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High School in Japan

Dive into a year or semester of immersion in Japanese language, culture, high school and teenage life.

Japan is an ideal place to explore a new culture in high school. With its intricate mix of tradition and modernity, Japan appeals to history buffs and futurists alike. By living with a host family and attending a high school abroad in Japan, you’ll be fully immersed in Japanese language and culture, developing fluency.

Modesty, politeness, and social harmony are important parts of Japanese culture. But the Japanese are not quite the perfectionists they’re made out to be. For example, wabi-sabi, a subtle element of Japanese culture and aesthetics, roughly translates to an acceptance of life’s imperfections and impermanence.

Japan also has unique pop culture. Discover kawaii and other Japanese fashion trends. Listen to J-Pop (Japanese Pop music). And, of course, explore the birthplace of manga and anime.

School based SH-Year Program has been AFS-JPN’s core hosting program since 1963. It provides students with an opportunity to learn about Japan and Japanese through living with host family, being part of a community and attending classes at a local high school. Students are placed with a volunteer (non-paid) host family and go to a public/private high school without paying tuition. Students are expected to attend school on a regular basis, and show continued effort to their assigned school work. Students are assigned to one of 77 local chapters in Japan, where they will receive regular support while on the program.

What's included in your experience

  • Airfare
  • Airport Pick-up
  • Host Family Placement
  • Housing
  • Meals
  • School Placement
  • Medical Insurance
  • 24/7 Emergency Support
  • Domestic Transport
  • Pre-Departure Orientation
  • Orientations during your time abroad
  • Re-entry Orientation

What you are responsible for

  • Vaccinations
  • School Transport
  • Visa and Passport Fees
  • School Materials
  • Project Materials
  • Stipend
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High School Abroad in Japan

By attending a local Japanese high school and living with an AFS host family, you’ll experience all aspects of Japanese life. This way, in time, you’ll become a cultural insider. And, full immersion is the tried and true method of gaining fluency in Japanese.

As a teenager in Japan, most of your social life will happen at school. Many of our exchange students make friends and learn about Japanese culture by joining a club, such as calligraphy or kendo (a modern Japanese martial art).

The Japanese place a high value on education and academic achievement. In fact, high school is not mandatory in Japan. Instead, it’s seen as a voluntary commitment made by students. Teachers command great respect in Japan. This challenging high school study abroad environment provides excellent language-learning opportunities, since all high school classes, including English, are taught in Japanese. Schools have classes Monday-Friday from 8:30 am to around 3:30 pm, and some have classes on Saturday morning, too.

School in Japan runs from April to March. You will likely wear a uniform and commute by bike, bus, or train. After the school day ends, you’ll participate in a custom called souji, when everyone gets together for 30 minutes to help clean the school and grounds. Activities throughout the year include Bunkasai (school festival), Tai’ikusai (sports day), chorus competition, and excursions. Optional school trips will give you the chance to visit popular tourist sites in Japan or sometimes even overseas.

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Your Accommodations

When you enter your host family’s house, you can expect to take off your shoes and change into slippers. Japanese homes tend to be well kept. With cleanliness as a priority, be ready to help your host family with daily chores. Being on-time is also an important part of Japanese manners.

In most Japanese families, traditional food is important, and meals are communal. Get ready to enjoy some delicious green tea, rice, and noodles! (Food is generally cooked with meat, so vegetarianism isn’t very common.)

Like anywhere in the world, all families in Japan are different. Nuclear families are common, but you might also find homes with three generations living together. Tradition and family values tend to be very important to the Japanese, as is respect for elders. Prioritizing community and “saving face” are mainstays of Japanese culture. AFSers have lived in communities all throughout Japan, but you’re most likely to have a host family that lives in a small town or rural area. Because the country’s major cities are some of the most populated in the world, living space can be thoughtfully utilized.

Understanding Your Room and Shared Spaces

  • Sleeping Arrangements: It’s common to sleep on traditional tatami mats with a futon, or you might have a Western-style bed. The choice often depends on the type and size of the room. For instance, tatami rooms are designed for futons, which can also be conveniently folded away to make the room available for other uses during the day. This is for practical reasons and not a sign of being unwelcome.
  • Your Space May Be a Shared Space: In many Japanese homes, rooms can serve multiple purposes. Don’t be surprised if a family member needs to access your room during the day, perhaps to retrieve something stored there or to reach a balcony. Keeping your room tidy will be appreciated.
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  • Consideration is Key: Japanese homes are often designed with a sense of openness, and sound can travel easily. Being mindful of noise levels when listening to music, talking on the phone, or even moving around helps ensure a harmonious environment for everyone, especially if host siblings are studying.
  • Stepping Inside – A Cultural Note: You’ll quickly notice the clear distinction between ‘inside’ and ‘outside.’ Removing shoes at the entranceway (genkan) is standard practice to keep the home clean. You’ll likely have slippers for indoors, but these are typically removed before entering a tatami room.

Every AFS experience is unique, and your host family will help you navigate these cultural aspects of daily life. Embracing these differences is part of the adventure!