Why Choose High School Summer Abroad in Japan with CIEE?

Imagine ancient temples tucked amidst glowing city streets, bamboo groves complete with frolicking deer, and arcades jam-packed with teens and games you’ve never seen. You eat sushi every day and make new friends with local teens. With CIEE high school study abroad in Japan, it’s all possible.  

Across all CIEE Japan summer programs for teens, you’ll: 

• Learn Japanese in Japan through immersion and structured classes
• Explore the city every afternoon and weekend
• Experience daily life through cultural activities and excursions
• Make connections through activities with local teens or homestays 

Whether you’re excited about anime and manga, robotics, video game design, culinary arts, or deepening your Japanese language skills, there’s a program that matches your interests. With dedicated Program Leaders, on-site staff, and a built-in community of new friends, you’ll have the summer of your dreams in Japan! 

In this guide, you’ll discover the fantastic CIEE summer programs in Japan and how to choose the perfect program for your goals! 

Learn Japanese Faster Through Total Immersion 

In Japan, language learning doesn’t stop when class is over; it continues everywhere you go. Speaking, hearing, and using Japanese all day long means learning more and learning faster.  

In the Japanese Language & Culture programs, each morning starts with structured lessons, and each afternoon takes you into the city to put those skills to work in real situations like ordering food, asking for directions, or participating in a creative class that’s led in Japanese.  

Living with a host family takes that growth even further. Evening conversations, shared meals, and everyday routines give you authentic, meaningful practice that simply isn’t possible at home.  

You also have the option to earn college credit and work toward the Global Seal of Biliteracy, a nationally recognized credential.  

Live With a Local Family and Become Part of the Community 

For many students, the homestay is a super memorable and meaningful part of their summer abroad. A homestay gives you a window into everyday life in Japan and moments that you can’t experience as a tourist. It’s where you practice your Japanese naturally, learn local customs, and feel yourself becoming part of the community. 

Host families provide more than a place to stay. They cook meals, help you navigate the neighborhood, answer questions, and support you like a member of their own family. Many students form deep connections with their hosts and stay in touch long after the program ends — some even return years later to visit! 

"I'm grateful to have had my host family and the opportunity to experience the Japanese culture at such close proximity."

Denise A., CIEE Global Navigator Alum

Experience Japanese Culture Through Hands-On Activities 

Across all CIEE Japan summer programs for teens, you’ll step into the culture through daily activities that bring tradition, creativity, food, and modern life to the surface. From the activities listed across all seven program pages, here are just a few examples of what your summer might include: 

• Taiko drumming lessons that let you feel the power and rhythm of a centuries-old art form
• Calligraphy, origami, or tie-dye workshops taught by local artists in Kyoto
• Visits to famous temples and shrines like Fushimi Inari, Sensō-ji, and Heian Shrine
• Cooking classes where you make soba noodles, tofu, kyo-wagashi sweets, or your own sushi
• Immersive pop culture experiences at teamLab, Akihabara, the Anime Artist Academy, or the International Manga Museum
• Nature excursions to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Nara Deer Park, and mountain villages outside Tokyo
• STEM adventures such as building a robot car, experimenting at Miraikan, or exploring video game labs at Ritsumeikan
• Cultural outings like thrift shopping in Teramachi, matcha ceremonies, lantern-lit gardens, and hands-on museum tours 

These experiences become the stories you bring home — the moments that stay with you long after summer ends. 

Feel Supported, Safe, and Confident Exploring a New Country 

Many students—and parents/legal guardians—have questions about safety, especially when you’re traveling halfway across the world. With CIEE, you’re never navigating Japan on your own. With more than 75 years of experience in international education, CIEE has strong safety standards, clear protocols, and trained staff in place so you can focus on learning and enjoying your summer. 

Every Japan program includes: 

• A 1:10 Program Leader–to–student ratio, ensuring personal attention and a trusted adult nearby
• Dedicated on-site support teams in Tokyo and Kyoto who know the cities well
• Thorough orientation sessions covering transportation, cultural norms, and local safety
• Structured daily schedules with supervised activities and guided free time
• 24/7 emergency support, both locally and from CIEE’s U.S. office
• Program Leaders trained in youth supervision and risk management 

You’ll always know where to go, who to ask, and what to do—and you’ll have a supportive community with you from the moment you land.  

