15 Summer Schools in Japan for High School Students 

Choosing a Japan summer school as a high school student can be an exciting way to experience university-style learning while exploring a new culture. Rather than simply reading from textbooks, you get to take part in hands-on academic experiences that help you build practical skills, think more independently, and understand how learning works beyond the classroom.

Imagine spending your summer in Japan, where your learning extends beyond textbooks. You could find yourself practicing Japanese in a lively city, trying traditional arts like calligraphy, or collaborating with students from different countries on subjects like technology, sustainability, or global issues. Your days might include both structured learning and cultural discovery, whether that means visiting historic temples or understanding everyday life through local traditions.

What summer schools are available in Japan for high school students?

Finding the right summer school can feel overwhelming when so many options seem similar at first glance. You might want something meaningful and engaging, not a program that feels like a guided tour or one that overlooks real learning. This is where understanding the variety available can make all the difference.

In Japan, summer schools for high school students cover a wide range of interests. Most summer schools combine academics with hands-on activities and cultural outings. You’ll have opportunities to connect with other students who share your curiosity. 

You can choose programs focused on language learning, where you build your Japanese skills through daily practice and interaction. If you are interested in science or technology, there are STEM-based options that involve experiments, research projects, or innovation challenges. 

To make your decision easier, we’ve prepared a list of 15 summer schools in Japan that stand out for their learning experience, cultural depth, and overall quality. Each one offers something unique, so you can find a program that truly matches what you are looking for.

For adjacent opportunities, you can check out summer programs in Japan.

15 Summer Schools in Japan for High School Students

1. SAKURA SCIENCE High School Program (SSHP)

Location: Various universities and research institutions, Japan
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 20-100 students per session
Dates: 1-week programs (varies by host institution) between July and August
Application Deadline: Multiple cycles (typically April, June, September deadlines)
Eligibility: High school students (Grades 10, 11, or 12) who are at least 15 years old, have an “excellent” academic record in science/math, and are first-time visitors to Japan; open to international students

Through the SAKURA Science High School Program, you step into Japan not as a tourist, but as a young researcher in the making. You attend advanced lectures led by leading scientists, sometimes even Nobel laureates, and explore how cutting-edge research actually happens.

Your experience extends beyond classrooms as you visit major universities, research labs, and science institutions across Japan. Along the way, you interact with Japanese high school students, exchanging ideas and perspectives. Cultural activities and site visits add another layer, helping you understand the environment behind Japan’s innovation. 

Why it stands out: You’ll get rare access to Japan’s top research institutes and work with an international cohort.

2. Immerse Education’s Tokyo Summer School

Location: Tokyo, Japan
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; an average of 7 participants per class
Dates: Multiple 2-week sessions (specific dates vary)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (apply early due to limited spots)
Eligibility: Students aged 15-18 from around the world; international students are welcome

In this program, you step into a classroom in Tokyo where learning feels active and immediate. At Immerse, you explore subjects like engineering, business, film, or sustainability through small-group sessions that push you to think beyond school-level material. Your days are filled with seminars, collaborative projects, and discussions guided by expert tutors, helping you build both subject knowledge and confidence.

Outside class, you visit real-world sites such as industry hubs and companies, connecting what you learn to actual careers. You also develop skills like public speaking, teamwork, and analytical thinking. By the end, you’ll have a certificate that can strengthen your college applications and work profile. You can find more details about the application here. 

Why it stands out: You’ll be taught by faculty from leading universities and interact with global peers, so you’ll be in a global learning environment.

3. JASSO Osaka Japanese Language Education Center Summer Course

Location: Osaka Japanese Language Education Center, Tennoji-ku, Osaka City, Japan
Cost: JPY65,000 (~$407)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; up to 12 students per class level
Dates: July 22nd – August 8th
Application Deadline: July 2nd (applications may close early if full)
Eligibility: Students aged 15 and above; under 18 students require parental consent; open to international students

You spend your days fully immersed in the rhythm of spoken Japanese, moving far beyond memorizing phrases. At JASSO’s Osaka center, your classes focus on real conversation, helping you build confidence through daily speaking, listening, and interaction.

