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Japan: Modern Japan in a Post-Natural Disaster Setting

Summer 2013
Tokyo, Japan
May13-June 1, 2013 (3 weeks)

Program Highlights

  • Visit Hiroshima and the Hiroshima Peace Museum.
  • Discover Kyoto for its amazing Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.
  • Stay at a traditional ryokan in the beautiful mountain village of Takayama.
  • Experience the Edo-Toyko and Tokyo National Museums.
  • Attend a sumo match.
  • Visit the famous Tsukiji fish market.
  • Experience a traditional tea ceremony and ikebana.
  • Explore Tokyo.
  • This is an InterCultural (IC) 2-credit designated core course (pending).

 

Program Description

Tokyo, Japan is one of the largest, most exciting cities in the world!

Students will be living in the Hongo neighborhood in the heart of Tokyo.  We are within walking distance of numerous shrines, temples, and markets, as well as our host institution of Bunkyo-Gakuin University.  The campus is situated directly next to a subway station that offers students access to the entire city.

While in Tokyo, we will have opportunities to explore the city, attend a major sumo tournament, visit the Edo-Tokyo and Tokyo National museums, experience the famous Tsukiji fish market (one of the world's largest fish markets), and witness two ceremonies that, while rooted in tradition, are still practiced today (the tea ceremony and ikebana, or flower arrangement). 

We will also be travelling to Kyoto, Hiroshima, and the beautiful mountain village of Takayama where we will visit museums as well as ancient and historically significant shrines and temples.

The course will be an examination of today's Japan after the devastating March 2011 earthquake; how has this natural disaster affected everyday life and society?  We will explore potential links and impacts that the disaster may have had on the sites and events we will be visiting.   


Program Cost

The estimated Program Fee is $4070 plus the cost of 2 CSB|SJU credits at the reduced summer tuition rate (approximately $520 per credit) The cost of 2 credits is not included in the cost of the estimated program fee.

This price includes:

  • Round-trip international airfare from Minneapolis to Tokyo
  • Accommodations during the program
  • Primary transportation
  • Course related excursions including: admission to museums, and cultural attractions
  • Program administrative costs and fees
  • Some group meals
The Program Fee does not include:
  • Most meals
  • Personal spending money
  • Activities, housing or transportation not associated with or included in the program.

Housing

For most of our time in Japan, we will be staying in the International Student dormitory of Bunkyo-Gakuin University.  The rooms have traditional western beds and the floors have traditional western showers.  There is also a small kitchen available for student use.  While in Tokyo students will be able to eat at the Bunkyo-Gakuin dining hall, or have the option of walking to dozens of different local establishments and markets.  We will also be spending approximately 4-6 days travelling to Takayama, Kyoto, and Hiroshima.  We will stay at a traditional Ryokan for two of these nights where students will sleep on traditional futons and use the traditional Japanese bath (with separate bathing times for each sex). 

Director

Sarah Schaaf will be leading th is short-term program; she has taught for the Department of Hispanic Studies since 2005.  Sarah has been to Japan previously, and she directed the Camino de Santiago short-term program at CSB/SJU in 2012.

 

Program Resources