Ancient + Modern Japan
Unique Experiences
Be Entranced by the Zen Rock Garden of Ryoanji Temple
and take in the dazzling Golden Temple and the more serene Silver Temple
by soaking in Kyoto’s depth with its rich cultural, religious, and artistic traditions dating back more than 1,200 years
Soak in Kyoto’s depth with its rich cultural, religious, and artistic traditions dating back more than 1,200 years.
Engage with the Local Community
using skills gained through CIEE language and culture courses.
Your Destination
Kyoto is Japan’s cultural heart, renowned for its rich history, serene temples, and beautiful traditional architecture. The city, once the capital of Japan, offers a unique blend of ancient traditions and modern influences, with iconic landmarks like Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) and Fushimi Inari Shrine. Its scenic gardens, traditional tea houses, and vibrant festivals provide a truly immersive experience in Japanese culture. Whether you’re studying language, history, the arts, or religious studies, Kyoto is the perfect place to study abroad.
Program Highlights
- Academic Courses: Take CIEE courses that offer in-depth insight into the language and culture of Japan at CIEE Kyoto.
- Optional Internship Placements: Enhance your program with an optional for-credit internship that aligns with your career aspirations.
- Immersive Experiences: Participate in visits to palaces, temples, museums, theaters, and more that bring your classroom studies to life.
- Academic Projects: Enroll in an optional for-credit academic project that aligns with your goals, qualifications, resume, and availability of placements.
Excursions & Activities
CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in Kyoto will open doors for you to explore Japan's rich diversity, language, culture, history, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad.
Samples of past excursions and activities:
- Travel to the summit of Mt. Hiei to view all of Kyoto, Lake Biwa, and Enryakuji Temple
- Visit the nearby city of Nara, home of Nara deer park, the Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji Temple, and the Kasuga Grand Shrine
- Shop for traditional Kyoto sweets, pickles, and other goodies at Nishiki Market
Please note: Activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.
Program Blogs
Travelogue Across Japan! <2>
《This is Part 2 of Sofia's Travelogue. If you haven't read Part 1 yet, be sure to check it out first!》 Awajishima & Kagawa (Hyogo & Kagawa Prefectures, Kansai &... keep reading
Travelogue Across Japan! <1>
みなさん、こんにちは！ソフィアと申します！Hello everyone! My name is Sofia, and I am a junior from Denison University in Granville, Ohio, studying abroad in CIEE Kyoto’s Ancient & Modern Japan Program! I’ve had the... keep reading
Kickin’ it in Kyoto
Hey all, my name is Ethan Adams. I’m a Junior at Hope College (Michigan) who embarked on an adventure abroad with CIEE’s Ancient and Modern Japan (AMJ) program. Now, two... keep reading
HOUSING & MEALS
HOUSING
CIEE Kyoto offers diverse housing options to ensure you're comfortable in your home away from home. From apartments within 20 minutes of the study center to homestays a train and/or bus ride away, your accommodation preferences will be met. Additionally, all housing options are located in neighborhoods with convenient access to public transportation, shops, cafés, and eateries.
Standard Housing: Includes a single room at a homestay within a 70-minute commute or a shared, twin room in an apartment or hotel located within 20 minutes of CIEE Kyoto. Homestays feature a kitchen, living room, and bathroom shared with a host family. Apartments boast kitchenettes and laundry facilities.
Select Housing: Includes a private single apartment or hotel located under 15 minutes from CIEE Kyoto. Apartments boast kitchenettes and laundry facilities. Select housing requires an additional fee.
Select Plus Housing: Includes a private single apartment located 2 minutes from CIEE Kyoto. Apartments boast kitchenettes and laundry facilities. Select Plus housing requires an additional fee.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive. Non-standard housing options require an additional fee that can be found in the program Dates and Fees.
MEALS
Residence Hall rooms are equipped with a single-burner range, microwave, and fridge kitchenette. Students can prepare simple in-house meals with basic cooking utensils and cleaning supplies. Students can also explore affordable restaurants in the immediate neighborhood or explore the city for a full range of cuisine and prices.
Homestays: Hosts provide two meals a day (breakfast & dinner) seven days per week.
Academics
CIEE Kyoto: Study in the upscale office district of Karasuma Oike – a 15-minute walk from the city's main shopping street, Nijo Castle, Kamo River, and the former Imperial Palace. CIEE Kyoto features classrooms, a student lounge, a student life office, and an academic advising office.
Arizona State University (ASU): Brought to you by CIEE in partnership with ASU, enhance your international coursework with online classes that align with your degree requirements. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous 7.5-week sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar.
Course Information
Communication, Journalism, and Media
History, Philosophy, Religion
Languages and Cultural Studies
Social Sciences
Academic Projects
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Communication, Journalism, and Media
History, Philosophy, Religion
Languages and Cultural Studies
Social Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Engineering and Engineering Technologies
CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, 100% online coursework that aligns with your degree requirements from anywhere you study abroad.
CIEE and ASU offer courses online per program eligibility, at no additional charge. Be sure to review online courses with your home school advisor.
Check the CIEE Program Dates and ASU start dates below to maximize course options within your program!
Search ASU Online Courses BROWSE FAQs for more INFO
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- MSI Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
| Participation Confirmation | $300 * |
| Educational Costs | $15,456 ** |
| Housing | $5,500 *** |
| Insurance | $194 |
| Total Fees | $21,450 |
Optional Housing
CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee. Housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis; however, other factors may also be considered.
| Select Housing Fee | $2,250 |
| Select Plus Housing Fee | $3,375 |
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
| Meals not included in program fee | $525 † |
| International Airfare | $1,600 †† |
| Local Transportation | $200 |
| Books & Supplies | $200 |
| Personal expenses | $280 ††† |
| Other | $100 †††† |
| Total Costs | $2,905 |
*non-refundable fee
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner). For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $420 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries (Sim requires one-time fee of $25)
††††mandatory national insurance
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
| Participation Confirmation | $300 * |
| Educational Costs | $10,756 ** |
| Housing | $3,250 *** |
| Insurance | $194 |
| Total Fees | $14,500 |
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
| Meals not included in program fee | $536 † |
| International Airfare | $1,600 †† |
| Local Transportation | $200 |
| Books & Supplies | $200 |
| Personal expenses | $270 ††† |
| Other | $100 †††† |
| Total Costs | $2,906 |
*non-refundable fee
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner). For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $428 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries (Sim requires one-time fee of $25)
††††mandatory national insurance
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Conor Aherne
Center Director
Conor’s passion for Japan began 12 years ago when he studied abroad in Tokyo. He holds an MA in Japanese & Asian History from Saitama University and is a specialist in Kyoto history.
Izumi Wada
Senior Program Coordinator
Izumi was born in Kyoto and studied abroad in the US when she was in high school. She is passionate about helping students make their study abroad experience meaningful and fruitful (and baking bread on the weekend!).
Natsuki Kwapong
Student Life Coordinator
Natsuki previously managed in retail, has a loving family of two sons and, in her spare time, she likes to work out and watch Netflix. She looks forward to welcoming you all to Kyoto!
Get Started
1
2
Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
3
Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
You might also like
- Kyoto, Japan
- Full-Time Internship
- Tokyo, Japan
- Full-Time Internship
- Kyoto, Japan
- Study Program
- Part-Time Internship