Business + Culture
Unique Experiences
Explore Kyoto’s historic textile workshops and family-run craft studios
to discover how centuries-old traditions are adapted for today’s business world
Engage with founders and innovators at Kyoto’s tech incubators
to learn how tradition and innovation shape tech and sustainable business
Participate in a guided meditation session led by a Zen monk
and learn how mindfulness, simplicity, and Japanese aesthetics shape daily life
Your Destination
Kyoto is Japan’s historic capital, celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and growing opportunities in business and professional sectors. As a center for entrepreneurship, traditional industries, and creative enterprises, Kyoto offers exceptional opportunities for students studying business and culture. The city’s mix of ancient temples and shrines, beautiful gardens, traditional neighborhoods, world-class museums, and evolving professional landscape makes Kyoto an inspiring and immersive place to study abroad.
Program Highlights
- Academic Courses: Choose from CIEE courses and online courses delivered by CIEE’s global partner, ASU, that align with your academic major.
- Optional Internship Placements: Enhance your program with an optional for-credit internship that aligns with your career aspirations.
- Immersive Experiences: Participate in activities, excursions, study tours, and more that showcase your host city's culture, values, and local art, film, music, cuisine, and sports scenes.
- Community Impact Initiative: Get involved with local organizations through service opportunities that address real community needs while building cross-cultural connections and hands-on experience.
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 excursions and activities:
- Tour a major Kyoto manufacturing firm to see how Japanese production principles (including quality control, kaizen, and lean operations) are applied in real‑world settings
- Explore the bamboo forest, riverside scenery, and historic temples of Arashiyama while learning about Kyoto’s cultural preservation efforts and the impact of tourism on local communities
- Visit a Kyoto craft business, such as ceramics or kimono dyeing, to observe how artisans balance heritage craftsmanship with modern branding and international demand
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
A Time for Tea
As you might've heard (we've been pretty excited about it), the CIEE Kyoto team moved into a shiny new space last June with lovely big windows overlooking one of central... keep reading
Seeing Kyoto Through History: What My Class Taught Me About the City
When I was on a plane to Japan, I couldn’t believe I was actually going there. It didn’t feel real until I landed. Full of worry and stress, I spent... keep reading
Returning to Kyoto — Third Time’s a Charm
There’s something about Kyoto that keeps pulling me back. Maybe it’s the matcha, the winding narrow streets, or the simple fact that every time I leave, I immediately start thinking... 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 CIEE Kyoto 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, double or quad accommodation in an apartment or hotel room 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 room 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 5 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
- Apartments: 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
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.
Discover Internship Opportunities
Browse the range of internship opportunities available and find the experience that aligns with your academic and career goals with CIEE Study Abroad.
Explore Industry Options
Kyoto's work scene blends tradition and modernity and is driven by tourism, hospitality, and creative industries. Reflecting Japan's business culture, it emphasizes long working hours, hierarchical structures, teamwork, and loyalty. This unique mix honors Kyoto's heritage while embracing evolving sectors.
Architecture and Construction
Develop hands-on technical skills and responsible building planning while working for global architecture firms abroad.
Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications
Immerse yourself in today's cutting-edge global media by working in film studios, media companies, the theater, and more.
Consumer Goods and Retail
Explore consumer behaviors, business strategies, international retail trends, and more in the global commerce marketplace.
Education and Training
Experience international teaching methodologies and curriculum development in classrooms around Jordan, Spain, and more.
Hospitality and Tourism
Polish your hospitality management skills by studying global tourism practices, customer service excellence, and more.
Information Technology
Explore diverse tech environments, cutting-edge innovation, and emerging technologies in South Korea, Spain, and more.
Browse Internship Opportunities
Explore internship placements available through this program to find the right fit for your academic and professional goals.
Disclaimer: Internship placements are subject to availability and host employer hiring discretion. Application and payment of CIEE fees does not guarantee specific placement. This internship listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party.
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 Spring 2027 12 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | ||
| Program Fall 2027 12 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * |
*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.
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 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.
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 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
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 CIEE
We're here to help! Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
4
Interested in an optional internship?
After being accepted to this program and submitting the required internship documents, work with CIEE staff on your internship goals and select which positions to interview for. CIEE will reach out to companies that would be a good fit for you, your interests, and your qualifications. Finalize your internship placement upon arrival!
You might also like
- Kyoto, Japan
- Study Program
- Part-Time Internship
...for 1, 2, or 3 term blocks!
- Osaka, Japan
- Study Program
...for 1, 2, or 3 term blocks!
- Tokyo, Japan
- Study Program
...for 1, 2, or 3 term blocks!