Program Details
Shimane Summer Program 2026
July 20-24th, July 27-31st, August 3-7th
A 5-day immersive experience in rural Shimane Prefecture designed to engage students with the richness of classical and modern Japan–its cultural heritage, artistic aesthetics, community bonds with the natural world, and scientific innovations through authentic, hands-on learning.
Participants engage directly with local life—community kitchen cooking with local residents and farmers, artistic expression through tea ceremony and pottery, and learning about sustainable innovations in energy with local scientists and entrepreneurs. The program also includes a historical reflection with a visit to Hiroshima. Through these experiences and more, it is our sincere hope to inspire the leaders of tomorrow through forward-looking, stimulating studies that offer real world learning in the Arts, Sciences, Nutrition, and Culture.
This program is designed for students whose abilities and curiosity extend beyond the walls of a classroom, and who want to gain real-world experience while deepening their understanding of Japan–its past, present, and future!
What we offer
Have you ever wondered how the delicate movements and style of tea ceremony came about? You will not only learn and perform the ceremony, but you will come to understand the philosophical and aesthetic purpose and beauty behind the ceremony itself. Every touch, taste, gesture, and color is rooted in the natural world, and you will become a scholar in this ancient art and tradition taught by a Sado Master.
immersive cultural experiences
In rural life, there is a saying, “Go-nin byakusho” which teaches the interdependent nature of community, particularly during difficult times, such as winter storms, earthquakes, and historical war and poverty. Nobody suffered like those residing in the countryside. But something quite wonderful emerged from this suffering: a sense of community. Farmers depended on each other, and community kitchens emerged as places where families and locals gathered to make sure their families were fed. This tradition still holds strong in a small community kitchen known as “Some More”. Here, locals share foods grown on their farms. Families come together to cook these fresh delicacies, and share in a communal feast with a focus on the nutritional value and power of organic and fresh foods.
Community connection
Participate in farming and outdoor activities that reconnect you with the environment. Learn where food comes from and gain further insight into sustainable ways of living. Local agriculture experts will teach about the ecosystems that develop and thrive through the seasonal and environmental changes of the region and nation at large.
Learning from nature
Visit Hiroshima and engage with Japan’s history, reflecting on themes of peace, resilience, and global responsibility.
HISTORY & GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
Visit and volunteer at a progressive kindergarten located deep in the mountains where children from around the prefecture gather daily to engage firsthand with nature, grow vegetables and fruit, and take care of local animals while learning how to share these skills through language and classroom study.
education
Explore forward-thinking topics such as clean energy and sustainable agriculture through interaction with researchers and local experts.
INNOVATION & FUTURE LEARNING
