SPRING COURSE
Experience the beautiful Spring of Akita, and learn Japanese!
Here is the type of scenery you can enjoy:
2023 Course Dates:
17th April - 12th May, 2023
(4 weeks)
COURSE DETAILS:
Japanese lessons Monday to Friday, 9AM - 12:30PM
Learn Japanese in an authentic Japanese classroom
The course is focused on learning practical conversational Japanese to help prepare you for real life situations
Organised activities/events after classes and on some weekends for students to practice what they have learned in class in real life
Many opportunities to immerse in the culture and
to interact with the locals
Festivals
Odate Cherry Blossom Festival
Small festival with food stalls and some stage performances. Cherry trees lit up at night!
Akita Dog Show
The Akita Dog Preservation Society holds their annual dog show on May 3rd. Breeders and their dogs gather from all over Japan to compete; something not to miss.
Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival
One of the top 3 cherry blossoms in all of Japan, it is 10/10.
Scenery
Rice Fields
The rice fields will be filled with water at the beginning of rice planting season. The surrounding mountains and sky are reflected and make for great photos.
Activities
Bicycle riding
Cycle through the beautiful mountainous scenery and rice fields!
(Bicycles provided for each student 24/7 free of charge).
Farm Stay
Meet the locals, experience and learn about their way of life
Learn about the local culture & cuisine
Cook meals together with the locals and laugh all night long!
Rice planting
Students can take off their shoes, experience stepping in to the mud, and plant a rice field by hand.
Onsen trip
Visit hidden onsens where the locals go.
Traditional Tea Ceremony + Yukata
Experience a traditional tea ceremony while wearing beautiful yukata!
Meet & interact with High School Students
Many community events organised!
Kabuki Theater
Tour one of Japan’s oldest kabuki theaters
Pottery Class
Make your own hand-made creation at the local pottery club.
PRICE:
Total for the 4 week course: $3200 USD
(Not including flights, transport, food and accommodation)
SAMPLE ACTIVITIES:
Odate Cherry Blossom Festival
Small festival with food stalls and some stage performances. Cherry trees lit up at night!
Farmstay
Meet the locals, experience and learn about their way of life. Cook meals together with the locals and laugh all night long!
Visit hidden onsens
Only the locals can point you to them.
Traditional tea ceremony
Learn the ancient practice and appreciate the moment in the beautiful samurai house.
Yukata wearing
Learn how to wear and take spectacular photos in beautiful yukata.
Meet & interact with local high school students
A special opportunity for exchanging conversation and making friends.
Owl cafe
There is a local owl cafe right near the school, to interact with the mysterious birds.
Pottery Class
Make your own hand-made creation at the local pottery club.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
There are so many attractions in the area, it will be difficult to do all within 4 weeks! We can also organise the below:
Wood-burning (Pyrography)
Make a hand-made memento with a local craftsman using Akita cedar wood.
Rail park ride
Have fun on the new rail bikes!
Calligraphy Class
Learn to write beautiful kanji
Private movie screening
Rent out a retro movie theater to watch a movie of your choice on the big screen.
Hiking
Enjoy the great outdoors going up the many mountains in the area.
Bento box making (Magewappa)
Have a seasoned artisan teach you how to make your very own wooden magewappa bento box or serving tray.
Nagabashiri Wind Caves
A mysterious natural process cools these caves to 2 degrees celsius, even in the middle of Summer.
ACCOMMODATION:
Japanese sharehouse (limited availability)
$250 USD/per week single room (limited availability)
$160 USD/per week for shared rooms
Hotels may also be arranged (depending on availability).