Program Overview

Japan Study Tour Program

The Japan Study Tour is a two-week faculty-led program that allows students to visit cultural heritage sites in the greater Tokyo region and spend a week living with students at the University of Nagano. This program has no language requirement and offers all students a valuable opportunity to immerse themselves in Japanese culture.

Program Highlights

• Visits to cities including Tokyo, Nikko (UN World Heritage Site), and Nagano (home to Matsumoto Castle)
• Lectures on culture in English, immersive cultural activities
• Trips to sites of major interest, such as Zenkji, Matsumoto Castle, Ktoku-in, and the Cup Noodles Museum
• Exchange events with students at J. F. Oberlin University

Academics

• JAPAN 3210: Japanese Culture & Society
• HONORS 4900: Independent Study (Honors College permission required)
• A non-credit option is available for community members who wish to take part in the tour without receiving academic credit

Student Experiences

Students have shared their experiences and insights from the program, including:

• Shawn: "This whole experience has been unforgettable, impactful, just magical..."
• Brittany: "After being in Japan a little more than two weeks, I've grown to love this country more than I thought possible."
• Emily: "Something I learned is that I should not be afraid to try to use the Japanese that I know."
• Molly: "The trip was incredibly important to me educationally, regarding my major and life goals, but also for me personally."
• Amy: "All of the company visits have been helpful for me as I get to closer to graduation and start job hunting to see the different options."
• Harper: "It was seriously one of the best experiences I have ever had. It was like standing in their shoes and their culture and just absorbing everything."