See More of Japan on Full-Day & Overnight Excursions 

Japan is full of places you’ve heard about, and places you’ll discover for the first time. CIEE programs make sure you experience both. In CIEE’s Japan summer programs, full-day and overnight excursions take you beyond your host neighborhood and into some of the most iconic and meaningful destinations across the country. 

Depending on your program, you might visit: 

• Nara Deer Park: A historic city home to gentle, bowing deer and the Great Buddha at Tōdai-ji
• Hiroshima & Miyajima: Peace Memorial Park and the iconic floating torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine
• Arashiyama Bamboo Forest: Towering green bamboo stalks that create one of Kyoto’s most photographed landscapes
• Yokohama: Harbor views, creative museums, and the famous Cup Noodle Museum
• Osaka & Dōtonbori: A neon-lit riverfront and a day of thrills at Universal Studios Japan
• Mountain villages outside Tokyo: Serene shrines, forest paths, and (on clear days) views of Mt. Fuji, a Japanese World Heritage site
• Akihabara, Shibuya & Harajuku: Japan’s most vibrant pop culture districts, packed with anime, fashion, arcades, and iconic street scenes 

These trips give you a chance to see different sides of the country, have adventures with new friends, learn from local experts, and see more of Japan! 

Choose a Program That Matches Your Interests 

With seven unique Japan programs, you can shape your summer around the topics you love most with fellow teens who are just as passionate about the subject as you are! Here’s a quick look at each option: 

• Japanese Language & Culture, Tokyo: Build your Japanese skills in a vibrant megacity filled with temples, pop culture districts, and endless opportunities to practice every day.
• Japanese Language & Culture, Kyoto: Study Japanese in the ancient capital, surrounded by shrines, tea houses, bamboo forests, and rich cultural traditions.
• Anime & Manga in Pop Culture, Tokyo: Explore the heart of anime culture as you learn character design, digital art, and storytelling from industry professionals.
• Culinary Arts & Culture, Kyoto: Learn to cook Japanese dishes with local chefs, visit bustling food markets, and discover Kyoto through its flavors and traditions.
• Engineering & Robotics, Tokyo: Build your own robot car, experiment with coding, and experience Japan’s cutting-edge technology scene firsthand.
• Engineering & Video Game Design, Kyoto: Create a video game prototype using Unity, visit top gaming institutions, and dive into the creative process behind iconic titles.
• Manga Drawing & Culture, Kyoto: Develop your manga art skills through workshops, museum visits, and hands-on illustration practice in Japan’s cultural capital. 

Across all programs, participants experience: 

• Cultural immersion through daily activities and excursions
• Daily exposure to the Japanese language, no matter your program theme
• Authentic local life, from navigating neighborhoods to trying regional foods
• A warm, welcoming homestay (available in select programs) 

No matter which program you choose, your summer in Japan will be immersive, exciting, and uniquely your own. 

Gain Real Skills and Memories That Last a Lifetime 

By the end of your high school study abroad in Japan, you’ll have amazing new skills, incredible memories, and beautiful new friendships. Whether you focus on language, cooking, robotics, art, or game design, every program helps you grow in ways that stay with you long after you return home. You’ll strengthen your Japanese, become more independent, navigate new environments with ease, and gain a broader global perspective. Students in Language & Culture programs can also earn college credits, giving them a valuable head start on future academic goals. 

A CIEE summer abroad builds: 

• Practical Japanese skills you can use in school and life
• Newfound confidence from navigating a different country
• Global awareness through hands-on cultural learning
• Creative or technical skills tied to your program theme
• Academic momentum through college credit opportunities 

CIEE Japan programs are extremely popular and tend to fill quickly—so starting early gives you the best chance of securing your spot. 

Ready to spend a high school summer abroad in Japan? Explore all Japan programs here.