Language and Culture in Japan
- Accommodations
- Meals
- Excursions & Activities
- Get to Know Your Destination
- Study Abroad Advisory of Student Risk
- Student Experience
Accommodations
Students will live in residence halls adjacent to the Kyoto Seika University campus. UC Davis reserves the right to change the accommodation location. Should this be necessary, we will arrange alternative lodging. Please note that elevators, air conditioners and other modern conveniences may not be available in all locations.
Meals
The residence halls have kitchens where students can do their own cooking. Also, inexpensive meals can be purchased at university dining facilities for prices ranging from $2-$5 dollars. Students can purchase a prepaid card if they like.
Excursions & Activities
In the past, students have done the following field trips (and more!) as part of the Kyoto Quarter Abroad Program:
- A hands-on workshop on manga production at the Kyoto International Manga Museum.
- A boat trip to the island of Chikubushima, in the middle of Lake Biwa, home to one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan.
- A workshop covering the basics of noh drama at the Kawamura Noh Theater.
- A hike through the holy mountains of Kibune and Kurama, followed by a soak in an open-air natural hot spring (onsen).
- A trip to the Wakayama Fish Market, which included a demonstration of how to carve up a 60-kg. (130-lb.) tuna into appropriate sushi/sashimi portions.
- A hike through the Arashiyama Monkey Park, which included a feeding of the monkey that roamed the premises.
- An overnight trip to the center of esoteric Shingon Buddhism in Japan, Mt. Kôya, which included monastery lodgings and a tour of the largest and most historic cemetery in Japan.
- An overnight trip to the Grand Shrine at Ise, the center of the Shinto religion for the imperial family.
- A tour of the oldest brewery of soy sauce in Japan.
- A day trip to the historic port town of Nagahama, on the shores of Lake Biwa.
- A day trip to Wakayama Castle, tour of the garden grounds and castle keep.
- An evening trip to the Kyoto Botanical Gardens to see the night-lit cherry blossoms in full bloom.
Possible future trips include:
- A day-long walking tour retracing some of duels of the famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645)
- A tour of the Gekkeikan sake brewery and a demonstration of ancient brewing methods.
- A trip to Osaka to see a Hanshin Tigers baseball game.
- A trip to the National Bunraku Theater in Osaka to see a performance of traditional puppet theater.
- A tour of a green tea facility in the town of Uji, and a workshop and demonstration of the tea ceremony.
Get to Know Your Destination
One of the best ways to start researching Kyoto is to read Japanese newspapers (available in English). Here are some links to some of Japan's newspapers:
Newspapers and Magazines
Study Abroad Advisory of Student Risk
Participation in this UC Davis Study Abroad program requires travel to and extended living in a foreign location(s) abroad. UC Davis Study Abroad endeavors to reduce and mitigate risk wherever possible. However, the environments and risks associated with living in these locations are substantially different than those found during a regular course of study at UC Davis. All participants must download and review the following information prior to departure. Any questions should be directed to the Program Coordinator.
Study Abroad General Risk Advisory
Program Specific Risk Advisories (PDF)
Student Experience
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