Overview
The Cultural Internship (CI) is a once in a lifetime opportunity for students to experience new facets of Japanese culture firsthand. For approximately four weeks during winter break (February/March), students are immersed in a cultural or volunteer experience with local institutions throughout Japan. Many students describe the Cultural Internship as one of the highlights of Japan Study.
Transportation to and from the CI site, accommodations, and meals are included in the program fee. Students apply for a Cultural Internship through the Japan Study Waseda office during Fall Semester. The CI is required for all Academic Year students. Check out the videos below for more information about recent Cultural Internship options!
Students also have the option of creating their own Cultural Internship. Sites must be located outside of the Tokyo/central Kanto region. Students’ home institutions sometimes have a connection or partnership that makes this possible. The process of creating your own Cultural Internship must begin prior to your departure by contacting the Japan Study Program Director at Earlham College.
Cultural Internships are subject to change depending upon the host site's needs and availability. The locations introduced below may not be available every year. Please contact our office if you have a question about a particular site.
Recent Cultural Internship Program Reports
Recent Cultural Internships
Map of CI site locations (sites below are listed from east to west)
Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa, Hokkaido
Students will develop practical language and communication skills while supporting daily operations at one of Japan’s most beloved zoos. Students help manage popular events like the penguin walk, guide visitors, interpret between English and Japanese, and assist with guest services at the support center. The internship offers a unique opportunity to strengthen communication skills, build confidence, and connect with others in a dynamic work environment
Kamui Ski Links in Asahikawa, Hokkaido
Gain hands-on experience in a dynamic customer service environment at one of Hokkaido’s most popular ski resorts. Your day might include helping guests buy lift tickets, answering questions at the information center, and guiding people through returning their passes. Working in a fast-paced, multilingual setting will boost your confidence in using Japanese naturally while giving you a unique look at life in a ski resort community.
Environmental Tourism at Mori-No-Ie in Iiyama, Nagano
Students volunteer at a nature lodge in Nagano, a region known for its high snowfall. The lodge offers its customers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, igloo building, and snowshoeing. Students help with shoveling snow, translating hotel documents, cleaning guest rooms, snowshoeing tours, and interacting with guests.
Japanese Omotenashi at Hoshi Onsen in Minakami, Gunma
Students work at a traditional Japanese inn (ryokan) in a mountain resort town northwest of the Kanto area. Students become an employee of the inn for one month and help with tasks such as cleaning, arranging rooms, and serving in the dining room while learning about the concept of Japanese hospitality called omotenashi. The hours are long and the work is physically demanding, but past participants have thoroughly enjoyed their experiences.
Hospitality Work at Fukui Phoenix Hotel in Fukui, Fukui
Students live and work in a hotel on the Japan seaside and participate in all aspects of hotel work such as serving in the restaurant, cleaning, and assisting front desk staff. This site provides students a chance to view a professional working environment in Japan and an opportunity to learn about the concept of omotenashi.
Learning & Community Service in Daito, Osaka
Students work at a life-long learning center in Osaka called “Across” and assist in the teaching of various classes for adults, including calligraphy, English conversation, and traditional arts of Japan. They also volunteer at local organizations such as after school groups and activity camps for children. Students experience traditional culture through a variety of hands-on events.
Becoming a Zen Monk at Sogenji in Okayama
Sogenji is an international Buddhist temple nestled in the Maruyama mountains near the port city of Okayama. By following a rigorous daily training schedule, students become monks in the Zen tradition. Sogenji typically requires a one-year commitment, but Japan Study has arranged for students to participate fully in the life of the temple for only one month. Students have said that their time at Sogenji was challenging, but extremely rewarding.
Cultural & Educational Exchange in Unnan, Shimane
Unnan-shi is the oldest of our programs, having begun in 1985 and involving over 400 students. The second least populated prefecture in Japan provides an experience far different from metropolitan Tokyo. Students will visit local schools as cultural ambassadors and experience local culture. Rural Japan still preserves many local traditions – some through conscious effort, and others flowing through the culture almost unnoticed as they are transmitted from one generation to the next.
Okinawan Food Culture & Hospitality in Yomitan, Okinawa
Experience everyday life in Okinawa by working at a lively restaurant and souvenir shop in the heart of Yomitan Village. You’ll help in both the restaurant and retail areas, connect with locals and visitors from around the world, and discover how food brings people together. This internship is a great opportunity to practice Japanese, learn about Okinawan culinary traditions, and be part of a warm, welcoming community.
Community Engagement & Revitalization in Karimata, Miyakojima
Contribute to community projects on a small island in Okinawa while experiencing daily life alongside local residents. Students assist with activities such as working at a local café, supporting mozuku (seaweed) harvesting, and helping with renovation and revitalization efforts in the area. The internship offers an opportunity to deepen cross-cultural understanding, improve communication skills, and experience Okinawan island life and hospitality firsthand.