Japan Scout Trip 2027 — Troop 29B San Francisco

Days in Japan

14 hotel nights

About This Estimate

Vendor quote is in and being evaluated — HIS travel agency has submitted a proposal covering airfare and ground arrangements at a standard hotel/ryokan tier. Troop leadership is reviewing the quote before confirming.

Final per-person cost will be shared once confirmed. For context: the 2023 BSA trip to Japan cost approximately $3,700 per person all-in (ground package + airfare), with families paying roughly $2,700 after troop contribution — the 2027 trip is expected to cost more given airfare and lodging increases since then.

Key variables still being finalized: final quote confirmation · ¥/$ exchange rate at time of booking · final trip dates · final participant count

Trip Roster — Expected Participants

Eligible scouts (current) 12

Expected to qualify by July 2027 +6 (on track)

Total expected scouts 18

Adult scouters 4

Total trip party 22

Out of 37 scouts in Troop 29B, eligibility is determined by BSA requirements at time of the July 2027 trip:

Age 14 or older by July 12, 2027
Active troop member in good standing
1st Class rank achieved

Exchange Rate — USD / JPY

¥163.82 per $1 USD

As of Jul 25, 2026 · Source: open.er-api.com

↑ Strong dollar — good for travelers

¥152.63

2026 low (Jan 28)

¥158.66

2026 avg

¥163.82

2026 high (Jul 24)

$500 spending money ≈ ¥81,911 at today's rate · Updated when page is regenerated

Planning in progress. Trip dates are confirmed: July 11–25, 2027. Cost estimates and itinerary are current as of July 2026; the day-by-day schedule below is a reliable sketch but individual dates may still shift slightly. Final cost figures and payment schedule will be shared by fall 2026. Questions? Contact your troop leader.

Trip Itinerary — tap any event for details

Trip dates are confirmed for July 11–25, 2027. The day-to-day order and locations below are reliable, but individual calendar dates may still shift by a day as the troop finalizes routing. We'll confirm final dates well before payment is due.

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 (Kansai) 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.

Jul 12 — Arrival

After a long overnight flight, the group transfers from Kansai International Airport (KIX) directly to Hiroshima by chartered coach — about 3.5 hours. Scouts get their Suica IC cards, check into the hotel, and have a free evening to recover.

Jul 13 — Peace Memorial Day

A full day in Hiroshima, anchored by the Peace Memorial Museum — which documents the atomic bombing of August 6, 1945. It is a deeply moving and important visit. Leaders will prepare scouts beforehand. The afternoon is free: Hiroshima Castle, Shukkei-en garden, the Hondori shopping street, or okonomiyaki at Okonomimura.

Why Hiroshima?

This visit sets the tone for the trip. Giving scouts unrushed time after the museum is intentional — the experience deserves quiet space, not a packed schedule.

Onomichi

Onomichi is a small, charming hillside city famous for its temple walk — 25 temples linked by a winding hilltop path with views across the Seto Inland Sea islands. Cat alley (Neko no Hosomichi), the ropeway to Senkoji, and some of the best ramen in western Japan round out a free afternoon after arrival.

Jul 15 — Inland Sea Adventure (TBD)

The group will do one of two activities on the Inland Sea — decision to be confirmed before the trip:

Option A — Fishing charter: An early-morning departure (around 5 AM) for a half-day fishing charter. Target species: red sea bream (tai) and horse mackerel (aji). No experience required; gear provided. The Inland Sea is calm and sheltered. Returns to dock by midday.

Option B — Shimanami Kaido cycling: An early start on one of Japan's most celebrated cycling routes, the 70 km island-hopping road connecting Honshu to Shikoku across the Seto Inland Sea. The group rides out over the famous suspension bridges, turns around when ready, and ferries back to Onomichi. Bikes rented locally.

No fishing license required

Foreign nationals fishing from a licensed charter boat in Japan need no additional permits — the captain's commercial license covers all passengers (confirmed via the Japanese Fisheries Agency).

Jul 17 — Service Project at Sister Temple

Troop 29B is sponsored by the Buddhist Church of San Francisco, which has a sister institution in Kyoto. Scouts will spend a morning doing service work at the temple — exact activities to be confirmed with our Buddhist Church contact. This is a non-negotiable anchor of the trip and the reason we come to Kyoto.

Jul 18 — Roketsu Indigo Dyeing Workshop

Each scout will make their own hand-dyed Japan Blue neckerchief at Roketsu Dyeing Studio YAMAMOTO in western Kyoto. Roketsu is a traditional wax-resist technique using natural indigo — scouts apply their own stencil design, dip the fabric by hand, and leave with a finished piece the same day. 5-star rated, full English instruction, accommodates the whole group.

Free Time

Kyoto's remaining hours are intentionally unstructured. Scouts explore in small groups: Fushimi Inari's thousands of torii gates, Gion's lantern-lit streets, Nishiki Market ("Kyoto's Kitchen"), or the Philosopher's Path. This is one of the best walking cities in the world — the best guide is wandering.

The Climb

We'll hike the Yoshida Trail — the same route the troop used in 2023. The trail starts at the 5th Station (~2,300m) and ascends to the summit at 3,776m, the highest point in Japan. No technical climbing; it is a steep, sustained trail hike.

