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Kyoto Culture and Language Programme
Two weeks in Japan’s cultural capital: daily Japanese lessons, tea ceremony, kintsugi and sushi workshops, Fushimi Inari, and day trips to Nara and Osaka.
Book a place
1 · Dates and fees
2027 dates and fees
Two-week programme
Daily Japanese lessons and hands-on cultural workshops in Kyoto, with trips to Nara and Osaka. Fee per student for 14 days and 13 nights.
What the fees include
Tuition and materials, 13 nights’ accommodation, all meals, airport transfers, a local transport pass, entrance fees, all cultural workshops and 24/7 welfare support.
International flights, travel insurance and personal spending money.
Dates and booking
The programme runs all year – spring, summer, autumn or winter – on dates arranged with you.
We recommend booking at least three months before arrival.
£1,000 secures a place.
Fees are per student. Optional add-ons are priced on request.
2 · The school
Learning with the Kyoto City International Foundation
Daily Japanese lessons are taught in small groups by the Kyoto City International Foundation, a recognised language partner affiliated with the city of Kyoto.
Students learn useful everyday phrases alongside Japanese customs and etiquette, then put them straight into practice on afternoon workshops and trips – from ordering food to greeting a host family.
Kyoto itself is the classroom: temples, traditional neighbourhoods, artisans and cultural landmarks are all around.
Accommodation
Groups can choose the accommodation that suits them best, with a supervisor on hand 24 hours a day.
3 · The programme
Learn the language, live the culture
Each day combines a Japanese language and etiquette class with a hands-on cultural activity, led by expert instructors with all materials included.
Students learn about Japan’s traditional crafts, food and spiritual life in the city that was the imperial capital for over a thousand years.
Timetable: week 1 · immersion and tradition
A sample two-week programme. Lunch and dinner are included every day. The order of lessons and activities may change.
| Time | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Arrival Airport transfer and check-in | Japanese language and etiquette | Chopsticks and sushi workshop | Japanese language and etiquette | Nishijin weaving and dyeing workshop | Japanese language and etiquette | Nara Full-day trip to the ancient capital |
| Afternoon | Kyoto heritage day | Japanese language and etiquette | Tea ceremony workshop Plus pagoda visits | Japanese language and etiquette | Fushimi Inari trail | ||
| Evening | Back to the hotel | ||||||
Timetable: week 2 · history and craft
| Time | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Free day An extra full-day trip can be arranged on request | Japanese language and etiquette | Wagashi sweet-making Plus Kennin-ji Temple | Japanese language and etiquette | Twin temple visits | Japanese language and etiquette | Departure Check-out and airport transfer |
| Afternoon | Kintsugi workshop | Japanese language and etiquette | teamLab Biovortex | Japanese language and etiquette | Osaka Half-day trip | ||
| Evening | Back to the hotel | ||||||
Cultural experiences
Safety and care
Included
Book your place for summer 2027
Places are limited, and popular subjects fill early. A £1,000 deposit secures a place. Complete the booking form, or send us an enquiry and we’ll help you choose the right course, subject and dates. You can also email info@summerschool-uk.com.
New to booking? Read the course booking procedure.