💰 Program Fee  280,000 JPY

The program fee cover accommodation and all field trips and cultural activities. Participants are responsible for round-trip airfare between their home country/region and Japan and personal transportation expenses within Japan.

🎓 Subjects Offered

(All classes will be conducted in English)

1. Japanese Language
2. Buddhist Thought
3. Japanese Pop Culture
4. Japanese SocietyⅠⅡⅢ
5. Japanese Media & Arts
6. Japanese Religions

📝 Application

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility is limited to students who are currently enrolled at Ryukoku University’s partner institutions.

1. Application Period

Friday, 17th April – Friday, 8th May 2026

Please note that applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis and registration will close upon reaching capacity. We encourage interested applicants to apply early to ensure availability.

2. Important Notice for Application

Accepted applicants will receive payment instructions by email. Enrollment will be confirmed only upon completion of payment within one week. Applications will not be finalized if payment is not received by the deadline.

The program may be canceled or postponed if fewer than 10 participants enroll. If applications exceed capacity (20 participants), participants may be selected by lottery. Applications may close prior to the stated deadline once capacity is reached.
Flight arrangements can be made through the University’s designated travel agency upon request.

Apply

Stpe 1, Download, complete the application form, and obtain the required signatures

Step 2, Upload the completed form to 中正大學暑期赴外課申請

Step 3, Complete the online application at Ryukoku University  2026 R-STEP Application Form

✨ Experience Summer in Kyoto, Japan

The program is set in Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara—cities where history, tradition, and modern life come together.
Participants will visit the Gion Festival, one of Kyoto’s most famous traditional events.

In addition to scheduled lectures and fieldwork, participants will have opportunities for cultural exchange with Japanese students.
English guided tours will be provided during field trip.

📘 What is R-STEP about

R-STEP (Ryukoku Short-Term Experience Program) is a short-term program for international students with no prior Japanese language experience. Based in Kyoto, the program is conducted entirely in English and combines introductory Japanese language study with lectures on Japanese culture, society, and Buddhism in Japan, as well as fieldwork and cultural experience in the Kansai region.

🗓 Program Overview

Program Schedule: Thursday, 9th July – Wednesday, 22nd July 2026

📍 Where you learn?

Ryukoku University Fukakusa Campus, Kyoto

🏨 Accomodation

Participants will stay at hotels near Kyoto Station or Ryukoku University. Rooms will be twin rooms, and roommates will be assigned based on the same gender.

✈️ Arrival and Accommodation Information

Participants must arrive at the Ryukoku University–designated accommodation at the designed time on Thursday July 9. Travel arrangements to the accommodation must be made independently.

Participants who are unable to arrive by the check-in time are requested to enter Japan in advance and make their own accommodation arrangements, ensuring arrival at the accommodation during the specified time.

Program accommodations are provided from July 9 (Arrival Date) to July 22 (Departure Date). Accommodation outside this period must be arranged individually.

⚠️ Precautions

• Please note that the schedule is tentative and subject to change.
• All transportation costs, activity expenses, and entrance fees for field trips are included in the program fee.