyajima Island

Famous for its floating torii gate and roaming deer. We'll take a short ferry from Hiroshima. Comfortable walking shoes required — expect 3–5 miles of walking this day.

Fishing

Guided fishing on the Seto Inland Sea — one of Pete's favorite activities. No experience necessary. Gear provided.

Temple Walk

Onomichi has 25 temples connected by a scenic hilltop path. We'll walk a portion of this historic route with views across the islands.

Ferry Crossing

Short scenic ferry connecting the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. A classic Japanese experience.

Highlights

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Fushimi Inari — thousands of torii gates on the mountain
Traditional tea ceremony
Nishiki Market ("Kyoto's Kitchen")

Roketsu Indigo Dyeing Workshop

Scouts will work with master dyer Kiyoshi Yamamoto at the Roketsu studio. Each scout will create their own indigo-dyed textile to bring home. This is a rare hands-on experience with a traditional Japanese craft.

Accommodation

Kyoto may include a traditional ryokan (Japanese inn) night. Scouts will sleep on futons and experience onsen (hot springs). Proper etiquette briefing will be given beforehand.

About Nagoya Basho

The Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament (場所) is one of six official tournaments held annually in Japan. We're attending during the July tournament, which runs July 13–27. Matches go all day; we'll attend a full afternoon session featuring senior division bouts.

Jasumo Experience

We're working with Jasumo, a specialist sumo experience company, to potentially arrange a behind-the-scenes element — stable visit or meet-and-greet. Details being confirmed.

What to Expect

Traditional ceremony and ritual before each match
Bouts are short but atmosphere is electric
Vendor food (chankonabe, yakitori) is part of the experience
Dress: casual but neat — no flip-flops in the arena

The Climb

We'll hike the Yoshida Trail, the most popular and best-supported route. The trail starts at the 5th Station (~2,300m) and ascends to the summit at 3,776m — the highest point in Japan.

Schedule

Day 1 (Jul 20): Depart for 5th Station in morning. Begin ascent early afternoon. Arrive at summit hut by evening. Dinner and sleep.
Night/Day 2 (Jul 21): Wake ~3–4 AM. Summit push. Watch goraiko (御来光) — the sacred sunrise. Descend via Yoshida trail. Arrive back at 5th Station by midday.

Difficulty

Moderate to strenuous. No technical climbing — it's a steep trail hike. Any fit scout who can hike 6+ hours can do this. The altitude (not the slope) is the main challenge. Scouts with heart or respiratory conditions should consult a doctor.

Weather

July is officially climbing season but weather changes fast. The summit is typically 5–10°C — below freezing possible at night. Rain gear and warm layers are not optional.

Planned Visits

Shibuya Crossing and Harajuku
Akihabara (electronics / anime district)
Asakusa temple district
Free afternoon for scouts to explore with small groups

Shopping

Japan is safe for small group exploring. Scouts will have supervised free time to shop and explore. Recommended cash to carry: ¥5,000–10,000 for personal shopping.

About the Exchange

Troop 29B has a long-standing relationship with a sister scout troop in Hachioji (a city just west of Tokyo). This is the heart of the trip — scouts from both countries working and playing together despite the language barrier.

Activities

Joint outdoor activities, shared cooking, games, and a farewell dinner. Activities are designed to work across language differences. The Japanese scouts study English; many of our scouts have Japanese heritage. Pete speaks Japanese and will help facilitate.

Gifts

We'll bring small representative gifts from San Francisco. Details will be shared closer to the trip.

