Japanese Language Immersion · Akita, Japan

Snow Country Winter Course3 Weeks in Akita

Study practical, everyday Japanese in the mornings, then spend afternoons deep in real snow-country culture — festivals, onsen, farm stays, and time with local residents in Northern Japan.

Dates
Feb 1–19, 2027
Duration
3 weeks
Class hours
9:00–12:30, Mon–Fri
Activities
5+ per week
About the Course

Real snow, real Japanese,
real countryside.

This three-week program is built around practical, conversational Japanese for everyday situations — taught in a genuine classroom setting on weekday mornings. Afternoons and weekends are for immersion: regional festivals, an Akita dog meet-up, a farm stay with local families, onsen hot springs, and hands-on experiences like katana training, pottery, and calligraphy. Open to everyone — no prior Japanese level or age requirement.

1

Open to everyone

No Japanese level, age, or prerequisite required — just curiosity.

2

Mornings in class, afternoons in the snow

Lessons run 9:00–12:30 on weekdays; the rest of the day is for exploring.

3

5+ activities every week

Festivals, farm stays, onsen, skiing, and more — with daily transportation included.

4

Sharehouse living

Stay in a Japanese sharehouse with fellow students, or arrange a hotel instead.

Course Details & Pricing

Everything you need to know

One all-inclusive course fee, plus an optional sharehouse stay.

Course Overview

CourseWinter Course · 3 Weeks
DatesFeb 1 – Feb 19, 2027
LocationAkita Prefecture, Northern Japan
Class hours9:00 – 12:30, Mon–Fri
Level / ageOpen to everyone — no prerequisites

Sharehouse Accommodation

$270
USD, per week · single room · limited availability
  • Shared kitchen & lounge
  • Shared bathrooms, free laundry & dryers
  • Tatami with futon, or Western bed with wood flooring
  • Hotels available separately, subject to availability
The course fee covers tuition, weekly activities, and daily transportation. Flights, airport transfers, and accommodation are arranged separately — sharehouse spots are limited, so it’s worth reserving early.
Where You’ll Stay

A real Japanese home,
not a hotel room.

Most students stay together in a traditional Japanese sharehouse, just steps from the deep snowdrifts of the countryside. Rooms are simple and homely — soft tatami mats with futon bedding (plus an extra-comfortable cushion), or a Western-style bed on wood flooring, depending on the room.

Everyone shares a kitchen and lounge, and laundry machines & dryers are free to use throughout your stay. It’s a quiet, close-knit way to live alongside other students while you’re studying — and a chance to experience everyday life in a Japanese home, snowdrifts and all.

RoomSingle room, $270/week
StyleTatami+futon or Western bed
SharedKitchen, lounge & bathrooms
LaundryMachines & dryers, free to use
Sample Activities

More than 20 experiences, all season

A rotating mix of festivals, snow-country outings, and hands-on culture — woven around your weekday classes.

Festivals & Culture
Fire Spinning Festival
Namahage Sedo Festival (UNESCO)
Towada Winter Festival & Fireworks
Amekko-Ichi — 400-Year Candy Festival
Geisha & Maiko Performance
Kimono Experience
Calligraphy Class
Snow Country & Outdoors
Snow Monsters & Mt. Moriyoshi Gondola
Skiing & Snowboarding
Snowshoeing
Onsen Hot Springs
Lake Towada
Hands-on Experiences
Katana (Sword) Training
Pottery Class
Magewappa Bento Box Making
Mochi-Making
Farm Stay with Locals
Community & Social
Local High School Exchange
Bonfire Nights
Akita Dog Meet-up
Karaoke Night
Bird Café Visit
Good to Know

A few notes before you apply

Not included — flights, airport transfers, and accommodation are arranged separately from the course fee.
Sharehouse — single rooms are limited; hotels are available separately, subject to availability.
Activities — the weekly activity line-up is a sample and may vary with the season and weather.
Open enrollment — no Japanese level, age, or prerequisite is required to join.

Spend three weeks in snow country

Sharehouse spots for the February 2027 Winter Course are limited — get in touch with the admissions team to check availability and apply.

Feb 1 – Feb 19, 2027 · Applications open now