Recommended For:
14 to 19 year old teens wanting to experience Summer in Japan, while learning about the culture in a fun and easy way.
You will study 20 lessons of Japanese per week (4 lessons with breaks in between per day , 5 days a week Monday to Friday), and then take 3 "cultural experience" classes every Saturday. Classes include tea ceremony, pottery, manga drawing, cosplay and more.
Requirements:
Age 14 to 19 years old
No previous Japanese knowledge required
This course becomes fully booked each year, so is recommended to book at least 3 months before.
Dates Offered
Only available for the month of July, with only 1 complete beginner starting date on the 1st of July.
Junior students can study at other times of year, but will have to join adult courses
Would like other dates? See the Study & Culture Courses offered all year round.
Sample Junior Course Activities
1st week
Otaku (nerd) map tour of Fukuoka
Visit all the "nerd/geek" hotspots in Fukuoka, such as anime/manga shops, game centers, cosplay shops and much more!
Temples/shrines
Learn about the difference between them, and visit the beautiful Tochoji Temple and Kushida Shrine.
Cosplay lesson
Learn about the history and art of dressing up as your favorite characters, and even try it yourself!
2nd week
Flower arranging
Learn the formal rules of ikebana, and create your own masterpiece.
Calligraphy
Beautiful Japanese writing is an art and a skill, and you'll learn both.
Tea ceremony
Get in touch with your inner peace while also learning how to wear a traditional kimono or yukata.
3rd week
Manga drawing
A professional manga teacher will teach you the basics of character design and layout, and you'll draw your own 4-panel manga!
Fake plastic food display samples
Learn about the industry behind Japanese display food samples, and try your hand at making your own.
Maid cafe
Visit a cafe where the staff are mini-celebrities dressed as French maids, in this Japanese cultural phenomenon that is sweeping the world.
4th week
Zazen meditation
A real monk will teach you the skill of sitting meditation, and if you're lucky may also hit you with a bamboo stick (less intense than it sounds, we promise!)
Kyara-ben (character bento)
Practice making Japanese-style packed lunches with a twist - your lunch is also an artwork of your favorite manga/anime/game character!
Swordfighting
A highly trained teacher will give you an introductory lesson in Japanese toujutsu swordfighting techniques using real wooden katana swords.
5th week
Neko cafe
Visit a cat cafe, where you can play with felines while you enjoy your drinks. Don't take any home!
Art gallery
Learn about traditional Japanese art techniques throughout the ages.
Japanese garden
Visit a traditional Japanese garden, and learn about Japan's relationship with nature.
Other possible course activities include: Hakata Doll painting, Taiko drum lessons, visit to the Disaster Prevention Center, making traditional Japanese cord art, and much much more!
There is also a variety of free activities available on days when you'll have a bit of free time: a weekly city tour, Japanese movie night, Friday party, visits to Japanese high schools, and more. You'll never be bored on this program!
Distinctive Features:
Japanese classes focus on communication skills, and Japanese for daily life.
Classes have a maximum of 8 students each, meaning each student gets more attention from the teacher and gets closer connections with peers. (Other schools usually have up to 20 students per class).
Specific activities change depending on the season and availability.
Classes and activities may be shared with adult students, but will always be supervised by school staff.
Additional Services
Airport pickup
24-hour emergency contact available
Personal alarm, pocket Wi-Fi rentals available
Courses for junior groups available year-round!
Map:
-> Class syllabus
The core course offers two 50-minute grammar classes and two 50-minute “application” classes each day. In general, you will study new grammar each afternoon, do related homework that night, then practice your new skills in the application class the next morning.
Teaching philosophy
1) Purposeful.
All lessons are structured to give you essential Japanese in a way so that you will remember it, and be able to use it yourself.
2) Practical.
Lessons are focused on the skills and topics most useful to actually getting out there and becoming proficient in the language. The school is wheelchair accessible. Optional activities involve real-world situations, guest instructors, field trips and more.
3) Professional.
All the Japanese teachers are graduates of a 420-hour Japanese teacher training course at a recognized study institution, and have extensive experience teaching to foreigners. A curriculum designed with the needs of English-speakers in mind.
We believe lessons must be interesting! You can't learn if you're not engaged. Materials and methods are designed to draw you in to the class, and to make any topic exciting.
The method has been honed over several years to allow for the maximum retention of learned material, using techniques of rapid response, and real-world use of previously learned materials. For a demonstration of this method, see our example lesson.
-> Class schedule
The school has both morning and afternoon sessions. Students may have class either in the mornings or in the afternoons, and this can change on a daily or weekly basis.
Possible Class Times (Changes based on your level and class).
9:30 ~ 10:20
10:25 ~ 11:15
10 MIN BREAK for all
11:25 ~ 12:15
12:20 ~ 13:10
55 MIN LUNCH BREAK
14:05 ~ 14:55
15:00 ~ 15:50
10 MIN BREAK for all
16:00 ~ 16:50
16:55 ~ 17:45
Fees
Minimum 2 week course: 112,000 JPY
Any additional week: 48,000 JPY.
Not including accommodation.
Sample fees:
| 2 weeks package | 3 weeks package | 4 weeks package | |
| Fukuoka Airport pickup&dropoff plus host family accommodation | 194,000 JPY | 26,000 JPY | 340,000 JPY |
| Fukuoka Airport pickup&dropoff plus minors dormitory | 178,400 JPY | 243,600 JPY | 308,800 JPY |
Start planning your trip today
Accommodation (optional)
Students can choose to stay in a host family, or supervised dormitory.
Breakfast and dinner included.
(You can see and choose accommodation options from the school on the online form below. We can also help find alternatives).
Want to study this course?
FAQs
Are flights included?
Flights are not included, as courses are flexible and students prefer to make their own travel arrangements. Assistance can be provided if required.
Application process:
Choose course -> Apply -> Choose accommodation -> Receive confirmation and pay school -> Prepare for Japan (we can assist), receive instructions -> Arrive in Japan!
Begin your application today before spaces become full.