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Study Japanese in Okinawa
Experience
Study
Destination
Japan
Duration
2 to 12 weeks
Ages
18 to 80
$3,145
$495
deposit now
Book now, pay later. Cancel anytime.
Trip overview
Discover Japan’s subtropical island paradise of Okinawa while mastering conversational Japanese in this incredible natural setting.
You’ll learn Japanese the way nature intended – out in the real world with real-life experiences to speed up your learning.
And what a world it is! World-class beaches, warm water and water year-round, and a way of life that makes you want to stay forever.
On this done-for-you trip, you’ll get everything you need to live in Okinawa while learning Japanese, including:
- Small group classes – Get the personal support you need to master Japanese in small classes of up to 9 students in a relaxed environment.
- Accommodation options – Choose from a range of accommodations to suit your lifestyle and budget. Stay in a homestay (with the options for meals) with a local family for maximum cultural immersion, in a shared house or dormitory with other students to make friends for life, or in a private apartment for more privacy.
- Optional Marine Activities module – Take advantage of your time on Japan’s paradise island with the best selection of marine activities – like diving, cruising on a yacht, or whale watching.
- Private airport transfer – Our in-country partners will be there to support you from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave with private airport transfers to/from your accommodation in Okinawa.
Okinawa – Japan’s tropical paradise – rivals Hawaii when it comes to sunshine and beautiful beaches. This makes life on Okinawa laid back and in tune with the rhythms of nature – a stark contrast to the buzzing city life of the megacities on mainland Japan.
Because of this, your classes will be taken outside whenever the weather permits. And the curriculum is distinctly environment-focused to help you fully immerse into the beauty of your surroundings.
You could even sign up for the extra Marine Activities modules (at an extra cost). With this option, you’ll get 2-3 activities a week exploring the warm waters off Okinawa, typically on a Saturday. This will include things like introductory diving courses, fishing or surfing adventures, paragliding, or learning the basics of yachting.
Imagine spending your days learning Japanese on one of the most beautiful beaches you’ve ever seen; renting a kayak or snorkel gear to explore the offshore treasures after class; or uncovering the secrets of why Okinawans live longer, healthier lives than average (since Okinawa has a surprising number of locals reaching 100 years old).
Experience Japanese culture with a distinctly Okinawan twist. You’ll experience unique cultural traditions, cuisine, and even the local Okinawan language.
This is one of the best ways to learn conversational Japanese. Your classes are relaxed to match the pace of island life, the curriculum is focused on the incredible environment around you, and you’ll be immersed in the local culture with organised activities and a homestay option.
When you book with Global, you book with the best. You get the full experience for a fraction of the hassle. We offer the complete package for learning Japanese in Okinawa.
Our team will help you with the essentials you need to start your new journey with a bang! Including helping you with visas, enrolling you in classes, securing your accommodation and a whole lot more.
Inclusions
Tap to expand
Small group Japanese classes
Optional Marine Activities Module
Weekly cultural activities
Just in case it’s not clear already, we’re not an employment or recruitment agency. Read more
Qualification
To qualify for this trip you must meet the following requirements:
- Be between 18-80 years of age
- Be a citizen of an eligible country
- Have no criminal convictions in the past 5 years
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Got questions or need to know more? Ask us here, we're online 24hrs Mon-Fri.
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Book & get early access to your group, start planning meet-ups, and make new friends before your journey begins.
Trip details
Our Study in Okinawa trip is all about appreciating the incredible natural diversity of Okinawa while learning Japanese in a relaxed environment.
Our partners focus on teaching you Japanese through immersion – immersion into the culture, the people, and the beauty of this corner of Japan. You’re not studying for any exams here. You’re learning skills to help you talk with the locals in their own language to enrich your travels for years to come.
For this reason, you’ll be learning in small group classes in an atmosphere that encourages you and your fellow students to engage with each other and the world around you.
After class, the beauty of Okinawa is waiting to be explored. In fact, you can even choose to add on a Marine Activities module to this trip at any extra cost. This means you’ll get 2-3 activities every week exploring above and below the waters around Okinawa – diving, fishing, snorkelling, yachting, etc.
Arrive in Japan with the reassurance that you will be many steps ahead of every other traveller in search of international experience in Asia. You can hit the ground running in your studies, with everything else taken care of.
Your included accommodation will be in a shared house in Naha (if your trip is 4 weeks or longer) or in a homestay with a local family (if you’re staying for 1-3 weeks).
Alternatively, you could upgrade to a private apartment or guesthouse at an additional cost.
Spend your time studying in Japan, immersing yourself in the fascinating culture, discovering why this corner of the world is nicknamed ‘the Hawaii of Japan’, and jetting off to neighbouring countries while we take care of all the logistics.
Embrace a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel, live and teach in Japan learning a lifelong skill that will stay with you forever.
Requirements
You must qualify for a tourist visa and students must memorize the hiragana alphabet before arrival (should only take a few days).
