Location
  • Japan
    • Kyoto
Term
Fall, J-Term, Spring, Summer
Subject Areas
Art History Asian Studies Computer Science Economics Film Finance History International Business Literature Media Relations Religious Studies Service Learning Social Sciences Theater Visual Arts +5
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Dormitory
Language
English

Pricing

Price Details
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE! Our high-quality programs include tuition, housing, on-site airport pick-up, field trips and cultural activities, 24/7 on-site professional staff, and automatic iNext insurance. There are no hidden charges or surprises when you arrive, and scholarships opportunities are available!
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Classes Travel Insurance
Jun 05, 2024
Mar 24, 2025
12 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

No place is more quintessential Japanese than Kyoto. The former capital city is lined with ancient palaces, traditional teahouses, and peaceful Zen gardens where students can ponder which amazing noodle house to dine at for an unforgettable bowl of ramen. Add in cultural activities and excursions and studying abroad in Kyoto will be an experience students will remember forever.

CIEE Kyoto is students’ home base, a safe zone for them to learn, grow, communicate, and collaborate.

Courses are available in English and Japanese.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • CIEE Kyoto is conveniently located in the city of Kyoto with easy access to the city’s comprehensive train and bus networks.
  • Day-trip to Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital, to see eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Nara Park, the Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji Temple, and the Kasuga Grand Shrine.
  • Explore Iwatayama Monkey Park and feed monkeys, taste local specialties from Nishiki Market, and enjoy local festivals and celebrations, like Gion Matsuri and Jidai Matsuri, in and around the city.
  • Take a guided tour of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, the former residence of the Emperor of Japan, and stroll the surrounding imperial buildings and gardens.

Popular Programs

CIEE Kyoto Summer Program

As the ancient capital of Japan, it remains the premier hub of traditional Japanese culture and visual arts, and attracts visitors from around the globe to its palaces, temples, museums, theaters, and excellent restaurants.

CIEE Kyoto Semester Program

Explore the dynamics of Japanese language and culture in one of the most celebrated historical cities in the world. As the ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto remains the premier hub of traditional Japanese culture.

CIEE Kyoto January Program

Bring your interest in Japanese Manga and Art to the ancient capital of Japan this January. Kyoto is the premier hub of traditional Japanese culture and is filled with palaces, temples, gardens, museums, and theaters.

kyoto

With CIEE's Open Campus Block Programs, you can design your very own study abroad program to include up to three different locations for 6, 12 or 18 weeks.

Stay in one city the entire time or spend other blocks at our other Open Campus Block locations in Berlin, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Dublin, Kyoto, London, Madrid, Monteverde, Paris, Rome, Shanghai, Singapore, or Sydney.

CIEE First Year Abroad in Kyoto

Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan, captivates students with its historic temples, traditional tea ceremonies, and the timeless beauty of cherry blossoms in spring. Kyoto offers a captivating blend of ancient traditions, making it an enchanting destination for students seeking a profound cultural experience in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Program Reviews

4.93 Rating
based on 14 reviews
  • 5 rating 92.86%
  • 4 rating 7.14%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 3.95
  • Support 4.85
  • Fun 4.85
  • Housing 4
  • Safety 4.85
  • Housing 5
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Value 5
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 8 of 14 reviews
Default avatar
Chelsea
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best senior year study abroad! OCB Kyoto

I had an amazing time here in the Open Campus Block Kyoto location. There were so many activities that were fun and inspiring, such as kimono textiles printing, shrine and temple visits and Wagashi making workshops. Our courses included co-curricular activities that enriched our understanding of the courses and invited us students to become more local in Kyoto. The flexibility of the program allowed so much time to do solo trips around Japan. I really had the best study abroad trip of my life!!!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Go explore something new everyday, even if you’re alone. There will be many amazing people you’ll meet and wish to do things together, but trying new places alone and exploring your surroundings by yourself is also an adventure that should be experienced. Try new things alone! There is always company surrounding you with the locals too, they are so friendly!
Pros
  • Amazing support in every aspect!
  • Dedicated teachers and appropriate time schedule for the courses
  • Local activities and excursions!!
Cons
  • Needed more cash available than expected
  • Language barrier (but Google translate saves lives)
10 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Owen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Open Block I - Time of my life

Super grateful for all the friends I met along the way. If you are outgoing enough, I was able to meet a fluent Japanese speeker. Which made my trip exponentially better. Lots of introverts in Japan.

