January in Tokyo
New for January 2025!
Unique Experiences
Step into traditional fashion
and experience the art of dressing in a kimono and walking the streets of Kawagoe, which maintains the quaint architecture of Edo Japan.
Taste your way through Tokyo
along the winding back streets of popular areas such as Shinkjuku and Ueno
Reflect on Japanese spirituality at Meiji Jingu
A Shinto shrine protected by enormous wooden Torii gates and surrounded by a veritable forest in Tokyo's city center
3.5 M
3.5 M
4
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES WITHIN 2 HOURS TRAVEL FROM TOKYO, INCLUDING THE OGASAWARA ISLANDS, THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WESTERN ART, MT. FUJI, AND THE UNIQUELY VIBRANT SHRINES AND TEMPLES OF NIKKO
223+
MICHELIN-STARRED RESTAURANTS ARE LOCATED AROUND THE CITY
Your Destination
Japan’s capital city, Tokyo, is located in the eastern Kanto region. It is home to a population of more than 14 million people, making it one of the largest metropolises in the world. Tokyo is a city of many cities; among its 23 wards, you will find neighborhoods whose small streets and mom-and-pop shops call back to 20th-century Showa-Period Japan, and those that stretch forward into the future with ultra-modern architecture, trendy shops, and restaurants where guests are served by robots.
The city boasts two of Japan’s tallest buildings: Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Sky Tree, where visitors can ascend more than 2,000 feet to catch some of the best views of the city’s expansive landscape. Brimming with art and historical museums, shopping centers, and several large parks where locals and tourists alike come to escape the urban hustle and bustle, you will find a plethora of things to do and see while living and learning in Tokyo.
A city like no other, Tokyo is all about what’s new. Discover how limited space has been maximized in ingenious ways and enjoy an astounding variety of shopping options and entertainment. Throughout the city, you’ll receive the “royal treatment,” from helpful clerks offering you superior customer service to super-fast trains bringing you to and from plenty of places near and beyond Tokyo, such as Yokohama, Kamakura and more!
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.
The Culture
Excursions & Activities
- Take an overnight trip to Hakone while staying in a Japanese traditional ryokan, where you’ll enjoy bathing in sulfureous hot springs in the mountains of Shizuoka; on a clear day, this region hosts some of the most beautiful views of Mt. Fuji and easy access to Lake Ashi, home to the red torii gates of the Hakone shrine
- Go on a day trip to Yomiuri Land and head to a local Japanese amusement park where you’ll enjoy rollercoasters, gondola rides, and seasonal attractions, such as the winter illuminations
- Tour Asakusa, the only neighborhood in Tokyo that gives a glimpse into what the city’s pre-WWII houses and markets looked like
- Visit Sensoji Temple and sample a variety of fare from vendors lining the vibrant streets; collect omiyage (souvenirs) produced by local artisans
- Hand-dye a tenugui (hand towel) using Japanese indigo
- Attend a kabuki performance
Program Blogs
Study Abroad in Japan: FAQs
If you’re about to embark on a study abroad adventure to Japan or considering this fascinating country a study abroad option, read on as we dive into some of our... keep reading
5 Reflections from Studying Abroad in Tokyo
Study abroad will change your life! We asked alumni to reflect on their time abroad and share a few tips to help future students prepare for the journey ahead. Check... keep reading
EAT, DRINK, EXPLORE: TOKYO
EAT Since the 17th century, soba (buckwheat) noodles have been a staple in the Japanese diet. These tasty noodles are as thick as spaghetti and are eaten either in a... keep reading
Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE Tokyo provides convenient housing to ensure you’re comfortable in your home away from home. All housing is within walking distance of train stations, granting you easy access to Tokyo’s numerous sites and attractions through one of the most efficient and comprehensive transportation networks in the world.
Standard: Includes a single or double room at a hotel with a private bathroom. Hotels are located within the Greater Tokyo area.
Meals
Students are responsible for their own meals. Tokyo boasts an amazing array of restaurants and eateries to satisfy any palate and diet.
Academics
Students spend three weeks in January taking coursework complemented with co-curricular activities to provide a culturally immersive and academically stimulating experience and facilitate intercultural learning. Classes are arranged by CIEE Tokyo.
Course Information
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.
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 2025 3 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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
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.
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
Teppei Hayashi
Senior Program Manager
Teppei has lived, studied and worked in both Japan and the US (RI, OR, & PA). Majoring in Spanish and French allowed him to study and intern abroad during his...
Starr Miyata
Academic Manager
Starr has several years of experience working in education equity and international education in both the U.S. and Japan.
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