Ritsumeikan University
2024 RWJP
Winter Intensive Japanese Program
In-Person
Program Overview
RWJP is an intenstive 5 week Japanese program that is held at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan. In this program, students will have exposure to comprehensive introduction to Japanese language and culture. Program contents are Japanese Classes that are held everyday and Japan Study that is held 2~3 times a week. Students will have opportunities to feel and understand the Japanese culture by joining fieldwork to various cultural spots such as World Heritage sites or tea ceremony in Kyoto, the center of Japanese culture. Why don’t you join students from all over the world to experience Japan?
Program Period
January 16 ~ February 16, 2024 (5 weeks)
Application Period
October 18 ~ October 26, 2023 (5pm Japan Time)
Please note that once we reach the capacity of participants, we will close the application.
See below for list of required documents.
*This is a non-degree program which means no credits are issued, while Transcript and Certificate of Completion will be issued.
| Program Date | January 16 ~ February 16, 2024 (5 weeks) |
| Level | Zero, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced (N1 holders are NOT acceptable) *Students who have never learned Japanese before, we ask all participants to master at least reading and writing of Hiragana and Katakana before the program starts. Please study them beforehand in order to achieve further improvement during the program. |
| Program Fee | JPY 266,000 Includes the following: Does NOT include the following: |
| Accommodation Fee | *around JPY 250,000 Students will be asked to stay in designated accommodations for safety. |
| Eligibility | Current university students/Postgraduate students |
| Teaching Method | Taught in Japanese (Direct method) |
Program Description
1. Japanese Language Class
- Taught in Japanese
- Comprehensive introduction to Japanese language to build a strong foundation for Japanese studies
- Class contents: Conversation, reading, writing
- 50 min × 3 classes × 23 days = 3,450 min = 57.5 hours
2. Japanese Culture Class (Japan Study)
- Class contents: lecture on Japanese culture by masters well respected in their fields
- Field work to various cultural spots in Kyoto such as Kinkakuji Temple, tea ceremony, Wadaiko (Japanese traditional drums), Nijojo Castle and much more. (*Destinations are subject to change)
- Opportunity to interact with Ritsumeikan BUDDYs
- 90 min × 11 days = 990 min = 16.5 hours
Placement Test
At the beginning of the program you will take a placement test and will be divided into classes based on the result of the test (it is not based on your academic year). If you find that your level of Japanese does not fit the level of your class, please consult your Japanese teachers.
What's included
- Transcript
- Certificate
- Textbook
- Ritsumeikan Buddy
- Orientation
- Completion ceremony
- Visa support (if applicable)
- Campus tour
- Cafeteria use (no meal included in program fee)
- Library access
- Wi-Fi access
- Each student will be required to attend more than 2/3 of classes to receive a transcript.
- After a successful completion of the program, Ritsumeikan University will mail a certified academic transcript to your home address in your country.
- It will be sent to you one month after the last day of the program.
- If the transcript needs to be sent directly to your home university, you will need to make a request beforehand.
Participants are responsible for contacting the Japanese embassy or consulate in their home country directly to determine if they are required to apply for a short-term visa (also called a tourist visa, not a student visa) in advance.
If it is determined that you need to obtain a visa, please notify the International Center.
Please visit website for more detailed information about visas.
→ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan short-term stay
- Participants will be placed into classes based on the information from their application and essay written in Japanese.
- On the first day of Japanese Language Class, you will take a placement test.
- Even in cases in which students request a class change in order to meet the requirements of their home university’s credit transfer policy, students may not move up or down in level without the teacher’s consent.
We handle all incoming and outgoing student exchanges at the International Center.
We provide comprehensive support from initial application procedures and academic life to sending out the final transcript at the end of the program.
Please don’t hesitate to ask us if you have any questions.
The Medical Service Center offers medical assistance to students with health concerns. Consultations are available in English during certain times of the day.
- Airplane fee
- Airport pickup
- Bus Pass
- Meal
(*Under maintenance) Accommodation Guide
Due to the safety regulations of COVID-19, we ask participants to stay in the designated hotel. Click below to see detailed accommodation guide.
Daily Schedule
| Japanese Language Class | 9:00-9:50 |
| 10:00-10:50 | |
| 11:00-11:50 | |
| Lunch Time | 12:00-13:00 |
| Japan Study | 14:00-15:30 |
Program Schedule
Monday
*Schedule is subject to change.
Tuesday(Day1)
11:00 Orientation
12:00 Lunch with Buddy
14:00 Briefing
14:15 Campus Tour
16:00 Disband
Wednesday(Day2)
09:00 Japanese Class(#1)
12:00 Lunch time
13:00 Briefing
14:00 Japan Study(#1)
16:00 Disband
Thursday(Day3)
09:00 Japanese Class(#2)
12:00 Lunch time
13:00 Briefing
14:30 Japan Study(#2)
16:00 Disband
Friday(Day4)
09:00 Japanese Class(#3)
12:00 Lunch time
13:00 Briefing
14:30 Japan Study(#3)
16:00 Disband
Monday(Day5)
09:00 Japanese Class(#4)
12:00 Lunch time
13:00 Briefing
14:30 Japan Study(#4)
16:00 Disband
Tuesday(Day6)
09:00 Japanese Class(#5)
12:00 Lunch time
(Free)
Wednesday(Day7)
09:00 Japanese Class(#6)
12:00 Lunch time
13:00 Briefing
14:30 Japan Study(#5)
16:00 Disband
Thursday(Day8)
09:00 Japanese Class(#7)
12:00 Lunch time
13:00 Briefing
14:30 Japan Study(#6)
16:00 Disband
Friday(Day9)
09:00 Japanese Class(#8)
12:00 Lunch time
(Free)
Monday(Day10)
09:00 Japanese Class(#9)
12:00 Lunch time
(Free)
Tuesday(Day11)
09:00 Japanese Class(#10)
12:00 Lunch time
13:00 Briefing
14:30 Japan Study(#7)
16:00 Disband
Wednesday(Day12)
09:00 Japanese Class(#11)
12:00 Lunch time
13:00 Briefing
14:30 Japan Study(#8)
16:00 Disband
Thursday(Day13)
09:00 Japanese Class(#12)
12:00 Lunch time
(Free)
Friday(Day14)
09:00 Japanese Class(#13)
12:00 Lunch time
13:00 Briefing
14:30 Japan Study(#9)
16:00 Disband
Monday(Day15)
09:00 Japanese Class(#14)
12:00 Lunch time
(Free)
Tuesday(Day16)
09:00 Japanese Class(#15)
12:00 Lunch time
13:00 Briefing
14:30 Japan Study(#10)
16:00 Disband
Wednesday(Day17)
09:00 Japanese Class(#16)
12:00 Lunch time
(Free)
Thursday(Day18)
09:00 Japanese Class(#17)
12:00 Lunch time
13:00 Briefing
14:30 Japan Study(#11)
16:00 Disband
Friday(Day19)
09:00 Japanese Class(#18)
12:00 Lunch time
(Free)
Monday(Day20)
09:00 Japanese Class(#19)
12:00 Lunch time
(Free)
Tuesday(Day21)
09:00 Japanese Class(#20)
12:00 Lunch time
(Free)
Wednesday(Day22)
09:00 Japanese Class(#21)
12:00 Lunch time
(Free)
Thursday(Day23)
09:00 Japanese Class(#22)
12:00 Lunch time
(Free)
Friday(Day24)
09:00 Japanese Class(#23)
12:00 Lunch time
13:00 Briefing
13:30 Completion Ceremony
15:00 Disband
*Program contents are subject to change.
Ritsumeikan Buddy
What is a buddy?
Japanese buddies from Ritsumeikan University will be here for you to support your life at Ritsumeikan. It will not be a 1-on-1 system but they will assist you in groups by speaking only in Japanese for you to fully immerse in the Japanese language.
What’s the merit?
You will have opportunity to interact directly with local students and practice Japanese and learn about Japanese culture such as recent Japanese pop culture, trending words, anime, and many other topics. You might also be able to find life-long friends!
Required Documents for Application
Handwritten Essay (In Japanese preferred)
No translation machine allowed. Please write it on your own so that we can evaluate your exact Japanese level and assign you into suitable levels.Letter of Consent (Pledge)
Certificate of Enrollment:
Official document issued by your home university that shows you are currently enrolled in your home university. Please ask your university advisor or office to receive one.Copy of Passport
Health Certificate Form
Official Transcript issued by your home university
