Tour Dates:

July 22 - Aug 1, 2027

July 21 - 31, 2028

Sample Itinerary – Subject to Change

Take your game across the globe on an unforgettable softball adventure in Japan! Step onto the field to play against Japanese junior high school teams, build friendships with local athletes, and experience the excitement of connecting through the sport you love. Beyond the diamond, discover Japan’s rich history, stunning island scenery, traditional hot springs, and vibrant local culture. From a thrilling boat cruise through powerful ocean currents to exploring historic castles and bustling city streets, every day brings a new opportunity to learn, connect, and make memories. This is more than a softball trip. It’s a chance to experience another culture, grow as a player, and see the world from a whole new perspective.

Trip Highlights:

• International Softball Exchange: Play friendly games against Japanese junior high school teams and connect with local athletes.

• Meet Elite Japanese Players: Participate in a special interaction session with the Iyo Bank Vertz, one of Japan’s leading women’s softball teams.

• Explore Japan’s Island Scenery: Discover the Shimanami Kaidō and cruise through the powerful currents of Kurushima Strait.

• Experience Japanese History: Visit Matsuyama Castle and explore the historic Dōgo hot spring district.

• Relax at a Seaside Resort: Enjoy ocean views, natural hot springs, and resort amenities overlooking the Seto Inland Sea.

• Build Lasting Friendships: Share experiences with Japanese players and fellow teammates through sport and cultural exchange.

• Create Memories Beyond the Game: Experience Japan’s unique blend of tradition, scenery, local cuisine, and modern life.

Important Things to Know

Walking & Accessibility

This tour includes sightseeing at historic and archaeological sites where travelers may encounter stairs, hills, cobblestones, and uneven surfaces. The itinerary also includes hotel changes, possible ferry travel, and transportation between destinations.

Travelers with mobility concerns should contact ABSA before registering to discuss the itinerary and scheduled activities.

Travel Expectations

International travel is part of the adventure!

When traveling outside the United States, you will experience different customs, traditions, foods, accommodations, sporting facilities, transportation systems, and ways of life. Things may not always operate or look exactly as they do at home—and that's part of experiencing another country.

Gyms, fields, facilities, equipment, competition levels, match formats, and game-day experiences may differ from what athletes are accustomed to in the United States.

Some games may be highly competitive, while others focus more on cultural exchange, sportsmanship, and sharing our love of softball with athletes from another country.

Regardless of the opponent or facility, ABSA athletes are representing their team, their families, the United States, and ABSA. We expect athletes and travelers to approach every experience with respect, flexibility, and a spirit of adventure.

We encourage you to research your destination to enhance your experience. Tools like Google Street View are a great way to explore the area in advance.

Traveling With Children

All travelers under the age of 18 must travel with a parent or legal guardian unless an alternative arrangement has been specifically approved by ABSA.

Parents and legal guardians remain responsible for the supervision of their minor traveler throughout the tour.

Travel Insurance

Protect Your Trip

Travel insurance is strongly encouraged for all ABSA travelers.

ABSA does not provide individual or group travel insurance. Travelers may purchase coverage from the provider of their choice.

ABSA partners with InsureMyTrip, a travel insurance comparison platform that allows travelers to compare plans from multiple insurance providers and select coverage appropriate for their individual needs.

When comparing policies, travelers may want to consider coverage for:

• Trip cancellation

• Trip interruption

• Airline delays or cancellations

• Lost or delayed baggage

• Illness or injury

• Medical treatment while traveling internationally

• Emergency medical transportation or evacuation

• Other unexpected circumstances that could affect travel

Coverage varies significantly between policies. Travelers should carefully review the policy's terms, exclusions, coverage limits, and eligibility requirements before purchasing.

We recommend speaking directly with a licensed travel insurance representative if you have questions about the coverage appropriate for your circumstances.

Purchasing travel insurance is the individual traveler's responsibility.

International Travel Documents

A valid passport is required for international travel.

To travel to Japan, you must have a valid passport. U.S. citizens traveling to any destination outside the United States are required to present a valid U.S. passport. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the return date.

Each traveler is responsible for ensuring they have all documentation necessary to enter Japan, transit through any connecting country, and return to the United States.

Requirements may include:

• A valid passport

• Required passport validity

• Visa or travel authorization, when applicable

• Transit documentation

• Entry or exit forms

• Documentation required when traveling with minors

• Any additional requirements established by the destination or transit country

The name on your airline reservation must match your travel documents.

Entry and transit requirements can change. Travelers should verify the current requirements applicable to their citizenship, itinerary, and connecting countries well before departure.

