January in Kyoto
Unique Experiences
Walk Through Kyoto’s Old Streets in Traditional Wear
Don kimono or yukata and stroll through the Ancient Capital’s streets as you make your way to the famous bamboo forest of Arashiyama!
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE “CULTURAL CAPITAL” OF JAPAN
With its rich cultural, religious, and artistic traditions dating back 1,200+ years, immerse yourself in Kyoto’s stunning historic sites.
INDULGE IN KYOTO’S FAMOUS “UJI” GREEN TEA
Either as a drink or green tea flavored pastries, ice cream, and other desserts.
17
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES WITHIN KYOTO
1,200+
NUMBER OF YEARS KYOTO WAS JAPAN’S CAPITAL
30
NUMBER OF MINUTES BY TRAIN TO REACH NEARBY OSAKA, KOBE, AND NARA
Your Destination
Kyoto is located in the Kansai region in the western part of Honshu island. The cities of Osaka, Kobe, and Nara – which are also must-visit destinations in Japan – are nearby and easily accessible by train. Kyoto was the capital of Japan from 794 to 1868 and was formally called “Heian-kyo,” which literally means, “The Capital of Peace.” While today Tokyo is the official capital of Japan, Kyoto is often called the country’s “cultural capital,” for its preservation of numerous cultural, religious, and artistic sites and traditions. Kyoto provides an ideal environment for students to immerse themselves in the Japanese language and culture.
The Culture
EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
Every CIEE program is complemented with co-curricular activities and excursions designed to enhance academic and intercultural learning. In Kyoto students may:
- Tour the Kyoto Imperial Palace grounds where emperors of old resided, and the seat of Shogun in Kyoto, Nijo Castle
- Take a walking tour of the Higashiyama District, while wearing traditional Japanese wear, to experience old Kyoto
- Visit the Kyoto National Museum, first opened in 1897, one of Japan’s oldest and most distinguished
- Explore the amazing collection held by the Kyoto International Manga Museum
- Travel to the nearby former capital city of Nara, home of Nara deer park, the Great Buddha Hall at Todaiji Temple, and the Kasuga Grand Shrine
Program Blogs
What an eventful week it has been in Japan!
Week 1 in Japan! Authored by Swapomti Surampudi Flight Crazy Moments I flew in from San Antonio to San Francisco and then San Francisco to Osaka, Japan KIX airport. The... keep reading
Earn credits by reading manga in Kyoto! Yes, it’s true!
Have you ever woken up in a 1,200-year-old city and found yourself only three minutes from the world’s first International Manga Museum? Well, buckle your seatbelt because CIEE Kyoto has... 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
HOUSING & MEALS
HOUSING
Students live in shared rooms in a hotel, a short commute from classes.
MEALS
Meals are not included. Kyoto is well-known for its local cuisine. It is also an international tourist destination and students can easily find options to suit various dietary preferences and budgets.
Academics
During January in Kyoto, students will have the opportunity to dive deeper into traditional Japanese culture and history and to learn more about Japan’s ancient capital Kyoto. Students will also be able to participate in a range of complementary co-curricular, personal, and professional development activities to help facilitate integration into the host community as active global learners.
CIEE Kyoto is conveniently located in the city of Kyoto with easy access to the city’s comprehensive train and bus networks. CIEE Kyoto is the home base for students and a safe zone for them to learn, grow, communicate, and collaborate.
Course Information
Visual and Performing Arts
History, Philosophy, Religion
Social Sciences
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:
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
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.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program January 2026 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date |
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.
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!).
Get Started
1
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Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
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Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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