Sophia University offers short-term January and Summer Sessions for students interested in Japan and East Asia.

These programs provide a unique chance to explore Japanese language, culture, and society while experiencing Tokyo’s dynamic urban life. Since 1961, the Summer Session has welcomed over 11,000 students worldwide, many of whom have pursued careers related to Japan. The January Session, launched in 2013, also attracts students with courses on contemporary issues and cultural insights.

Short Term Programs Contact: ssprgrm-co@sophia.ac.jp

Brochure for the Sophia Short-term Programs

There are two courses:

• Summer Session in East Asian Studies
• Summer Session in Japanese Language

Both courses take place between 1 July-22 July 2026

Application for the Summer Session in both East Asian Studies and Japanese Language is open between February 9- March 6 (5pm* JST)

Fees

Application Fee

An application fee of 10,000 yen is required at the time of application.

Program Fee

It varies depending on the session you participate in and the number of courses you choose. Please see the details below.

Summer Session in East Asian Studies

Summer Session in Japanese Language

January Session in Japanese Studies

An estimate of the costs that students will need to cover themselves, in addition to the program fee, is as follows:

Accommodation

Students are responsible for arranging their own housing. Costs can vary significantly depending on the type of accommodation chosen. If staying at one of the accommodation options listed on the website below, the cost for a three-week stay is typically around 150,000 to 200,000 yen.

https://piloti.sophia.ac.jp/eng/studyabroad/short-term/housing/

Textbooks

Some courses require students to purchase textbooks. Prices vary depending on the subject. For Japanese language classes, students are usually required to purchase both the textbook and the workbook, which together cost around 3,000 to 6,000 yen. For other courses where textbook purchase is required, the cost is generally around 1,000 to 4,000 yen.

Activities

This depends on how each student chooses to spend their free time after classes and on weekends. For cultural experience events organized by Sophia University, the participation fee varies by activity and ranges from 1,000 to 10,000 yen.

Meals

Meal costs vary depending on individual eating habits. In Tokyo, there are many reasonably priced and easily accessible options such as noodle, rice bowl, set meals, Western-style dishes, and fast food. Convenience stores also offer a wide variety of delicious and affordable items such as bento boxes, bread, and prepared foods. These meals typically cost around 500 to 1,000 yen per meal.

Further details are available on this link.