Rice Planting Japanese Course

A two-week Japanese language and cultural immersion program in rural Akita, available only during rice planting season. You'll study in the mornings and spend afternoons practicing Japanese through real activities with local people.

Course dates

May 19 – June 2, 2027 (2 weeks)

Japanese level

All levels welcome — from complete beginners to intermediate learners. Lessons focus on practical, everyday conversation so you're ready for real situations from day one.

Typical day

  • 🌅9:00 – 12:30 — Japanese lessons in an authentic classroom (including breaks)

  • 🌾Afternoon — Activities with local people: rice planting, cooking, hiking, onsen, BBQ and more

  • 📅Weekends — Cultural events and excursions around Akita

May special activities

  • 🌾Rice planting with local school students

  • 👘Traditional planting ceremony in folk clothing — horses included

  • 🍙Kiritanpo making with Akita Komachi rice

  • 🏔️Nature hiking through forests and mountain scenery

  • 🍶Sake tasting with homemade Japanese dishes

  • ♨️Hidden hot springs loved by locals

  • 🔥BBQ with community members

Accommodation

Japanese sharehouse, 10 min from school — $270 USD / week (single room, limited availability). Shared kitchen, bathroom, and lounge. Free laundry. Choose between tatami + futon or a western bed. Hotels can also be arranged.

Tuition

$2,700USD · 2 weeks

Flights, transport, food, and accommodation not included.

Three women and a young girl standing outdoors near a rice paddy field, smiling and making peace signs with their hands on a sunny day with blue sky and green hills in the background.
Group of five people hiking on a forest trail, taking a selfie. They are surrounded by tall trees and lush green foliage, dressed in casual outdoor clothing with sun hats and backpacks.
A smiling man with glasses and dark hair sitting at a wooden desk in a classroom. There are markers, an open notebook, and a pencil case on the desk. The classroom has a green chalkboard and some shelving in the background.
A group of six people, four women and two men, gathered around a wooden table enjoying a meal in a Japanese-style room. The table is covered with a colorful crochet blanket and is filled with various dishes, bowls, and cups. The room has traditional Japanese decor, including calligraphy and posters on the walls, and a large window with a view outside.
Traditional Japanese room with tatami mats, sliding shoji doors, a futon on the floor, and a window with curtains.

OUR STEPS

01: Submit Your Inquiry

Fill out the required information in the inquiry form. As spots are limited, applications will close once we reach capacity.

02: Support Confirmation

If you’re selected for support, we’ll contact you along with our recommended courses.

Our support is completely free of charge.

Due to limited resources, we are unable to assist every applicant in order to maintain high-quality, personalized support. Selected applicants will receive a response within 5 days. If you do not hear from us within this time, we regret that we are unable to assist you at this time.

03: Start Preparing

We’ll help you prepare the necessary documents and provide the latest information for your study in Japan.