WAKAYAMA
NARA
KYOTO
OSAKA
Program Overview
From a serene meditation bell ringing out a Koyasan monastery to the cacophony of foot traffic at the Shibuya crossing, Japan is a fascinating merger of old and new.
Amidst the push toward cultural globalization in the internet age, Japan continues to uniquely blend long held traditions with innovative trends in technology and art. Through immersive workshops, interactive cultural experiences, and language lessons, students will delve into the fascinating history, refined elegance, and cutting edge modernity that define Japanese culture.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS & OUTCOMES
- Engage in hands-on Independent Study Projects to learn about traditional arts and crafts
- Interact with local communities to understand modern-day Japan beyond the tourist spaces
- Take language lessons to build basic Japanese language skills, or to build your fluency
- Gain deeper understanding of Japanese…
Amidst the push toward cultural globalization in the internet age, Japan continues to uniquely blend long held traditions with innovative trends in technology and art. Through immersive workshops, interactive cultural experiences, and language lessons, students will delve into the fascinating history, refined elegance, and cutting edge modernity that define Japanese culture.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS & OUTCOMES
- Engage in hands-on Independent Study Projects to learn about traditional arts and crafts
- Interact with local communities to understand modern-day Japan beyond the tourist spaces
- Take language lessons to build basic Japanese language skills, or to build your fluency
- Gain deeper understanding of Japanese life through short homestays with carefully selected families
Our journey starts in Osaka where students begin by transitioning to the serene mountains of Wakayama. Here, they take part in orientation activities designed to help them get to know each other and immerse themselves in Japanese culture. As they hike sections of the ancient Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail and stay in traditional monasteries, students are introduced to the principles of Zen Buddhism and gain insight into spiritual practice through time with local monks.
For two weeks, students live in Kyoto, Japan’s cultural capital, where they dive into daily language classes each morning to build communication skills and deepen their connection to the place. Afternoons are devoted to independent study projects, guided by local mentors who are masters of traditional Japanese arts such as kabuki, ikebana, pottery, and the use of historic materials. Through this immersive experience, students explore their own interests while gaining hands-on insight into the richness of Japan’s artistic heritage.
After their time in Kyoto, students transition to the mountain village of Hakuba for a week-long homestay experience. Known for hosting the 1998 Winter Olympics, Hakuba offers a unique lens into rural life in modern Japan. Living with local families, students learn about the village’s history and grapple with complex social issues such as an aging population, seasonal tourism, the arrival of migrant workers, and the challenges of preserving traditional lifestyles in a rapidly changing world.
Before heading home, students spend their final days in Tokyo on a student-led expedition. Here, they take the lead—planning activities, navigating the city, and applying the skills they’ve developed over the past five weeks. Whether it’s using their Japanese language abilities, demonstrating leadership, collaborating with peers, or showing intercultural awareness, this time allows students to showcase their growth. The experience concludes with reflection activities, helping students process their journey and consider how to carry the lessons they’ve learned into their lives back home.
