Program Details
Study Japan. Question Japan. Experience Japan.
This program is designed and led by graduates of Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education. We built the program we wish had existed when we were high school students. Most short-term study abroad programs stop at textbooks and tourism. This program was built from scratch to go further and is scheduled for late July to match Japanese summer break so participants can learn and collaborate directly with local students. Go beyond a typical study abroad in one of the safest, most inspiring learning environments in the world.
*Subject to change
Four Pillars of Learning
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1. Language Exchange: Beyond the Textbook
In addition to learning Japanese from instructors, U.S. students are paired directly with Japanese high school students. Together, they teach each other English and Japanese while practicing language in daily life, fieldwork, and community interaction.
Our program design is rooted in our experience learning multiple languages ourselves and understanding what truly leads to fluency. Mastering a language is not only about grammar and vocabulary. It requires real-world environments that encourage students to try, make mistakes, and communicate with native speakers.
This model avoids a common limitation of traditional study abroad language programs, where students rarely interact with local peers because their classmates are all language learners. Here, both sides need each other. That mutual learning creates authentic motivation and measurable progress.
2. Exploring Japan’s Social Challenges: Beyond the Surface
Japan is widely admired for its beauty, safety, and efficiency. Yet like any society, it faces complex structural challenges. While international tourism continues to grow, many young people in Japan express uncertainty about the country’s future — driven largely by demographic decline, an aging population, and the economic pressures that follow.
Did you know these conversations are happening across Japan today? In this program, students explore these realities alongside local peers through expert guest talks, dialogue with Japanese students, and guided discussion and reflection.
As a culminating project, students collaborate in mixed U.S.–Japan teams to propose solutions to real-world challenges and present them to educators and community stakeholders.
Explore Climate Change at Hokkaido University
Founded in 1918, Hokkaido University is one of Japan’s oldest and most respected public research universities, with roots in Sapporo Agricultural College (established 1876), a pioneer in modern agricultural education.
As part of this program, students visit the Faculty of Fisheries Sciences on the Hakodate campus, internationally recognized for research on climate change and marine ecosystems. They engage with faculty, explore cutting-edge research, and get a firsthand experience of college life in Japan.
3. Theme-Based Fieldwork: Beyond Tourism
This is not sightseeing for sightseeing’s sake. Each field experience is intentionally connected to the program’s inquiry themes. Students learn how to observe, ask meaningful questions, and analyze real-world systems while actively exploring Japan.
Hakodate Bay Area
Hakodate has played a key role in U.S.–Japan relations as one of the first ports opened to international trade. Students walk through historic districts and waterfront areas while examining how geography, trade, and diplomacy shaped modern Japan.
Ōnuma Quasi-National Park
Known for its lakes, islands, and forest landscapes, Ōnuma offers a powerful setting to study the relationship between natural ecosystems and human activity. Students hike and conduct guided observation while discussing environmental change and conservation challenges.
Food & Agriculture in Hokkaido
Hokkaido is one of Japan’s most important agricultural and food production regions. Students experience high-quality local food while visiting farms and food production sites to understand how climate change, labor shortages, and demographic shifts affect food systems.
4. Culture & Arts: Beyond Passive Consumption
Japan’s culture is dynamic, creative, and deeply connected to place. In this program, students experience culture through participation, dialogue, and creative exploration — not just observation.
Anime & Real-World Landscapes
Hakodate’s cityscape has inspired many anime creators. Students explore real locations that appear in well-known works while discussing how place, history, and visual storytelling shape modern Japanese pop culture.
teamLab (Educational Exhibition)
teamLab reimagines learning through the fusion of art, science, and technology. Students experience immersive installations and reflect on how digital creativity is transforming education, communication, and artistic expression.
Tsugaru Shamisen (Traditional Music)
Originating from the region, the Tsugaru shamisen is known for its powerful and expressive sound. Students attend a live performance and interact with a musician to learn about regional identity, musical storytelling, and performance techniques.
YOSAKOI Soran Dance Festival Culture
Summer festivals are central to community life in Japan. Students experience the high-energy YOSAKOI Soran dance culture — observing performances and learning movements alongside dancers to understand how tradition evolves in modern society.