Cost Breakdown — Per Person

Airfare

$1,400

Accommodation

$1,106

Transport

$1,000

Meals

$372

Contingency

$548

Activities

$263

Insurance

$250

Gear & Admin

$175

Estimated total per person

$5,114

Participant Readiness — 37 Scouts & Leaders

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Passport valid

Tracking starts fall 2026

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Deposit paid

Payment schedule TBD

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Forms complete

BSA forms in progress

What You Need to Do — tap each item for details

Requirements

Passport must be valid through at least January 26, 2028 (6 months after return)
If your Scout's passport expires before that date, renew immediately
First-time applicants: allow extra time for the full application process

How to Renew

Visit travel.state.gov to check requirements
Renewal (form DS-82): can be done by mail if prior passport is less than 15 years old and issued after age 16
New applicant (form DS-11): must appear in person at a passport acceptance facility (many post offices, some libraries)
Fee: ~$130–165 for adults, ~$100–135 for minors under 16

Next Steps for Troop

The troop will collect passport numbers and expiration dates starting fall 2026 to track readiness. But please don't wait — renewals can take longer than expected.

Cost Estimate

$5,114 per person — current estimate, subject to change
Includes airfare, accommodation, transport, meals (most), activities, insurance
Does not include personal shopping, extra meals, or souvenirs

Expected Payment Schedule

Fall 2026: Initial deposit (amount TBD) to confirm spot
Early 2027: Mid-trip payment
Spring 2027: Final balance due

The exact schedule will be confirmed by the troop. Watch for communications from your troop leader.

Financial Assistance

Limited assistance may be available through the Buddhist Church of San Francisco and troop fundraising. If cost is a concern, please speak privately with your troop leader — we want every scout who wants to go to be able to go.

Annual Health & Medical Record

Part A: Informed consent and acknowledgment — signed by parent
Part B: Health history — allergies, medications, conditions
Part C: Physical exam — requires a physician signature. Schedule your Scout's doctor appointment for early spring 2027. The form must be completed within 12 months of the trip.

International Travel Permission

BSA requires a signed permission form for all international travel. This is separate from the annual health form. Details will be distributed in spring 2027.

Forms

Download current forms at scouting.org (search "Annual Health and Medical Record"). Do not use prior-year versions — BSA updates these periodically.

What the Trip Leaders Carry

Leaders carry copies of all health forms, emergency contacts, insurance cards, and signed permissions for the duration of the trip. Keep originals at home.

Documents & Money

Passport (valid through Jan 2028)
BSA permission form — signed copy in carry-on
Travel insurance info card
Emergency contact card (laminated)
Cash: recommend ¥20,000–30,000 (~$130–200) for personal use — Japan is still heavily cash-based
Credit/debit card (notify your bank before travel)

Clothing — Japan General

T-shirts / moisture-wicking shirts (5–6)
Lightweight fleece or hoodie
Rain jacket / windbreaker (required)
Casual pants or shorts (3–4)
Underwear (10+)
Casual socks (7+)
Walking shoes or sneakers
Slip-on shoes or sandals (for ryokan)

🗻 Fuji Climb Specifics

Hiking boots — broken in, no new boots
Hiking socks — wool, 4+ pairs
Warm hat (wool or fleece)
Gloves — windproof
Extra warm layer (summit ~5°C)
Headlamp + extra batteries (required)
Hand warmers (4–6 pairs)
Blister treatment (Moleskin)
High-energy snacks
Water: 2L capacity minimum

Toiletries & Health

Sunscreen SPF 50+ (UV is intense at altitude on Fuji)
Lip balm with SPF
Small personal first aid kit
Personal prescription medications (bring extra)
Motion sickness medication (bus/boat travel)
Insect repellent

Gear & Electronics

Daypack 20–30L (for Fuji and day trips)
Main luggage: soft-sided, check airline weight limits (~22kg)
Packing cubes (highly recommended)
Phone + charger — Japan uses Type A/B plugs, same as the US, no adapter needed
Portable battery / power bank
Small zip-lock bags (keep electronics dry on Fuji)
Reusable bag for shopping
Small pocket towel (some restrooms are dryer-only)

Japan Etiquette Reminders

Remove shoes when entering homes, ryokan, and some restaurants — slip-ons make this easy
No tipping — it is considered rude in Japan
Quiet and respectful on trains and buses
Cover tattoos in onsen (hot spring) if applicable
Carry a small bag for trash — public bins are rare