Community Choice Award Winner

High School

Discover Yourself in Osaka, Japan

Name: Discover Yourself in Osaka, Japan
Brand: World Class Programs
SKU: 205574
Rating: 5 (25 reviews)

Hosted by

World Class Programs

5 (25 reviews)

Good for

Students

Adventure travelers

Under 18

Discover Yourself in Osaka, Japan

World Class Programs

5 · 25 reviews

Community Choice Award Winner

Location

Japan
- Osaka
- Tokyo
- Kyoto

Length

1 - 4 weeks

Program Categories

Adventure Travel Cultural Immersion Language Immersion Study Abroad Volunteer Abroad

Payment plans

Health & Safety

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Program Details

Program Type

Provider

Timeframe

Summer

Housing

Apartment Hotel

Language

Japanese

Age Min.

Age Max

Pricing

$5,495

Price Details

2 Weeks: $5,495 (Early Enrollment: $4,995)
3 Weeks: $7,495 (Early Enrollment: $6,995)

Tuition includes all meals, classes (and class supplies), lodging, activities, trips, and transportation within Japan.

What's Included

Accommodation Some Accommodation Activities Some Activities Airport Transfers Meals Some Meals Transportation Wifi

What's Included (Extra)

We also include the tuition of all of you classes and sponsored activities, your transportation around the country, several welcome and orientation sessions prior to the start of the program, and letters of recommendation and credit verification.

What's Not Included

Airfare

Last Updated: Apr 30, 2026

Last Reviewed: Aug 26, 2025

Wish List

115 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Experience the Land of the Rising Sun by living in the heart of Osaka! The beauty of Osaka is unmatched throughout Japan, and has captivated the hearts and minds of people for centuries. If you're interested in manga, Japanese history, philosophy, and cuisine, this is the place for you. Japan holds a unique blend of thousands of years of tradition and highly-efficient modern accommodations, making it the perfect destination for a study abroad adventure that suits all interests. Along with Osaka, you'll take day and weekend trips to Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Himeji, Yokohama, and Hiroshima!

You will live with other World Class Programs students in central Osaka just a short walk from iconic sites like the Namba shopping district and the Osaka Castle. In addition to more popular attractions in Japan like taking the bullet train and crossing Shibuya Square, you'll also see lesser-known wonders that few tourists know of--plus daily free time to explore the city for yourself. Come join us!

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COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers a well-balanced mix of immersive learning and fun, with knowledgeable staff who create a supportive, family-like environment.

AI-generated summary from verified community reviews Read reviews →

Program Highlights

Walk inside the Himeji and Osaka Castles where real samurai lived and trained.
Enjoy delicious local foods like ramen, okonomiyaki, taiyaki, and red bean mochi.
Climb Fushimi Inari Taisha and walk under 10,000+ torii gates.
Learn about anime, manga, poetry, and the Code of the Samurai (Bushido).
Pet wild deer in Nara & watch them bow to you (for food, of course).

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

BIPOC Support

Embracing and celebrating the diverse experiences, cultures, and perspectives of others is the foundation of World Class Programs.

Neurodivergent Support

We would be happy to discuss options for neurodivergent student support and for student accessibility.Cla

Impact 🌎

Sustainability

We would be happy to answer any questions about our sustainable practices and our ethical impact.

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating

based on 25 reviews

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Rating Spread High School

5 rating 100%
4 rating 0%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Growth 4.95
Support 4.95
Fun 4.95
Housing 4.9
Safety 5

