Japanese Language & Culture
Why Choose This Program?
Live the Language
Experience authentic immersion in the Japanese language and culture.
Network
Meet new friends and gain a new family. Make lasting memories and connections.
Get Inspired
Jump up a level in Japanese. Shine on college applications.
The Destination
Welcome to Tokyo, the high-tech, fast-paced capital of the Land of the Rising Sun.
Japan’s capital city is a shapeshifting mix of centuries-old tradition and innovation. This small island in the Pacific Ocean has been at the forefront of global pop phenomena for decades. From Godzilla to Hello Kitty to Pokémon, the influence of Japan on mass media is undeniable. Manga are some of the best-selling comic books in the world and anime is watched by hundreds of millions. For a manga and anime lover, Tokyo’s “electric” district, Akihabara, is a dream come true.
With its unique shops, arcades, karaoke, animal-themed cafés, like cat cafés and even owl cafés, Tokyo’s kawaii (cute) aesthetic and playful excitement is everywhere. The Shibuya and Harajuku districts offer what’s next in fashion while the vibrant food scene is a peek into globally innovative cuisine. During the summer, people swarm the street stalls for food on sticks and shaved ice treats on the go. Along with skyscrapers and stores galore, you can also find peace from the bustling Tokyo streets at public gardens, temples, shrines, imperial palaces, and Japanese history museums.
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.
Sample Itinerary
Sample Activities
Just imagine all the fun you’ll have!
- Test your strength and inner rhythm with a traditional Taiko drum experience, part of Japanese culture for centuries.
- Unleash your inner artist while you try the art of traditional Japanese calligraphy.
- Step foot in the biggest Shinto shrine in Tokyo, Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken. The iris garden is in full bloom in the summer months!
- Hone your culinary skills making your own authentic and traditional Japanese specialties like your own kushkatsu (skewered, breaded, or fried meats and veggies)!
- Travel to the mountains north of Tokyo and to the beautiful small city of Nikko, with its 103 shrines and temples and rich nature!
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.
Retreat in the Mountains: A Journey to Nikko
As the first half of our immersive language program in Japan drew to a close, our students bid farewell to their host families and hotel friends, brimming with excitement for the next chapter of their journey. Whether it was mastering the art of independence in a hotel setting or adapting to life in a traditional Japanese household, the second half promised new challenges, opportunities, and connections. But before embarking on this next phase, our students were treated to a memorable weekend in the historical mountainous countryside of Nikko.
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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 | Start Date | End Date | Costs $7,950 | |
| Program Summer Session II 2025 4 weeks | 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
Program Leaders guide and support our High School Summer Abroad participants through every step of their program.
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