U.S. citizens should review current international travel and destination information through the U.S. State Department website at https://travel.state.gov

Travelers who are citizens of another country should verify requirements with the appropriate embassy or consulate.

Failure to obtain required documentation may result in denied boarding or denied entry and does not qualify a traveler for a refund from ABSA.

Travel and entry requirements are subject to change. Travelers are responsible for verifying current requirements before departure.

All trip deposits and balance payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.

A $250 non-refundable deposit per traveler is required to secure a place on the tour.

Because unexpected circumstances can prevent travel, ABSA strongly encourages travelers to consider appropriate travel insurance.

Payments

ABSA offers several options to make international travel more manageable:

• Payment Plan: Remaining payments are divided according to the payment schedule provided during registration.

• Automatic Payments: Scheduled payments may automatically draft from the payment method provided during registration.

• Affirm Financing: Financing may be available for eligible travelers.

• Fundraising: Travelers are welcome to utilize fundraising opportunities to help offset their individual trip costs.

All balances must be paid according to the established payment schedule to maintain your reservation.

Please Do Not Book Flights Yet

Airfare is not included in the tour price.

ABSA will provide the official arrival airport, departure airport, travel dates, and required arrival/departure time windows once flight parameters are finalized.

Based on this itinerary, travelers should anticipate:

📍 Arrival: Kansai International Airport, Japan
📍 Departure: Kansai International Airport, Japan

Because this itinerary begins and ends in the same city, travelers should anticipate booking a round-trip itinerary through Kansai International Airport once ABSA releases the official flight parameters.

Travelers who arrive before the official tour begins or remain after the tour are responsible for any transportation or accommodations outside the official ABSA itinerary unless otherwise stated.

Please wait for official ABSA flight parameters before purchasing non-refundable airfare.

The Best of Japan

Take your game to Japan! Hit the field for international softball matchups, connect with local athletes, and experience a whole new culture. From thrilling adventures and stunning island scenery to unforgettable friendships, this is your chance to play hard, explore Japan, and make memories that last long after the final game.

Compete internationally. Experience Japan with your family. Build friendships with softball players from across the United States and abroad. ABSA tours combine sport, culture, connection, and adventure to create experiences that go far beyond the field.

Sample itinerary. Activities, competition schedules, accommodations, transportation, and order of events are subject to change.

Depart the USA and fly into the Kansai International Airport as your unforgettable Japanese softball adventure begins!

Your journey through Japan begins with a warm welcome at Kansai International Airport. Meet your tour guides and transfer to your hotel near Shin-Osaka Station, where you’ll get settled, connect with your group, and take part in a traditional origami crane-making workshop. Create paper cranes that will be offered in Hiroshima the following day, then gather for a welcome dinner as your Japanese adventure officially begins.

• Arrive at Kansai International Airport

• Meet your tour guides and transfer to your hotel

• Check in at Shin-Osaka Washington Hotel Plaza

• Participate in an origami crane-making workshop

• Prepare paper cranes to offer in Hiroshima

• Enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel

Travel by bullet train to Hiroshima, a city with a powerful story of resilience and peace. Visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, where you’ll dedicate the paper cranes created with your group, and explore the history of the atomic bombing at the Peace Memorial Museum. After time to explore the city, end the day by tasting Hiroshima’s famous okonomiyaki, a local specialty and a delicious introduction to the region’s food culture.

• Breakfast at your accommodation

• Travel by bullet train from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima

• Experience an ekiben lunch on the train (at your own expense)

• Check in at Oriental Hotel Hiroshima

• Explore Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

• Dedicate your paper cranes at the Children’s Peace Monument

• Visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

• Enjoy free time to explore Hiroshima

• Dinner at Okonomimura and taste Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki

• Return to the hotel at your own pace

Discover the beauty and traditions of Miyajima, a scenic island in the Seto Inland Sea known for its famous floating shrine gate, peaceful coastal views, and roaming deer. Visit the remarkable Itsukushima Shrine and explore Miyajima Aquarium, where you can discover marine life from the surrounding waters. Enjoy free time to wander the island, browse local shops, sample Japanese food, or join an optional guided walking tour before returning to Hiroshima for the evening.

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Drive to Miyajimaguchi Port

• Scenic ferry ride to Miyajima Island

• Visit the iconic Itsukushima Shrine and its famous seaside torii gate

• Explore Miyajima Aquarium and discover local marine life

• Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, at your own expense

• Free time to explore the island, shops, and scenic streets

• Optional guided walking tour

• Return ferry and transfer back to Hiroshima

• Dinner at a local restaurant, at your own expense

Start the first day of softball exchange matches in Hiroshima, where your team will take the field against local junior high school players. With an opening ceremony, 3–4 scheduled games, and a friendship exchange party, today is about more than softball. It’s an opportunity to experience Japanese school sports, connect with local players, and build friendships through the game you share.

