TOKYO
OSAKA
WAKAYAMA
HIROSHIMA
Program Overview
JAPAN'S ICONIC CULTURAL TRADITIONS HAVE BEEN METICULOUSLY PRESERVED ACROSS GENERATIONS.
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 get acclimated to their surroundings and explore this vibrant city. Known for its incredible street food, bustling markets, and 16th century castle, Osaka is a perfect place to dive into Japan’s vibrant urban scene. Our bellies full with delicious tako-yaki, we head to the more rural region of Wakayama. Here students immerse themselves in daily language classes to help better facilitate interactions with the welcoming local community. We also attend interactive workshops focused on traditional arts and crafts such as the kishu lacquerware, ikebana flower arrangement, and taiko drumming among other topics.
Working alongside expert mentors, we gain an appreciation for the depth of craftsmanship and societal pride in these long held traditions. Our immersion in the community helps us better understand how Japanese culture and customs manifest in daily interactions. Excursions may take us to the sacred hills of Koyasan, a religious hub of Japanese Buddhism, where we learn about Buddhist practices and sit in meditation alongside the resident monks.
The final leg of our program takes us to Nara and Kyoto where we explore historic temples, quintessential Japanese culture, and reflect on the hospitality and many lessons learned during our travels.
