Japanese Pop Culture: Anime & Manga
The Take-Aways
Real-World Experience
Discover the history and development of anime and manga and develop skills to critique forms of popular media. Come home with a portfolio of creative work.
Credentials for Your Future
Topics for your college essays, experience to inform your future career, a portfolio to document your artistic ideas and to showcase your work in various media and techniques.
Lifelong Skills and Friendships
Return with greater self-confidence, independence, and adaptability. Enjoy a broader worldview and diverse friendships from across the U.S.
45
Hours Of Expert Instruction
3
Weeks Pursuing Your Passion
1
Life-changing Experience
The Destination
Welcome to Tokyo, a vast, neon-lit metropolis made up of many different cities in one.
Tokyo's blend of retro, new, and cutting-edge modernity captivates teens worldwide. Temples, shrines, parks, and zoos contrast with high-tech art installations at exhibits and on the sides of tall buildings. Pop art fans delight in places like the Tokyo Anime Center, Tokyo International Manga Library, Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo, and the Ghibli Museum, which celebrates the famous anime studio. Akihabara, the otaku district, is where anime, manga, retro video games, and cosplay coexist with niche cafés (like animal cafés with cats, dogs, owls, and even miniature pigs!)
With a population of around 14 million, Tokyo is a city of diverse worlds! There’s tradition in Asakusa and new trends in Shibuya and Harajuku. In Chuo ward, Tsukiji and Ginza are only a few blocks apart but are complete opposites. Throughout Tokyo, you'll find an abundance of things to do, including trying delicious dishes. Get ready to expand your palate with range of Japanese favorites, such as ramen, soba, yakitori, gyoza, and anything you can grill on a stick.
Cultural Awareness
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Tokyo.
Weekly Learning Goals
Program Blogs
An Exciting Weekend: Tsumami-Zaiku, Asakusa, and More!
Things have been going by so quickly on this program and we can’t believe it’s almost over. Before things come to an end though, here is a quick recap of... keep reading
Anime Artist Academy, Shibuya, and Shinjuku
On Monday and Tuesday, our students split into small groups and were given the opportunity to put their drawing skills to the test. Students visited the Anime Artist Institute in... keep reading
An Afternoon of Hands On Gaming
Second week into the Anime, Manga, and Gaming program brought about a really fun afternoon to explore gaming from a hands on perspective. The first week students learned all about... keep reading
Sample Activities
Just imagine all the fun you’ll have!
- Discover Akihabara, the heartland of otaku culture, and spot your favorite anime, manga, and retro video games.
- Feel the magic of the Edo period, the final period of traditional Japan, at Sensō-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple.
- Design your own anime character from scratch with guidance from instructors at an anime school in Tokyo.
- Experience the man-made island of Odaiba in Tokyo Bay, a buzzing teen entertainment hub. See the enormous, life-size Gundam statue, representing the science fiction media franchise.
- Journey to the breathtaking nature sites of Yamanashi. Be greeted by stunning waterfalls, fountains, gorges, shrines, and the majestic Mt. Fuji!
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.
Dates & Fees
ELIGIBILITY
- Program open to all current high school students: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.
- For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our scholarship page.
For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.
APPLICATION FEE
$25
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 2024 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $6,250 | |
| Program Summer Session II 2024 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $6,250 |
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 Local Phone and WIFI
All Cultural Activities and Excursions
Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection
24/7 Emergency On-site Support
Ready to change your life?
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