Three-Day Arc

Jul 19 — Approach: Travel from Kyoto to the Fuji base hotel at Lake Kawaguchi. Gear check, early dinner, early bed.
Jul 20 — Ascent: Bus to the 5th Station. Begin climbing ~1 PM with mountain guides. Reach the 8th Station hut by evening. Hut dinner, lights out by 9 PM.
Jul 21 — Summit & Descent: Wake at 1:30 AM. Summit push in the dark. Watch goraiko (御来光) — the sacred sunrise — from the crater rim at ~4:30 AM. Descend by morning. Optional hot spring stop at Fujiyama Onsen before the train to Hachioji.

Difficulty

Moderate to strenuous. Any fit scout who can sustain 6–8 hours of hiking can do this. Altitude (not slope) is the main challenge — mountain sickness is rare but possible above 3,000m. Scouts with heart or respiratory conditions should consult a doctor before the trip.

Weather

July is official Fuji climbing season but conditions change quickly. The summit is typically 5–10°C — below freezing at night is possible. Rain gear and a warm insulating layer are not optional.

Jul 21 — Arrive Hachioji

After descending Fuji and an onsen stop at Fujiyama Onsen, the group takes the train to Hachioji — about 40 minutes from the Fuji base area. Check in, dinner on own, early night. Post-Fuji legs deserve rest.

Jul 22 — Mount Takao (高尾山, 599m)

Mount Takao is a half-day hike with a very different character from Fuji — forested, spiritual, and manageable. The main trail passes Yakuo-in temple, a 1,300-year-old Buddhist mountain sanctuary, and rewards summit visitors with views of Fuji on clear days. Scouts who need mercy on tired knees can take the cable car partway up.

The contrast with Fuji is intentional. Fuji is effort and altitude; Takao is reflection and recovery.

Jul 23 — Free Day

A genuinely unstructured day in the Hachioji area. Scouts explore at their own pace before the Saturday sister troop event.

About the Exchange

Troop 29B has a long-standing relationship with a sister scout troop in Hachioji. The partner troop has designated Saturday for joint troop and parent activities — this is the heart of the trip. Scouts from both countries work and play together despite the language barrier.

Activities

Joint activities, shared cooking, games, and a farewell dinner. Parents are included. 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 — Per Person

Vendor quote is in: $5,086 per person, before troop subsidy. HIS has submitted a full proposal covering airfare and ground arrangements at a standard hotel/ryokan tier. Troop leadership is reviewing the quote before confirming.

For comparison: the troop's 2023 Japan trip cost about $3,700 per person all-in (ground package + airfare), with families paying roughly $2,700 after the troop's subsidy that year. The 2027 quote above is higher mainly due to airfare and lodging cost increases since 2023 — this is the most useful yardstick for what to expect this time.

The final per-person cost will be shared with families once the quote is confirmed. Troop subsidy amount for 2027 is still being finalized by the Scouters. Watch for an update from your troop leader.

Participant Readiness — 18 Scouts + 4 Adults (Expected)

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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.

Hut Reservation — Troop Critical Deadline

The group is booked for an overnight at the 8th Station hut on the Yoshida Trail. This reservation is not optional logistics — it is what exempts the group from the 2 PM gate closure and the 4,000-person daily cap. Without a confirmed hut booking, the overnight summit climb cannot happen.

Fuji huts open reservations for the summer season in early spring and fill out for peak July dates within weeks. The troop must book as soon as the 2027 reservation window opens. Parents will receive confirmation once the reservation is secured.

Mandatory Three-Item Gear Check

Rangers verify that each climber has all three of the following before allowing passage:

✅ Hiking boots or mountain footwear — sneakers, casual shoes, or sandals result in denied entry
✅ Two-piece rain gear: separate jacket AND pants — a poncho does not satisfy this requirement and will be rejected at the gate
✅ Cold-weather insulating layer — fleece, down jacket, or equivalent (summit is ~5°C; below freezing at night)

Gear shops at the 5th Station sell rain suits, but prices are high and reliability is uncertain for a group of 20. Do not plan to buy there. Rain suits must be packed from home.

Trail Entry Fee

Yamanashi Prefecture charges ¥4,000 per climber (~$27) at the gate, paid via QR code from an advance online registration. The troop will handle group registration and collect this as part of the trip fee.

Cost Estimate

Vendor quote is in: HIS at $5,086/pp (standard hotel/ryokan tier), before troop subsidy — final per-person cost will be shared once the quote is confirmed
For reference, the 2023 Japan trip cost about $3,700/pp all-in, with families paying about $2,700 after that year's troop subsidy
Troop subsidy amount for 2027 is still being finalized by the Scouters and will be announced once decided
Expected to include 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

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

Items marked GATE REQUIRED are verified by rangers — missing any one means denied entry.

Two-piece rain gear: jacket + rain pants — GATE REQUIRED — a poncho does not pass inspection
Hiking boots — broken in, no new boots — GATE REQUIRED
Warm insulating layer (fleece or down) — GATE REQUIRED
Hiking socks — wool, 4+ pairs
Warm hat (wool or fleece)
Gloves — windproof
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