Japanese Summer courses for teenagers in Japan

The Kyoto programme is open to students aged 14 to 19, and the Fukuoka programme to students aged 14 to 17. Fukuoka is a teenagers-only programme, while in Kyoto teenagers study alongside adult students at the school, where their language level requires this.

No. Both schools welcome complete beginners. In Kyoto there are classes from beginner up to JLPT N3 level (CEFR A0 to B1), so students who already know some Japanese can join a higher level. The Fukuoka programme is for beginners only (CEFR A0 to A1).
We will ask that you learn your Hiragana alphabet prior to arrival.

Choose Kyoto if you want flexibility: courses run from 2 to 8 weeks, there are several start dates in July and August, all levels from beginner to intermediate are taught, and you have 20 lessons per week. Choose Fukuoka if you are a beginner aged 14 to 17 who wants a teenagers-only group: it is a fixed 3-week programme starting on 5 July 2027 and includes a 3-day trip in the final week.

In Kyoto there are 20 lessons per week, Monday to Friday. In Fukuoka there are 28 lessons over the 3 weeks. Every lesson lasts 50 minutes. Classes usually have 4 to 8 students and never more than 10. Each day combines grammar and conversation lessons, and all teachers are native Japanese speakers trained to teach foreign students.

In Kyoto, beginners can start on 5 July, 20 July, 2 August or 16 August 2027. Students at other levels can start on 5, 12, 20 or 26 July, or on 2, 9 or 16 August 2027. The Fukuoka programme starts on 5 July 2027. There are no lessons on the Japanese public holidays of 19 July and 11 August 2027; a school arranged guided excursion is arranged instead.

Prices for summer 2027 start at ¥306,000 for 2 weeks in Kyoto. The 3-week Fukuoka programme costs ¥570,000. Both prices include tuition, a single room in a homestay with breakfast and evening meal, the activity programme and a two-way airport transfer. In Kyoto the price depends on whether you arrive at Osaka Itami (ITM) or Kansai (KIX) airport. A ¥14,000 administration fee is added to every booking. Students should also budget around ¥600 a day for local bus or train fares.
Fees do not include flight costs, insurance cover, and personal money to cover incidentals and lunches.

We recommend booking no later than January 2027. Both teenage programmes are popular: last year, places on both were sold out by late March.

Students stay with a Japanese host family in a single room, with breakfast and an evening meal included. Students are asked to complete a host questionnaire as soon as they enrol to assist their placement.  Bedding is provided, but please bring your own towels and toiletries. The journey from the homestay to school takes between 45 to 60 minutes or more by bus or train. CESA always provides detailed information to make travel as easy as possible. Internet access is not guaranteed, but is now more accessible than in previous years. Friends travelling together can ask to share a homestay. Arrival and departure days are Sundays.

Yes. Each host family sets its own curfew, usually between 9 pm and 10 pm.

The programmes are designed for teenagers who are fairly independent. There are no monitors on duty 24 hours a day. Instead, school staff are available during the week, host families provide a safe home base and set a curfew, and there is a 24-hour emergency phone number for both students and parents. The schools are small, so staff get to know every student.

Yes. Many students travel on their own. Airport transfers run on Sundays. For Kyoto, students are met at Osaka Itami (ITM) or Kansai (KIX) airport, and flights must land by 18:00. For Fukuoka, students are met at Fukuoka airport, and flights must land by 20:00. Airlines offer an unaccompanied minor service, but it is expensive and not necessary. Some parents will accompany their child to Japan, but mostly students travel alone.

In Kyoto there are guided activities on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and an excursion every other Saturday. In Fukuoka there is a detailed activity programme, two guided Saturday excursions and a 3-day trip in the third week.

Students from many countries, including the UK, EUR & USA can enter Japan as temporary visitors without a visa for short courses of up to 90 days. Visa rules will depend on your nationality, so please check with your nearest Japanese embassy or ask CESA for advice before you book.

Yes. All students must have personal travel insurance that covers medical treatment, cancellation and personal belongings for the whole trip. See our insurance page for details.

The school can recommend companies that rent SIM cards or pocket Wi-Fi devices, so students can stay in touch with family and use maps and translation apps.

The schools are small, friendly and have years of experience of hosting teenage students. Once in Japan reception, support staff and teachers are on hand to help with questions, homesickness or any concerns, and support staff offer optional counselling sessions from Monday to Friday. Additionally CESA staff can offer support, advice and guidance to help with any issues that arise during the programme. We are all, always happy to chat!