WINTER COURSE

Experience the amazing snow of Northern Japan, and learn Japanese!
Akita Prefecture is a region with one of the highest snowfalls in the world.

Here is footage from our previous Winter Course:

Next Course Dates:

January 30th - February 24th, 2023
(4 weeks)

 
 
 

COURSE DETAILS:

  • Japanese lessons from 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

SAMPLE ACTIVITIES:

  • Towada Winter Festival

    Held at Lake Towada, highlights include a fireworks show overnight, lots of festival stalls serving food, and a kamakura (igloo) bar where they serve drinks in ice glasses.

  • Farmstay (1 night)
    Meet the locals, experience and learn about their way of life. Cook meals together with the locals and laugh all night long!

  • "Naked" Festival (starts at midnight)
    Participants wear only Fundoshi (cotton thongs) as they run at night to purify themselves in the nearby river. Both men & women participate (women wrap their chests with cotton sheets).

  • Visit hidden onsens

    You will never not go, after experiencing a Japanese hot spring in Winter.

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  • Traditional tea ceremony
    Learn the ancient practice and appreciate the moment in the beautiful samurai house.

  • Kimono wearing
    Learn how to wear and take spectacular photos in kimono.

  • Meet & interact with local high school students
    A special opportunity for exchanging conversation and making friends.

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

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  • Bon fire night
    Warm up with the amazing fire!

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  • Snow Monsters + Mount Moriyoshi
    One of the only 3 places in Japan where ice coats trees to form giant, otherworldly sculptures. What makes this different is that you can take in the amazing views and ride a gondola to the top! See the Sea of Japan on the way.

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  • Japanese Manners Class
    Learn the hidden codes and become deeply rooted into the culture.

  • Meet the Akita dogs
    Meet and play with the adorable Akita dogs as you learn about the history and legends surrounding the breed.

PRICE:

Total for the 4 week course: $3200 USD
(Not including flights and accommodation)

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:

Skiing / Snowboarding

February is the best time for skiing. There are several ski areas within easy driving distance. Courses for everyone from first-timers to hardcore back-country skiers.

Private movie screening

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

Wood-burning (Pyrography)

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

Calligraphy Class

Learn to write beautiful kanji

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Amekko-Ichi (Candy Festival)

Over 400 year old festival. Legend says that people who eat the candy sold at the many stalls will not catch a cold for the rest of winter. There are performances, an Akita dog parade & more.

Bento box making (Magewappa)

Have a seasoned artisan teach you how to make your very own wooden magewappa bento box, that is made out of the Japanese cedar tree in Akita.

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Lake Towada

Have a barbeque next to a huge beautiful lake that doesn’t freeze over the Winter.

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Japanese Cooking Lessons

Learn to cook authentic Japanese meals from a local.

Mochikko-Ichi (Mochi Festival)

Small festival where local Mochi makers gather to sell their traditional sweets. Held in front of the Taiko Museum which holds the largest drum in the world.

Owl cafe

There is a local owl cafe right near the school, to interact with the mysterious birds.

Snow Candle Street in Ani

To make the best of the huge snow drifts, the villagers come together and craft small igloos called kamakura and decorate them with candles.

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).

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