Japanese Language & Culture
Enrollment Closed
A Summer for Fun, Friends, and Your Future
Live the Language
Have fun experiencing authentic immersion in the Japanese language and culture.
Network
Meet new friends and gain a new family. Make lasting memories and connections.
Get Inspired
Launch your future today! Jump up a level in Japanese. Shine on college applications.
The Destination
Welcome to Kyoto, home of sublime gardens, temples, old-world culture, and manga.
Kyoto stands at the heart of traditional Japanese culture. As the former imperial capital for over a thousand years, its name literally translates to "capital city." Instead of towering skyscrapers and neon lights, Kyoto dazzles with 1,600 temples, 400 shrines, lantern-lit streets, and machiyas (traditional wooden houses). This living, open-air museum boasts the largest collection of world heritage sites globally. Kyoto is a destination every Japanese person aspires to visit at least once in their lifetime.
Here you’ll find many fascinating things to indulge in. Karesansui (zen rock gardens) and serene bamboo forests provide a lovely contrast to modern shopping districts, video game arcades, and manga stores. Iconic city symbols like the Nijo Castle and the Fushimi Inari shrine await, and the vibrant food scene offers dishes you’ll love—Kyoto-style ramen, Kyoto-style sushi, and tsukemono pickles just to name a few. Amidst the harmonious blend of old and new, Kyoto invites you to embrace natural beauty and contemporary expression, leaving you with cherished memories that will last a lifetime.
Cultural Awareness
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. No matter where you choose to study abroad with CIEE, our staff will be on hand throughout your program to provide advice, resources, and support.
Sample Itinerary
Sample Activities
Just imagine all the fun you’ll have!
- Test your culinary skills with a sushi-making session—and get to sample your work!
- Immerse yourself in the green tunnel of the Arashiyama bamboo forest. Watch the light from the sun dap the forest floor.
- Create your own Japanese-style hand towel using Japanese tie-dying techniques.
- Get musical with your fellow Global Navigators experiencing the marching rhythms of Taiko drumming.
- Feed polite, bowing deer at the famous Deer Park in Nara. Visit the hall of the Great Buddha inside Todai-ji, the great temple of the East.
- Engage in a hunt for souvenirs of Japan in the thrift stores and gift shops in Teramachi.
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.
Stepping into the role!
Ask the average person what they think of when asked about Japanese culture, and there's a good chance samurai and ninja might come to mind. But there's more to discover... keep reading
How To Write a Great Scholarship Application Essay
Earning a CIEE Global Navigator Scholarship is a prestigious honor that can help you stand out for years to come, especially on college applications! Plus, these scholarships give hundreds of... keep reading
2 Essential Ways to Prepare for Your Teen’s High School Summer Abroad
Once your teen is accepted on their CIEE high school summer abroad program and you have confirmed their participation, anticipation will fill your home. There are two very important tasks... keep reading
Eligibility
- Participants must be 14 years old and above.
- Program open to all current high school students—Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors—of all Japanese language proficiency levels.
- For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our scholarship Page.
For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Dates & Fees
Application Fee
$25
Optional College Credit Fee
$150
Learn more about how to get college credit for your future college degree.
Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.
More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations or contact us!
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Summer Session I 2025 4 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Costs $7,950 |
| Program Summer Session II 2025 4 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Costs $7,950 |
Ready to change your life?
What’s Included
Interactive Classes
Housing
3 Meals/Day
(Dietary Needs Accommodated)
All Ground Transportation
(Once In-country)
Optional Flight Chaperone
(Flight Cost Not Included)
Pre-departure Advice and Orientation
Access to WIFI
(No international data plan or SIM card included)
All Cultural Activities and Excursions
Comprehensive Medical and 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.
Program Leaders guide and support our High School Summer Abroad participants through every step of their program.
You might also like
- Language & Culture
Take your Japanese to new heights in the ancient and modern city of Kyoto.
- College Credit
- Homestay
- Arts & Culture
Explore two creative industries—anime and manga—in the hub of pop arts and culture.
- Hostel/Hotel
- Arts & Culture
Draw inspiration from Japan’s ancient capital as you craft your own manga stories.
- Hostel/Hotel