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Transfer to the softball field

• Opening ceremony

• Play 3–4 softball exchange games against local junior high school players

• Lunch and snacks provided by local restaurants

• Friendship exchange party at a nearby restaurant

• Return to Oriental Hotel Hiroshima

The softball exchange continues for a second day as your team faces local junior high school players from Hiroshima. With another day of friendly competition, there are more opportunities to grow as athletes, connect with Japanese players, and build friendships through a shared love of softball. The day wraps up with a closing ceremony and awards presentation celebrating the teams and the connections made along the way.

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Transfer to the softball field

• Play 3–4 softball exchange games against local junior high school players

• Lunch and snacks provided by local restaurants

• Closing ceremony and awards presentation

• Return to the hotel

• Dinner at a local restaurant at your own expense

• Overnight at Oriental Hotel Hiroshima

Take a break from the excitement of the softball exchange with a relaxing stay at Châteraisé Gateaux Kingdom Setouchi. Overlooking Japan’s beautiful Seto Inland Sea, this coastal resort offers ocean views, natural hot springs, seasonal swimming pools, and fresh sweets from its on-site factory. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon and a peaceful evening surrounded by Japan’s island scenery.

• Enjoy a scenic 90-minute drive to the seaside resort.

• Relax in natural hot spring baths.

• Take advantage of the seasonal swimming pools and resort facilities.

• Enjoy ocean views and peaceful coastal scenery.

• Sample fresh sweets from the on-site Châteraisé factory.

• Enjoy included breakfast and dinner at the accommodation.

 Travel along the beautiful Shimanami Kaidō, a network of islands and bridges crossing the Seto Inland Sea. Experience the powerful tidal currents of Kurushima Strait on a thrilling boat cruise before heading to Matsuyama. Explore the historic Matsuyama Castle and the famous Dōgo hot spring district with a local guide, then settle into your hotel and enjoy dinner with the group.

• Travel by private coach along the scenic Seto Inland Sea.

• Explore the island landscape of the Shimanami Kaidō.

• Experience a rapid-current boat cruise through Kurushima Strait.

• Visit Matsuyama Castle for Japanese history and panoramic city views.

• Discover Dōgo, a historic hot spring district filled with bathhouses, shrines, shops, and restaurants.

• Check in at Daiwa Roynet Matsuyama.

• Enjoy an included group dinner.

Take the field in Matsuyama for a special day of softball and cultural exchange. Play 3–4 friendly games against local junior high school teams, building connections and friendships through a shared love of the sport. The day also features a special interaction session with players from the Iyo Bank Vertz, one of Japan’s leading women’s softball teams. Celebrate the experience at a Friendship Exchange Party before returning to the hotel.

• Play 3–4 friendly softball games against local junior high school teams.

• Connect with Japanese players through sport and cultural exchange.

• Participate in a special interaction session with players from the Iyo Bank Vertz.

• Enjoy included lunch and snacks provided by local restaurants.

• Celebrate new friendships at a Friendship Exchange Party hosted at a nearby restaurant.

• Return to Daiwa Roynet Matsuyama for the evening.

Enjoy breakfast before departing Matsuyama by private coach for the journey to the Kansai International Airport area. After a five-hour drive, check in at the Kansai Airport Washington Hotel, conveniently located near Rinku Town Station with a free airport shuttle. Spend the evening relaxing, enjoying a local meal, and preparing for the journey home the following day.

• Enjoy included breakfast at your hotel in Matsuyama.

• Travel by private coach from Matsuyama to the Kansai Airport area.

• Stop at a highway service area for lunch.

• Check in at the Kansai Airport Washington Hotel.

• Enjoy convenient access to Rinku Town Station and a free airport shuttle.

• Spend the evening at leisure before the flight home.

Enjoy your final breakfast in Japan before checking out and traveling by train to Kansai International Airport. As your softball exchange adventure comes to an end, take home memories of new friendships, exciting games, and unforgettable cultural experiences. Depart from Japan and begin your journey home.

• Enjoy included breakfast at your accommodation.

• Check out of your hotel.

• Travel by train to Kansai International Airport (train ticket not included).

• Depart Japan and begin your journey home.

• Take home lasting memories of softball, cultural exchange, and new friendships.