With small class sizes, you receive close attention from instructors who guide you through practical language use, from simple exchanges to more natural discussions. The structured schedule keeps you engaged, with multiple lessons each day that steadily build your fluency. You also experience what it feels like to study in Japan while navigating daily life in Osaka. 

Why it stands out: It’s government-affiliated and JASSO-backed, so you’ll be attending a program that has high credibility, academic rigor, and quality assurance.

4. TUJ High School Summer Program

Location: Temple University, Tokyo, Japan
Cost: JPY340,000 (~$2,131); first 20 participants receive a discount of JPY20,000 (~$125) if payment made before March 1st
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited cohort sizes
Dates: July 29th – August 6th
Application Deadline: April 1st: students needing a visa; May 1st: not needing a visa
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9-12; international students are welcome

You spend your summer stepping into university life in the heart of Tokyo, balancing academics with exploration. At Temple University Japan, you take Japanese language classes alongside an elective modeled after real undergraduate courses, giving you a glimpse of college-level study.

Your learning feels active as you engage in discussions, coursework, and collaborative sessions with peers from around the world. Beyond the classroom, you explore Tokyo, join cultural activities, and take part in excursions, including an overnight trip to Nikko. The program helps you build independence while adapting to a new environment.

Why it stands out: It’s hosted at a U.S.-accredited university, so you can combine cultural immersion in Japan with the credibility of an American institution.

5. Aoba-Japan International School Summer School

Location: Tokyo, Japan
Cost: Varies depending on the type of program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 15-20 students
Dates: Multiple weekly sessions between June 15th – August 7th
Application Deadline: May 31st
Eligibility: Students from kindergarten through high school; both internal and external students, including international students

The Aoba-Japan International School (A-JIS) Summer School 2026 offers diverse programs for high school students across multiple campuses in Tokyo. You spend your summer participating in academic and creative activities in a structured setting.

You learn through inquiry-based interactive sessions where you engage with subjects such as language, science, arts, and sports. You participate in classroom learning and hands-on activities, building essential practical skills. You may also work on collaborative projects, participate in performances, or engage in physical activities that complement your academic work.  

Why it stands out: It’s one of the few programs that combines language instruction with tech-focused topics like AI and gives you the opportunity to interact with top alumni.

6. Tsukuba University GFEST Program

Location: Tsukuba University and local research institutions, Ibaraki, Japan (with online components)
Cost: Free (Participants pay for their own transportation, meals, and overnight accommodation if required)
Dates: July to March (9 months)
Application Deadline: Mid-June
Eligibility: High school students and highly motivated 9th graders residing in Japan; international students living outside the country are ineligible because the program requires regular physical attendance at facilities in Tsukuba City and operates entirely in Japanese.

Tsukuba University mentors teenagers to cultivate advanced science and technology skills through an intensive 9-month curriculum. You select between 2 distinct tracks based on their academic goals: conducting independent research or deeply exploring specific scientific fields.

You attend interactive lectures and collaborative group work sessions focusing on entrepreneurship, societal problem-solving, and cross-cultural communication. You visit respected research institutions around Tsukuba City to observe professional scientific operations directly. You conclude the experience by presenting their accumulated research data during a formal presentation session. Applications will start from May this year. 

Why it stands out: Teenagers interact with international college students and run personalized science experiments under the direct supervision of university professors.

7. High School Diplomats (HSD Japan Program)

Location: Multiple cities including Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Hiroshima, Japan
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 16 students selected for HSD Japan
Dates: July 18th – August 3rd
Application Deadline: January 19th
Eligibility: U.S. high school sophomores and juniors; you must first complete the HSD U.S. program to be eligible for the Japan experience; not open to international students (Limited to residents of the U.S. and Japan)

In this program, you travel across Japan not just as a student, but as a representative of your country. Through the High School Diplomats program, your experience begins with a guided journey through major cities, where you explore historical sites, meet officials, and understand Japan from multiple perspectives.

The program then shifts into a cultural exchange in Kyoto, where you are paired with a Japanese student and share daily life. You attend small, discussion-based sessions and language classes that push you to communicate across cultures. Every interaction, from shared meals to group activities, becomes part of your learning. 

