Passport, six months out
Passport must be valid for at least six months past your return date. Photocopy or photograph the data page and store the copy somewhere separate from the original.
Pre-trip resource · Japan & Korea
Asia, end to end —
for the group going.
A pre-trip companion built for the moments between booked and boarding. Entry rules, packing lists, what to expect at the airport, how to pay for lunch, and the small cultural notes that turn a nervous student into a confident traveler.
On this page
- Pick your country — Japan or Korea
- Entry requirements + digital arrival cards
- Packing, money, hotels, transit, food
- Language basics, safety, emergency contacts
Pick your destination
Where is your group headed?
Each guide is a complete pre-trip handbook — built from what our Tour Directors actually tell students the night before they fly.
Japan · Nihon
Japan.
Bullet trains and bento boxes. Tokyo neon and Kyoto temples. Quiet trains, polite bows, vending machines on every corner.
Open the Japan guide
South Korea · Hanguk
Korea.
Seoul skylines and palace gates. Four sharp seasons, K-pop storefronts, and street food that becomes a tour highlight.
Open the Korea guideFor every Asia trip
Six things to handle before the airport.
These apply whether you're flying to Tokyo, Seoul, or Taipei. Open the country page for the rest.
Digital arrival card
Both Korea (e-Arrival) and Taiwan (TWAC) require a digital arrival card filed up to 3 days before you land. Japan offers an optional Visit Japan Web pre-clearance.
Pack one, carry one
One regular suitcase plus one backpack — that's it. Students should be able to lift their own luggage to overhead bins and carry it up a flight of stairs unassisted.
Cash still rules
Cards are accepted in big cities but Japan is still cash-first in rural areas, temples, and small shops. Korea is more card-friendly but bring local currency anyway.
Know what's in your pill bottle
Several common US over-the-counter and prescription drugs are illegal in Japan — even with a valid US prescription. Check before you fly. The same caution applies for Korea.
Stay connected
An eSIM (Airalo, HolaFly, Saily) is the easiest way to keep students reachable. Buy before departure; activate the moment you land. International roaming on a US plan also works.
New for 2026
Digital arrival cards: file before you fly.
Two of the three Asian destinations Passports groups visit now require a digital arrival card filed up to 72 hours before you land. Save the confirmation to your phone — no printing, no fees, just official.
South Korea
e-Arrival Card
From 2026, every foreign national entering the Republic of Korea is required to submit the e-Arrival Card before arrival. The form is free and submitted on the official government portal up to 3 days before your KST arrival time.
Open the official portalTaiwan
TWAC — Taiwan Arrival Card
Travelers to Taiwan must apply for a digital arrival card (TWAC) three days in advance, per the Ministry of the Interior's National Immigration Agency. If your itinerary routes through Taipei, file before you board.
Open the official portalJapan: the digital equivalent (Visit Japan Web) is currently optional — paper forms handed out on the flight are still accepted. We recommend filing digitally about a week before departure to skip the inflight paperwork. Open the Japan guide for the link.
Talk to a human
Booked but still have questions?
Tour Advisors in Worcester answer the phone in person. Call between 9–5 ET, or open the country guide first — most pre-trip questions are answered there.