Accommodation
Choose from a variety of accommodation options to meet your goals for your trip. The length of your trip will determine which options are available to you – and private rooms are always available if your budget allows.
For trips of 2-3 weeks, you’ll stay in a homestay with a local family. For trips longer than 4 weeks, you’ll stay in a private room in a shared house in Naha.
Alternatively, you could upgrade to a private room in a guest house at an additional cost.
Trip itinerary
Arrival
Once you’ve landed at Naha Airport, your private airport transfer will be waiting to take you straight to your pre-planned accommodation.
If you’ve arrived a few days before your course starts, use this time to get out and start exploring the amazing island on your doorstep. You’ll also have new classmates/homestay hosts to get to know.
Day 1
You will receive the starting time information of the first day of classes a few days before the start (depending on your level you may have a zoom interview with the teachers to decide your final class before flying to Japan) . Punctuality is very important in Japanese culture, so don’t be late!
On your first day you’ll go through your orientation. This includes some information about the school, classes, study methods, as well as Japanese culture and etiquette to set you up nicely for life in Japan.
Then you’ll have your first 2-hour Japanese classes and then you’re free.
Ongoing
You’ll have 4 classes a day. 2 in the morning (between 9:30 – 13:10) and 2 in the afternoon (between 11:25 – 17:45).
These depend on your class level and schedule and will probably change throughout your stay. These classes are separated into 2 lessons of Japanese Grammar and 2 of Language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking).
Your school may offer additional courses which you’ll be able to get involved with. These may include: Standard Japanese, Plus Conversation, Traditional Culture, or Marine Activities. These take place outside of school hours or over the weekends.
Otherwise, your weekends are free to explore Okinawa however you want. If you need some time off to go on an extended exploration of Japan, let your course leader know so they can rearrange your classes accordingly.
We’ll be in touch with you throughout your stay. If you ever need advice or support our team is available to answer your questions. And our 24 hours a day/5 days a week emergency support line will help with urgent matters.
Don’t go alone. Go with Global.
Why choose us
Our Study trips are designed to get you set up in your new life overseas – learning new skills from the locals – as smoothly as possible. Our goal is to save you time, money, and stress while eliminating the risk of returning home early. Here’s how we do it:
We’re with you from the moment you get started. You’ll be assigned a dedicated Trip Coordinator. They’ll guide you through the next steps and answer all your questions. They’ll also help you with the pesky visa. No guesswork – only the right paperwork, approved the first time, in your hands before you leave.
Your Personal Travel Concierge will help with flights, insurance, visas, and any add-ons you’d like for your trip. These are real humans too – no robots here.
Once you land in Japan our local team will be waiting for you at the airport. You’ll be taken straight to your included accommodation in Naha.
But our support doesn’t end there. We’ll be in touch during your trip to make sure everything is going smoothly. If you have any questions or concerns we’re one quick message, DM, email, or carrier pigeon away.
Our team is well travelled so you can rely on our experience. We’re with you every step of the way.
Join 100,000+ travellers – giving us 10,000+ 4 & 5 star reviews – by choosing Global to make your travel dreams come true.
Most travellers book their trip 6-12 months in advance. Dates are flexible, but spaces are limited. So if you’re serious about studying in Japan, don’t delay.
With our Book Now, Decide Later feature, you can get started with a small deposit today, and take a full year to choose your dates.
We’ll take over from there, helping you with visas, flights, accommodation, and setting you up with our partner in Japan.
This is the trip for you if you’re after the ultimate studying experience in Japan, complete with everything you need and comprehensive support.
Click the red button to check dates & prices – spots are limited.
Why Study
The main purpose of this trip is to get you speaking Japanese like a local while you live like a local. Which makes this trip perfect for those who want to connect more with the country, instead of simply stopping in for a visit.
Our in-country partners operate with one goal in mind: “Japanese for everyday life, rather than academic Japanese.”
These classes won’t teach you formal Japanese with strict rules and fancy words. It’s all about being able to communicate with Japanese people in Japanese, so you can let the Japanese culture become part of you as you get to know it more intimately.
One of the many reasons you’re encouraged to strike up conversation with locals after hours – even if you’re a newbie.
Being based in Okinawa means you’re surrounded by the beauty of nature in all its glory. So your classes will be environment-focused and conducted outside in this beautiful setting whenever possible.
Living amongst the community while you’re learning the language will fast track your path to success. It will also help you integrate into the community so you’ll get to know Japan much better than most tourists.
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Frequently asked questions
Why are you the best company to choose?
As the world’s leading gap-year and "work & travel" company, we pride ourselves on providing a premium service for Global Travellers. Choose from a variety of awesome experiences worldwide, and let us assist you with visas, pre-departure preparations, flights, insurance, and tours. Throughout your journey, our cool tech features will support you every step of the way. As a Global Traveller, gain access to gWorld, our personalised app designed to enhance your travel experience. Keep important documents and trip details handy, and take advantage of exclusive Marketplace deals, a vibrant social network, language learning resources, side trips, meet-ups, and more. It's like having all your favorite travel apps merged into one, but even better! But our support doesn't end there. With four international offices, over 100 dedicated staff members, a 24/5 emergency team, and the backing of over 90,000 Global Travellers who have turned their travel dreams into reality with us, rest assured you're in good hands. We also proudly boast the most and best reviews in the biz, and maintain a massive following on our social channels including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Embark on your next adventure with confidence and ease. Join us and discover the world in a meaningful way!
