Meet the Team
Why Partner With Us?
The Intersection of Academic Rigor and Authentic Exploration
At Japan Educational Travel, we believe that travel is the most powerful classroom. Led by Dr. Wanping Aw, a published researcher and PhD in Biomedical Science, our approach transforms a standard trip into a Mindful STEAM journey. We don't just show you Japan; we help you decode it.
Our Core Pillars
Research-Driven Pedagogy
As a team led by a JSPS Fellow and KAKENHI grant recipient, we apply the scientific method to travel. Our itineraries are "field studies" designed with the same intellectual depth as a university seminar, but made accessible and engaging for all learners.
Safety & Certified Logistics
We understand the responsibility of student travel. As a licensed travel agency and transportation company, we ensure that logistical precision and student safety are the bedrock of every program. We handle the complexity so educators can focus on the learning.
Sustainable & Community-Centric
We believe travel should be regenerative. By partnering with local experts and regional artisans, we ensure that our presence supports Japanese communities while providing students with an authentic, unfiltered look at local life.
Inclusive & Accessible Learning
Education is for everyone. We specialize in creating inclusive environments where diverse learning styles and physical requirements are met with thoughtful, proactive solutions.
The TokudAw Difference
What We Believe and How It Shapes Your Journey
Fun: We prove that "educational" and "entertaining" are not mutually exclusive. We engage students' curiosity through gamified learning and hands-on discovery.
Authenticity: Our guides are local experts—scientists, craftsmen, and historians—who share the lived reality of their regions.
Educational Consulting: We don't just provide tours; we act as consultants for teachers, aligning our itineraries with your specific curriculum goals.
Memorable: We focus on "sticky" learning—creating emotional and intellectual milestones that students will carry for a lifetime.
A Commitment to Excellence
"In the lab, we look for facts and scientific evidence. In travel, we look for meaningful connection. Japan Educational Travel by TokudAw is where those two worlds meet." — Dr. Wanping Aw
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Dr. Wanping Aw
Founder and Director of Educational Experiences Designing Research-Driven Journeys
Wanping’s approach to travel is rooted in her background as a Singapore-born scientist and long-term resident of Japan. Her journey began as a prestigious MEXT Scholar, eventually earning her PhD in Biomedical Science. This academic foundation led to her appointment as a JSPS (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science) Foreign Postdoctoral Researcher, one of the most competitive honors for international scientists in Japan.
Currently a researcher at Keio University specializing in nutritional science, Wanping maintains a prolific publishing record in peer-reviewed journals and has been a lead investigator for multiple KAKENHI (Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research) projects. She brings this high-level evidence-based perspective to our DMC operations, ensuring that every program is pedagogically rigorous and intellectually authentic.
At Japan Educational Travel, Wanping leads our Mindful STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) initiatives. She doesn’t just curate tours; she designs "field studies" that explore the intersection of Japanese tradition and modern science. Drawing on her expertise, she bridges the gap between the lab and the landscape—connecting the biochemistry of Japanese fermentation to global health, or the engineering of ancient architecture to modern resilience.
By combining her scientific methodology with her credentials as a Certified Transport and Travel Manager, Wanping provides schools, universities, and parents with the ultimate peace of mind. She offers a rare hybrid of expertise: the logistical precision of a travel professional and the intellectual depth of a career academic. Her mission is to turn every itinerary into a mindful exploration of how the world works, fostering the next generation of global thinkers.