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Journey to Japan: Past and Present

This study abroad program takes you to Japan to learn important aspects of its culture and history. You will spend Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara.

Although knowledge in Japanese will be a great advantage, non-Japanese speakers are invited to join since all of the presentations and readings will be in English.

Apply now! This program is traveling in Summer 2027! Apply by January 28, 2027 to participate!

Location

Tokyo, Japan; Kyoto, Japan

Term

Summer

Housing

Hotel

Program Highlights

Japan is known as a country of contrasts. On one hand, visitors experience modern technology everywhere; on the other, they are surprised by the ancient traditions and arts from a thousand years ago.

On this program, students will experience modern Japan through fashion, technology, food, and pop culture, while also visiting historical and religious sites, such as samurai castles, shrines, and temples.

In just under two weeks, you will be guided through the best highlights of one of the most intriguing countries in the world!

APPLY NOW Schedule an Advising Appointment

Program Contact Information

Desiree Dube

Assistant Director, Education Abroad

Email: ddube1@kent.edu

Office Phone: 330-672-7989

Important Dates & Billing

Program Dates: May 24 - June 6, 2027

Application Deadline: January 28, 2027

Withdrawal/Commitment Deadline: February 4, 2027

Program Fee Deadline: The program fee will be billed to your Kent State student account. The program fee deadline aligns with the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center's summer due dates. You should refer to the first Summer 2027 due date.

Application Process

You will need to complete a Kent State Education Abroad application. These quick steps will help walk you through the process.

1. Start an Education Abroad Application

When you click the "Apply Now" button (located towards the top and bottom of this page), you will be brought to the Education Abroad application system where you can view program costs and start an application. Be sure to submit your application before the deadline!

2. Guest Application (If applicable)

Are you a student at another university? To apply for a Kent State education abroad program, you will first need to apply for admission to Kent State University as a “Guest Student”. Please apply as either an “Undergraduate Guest Student” or as a “Graduate Guest Student”, depending on your course level.

Once you have applied and been accepted as a Kent State University student, you will receive an email with your FlashLine login credentials. Activate your account and then proceed to the next step, which is to apply to the Education Abroad program of your interest. You can return to this page and follow the “Apply Now” button to start that application.

You can also refer to the FAQs for Guest Students if you need further help.

3. Wait for Acceptance

Once you have submitted your study abroad program application, it will be reviewed by the faculty leader. Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis. You should hear back from us within one month.

4. Commit to the Program

If you are accepted, you need to log back into your application by going to educationabroad.kent.edu and clicking LOGIN. Once you see the name of your program, you need to click on it and commit (i.e., accept your offer of admission).

Academics

Course Information

Course Name and CRN: 12514 AS 30189-900

Number of Credit Hours: 3

KSU Sponsoring College: College of Sciences and Humanities

Course Description:

Through reading various Japanese texts, students will gain insights into the Japanese language, literature, and culture.
Students will also learn about the two major religions of Japan, Shintoism and Buddhism, as they visit many famous shrines and temples across the country.
Students will visit Shibuya and Harajuku (Tokyo) to experience Japan’s unique fashion and youth culture firsthand.
Akihabara and Odaiba Island will give students exciting opportunities to shop for manga, anime, toys, cards, etc. and also visit the TeamLab Exhibition, a cutting-edge digital art museum.
Akihabara is known as the epicenter of modern Japanese Otaku culture, and in addition to shopping, students can visit arcades and specialized cafes.
By touring two former capitals of Japan, Kyoto and Nara, students will experience the traditional side of the country. In Kyoto, you can escape the bustle of modern life and go to a serene rock garden, or maybe even see a geisha or maiko scurrying to their performances. In Nara you will come face to face with the world’s biggest bronze statue of Buddha.

Program Language of Instruction: English.

Faculty Contact Information

Professor's Name: Eriko Tanaka

Title: Associate Lecturer of Japanese

Email: etanaka1@kent.edu

Phone: 330-672-2150

Tentative Itinerary

Program Dates : May 24, 2027 - June 06, 2027

Below is a tentative itinerary; however, the exact sequence, sites, and departure city are subject to changes in availability and cost.