The CIEE team there puts in a lot of effort to make sure you have the best experience. Super helpful staff.

I stayed in the Oakwood hotel, since the dorms were full. Best housing choice you can have, Kinda a bubble since it was a 10 minute walk from the other dorms, but made friends with all the people there! Go, go, go, only young once! wont regret it.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Big diet change between US and Japan, they eat mostly carbs there. Would've been nice to have my own kitchen and cook up some meals from time to time. Yen is at it lowest so it worked out, could eat out every meal. But guarenteed kitchen would be nice for housing.
Pros
  • Affordable
  • Public Transportation
  • Friendly
Cons
  • No trash cans
  • Difficult language
  • Not tons of night life
20 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Zachary
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Kyoto and it's fantasies

Kyoto is arguably the best city you can be in. It has a major office for any business you could hope for hut is also an old city. Not only is the architecture old but the religion of ancient Japan shines through and the city is unique in culture and logistics like travel. Kyoto is the best city I could've ever visited and the classes I took only make it better. My study abroad was a dream come true and I would not have changed anything. These six weeks have been some of the best six weeks. Not only have i grown academically with some. Of the best teachers I've ever had but the connections I've made are long-term friends and I could not be happier.

49 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Thalo
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Classes and Connections

The classes offered through the Ancient and Modern Japan program were incredibly fitting with the theme of the program and also incredibly fascinating. I really enjoyed learning the content of all the classes, although I particularly loved the history courses. Additionally, all of the chosen teachers were fantastic at helping ups learn their subject and facilitating debates and general classroom participation. I feel like I have made not only lasting connections with my fellow classmates, but also academic connections for letters of recommendation and the like with all of my teachers as well.

Pros
  • Classes
  • Friendships
  • Cultural Experiences
69 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Dominic
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Japan expirence

The experience Japan was other worldly I have always wanted to go to Japan and the CIEE did a great job on organizing out of class trips and excursions that were super fun and exciting. They were able to help with travel expenses as well and they provided all the necessary things to helping keep a nice safe environment to live in. After staying here for 3 months I am happy that I chose this program as well as this country to stay in and I definitely would recommend this to other people who want to go abroad,

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Had some chicken hard liver and kidney, as well as some ox tongue and raw squid and shrimp.
Pros
  • Cheap
  • Traveling outside Kyoto
  • Cherry Blossoms
Cons
  • Weather
  • culture shock
  • lots of walking sometimes
65 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Zachary
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

One of the best times of my life

I'm confident that I'll always remember my time abroad as one of the best parts of my life; I used to think people who talked about these kinds of things changing their lives were a little cringe, but now I feel like I understand. The program and the city were amazing, the food was great and I made a lot of great friends, both participants and locals. I'm really glad I did this, even though I'm not sure how much it'll add to my resume; I definitely think it was worth it to come. I would recommend it for sure

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I tried beef tongue!
Pros
  • Great food
  • Great people
  • Good academics
Cons
  • Japanese people are pretty shy so making friends is a little harder than normal
  • It was pretty hot and humid in August and September
  • Having to say goodbye to all the people I've met
100 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ines
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIEE Summer Kyoto

It was such a unique experience. The teachers, the staff and even the other students helped create an adventure that I will never forget. I feel in love with the classes and was so excited to learn more about Japan’s history. It was an amazing opportunity to grow my japanese speaking skills as well as use these credits for my major. They program offered many excursions to help expose the students to japanese culture. Even class had extra curriculars where we would be able to see the things we were learning about.

117 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Paul-Patrice
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIEE Kyoto Ancient + Modern Japan Summer Term

My experience in Kyoto was unique and insightful because I got to learn the Japanese language in the historical and cultural capital of Japan. As a mix between old and new, Kyoto provided me with a holistic perspective on what Japan evolved from as well as the direction it is going in. I would recommend this city to anyone who is looking to study abroad in a dynamic city that is also very clean and safe. During the summer here, pack for heavy heat and humidity. During the winter here, pack for a lot of snow!

Pros
  • Historical capital
  • Walkable City
  • Clean
Cons
  • Full of tourists
116 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers