Japan
Anime, Ramen, and Zen: Cultural Immersion in Japan
May Term Closed: May 17 to May 28, 2025
From ancient castles that housed ninjas and samurai to ultra-modern AI and robotics, Japan offers unforgettable experiences that include karaoke, Zen gardens, anime/manga, cosplay, karate, Nintendo/Mario/Hello Kitty/Pokemon centers, tea ceremonies, and world-class cuisine. Japan is the third largest economy in the world and has a significant impact on popular culture in the US, including film, food, fashion, sports, music, technology, philosophy, and more. This travel experience exposes students to cultural enrichment, economic insights, technological advancements, and a deeper understanding of global dynamics.
Faculty Facilitators
Dr. Kin Cheung
Global Religions
Dr. Huijing Wen
Education
Cost
- Self-Pay Total Cost: $3,999
- Your Out-Of-Pocket Cost After Elevate Credit has been Applied (Valued at $2,600 for eligible students): $1,399
- For all travelers:
- Insurance Fee: $90 charged directly to your Student Account
- Recommended for Meals & Personal Funds: $400
- Tuition: None, this is a travel experience with no credit associated.
Quick Facts
- Application Deadline: N/A
- Program Length: 12 Days
- Units: 0
- Eligibility: Sophomore stading or higher, undergraduate MU student with 2.0 GPA or higher.
- Language: English
TENTATIVE Itinerary
All the landmarks mentioned in this itinerary will be visited. Some changes may be made in the order they will be visited depending upon the weather.
Day 1: Fly from the US to Osaka
Day 2: Arrive in Osaka, travel to Osaka Ohtani University.
Day 3: Welcome and orientation of campus and local areas near the university, introduction to Japanese culture and history, visit the Osaka castle and learn about the deployment of samurai and ninjas about Japanese warfare, politics, diplomacy, and government.
Day 4: Meet with Atomic Bombing survivors in the morning, then visit local schools in Japan during the afternoon to learn about their education system to compare with the US. Later, participate in a Japanese culture exchange (Activity at tea ceremony club, flower arrangement club, clothing etc.)
Day 5: Visit the Ramen Museum to learn about Japanese food and its history (Bonus! Sample mini-bowls of ramen from around the country). In the afternoon, take the bullet train to Hiroshima. Enjoy a hibachi dinner upon arrival.
Day 6: Visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Green Legacy Hiroshima.
Day 7: Visit Miyajima Island to see Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, visit the Museum of History and Folklore.
Day 8: Take the bullet train from Hiroshima to Kyoto. Visit the Kyoto International Manga (comic) museum and see its influence on Anime (cartoons and film), then go to the Mishiki market.
Day 9: Visit a Zen Buddhist temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine with temple and a garden. Later, enjoy Free time on Shinkyogoku-Teramachi Shopping Street.
Day 10: Experience a formal tea ceremony. Afterwards, if you would like to participate in an optional Samurai experience, you may do so at your own expense. Then enjoy free time in Kawaramachi and Pontocho shopping area. In the evening, the group will enjoy karaoke fun!
Day 11: Take the train to Osaka Airport and fly home to the US.
Day 12: Arrive in the US.
COVID Disclaimer
Due to the unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 Pandemic, we cannot guarantee travel or entrance into a destination or a program because of COVID-19 related delays and/or closures. In addition, should travel occur outside of the United States or between States, we cannot guarantee re-entry with or without vaccine requirement and/or quarantine as determined by the intended destination and return location. 91¿´Æ¬ encourages travelers to comply with the COVID-19 vaccine entry/exit requirements as detailed by their intended destination and/or program.