Why it stands out: You experience Japan through both travel and deep cultural exchange, all as part of a fully funded diplomacy-focused program.

8. Ayusa Summer Camp in Japan (Intrax)

Location: Tokyo, Japan
Cost: $4,300 ($100 discount available if payment made before April 30)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio
Dates: June 20th – July 11th
Application Deadline: April 1st
Eligibility: Students aged 14-19; open to international students

In this program, you experience Japan by stepping directly into its daily rhythm rather than observing from a distance. At Ayusa, your mornings are spent building your Japanese through structured lessons, while your afternoons take you into real environments where you apply what you learn.

You volunteer at local elementary schools, interact with Japanese high school students, and even spend time in a host home, turning every interaction into a learning moment. Cultural activities and excursions across Tokyo expose you to both traditional and modern sides of the country. 

Why it stands out: You combine language learning with volunteering and real community interaction, making the experience deeply immersive rather than classroom-focused.

9. Genki Japanese & Culture School – Summer Course (Japan)

Location: Fukuoka, Kyoto, Tokyo, Nagoya, or Okinawa, Japan
Cost: Fukuoka (3 weeks): JPY550,000 (~$3,447); Kyoto (2 weeks): JPY312,000 – JPY342,000 (~$1,955 – $2,143); Kyoto (4 weeks): JPY536,000 – JPY566,000 (~$3,359 – $3,547)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; Fukuoka: 60 students/Kyoto: maximum 8 students per class
Dates: Fukuoka: July 6-24; Kyoto: Flexible starts on July 6th, July 20th, August 3rd, and August 17th
Application Deadline: March 6th or until capacity is reached
Eligibility: Students aged 14-17 (Fukuoka) and 14-19 (Kyoto); international students are welcome

The Genki Japanese & Culture School (GenkiJACS) offers specialized summer programs for high school students in two of Japan’s most iconic cities. In this program, you design your summer around how deeply you want to immerse yourself in Japanese language and culture.

Your core classes focus on practical communication, combining grammar with real conversation so you actively use what you learn each day. Lessons are interactive and kept intentionally small, which means you get consistent feedback and speaking practice. You can also add cultural modules like traditional activities or local excursions, turning your learning into something more experiential.

Why it stands out: It’s recognised for its high instructional standards and personalised learning, so you’ll be learning Japanese at a renowned institute.

10. LanguBridge Japan Summer Program

Location: Tokyo, Japan
Cost: $3,235-$6,795 depending on duration
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; typically 7-12 students per level
Dates: July 4th – August 22nd (multiple 3-7 week sessions)
Application Deadline: April 28th
Eligibility: Students aged 14-18 from around the world

You build your summer around real immersion, where language learning and daily life start to overlap. At LanguBridge, your mornings are spent in structured Japanese classes tailored to your level, while afternoons shift toward cultural activities, city exploration, and group experiences.

Depending on your program track, you either follow a highly supervised schedule or take on more independence as you explore Tokyo. You also participate in trips, workshops, and cultural practices that connect what you learn to real settings. By the end, your confidence grows in language and in navigating a completely new environment.

Why it stands out: You can choose between a structured or independent track, tailoring how immersive and self-directed your experience feels.

11. NUCB International College – Summer Camp

Location: Nisshin (Nagoya area), Aichi, Japan
Cost: JPY275,000 (~$1,723)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 75 students
Dates: July 20-28
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students aged 13-15 with conversational English; international students are welcome

NUCB International College’s Summer School offers a distinctive blend of academic challenge and cultural immersion at its Nisshin campus. You engage in case method classes inspired by business school teaching, where you analyze real-world problems and present your ideas in group settings.

Your days combine leadership workshops, team-based challenges, and cross-cultural activities that push you to think beyond textbooks. Living in a dormitory adds another layer, helping you experience structured student life while building independence. You also participate in field trips around Aichi, connecting your classroom discussions to real environments. 

Why it stands out: It’s hosted at a global, reputable business university, so you’ll have access to experienced faculty and a university-style experience.

