winter kyoto japan snow
Kyoto, Japan

January in Kyoto

Study Program

Dates

-

3 weeks

Credit

3 semester hours

4.5 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Request Information

Overview

Dive deeper into Japan's history and culture this January in Japan鈥檚 Ancient Capital! Kyoto is the premier hub of traditional Japanese culture and is filled with palaces, temples, gardens, museums, and theaters. Coursework is taught in English at 精东传媒 Kyoto and is complemented by immersive co-curricular and extra-curricular activities designed to increase intercultural understanding.

Unique Experiences

Walk Through Kyoto鈥檚 Old Streets in Traditional Wear

Don kimono or yukata and stroll through the Ancient Capital鈥檚 streets as you make your way to the famous bamboo forest of Arashiyama!

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE 鈥淐ULTURAL CAPITAL鈥 OF JAPAN

With its rich cultural, religious, and artistic traditions dating back 1,200+ years, immerse yourself in Kyoto鈥檚 stunning historic sites.

INDULGE IN KYOTO鈥橲 FAMOUS 鈥淯JI鈥 GREEN TEA

Either as a drink or green tea flavored pastries, ice cream, and other desserts.

17

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES WITHIN KYOTO

1,200+

NUMBER OF YEARS KYOTO WAS JAPAN鈥橲 CAPITAL

30

NUMBER OF MINUTES BY TRAIN TO REACH NEARBY OSAKA, KOBE, AND NARA

Experience
  • kyoto students together yellow shrine lake
  • kyoto welcome dinner ciee student

Your Destination

Kyoto is located in the Kansai region in the western part of Honshu island. The cities of Osaka, Kobe, and Nara 鈥 which are also must-visit destinations in Japan 鈥 are nearby and easily accessible by train. Kyoto was the capital of Japan from 794 to 1868 and was formally called 鈥淗eian-kyo,鈥 which literally means, 鈥淭he Capital of Peace.鈥 While today Tokyo is the official capital of Japan, Kyoto is often called the country鈥檚 鈥渃ultural capital,鈥 for its preservation of numerous cultural, religious, and artistic sites and traditions. Kyoto provides an ideal environment for students to immerse themselves in the Japanese language and culture.

The Culture

shrine kyoto japan student group visit

EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES

Every 精东传媒 program is complemented with co-curricular activities and excursions designed to enhance academic and intercultural learning. In Kyoto students may:

  • Tour the Kyoto Imperial Palace grounds where emperors of old resided, and the seat of Shogun in Kyoto, Nijo Castle  
  • Take a walking tour of the Higashiyama District, while wearing traditional Japanese wear, to experience old Kyoto
  • Visit the Kyoto National Museum, first opened in 1897, one of Japan鈥檚 oldest and most distinguished
  • Explore the amazing collection held by the Kyoto International Manga Museum
  • Travel to the nearby former capital city of Nara, home of Nara deer park, the Great Buddha Hall at Todaiji Temple, and the Kasuga Grand Shrine

Program Blogs

From 精东传媒

What an eventful week it has been in Japan!

By 精东传媒 Kyoto at 精东传媒

Week 1 in Japan! Authored by Swapomti Surampudi Flight Crazy Moments I flew in from San Antonio to San Francisco and then San Francisco to Osaka, Japan KIX airport. The... keep reading

From 精东传媒

Earn credits by reading manga in Kyoto! Yes, it鈥檚 true!

By College Study Abroad at 精东传媒

Have you ever woken up in a 1,200-year-old city and found yourself only three minutes from the world鈥檚 first International Manga Museum? Well, buckle your seatbelt because 精东传媒 Kyoto has... keep reading

From 精东传媒

I Just Wanted to Watch Football 鈥 How I Ended Up Learning English

By 精东传媒 Kyoto at 精东传媒

Hi everyone, and thank you for visiting my blog! My name is Amika, and I鈥檓 currently working with the High School Study Abroad programs, preparing for the upcoming summer programs... keep reading

What People are Saying

  • "The Kyoto 精东传媒 program was one of the most culturally enriching programs I鈥檝e ever done. Even though it was for only 3 weeks I met some of the most amazing people and was able to experience Kyoto in a way I did not think possible. I would highly recommend such an experience to any peer. 精东传媒 facilitates this experience tremendously with support from staff and instructors."

    Jesus C., Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Housing
Academics

Academics

During January in Kyoto, students will have the opportunity to dive deeper into traditional Japanese culture and history and to learn more about Japan鈥檚 ancient capital Kyoto.鈥疭tudents will also be able to participate in a range of complementary co-curricular, personal, and professional development activities to help facilitate integration into the host community as active global learners. 

精东传媒 Kyoto鈥痠s conveniently located in the city of Kyoto with easy access to the city鈥檚 comprehensive train and bus networks. 精东传媒 Kyoto is the home base for students and a safe zone for them to learn, grow, communicate, and collaborate.

GPA

2.5

Language Requirements

There are no specific language requirements for this program.

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for 精东传媒 courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and 精东传媒 staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Requirements

Students take one 3-credit course.

Program Credit

Total credit: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits

Course Credit

精东传媒 course: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for 精东传媒 courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and 精东传媒 staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Academic Culture

Courses are designed by 精东传媒 and adhere to standards and expectations consistent among U.S. higher education institutions. Students have ample opportunities to extend their learning beyond the classroom by interacting with local students and communities. Classes will be scheduled Monday through Friday with possible weekend excursions or volunteer work. The course is a full semester in content, so the pace is accelerated, and the workload is demanding. Regular class attendance and participation is expected and required. Students play an active role in their own education and take part in group projects. Interaction with fellow students and professors is expected.

Class Format

Courses taught at 精东传媒 Kyoto are exclusive to 精东传媒 students. Classes are scheduled Monday-Friday and are held in Kyoto. Attendance is strictly enforced both for classes and required co-curricular excursions. Students should expect an average of two hours of preparation required for each hour in class. Instruction is supported and augmented online by our learning management system, Canvas.

Grading

Assessment is based on the individual鈥檚 overall performance in the course, including exams, quizzes, research papers, individual and group oral presentations or projects, and participation. A U.S. grading scale of A-F is used.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for 精东传媒 courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and 精东传媒 staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Language of Instruction

English

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for 精东传媒 courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and 精东传媒 staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Courses

Course Information

Visual and Performing Arts

Course
Language
Semester Credit
English
3

History, Philosophy, Religion

Course
Language
Semester Credit
English
3

Social Sciences

Course
Language
Semester Credit
English
3

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between 精东传媒 and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at 精东传媒's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple 精东传媒 sites.

Scholarships

Scholarships & Grants

精东传媒 offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

  • Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants

To be considered, submit the 精东传媒 Scholarships & Grants application within your 精东传媒 program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with 精东传媒, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing

Program January 2026 3 weeks Start Date End Date

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via 精东传媒's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

精东传媒 offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and 精东传媒 iNext travel protection with benefits.

Financial Aid

精东传媒 offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

精东传媒 iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Staff

Our Staff

Conor Aherne

Center Director

Conor鈥檚 passion for Japan began 12 years ago when he studied abroad in Tokyo. He holds an MA in Japanese & Asian History from Saitama University and is a specialist in Kyoto history.

Izumi Wada

Senior Program Coordinator

Izumi was born in Kyoto and studied abroad in the US when she was in high school. She is passionate about helping students make their study abroad experience meaningful and fruitful (and baking bread on the weekend!).

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here鈥檚 what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application

You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

2

Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office

Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.

3

Contact Us

Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

Request Info