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Teen Summer Program - Japanese + Activity + Homestay

by: Local Life Japan

5 (2)Since 2023

Our program focuses on practical, real-life communication, not just textbook memorisation. You will learn how to express yourself naturally in everyday situations—whether ordering food, chatting with locals, or joining community events. Lessons are taught by certified native instructors in small groups, using a communicative approach designed to build confidence, fluency, and cultural understanding from day one. Our curriculum also includes real-world practice whenever possible. For example, after a lesson on ordering in a café, students will actually go out and order in person- maximising the value of their time in Japan and helping them apply what they’ve learned immediately. This program takes place at Akashi, Hyogo, a seaside city near Osaka & Kyoto What’s included: - Daily Japanese class + hands-on activity - Homestay with a local Japanese family - Home-cooked breakfast and dinner daily - Social activities with local Japanese teens - All learning materials included - Local student care team - 24/7 emergency hotline - Airport transfer

Program Highlights

Take Japanese lessons from certified native teachers with maximum of 8 students per class.

Participate in authentic cultural activities like the tea ceremony, calligraphy, castle tour, fruit picking, local festivals, and everyday Japanese life.

Live with a local Japanese family, with daily home-cooked breakfast and dinner.

Meet and interact with Japanese students your age. Experience what a real Japanese school day feels like.

Guarantee small groups, close supervision, and 24-hour emergency support where parents can feel reassured while students gain independence.

Quick Details

Locations:
  • Hyogo, Japan
Starts At: $600-900
Availability
Year(s) Offered: 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029Duration:
  • Summer
  • Winter
  • Multiple Year
Age Requirement: 14-20
Types & Subjects
Focus Areas:
  • Homestays
  • Language Immersion
Guidelines:
  • All Nationalities
See all program details
Last Updated: Mar 05, 2026

Awards

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about the programs

Overall Rating

5

Total Reviews

2

Can't recommend more!

March 06, 2026by: Nika FitzGerald - Australia
5

I can honestly say that coming to Local Life Japan was one of the greatest decisions of my life! As a 19 year old on my gap year after high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life when my mum showed me this place. A week later I was on a plane, in foreign country whose language I didn’t speak. The next month was a wonderfully chaotic whirlwind of experience and rapid learning. In a month I went from knowing only Hiragana and Katakana to being able to have full conversations in Japanese and make friends in a whole new part of the world. I couldn’t recommend Local Life Japan more! From the caring and attentive teachers, to the fast paced and engaging lessons to the wonderful local and cultural experience, this place has it all!

LunchActivityWith my sister

I had a time of my life!

March 06, 2026by: Liam Roche - United States
5

I had an absolutely fantastic experience with Local Life Japan's teen summer program! I found this program as a rising senior in high school looking to continue my study of the Japanese language, and it completely exceeded my greatest expectations. The staff is very warm, caring and flexible, and the teachers are engaging and helpful; they would even research the answers to difficult/obscure questions and share their findings the following morning. They were able to accommodate every students' level of Japanese proficiency while providing additional challenge to those who wanted it. The cultural activities were also amazing! There were loads of fun adventures, from Zen meditation to tea ceremonies to bowling. My personal favorite was probably our visit to Himeji Castle, which was both scenic and loaded with fascinating historical and architectural knowledge. I seriously cannot recommend this program enough to people who want a healthy mix of language learning and cultural immersion. I am incredibly lucky to have found this gem. The sense of community is incredibly powerful, and I can't help but want to find an excuse to visit again. Thank you Local Life Japan!

UNESCO Castle TourYukata Activity

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Hyogo, Japan

Types and Subjects

  • Focus Areas
  • Homestays
  • Language Immersion

Availability

Years Offered: 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029

Duration:
  • Summer
  • Winter
  • Multiple Year

Age Requirement

14-20

Guidelines

All Nationalities

This Program is also open to Couples, Families, Group

Starts At

$600-900

Program Cost Includes

  • Tuition & Fees
  • Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
  • All Program Activity Costs
  • Wifi Costs
  • Some Meals / Partial Meal Plan
  • Airport Transfer (Pick-Up)
  • Airport Transfer (Drop-Off)
  • On-Site / In-Country Staff Support
  • In-Country Orientation
  • Laundry
  • Academic Advising
  • Language Lessons
  • Cultural Training / Program / Orientation
  • Micro-Credential(s) / Certification(s)
  • Textbooks / Reading Materials
  • Course Materials
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Emergency Support

Accommodation Options

  • Home-stays

Qualifications & Experience

    Language Skills Required

  • English
  • Chinese
  • Japanese
  • Portuguese

    Accepted Education Levels

  • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

Application Procedures

  • Phone/Video Interview
  • Online Application

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I start?

Program dates: 2026 Jun 29 - Sep 4
You can start on any Monday! Complete Beginner Start Date: Jun 29 + Aug 3.

Can’t start then? Join our short online Japanese starter course and begin any Monday! 

Does my parents need to come with me?

No, it is not required.

Participants will be in safe hands, making friends with teens in Japan and from all over the world. They will stay with a Japanese host family and will have curfews (unless parents agree otherwise). 

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.

Kobe Airport and Kansai International Airport are the recommended airports. 

Can you share airport pick-up details?

Our staff or driver will be waiting at the arrival gate for airport pick-up and will personally hand the student over to the host family in Japan.

Please book a flight arriving between 10 am and 6 pm to ensure a smooth pick-up and safety for a minor traveller. Transfers from Kobe Airport, Itami Airport, and Kansai International Airport are included in the package.

For flights arriving outside of this time frame, an additional fee may apply.

Can you provide an example timetable?

Monday - Friday:
9:30 - 12:20 Japanese lessons
12:20 - 13:30 LUNCH
13:30 - 16:30 Activity

Timetable and activities may vary slightly based on the weather and local events, ensuring you always enjoy the best of what Japan has to offer.

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