12. GTE Summer School – Global Technology & Entrepreneurship Program

Location: Chiba (near Tokyo), Japan
Cost: JPY109,000 (~$683)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 40 students
Dates:  July 28-31
Application Deadline: June 26th
Eligibility: High school students (roughly grades 9-12); international students can apply

At GTE Summer School, you step into a fast-paced environment where ideas quickly turn into real business concepts. You work in teams to build a startup idea from scratch, learning how to identify problems, design solutions, and present your vision.

Your sessions cover topics like marketing, finance, and product development, guided by experienced mentors and supported by college students. The program blends structured learning with hands-on challenges, pushing you to think critically and collaborate under time pressure. Cultural activities like Yosakoi dance and group events add a social layer to your experience.

Why it stands out: Its ties to industry professionals and entrepreneurs give you the opportunity to learn from experience and establish valuable connections.

13. HLAB Summer School (H-LAB)

Location: Tokyo; Obuse (Nagano); Onagawa (Miyagi), Japan
Cost: JPY110,000 – JPY132,000 (~$750 – $900); need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; roughly 60-80 students are placed at each regional site
Dates: August 14-21
Application Deadline: Mid-April
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12; open to international students

In this program, you spend a week in a close-knit residential setting where conversations shape your learning as much as formal sessions. At HLAB, your days revolve around discussion-based seminars that explore topics across the liberal arts, from social issues to philosophy and global systems.

You engage in small group dialogues led by mentors from top universities, which push you to question, reflect, and articulate your ideas. Living in shared housing creates a strong sense of community, where learning continues through late-night conversations and peer exchange. Each location brings a slightly different focus, from urban policy to regional development. 

Why it stands out: You experience a true liberal arts environment built around discussion, mentorship, and community living rather than traditional classroom instruction.

14. Temple University Japan Academic English Program

Location: Tokyo, Japan
Cost: General: JPY 77,500 (~$486); Early Bird: JPY 65,875 for payment before May 6th (~$413) + a one-time JPY 11,000 (~$69) new student fee applies for first-time enrollees per semester
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort sizes
Dates: May 14th – July 28th
Application Deadline: May 12th
Eligibility: High school students of all English proficiency levels; international students can apply

In this program, you step into an English-only academic setting where your focus shifts from everyday communication to university-level thinking. Your classes are designed to build academic English through structured discussions, short writing tasks, and analytical exercises.

You attend sessions twice a week, giving you time to absorb concepts while balancing school commitments. The program emphasizes fluency and accuracy, helping you express ideas clearly while strengthening grammar and vocabulary. You also interact with current university students through optional sessions, gaining insight into real college life. 

Why it stands out: You train in academic English within an American-style university environment while still in high school.

15. KEK TYL School Science Girl Camp

Location: High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), Tsukuba, Japan 
Cost: Free (Participants are responsible for their own transportation to the facility) 
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort sizes
Dates: 2 days (April 2nd to April 3rd) 
Application Deadline: January 26th 
Eligibility: Female high school students (1st and 2nd year) residing in Japan

This specialized two-day camp is co-hosted by Ochanomizu University and Nara Women’s University to encourage young women to pursue careers in physics and STEM. You visit the KEK campus in Tsukuba to tour massive particle accelerators and engage in hands-on physics experiments.

The camp features direct interactions with young female researchers and graduate students, providing mentorship, career advice, and a clear picture of what life is like as a professional physicist. Applications for the 2026 admission cycle are closed. 

Why it stands out: It specifically targets the gender gap in STEM by providing female high schoolers with strong role models and access to world-class particle physics equipment.

From a Summer in Japan to Bigger Global Goals

A summer in Japan can change how you see learning, turning it into something active, immersive, and closely connected to the world around you.

Through any of these 15 summer schools in Japan, you can build practical skills, experience a new culture up close, and discover the kind of academic environment that helps you grow.

Just as importantly, these programmes can give you stronger confidence, clearer direction, and a broader sense of where your interests could take you in future.

Open our Study Abroad blogs to explore fresh ideas, inspiring destinations, and practical guidance that can help turn your interest in Japan into a much bigger international journey.