May 24

Depart from Cleveland airport

DAY 1: May 25

Arriving in Tokyo & Hotel Check-In

DAY 2: May 26- Breakfast and Dinner Included

Shijo to Kamo River Walk
Half day tour of Kyoto: Explore Kiyomizu Temple, Ninenzaka, Yasaka Shrine, and Gion District to experience Kyoto’s historic streets, traditional architecture, and cultural heritage.
Welcome dinner

DAY 3: May 27 - Breakfast Included

Excursion to Osaka: Explore Osaka with visits to Osaka Station, Grand Front Osaka, and the newly developed Grand Green Osaka Park, offering a blend of modern architecture, shopping, and urban experiences. Continue exploring popular character shops, including Pokémon Center Osaka, before concluding the day with panoramic views of Osaka’s cityscape from the Umeda Sky Garden.

DAY 4: May 28 - Breakfast Included

Tea ceremony with kimono wearing
Fushimi Inari Shrine: One of Kyoto's most iconic landmarks, Fushimi Inari Taisha is renowned for its thousands of vermilion torii gates winding up a forested hillside, a breathtaking and immersive window into Japan's traditional spiritual culture.

DAY 5: May 29 - Breakfast Included

Excursion to Nara: Visit Nara’s iconic landmarks, including Todaiji Temple, Nara Deer Park, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, while enjoying a scenic lunch stop at Mt. Wakakusa. Experience Nara’s rich cultural heritage, historic atmosphere, and beautiful natural surroundings.

DAY 6: May 30 - Breakfast and Dinner Included

Travel to Hakone
Yumoto District
Dinner at hotel

DAY 7: May 31- Breakfast and Dinner Included

Guided tour of Hakone: Experience the natural beauty of Hakone with a scenic Lake Ashi Cruise and a visit to Hakone Shrine. The day continues with a Ropeway Ride over the volcanic landscapes of Owakudani, offering panoramic vnaniiews of mountains, forests, and (weather permitting) Mount Fuji.
Dinner at the hotel

DAY 8: June 01 - Breakfast Included

Take the train to Tokyo
TeamLab Planets Visit: An immersive digital art museum featuring interactive installations that blend technology, art, and sensory experiences.

DAY 9: June 02 - Breakfast Included

City tour of Tokyo: Explore Tokyo's iconic destinations, including Meiji Jingu Shrine, Takeshita Street, and the vibrant Shibuya district, with lunch in Harajuku — experiencing a captivating blend of traditional culture, youth fashion, shopping, and the dynamic energy of modern urban life.

DAY 10: June 03 - Breakfast and Lunch Included

Tokyo Edo Museum: To learn about Tokyo’s history, culture, and transformation from the Edo period to the modern era.
Sumo Entertainment and Lunch: Enjoy authentic chanko hot pot, learn about the history and traditions of sumo, participate in a mochi-pounding activity, and watch a live sumo demonstration.
Akihabara Visit

DAY 11: June 04 - Breakfast and Lunch Included

Asakusa (Sensoji Temple)
Cooking Workshop (sushi)
Ikebukuro Visit: Explore Ikebukuro’s lively streets, including shopping centers, character shops, and entertainment venues, while experiencing Tokyo’s contemporary pop culture and urban lifestyle.
Sunshine City Observatory Park

DAY 12: June 05 - Breakfast and Dinner Included

Free time
Farewell dinner

DAY 13: June 6 - Breakfast Included

Fly back to the U.S.

Location & Housing

Tokyo and Kyoto (Japan)

Tokyo is the perfect example of a city that merges modernity and tradition. With beautiful old temples and huge modern skyscrapers, the capital of Japan is packed with about 14 million people and is the largest city in the country. The city is always alive, with plenty of festivals and great street food, popular attractions, and little traditional neighborhoods. Famous symbols of the city are the sakura (cherry blossom) tree-lined streets, the anime culture, and its delicious cuisine!

