SUMMER COURSE

Experience the exciting and cooler Summer of Northern Japan, and learn Japanese!

 
 

See footage from our Summer Course in 2019:


2025 Course Dates:

August 4th - August 22nd, 2025

(3 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 to practice what you have learned in class in real life

  • Many opportunities to immerse in the culture and
    to interact with the locals


ENVIRONMENT:

Rich in nature, feel like you have stepped into a Ghibli movie in the breathtaking surroundings. The quiet environment is perfect for learning!



SAMPLE ACTIVITIES:

Daimonji Festival

The kanji '大’ is lit up on a mountain! Fireworks, delicious food stalls and performances.

Tanabata Festival

In Kosaka town where the school is, the townspeople all come together on the main street for festivities. You can join in the traditional dance!

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.

Yukata wearing + Traditional tea ceremony

Learn how to wear and take spectacular photos in beautiful yukata.

Then, learn the ancient practice of the tea ceremony and appreciate the moment in the beautiful samurai house.

Meet & interact with local high school students

A special opportunity for exchanging conversation and making friends.

Many community events organised!

Pottery Class

Make your own hand-made creation at the local pottery club.

Bicycle riding

Cycle through the beautiful mountainous scenery and rice fields!
(Bicycles provided for each student 24/7 free of charge).
Some electric bikes are available too, to whiz up the small hills, breathing in the fresh air!

Meet the Akita dogs!


Rail bike ride

Hiking

Enjoy the great outdoors going up the many mountains in the area.

Katana Experience

A unique lesson with Japanese swords.

Private movie screening

Rent out a retro movie theater to watch a movie on the big screen.

Morioka Sansa Festival

Kanto Matsuri Akita Festival

Nagabashiri Wind Caves

A mysterious natural process cools these caves to 2 degrees celsius, even in the middle of Summer.

Bento box making (Magewappa)

Have a seasoned artisan teach you how to make your very own wooden magewappa bento box or serving tray.

Ikebana

Create your own beautiful flower arrangement.

Kabuki Theater

Tour one of Japan’s oldest kabuki theaters

Karaoke

Sing your heart out with your new friends in Japan!

Visit local thrift shops

Japan’s thrift shops are super clean and hidden gems are waiting to be found!

Calligraphy Class

Learn to write beautiful kanji

Wood-burning (Pyrography)

Make a hand-made memento with a local craftsman using Akita cedar wood.

Nebuta Festival

You will be buzzing all night and the weeks ahead from the energy of the amazing lit up floats, hopping and chanting. You can rent a traditional wear to join in the parade with the locals.


PRICE:

Total for the 3 week course: $3200 USD
(Not including flights, transport, food and accommodation)


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).