Good for Students, Adventure travelers, Under 18

Showing 25 - 25 of 25 reviews

My experience traveling with World Class Programs (WCP) was one of the best experiences of my life. I became so close with my roomates and the staff members especially, and they always kept our best interests at heart and cared about us and what we wanted to get out of the trip. At the end of the trip, I felt like I was leaving my family behind as I was only able to participate in 2 weeks out of the full 3. Originally, I had planned to study Spanish in Seville, Spain with my school exchange program, but at the very last minute things did not work out and I applied to WCP very last minute, and they were so accomodating and welcomed me to the program with open arms. While this was the first year of WCP's Osaka, Japan trip, it felt as though the program had been running for years. The staff knew the city like the back of their hand, and they showed us around the country like natives to give us the inside scoop of what it feels like to really be a citizen of that country, and not just be a tourist- something I had never experienced before. I came back from the program having matured so greatly: I felt more prepared for college as I learned how to cook, clean, maintain good relationships with roomates, do laundry, buy Japanese subway tickets, etc, and it not only grew my knowledge but made me a better person. WCP focuses on "experimental learning" as opposed to sitting in a classroom, so for my two courses: photography and cuisine, we went out and took pictures, made food, and tried different traditional Japanese foods as opposed to just learning about them. The program was centered in Osaka, but in our two weeks we visited everywhere from seeing deer in Nara to partaking in the Peace Festival in Hiroshima on the anniversary of the bombings in World War II. We did karaoke, saw a Pokemon movie entirely in Japanese, went bowling, and the list goes on and on. I strongly reccomend this program because of the incredibly devoted and kind staff, the commitment to each student and their experience, and the once in a lifetime opportunity. Being 1/4 Japanese, it was so wonderful to experience more deeply a culture I already knew well, and I learned so much more about it than I ever thought was possible. I hope to come back next year to another trip with World Class Programs and hope everyone decides to get them a try.

What would you improve about this program?

I have no critiques! I only hope that more people will decide to join these programs with such an amazing company.

Questions & Answers

Do I need to speak the language to do this program?

Hi Courtney! You do not need to speak Japanese to attend our Osaka program! Typically, half of our students are interested in studying language while abroad on one of our programs but the other half may not have any experience. All of our staff are fluent in English since we are based out of the United States. Hope that helps! If you have more questions, you can email info@learnworldclass.com...

By Derek Tano on October 24, 2019

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Laura Ihrke

Program

Discover Yourself in Osaka, Japan

Job Title

Japanese Language Instructor

Laura has studied Japanese Language extensively during her time at Winona State University, where they graduated with a degree in Asian Studies. They lived in Niigata Prefecture for 3 years teaching English as a second language. Laura now teaches Japanese Language each summer for World Class Programs.

What is your favorite travel memory?

My favorite travel memory of all time...hmm that is a such a tough question since I have gone on so many wonderful adventures (both on my on and with World Class Programs)! I guess it has got to be the time I was able to get an autograph from PinocchioP! For those of you who don't know, PinocchioP is a VOCALOID producer known mainly for the fast paced and unique lyrics in his songs!

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Since working with World Class Programs I have had a lot of time to really explore and develop my knowledge and understanding of other aspects of Japanese culture beyond my study of just the language. Most significantly, I have always been a foodie whenever I travel, and World Class Programs has really allowed me to expanded my knowledge of Japanese cooking techniques and delicious recipes!

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

It's hard to think of the best one since they all have such amazing memories, but in general I love whenever a student tells me about a new or unusual food they tried or some amazing new cultural experience that has brough them wonderfully out of their comfort zone on the programs. Those memories always make me the most proud/happy as their teacher to see them experience the world in such great new ways.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I I could go on any program that World Class Programs offers, besides Japan, which will always have a special place in my heart, I think I would choose either Seville, Spain or Florence, Italy. I think it be so much fun to go on either the Spain or Italy programs that World Class Programs offers after hearing other staff and some returning alumni from those programs tell me all about them. Why would I want to go? Well for all the delicious foods there, of course!

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

All of the staff and instructors work together so well and everyone is so enthusiastic about their subjects. I'm especially proud of our team whenever I see the results of our classes manifest during the rest of the trip, like when the students ask for directions from a local on their own or when they use the photography techniques they learned while we're out and about at landmarks.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

By far, to me, the most important thing an organization can do is in taking care of it's clients (or in this case, students) and employees, being open to their feedback, and using that feedback to grow and develop the organization. World Class Programs does such an amazing job taking into account all of the various needs of not only their students, but their families back home and the program staff as well.

View Entire Interview

Violet-Conchita Sunde

Fine Art & Manga Instructor

Steven Gottsacker

Osaka Program Director

Derek Tano

Managing Director

About World Class Programs

World Class Programs offers high school students the opportunity to study abroad and experience cultures from around the world. We hope to prepare students for an ever more globalized world while allowing them independence and exciting adventures abroad. Through our unique Experiential Learning Method, students use hands-on learning and immerse...