Considered the cultural capital of Japan, Kyoto is a city known for its temples, shrines, palaces, gardens and cultural activities. Some awesome things students can engage in are going to the Kyoto Tower for a panoramic view of the city, dining in the vivid Pontocho Alley, hiking and visiting the monkey park Iwatayama, and visiting the Nishiki Market, recognised for its delicious treats and handmade art.

Housing & Meals

Students will stay in double-occupancy rooms in hotels.
Breakfast at each hotel is included every day.
4 dinners and 2 lunches are also included.
Students are responsible for all other meals.

Accessibility Information

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Whether your disability is visible or invisible, Education Abroad is committed to making educational experiences abroad possible for you. Early disclosure of personal needs and an open mind to different programs, locations, and services can help you identify the best opportunities abroad.

Things to Consider

What types of physical, academic, and mental health resources and accommodations are available in my host country?
What types of activities does this program involve? Will there be strenuous hiking? Will we be walking long distances? Will we be carrying significant weight?
What is the housing like on this program? Will I be sharing a room or bathroom? Is there AC/heat?
What types of foods are available to me on this program? Will I be able to find meals that meet my dietary needs?
What types of transportation does this program use? Will I be navigating public transportation? Is public transportation accessible?
What is the climate like in my host country? Will there be extreme heat or cold?
Are my medications controlled or banned abroad? Are there regulations on traveling with my medications, service animal, etc.?
Are there prescriptions that I need to fill before I leave? What medications are available abroad? Is there a refrigerator to store my medication if needed?
How does my host country view my disability?
How do accessibility regulations in my host country differ from the US? (Ex.) Are ramps, elevators, tactile markings, etc. required/available?
Can I use my US medical devices in my host country? Is the voltage different? Will my equipment fit through a standard door (height/width) in my host country?
If there are overnight field trips outside of my typical housing for the program, is it possible to maintain the same housing accommodations I may require?

Learn More About Studying Abroad with a Disability

Watch this helpful video about Studying Abroad with a Disability.

Resources

Student Accessibility Services

DA Global

Mobility International USA

ISEP's Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility Abroad page

The U.S. State Department's Traveling with Disabilities page

Financial Aid & Scholarships

It is possible to use your federal financial aid to go on Kent State University-approved education abroad programs. You can learn more on the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center website.

It is also possible to use most Kent State scholarships for education abroad costs. You can find education abroad scholarships on ScholarshipUniverse.

If you have any questions about using your financial aid and scholarships for study abroad, you can contact the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center.

Health & Safety

Pre-Departure Orientation

Prior to your study abroad experience, you will participate in a mandatory pre-departure orientation hosted by the College of Honors and Global Education. During this orientation, you will be provided with information including but not limited to:

international travel procedures;
in-country resources;
health and safety resources and information;
culture shock and resources to help prepare for living abroad.

All students are encouraged to register with the Safe Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) prior to departure.

You can also review a wide variety of resources we’ve pulled together for you on our “Before You Go” page.

Country Profile

You can learn more about your destination(s), including travel advisories, through the U.S. Department of State website.

In addition, we encourage you to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel page for information about any vaccinations you may need or health and safety tips for traveling to your destination(s).

If vaccinations or medications are needed according to the CDC, you should make arrangements for appointments with your healthcare provider or the DeWeese Health Center as soon as possible. Appointment openings at the DeWeese Health Center are limited and vaccines may need to be ordered, which takes time. Please note that not all immunizations are available at the DeWeese Health Center.

Costs and Funding

Costs for the program will differ for every student. You can use our Cost Calculator to get an estimate of what you might expect for your program. 

We encourage you to meet with the Financial, Billing, and Enrollment Center to see how your aid may apply to an international program. We also encourage you to meet with your Academic Advisor to discuss your Course Plan of Study and to evaluate if your planned coursework is eligible for federal financial aid. 

Get Cost Estimate

Your Journey is Just Beginning

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