In een oogopslag
- Immerse in Japan’s culture with fascinating cultural workshops and experiences, learning Japanese calligraphy, visiting a manga museum, and enjoying traditional cuisine.
- Visit Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, three world-famous cities filled with history and culture, to tour observation decks, castles, shrines, and temples.
- Share your adventure with teens from around the world, navigating Japan’s culture and creating new lifelong friendships and memories.
- View a sample itinerary for this project
Is Culture and Adventure in Japan for Teenagers right for me?
This Culture and Adventure project in Japan is perfect for people looking to fully immerse in and learn from Japanese culture. You’ll get the chance to engage with unique Japanese cultural activities, work within a local community, and build your own skills and knowledge.
This project is all about immersing yourself in Japanese culture, identifying how it might differ from yours and seeing the world in a different light. You’ll explore the local Shinto belief system and its many shrines and temples, try a huge variety of cultural workshops, and lose yourself in the natural flavours of Japanese cuisine.
But don’t worry, that doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on all the best tourist spots. You’ll visit and have time to explore three major cities (Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka) each with their own distinct personality while enjoying day trips to the sacred Mount Fuji and Nara Park.
Education isn’t all about sitting in a classroom and listening to lectures from your teacher. Seeing the world and learning directly from new cultures and experiences is one of the best ways to expand your knowledge and skillset. This immersion will build confidence, help you navigate communication barriers, learn languages, and so much more.
Our High School Specials run over fixed dates during school holidays. This means you’ll also travel with a group of people your age from all over the world, sharing your experience and forging lifelong friendships.
What will I be doing during this project in Japan?
As a culture and adventure participant in Japan, you’ll take the driving seat in your own education. You’ll get an amazing international experience with cultural immersion at its heart, providing a fantastic opportunity to grow your personal skills, enhance your global perspective, and step boldly beyond your comfort zone.
Here are a few of the tasks you can expect to do on your travels:
- Historical exploration - Wander through serene Shinto shrines and temples, gaze across sprawling cityscapes from modern skyscrapers, and visit the sacred Mount Fuji. See how the ancient culture and traditions of Japan are still faithfully followed in modern times.
- Cultural workshops - Learn from experienced local artisans in engaging cultural workshops. You’ll get a private calligraphy experience, enjoy the choreographed art of a tea ceremony wearing a traditional kimono, join a Kendo class, and make your own souvenir chopsticks.
- Community initiatives - Work within and support a local community depending on their needs at the time. This could include working at an animal refuge, cleaning nearby waterways, teaching English in conversation classes, or anything else that is needed when you travel.
- Thrilling excursions - Travel to the ancient capital city, Nara, and wander through the famous Nara Park, feeding the local deer along the way. Hike through the 10,000 torii gates at Fushimi Inari shrine and see the stunning modern digital art museum, teamLab Planets.
- Shopping trips - Browse various districts in every city you visit, shopping in the areas that interest you. Find streetwear and kawaii culture in Harajuku, taste incredible street food in Dotonbori, and indulge in all things anime and manga in Akihabara.
Our culture and adventure volunteer projects give you the chance to live and learn in a totally new environment. You’ll meet amazing people, try incredible food, and learn to see the world from a totally new perspective.
In Japan, you’ll develop your social skills, global perspective, and independence while in a safe, supportive, and supervised environment. You’ll also learn from Japanese people directly, joining cultural workshops and visiting historic landmarks.
Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience, where no two days are the same, and find out for yourself why travel can be such a transformative experience.
What are the aims and impact of this project?
The aim of this culture and adventure project is to provide you with an incredible international experience where you can immerse in and learn from a new culture. This means putting yourself in the shoes of someone from that culture, trying relevant cultural workshops, and developing your skills.
This experience will help develop key personal skills that are crucial throughout all stages of life, especially for university and graduate job opportunities. Building confidence, adaptability, and independence is at the core of this experience, which comes as part of navigating life in a new environment and embracing different ways of thinking.
Also crucial to this experience is to enhance your global perspective, cultural awareness, and intercultural communication. You’ll develop a sense of empathy and see the world in new ways, interacting with and learning from local people and enhancing your critical thinking skills.
Additionally, you’ll learn basic Japanese, discover the history, religion, and culture of this fascinating nation, and learn about traditional crafts and ceremonies.
Read more: Understanding Culture Shock When Travelling Abroad
Join us on this project to learn about life around the world, pick up new and transferable skills that will help you throughout your life, and meet like-minded teens from around the world!
Where in Japan will I be working?
Japan
Seen as the pinnacle of technology and tradition, Japan is home to the ancient Shinto religion and ultra-modern shinkansen (bullet trains). This island nation has a unique culture with an emphasis on tradition, fuelled by hundreds of years of isolationism.
Tourism in Japan has been booming since around 2014, making it one of the most visited destinations in Asia. It’s easy to see why — from the megacity of Tokyo to the rolling hills of Hokkaido and tropical beaches of Okinawa, Japan has something for everyone.
Tokyo
Considered the largest city on Earth with a population of 37 million, the capital city of Tokyo is a sprawling megacity in a huge bay on the Pacific coast of Japan. It is home to skyscrapers, shrines, parks, and shops as far as the eye can see, along with the busiest train station in the world, Shinjuku.
The city centre is made up of 23 ‘special wards’ with their own unique vibe like fashion, food, culture, and more. It’s no surprise that there’s so much to see and do here, given that Tokyo has more people than 150 countries!
Kyoto
The ancient capital of Japan from 794 to 1868, Kyoto is a charming, low-rise city steeped in history and culture. Located towards the south of the main island, Honshu, Kyoto has the most shrines of any city in Japan and is famous for traditional arts and historical preservation.
Wander the streets to find traditional wooden townhouses, artisan markets, and peaceful parks. Despite the history, Kyoto has an efficient transport system and modern entertainment, like arcades, karaoke, and manga cafes.
Osaka
Just south of Kyoto lies the “food and nightlife capital” of Japan, Osaka. Famous for takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu, along with the flashing lights and electric air of Dotonbori and Amerikamura, here you can unwind and enjoy flavours unlike anything you’ve tried before.
Osaka is the second-largest city in Japan, with the picturesque Osaka castle at its heart. Explore stunning streets, gaze across the city skyline, and lose yourself in the sprawling shopping complex beneath the surface.
Food & Accommodation
We make sure your time in Japan is restful and relaxing, you’ll stay at a comfortable hotel with all the amenities you expect at every stop along the way. This includes three meals a day, drinking water, and a cosy bed.
Above all, your accommodation will be clean, safe, and welcoming. We’ll always try to make sure you share your room with at least one other Projects Abroad participant of the same gender and a similar age.
Your time in Japan wouldn’t be complete without trying some of the incredible cuisine on offer, though. Famous for a focus on natural flavours and high-quality ingredients, Japan is widely regarded as having one of the best food scenes worldwide.
Try freshly-made gyoza dumplings, enjoy a comforting chicken katsu curry, or tuck into delicious, handmade sushi at a conveyer-belt restaurant.
Safety & Support
Your safety and peace of mind is our absolute priority. We've meticulously crafted a comprehensive network of support systems and procedures to ensure your journey is not only unforgettable but also completely secure.
Our dedicated Projects Abroad team is your constant companion, available 24/7 to provide assistance and guidance. From the moment you arrive, we'll be there to help you settle into your accommodation and placement, ensuring a smooth and comfortable transition.
And should any challenges arise, our team will be readily available to provide support and solutions, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: your incredible adventure.
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