Are flights & insurance included?
While we would love to include flights and insurance in our trip packages, it is not feasible to have a fixed price due to the diverse destinations, trip durations, and individual coverage needs of our travellers from around the globe. However, once you register for the trip, we will assign you a dedicated Travel Concierge. They will work closely with you to arrange the ideal flights and insurance tailored to your specific adventure. Rest assured, our team is here to ensure you have a smooth and hassle-free travel experience from start to finish!
Why should I book now?
After the last unexpected disruption to travel caused by the..c word..people are now more eager than ever to venture out and explore the world, determined not to miss out on any experiences. Global Work & Travel works on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Booking earlier ensures that you don’t miss out on the best intake, season, placements and more! We recommend our travellers take 6-12+ months to plan their trip for a reason - to make sure you’ve got everything organised perfectly, stress-free. As a Global Traveller you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace Deals, a unique social network to connect you with other like-minded Global Travellers, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages, and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better? Why not give yourself something to look forward to by booking that trip!
Can I travel with a friend or partner?
Absolutely! For most of our trips, we can help arrange for you and your friends to be together - so you can live, work, play, and explore the world side by side. But that’s not all! You can also earn extra travel funds just by referring your friends to Global Work & Travel. It’s super simple, and you’ll find all the details about our referral rewards program inside your gWorld account once you’ve joined. Flying solo? No worries. We’ve made it easier than ever to connect with other Global Travellers heading to the same region through Social. Just like any social platform, you’ll be able to chat, share, and meet others doing similar trips - so you’re never really travelling alone.
Can I bring my pet along?
At Global Work & Travel, we share a deep love for animals and fully understand the special bond you have with your pet. We recognise the challenges of embarking on a trip without them. Due to travel restrictions, requirements, and limited pet-friendly accommodations among our host organisations, we regretfully cannot facilitate their inclusion in the journey. However, many of our customers choose to entrust their pets to a family member or friend, embark on their adventure, and return home to wagging tails and furry cuddles.
What happens if I need to cancel my trip?
We know that life can get in the way of travel, so all our trips come with a great deal of flexibility. In most cases, if you cannot travel on your selected date, you can place your trip on hold to deal with whatever is holding you back, and continue in the future without incurring any penalty. You may also have the option of transferring to an entirely different trip and destination as well, or even transferring your trip to a friend or family member. In the event that you need to outright cancel your trip, if you give us 84* days notice you can do so with only a 50% cancellation fee. Your refund of the balance will come in the form of a Store Credit which you can put toward any other trip that we offer, including tours through third-party providers, as well as holidays through DealsAway.com, and is valid for 2 years from date of issue. As international travel can be complex, your options are based on the progress of your trip organisation and our support team can assist you in finding the best solution for your needs.
How it works
1. Choose a trip style
Find your dream experience & destination, then secure your spot with a flexible & low deposit. Activate your gWorld to unlock some cool perks. Well done! The hardest part’s over!
2. We become friends
Book a time to meet your dedicated Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs of your trip. They’ll be by your side and working behind-the-scenes to pull everything together.
3. Time to go!
We’ll get your tickets, accommodation & transfers ready. Our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared & waiting for your arrival. Get on the plane with no worries!
4. Global support
Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24 hours, Mon-Fri.
How it works
1. Choose a trip style
Find your dream experience & destination, then secure your spot with a flexible & low deposit. Activate your gWorld to unlock some cool perks. Well done! The hardest part’s over!
2. We become friends
Book a time to meet your dedicated Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs of your trip. They’ll be by your side and working behind-the-scenes to pull everything together.
3. Time to go!
We’ll get your tickets, accommodation & transfers ready. Our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared & waiting for your arrival. Get on the plane with no worries!
4. Global support
Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24 hours, Mon-Fri.
Still have questions?
Why go Global
Flexible trips
The unexpected can happen sometimes. Can't travel right now? Swap your trip, gift it or save it for later with our Lifetime Deposit Guarantee.
Worldwide support
Know that someone is always ready to assist throughout the journey & they’re only a call, tweet, comment, text or double tap away, 24/5.
We're the experts
With over 15 years in the industry and a team of over 80 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.
Partner network
We have over 100's of partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.
Flexible trips
The unexpected can happen sometimes. Can't travel right now? Swap your trip, gift it or save it for later with our Lifetime Deposit Guarantee.
Worldwide support
Know that someone is always ready to assist throughout the journey & they’re only a call, tweet, comment, text or double tap away, 24/5.
We're the experts
With over 15 years in the industry and a team of over 80 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.
Partner network
We have over 100's of partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.