January in Kyoto
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
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
EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
Every 日博体育 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
What an eventful week it has been in Japan!
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
Earn credits by reading manga in Kyoto! Yes, it鈥檚 true!
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 日博体育 Kyoto has... keep reading
Travelogue Across Japan! <1>
銇裤仾銇曘倱銆併亾銈撱伀銇°伅锛併偨銉曘偅銈€仺鐢炽仐銇俱仚锛丠ello everyone! My name is Sofia, and I am a junior from Denison University in Granville, Ohio, studying abroad in 日博体育 Kyoto鈥檚 Ancient & Modern Japan Program! I鈥檝e had the... keep reading
HOUSING & MEALS
HOUSING
Students live in shared rooms in a hotel, a short commute from classes.
MEALS
Meals are not included. Kyoto is well-known for its local cuisine. It is also an international tourist destination and students can easily find options to suit various dietary preferences and budgets.
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.
日博体育 Kyoto鈥痠s conveniently located in the city of Kyoto with easy access to the city鈥檚 comprehensive train and bus networks. 日博体育 Kyoto is the home base for students and a safe zone for them to learn, grow, communicate, and collaborate.
Course Information
Visual and Performing Arts
History, Philosophy, Religion
Social Sciences
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between 日博体育 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 日博体育's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple 日博体育 sites.
Scholarships & Grants
日博体育 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 日博体育 Scholarships & Grants application within your 日博体育 program application.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with 日博体育, 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 日博体育's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Program Fees
日博体育 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 日博体育 iNext travel protection with benefits.
Financial Aid
日博体育 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.
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
日博体育 iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
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
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.
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