Japan Unit Study: Hands-On Geography Curriculum for Kids

Discover the culture, geography, and traditions of Japan with our hands-on, secular Japan Unit Study. Designed for Grades 1 to 6, our literature-rich geography curriculum includes engaging activities in mapwork, science, writing, and hands-on cultural experiences like traditional games, Japanese art, and food. Perfect for homeschoolers, co-ops, classrooms, or Montessori continent studies.

✅ What You're Purchasing:

Global Explorers unit studies are literature-based frameworks built around curated books, mapwork, journaling, and cultural activities. Books and some media resources are referenced but not included. Each study provides structured lesson plans and ready-to-use printables, guiding families as they gather materials and explore together.

✅ Learning Highlights:

• Explore the beauty of poetry and storytelling through My First Book of Haiku Poems and classic Japanese folktales
• Learn the science behind earthquakes and tsunamis
• Build geography skills with printable mapwork and notebooking activities
• Create Japanese art with sumi-e painting and a mon-kiri symmetry project
• Cook ramen and mochi, and learn to play Hasami Shogi, a strategic Japanese board game

✅ What’s Included:



• Japan Mapwork & Notebooking: Students label major cities, landforms, and cultural landmarks while customizing their own maps.
• Literature Study: Explore the beauty of nature through My First Book of Haiku Poems and enjoy tales from Japanese Children’s Favorite Stories.
• Circle Round Folktales + Writing Revolution Activities: Build writing skills with sentence-based exercise using Judith C. Hochman's The Writing Revolution method.
• Science Notebooking: Learn about earthquakes and tsunamis.
• Math Practice: Build real-world math skills by solving elapsed time problems connected to places throughout Japan.
• Artist Studies: Explore the work of Hokusai and Isamu Noguchi through hands-on projects.
• Creative Arts Activities: Try sumi-e brush painting, make Tanabata-style wishing trees, and cut out mon-kiri paper designs
• Cultural Cooking Projects: Make ramen and mochi with simple, family-friendly recipes.
• Global Games: Learn how to play Hasami Shogi, a traditional Japanese game that's a blend of checkers and tic-tac-toe. A printable game board is included so you can start playing right away!

✅ Bonus Materials:

• Printable Global Explorers Cookbook Page for Japan
• Discover Japan: Bingo Challenge activity sheet
• Japan Unit Overview Sheet
• Access to our optional digital planning tool in Notion
• Plus, more than a dozen extra printable resources, such as book passports, food chain pyramid templates, and more!

Format: Printable PDF + Optional Digital Access

Best For: Homeschoolers, co-ops, enrichment, Montessori continent studies, and classroom geography units

Why Choose Global Explorers?



At the Global Explorers Club, we believe geography should feel like an adventure. Our flexible, secular unit studies are designed to spark curiosity, celebrate cultural diversity, and connect children to the world around them. Whether you use every activity or choose a few, our unit studies can be easily adapted for different learners and teaching styles.