Miyazaki, Japan

In this ten-week program based in Miyazaki, Japan, you will join of a cohort group of up to 21 students from other community colleges in Washington state. A four-night trip to Tokyo and a three-night trip to Osaka are included in the program.

Japan offers a rich environment of arts, culture, and history where centuries-old traditions exist in contrast with ultra-modern lifestyles. Miyazaki is known for its cultural heritage and natural splendor. The city’s historical sites, such as Miyazaki Jingu shrine, stand as testaments to Japan’s deep-rooted cultural legacy, inviting exploration into centuries-old customs and beliefs. In Tokyo, you will encounter sumo wrestling, Kabuki Theater, ancient castles, and temples dating back to the days of Samurai warriors. The modern side of Tokyo includes trendy and eccentric street fashions in the Harajuku district, the latest in high technology, electronics, and gadgetry, as well as anime in a city that never sleeps. Osaka is known for its vibrant atmosphere, rich history, and incredible street food. It is home to Osaka Castle, a symbol of the city’s past, and the bustling Dotonbori district, famous for its neon lights, restaurants, and entertainment.

Program Dates: September 24-December 3, 2026

Application Deadline: May 29, 2026

Deposit Due ($450): within two weeks of your application (non-refundable)

Balance of Program Fee Due: June 18, 2026

Tuition Due: check academic calendar

Eligibility: 2.5 GPA or higher, Students 17 or older, students under 18 must obtain parent/guardian permission

APPLICATION LINK HERE

Our office will review this application and let you know how to proceed.

Please note that students that have been sanctioned by the college are disqualified from applying to, or participating in, an Edmonds College study abroad program.

This is an academic-focused study program so you must carry a three-course, 15-credit load, and are expected to fully participate in all activities.

Local program managers and faculty members will serve as hosts and advisors and will arrange the classes and provide support throughout the program. They can assist students with language, customs and cultural adjustments, and city exploration.

Japanese Class – 5 credits (various levels)
Japanese Language classes are offered in various levels (basic-intermediate). Students will take a placement test to determine their language level and placement. It is required to learn the Hiragana and the Katakana alphabets before your trip. These classes will be taught by a Miyazaki Municipal University faculty members.

ENGL: Creative Writing I: Writing Miyazaki (Non-fiction)
This creative nonfiction course guides students through a structured progression of observation, belonging, and persuasion while studying abroad in Miyazaki, Japan. Drawing on Japanese aesthetic and rhetorical traditions such as yūgen, wabi-sabi, and kishōtenketsu, students begin with ekphrastic writing focused on careful observation and sensory detail, then move to community-based profile essays that emphasize ethical engagement and lived experience. The course culminates in a personal argument about the value of studying abroad, shaped by a non-Western narrative structure that allows insight to emerge organically. Throughout the term, students integrate reading, research, and revision while developing writing that prioritizes attentiveness, humility, and meaningful connection to place.

ENGL: Writing Humanities (Japanese Literature focus)
This literature-based composition course introduces students studying in Miyazaki to major forms of Japanese literature through works in English translation, using them as the foundation for developing analytical reading and academic writing skills. The course examines manga, haiku and haibun, and Japanese novels—from classical authors such as Bashō, Sōseki, and Kawabata to contemporary writers like Murakami and Yoshimoto—while exploring how history, culture, place, and translation shape literary meaning. Students engage in close reading, discussion, and a range of writing assignments, including analytical essays and a research paper, with an emphasis on interpretation, textual evidence, revision, and clear expression. By the end of the term, students gain familiarity with key literary traditions and authors, along with strengthened skills in literary analysis and a deeper appreciation of Japanese writing within its cultural context.

FACULTY

Todd Johnson, an experienced Green River College faculty member, will lead the group and teach the curriculum along with local faculty members.

Todd Johnson is a college English instructor with more than twenty years of experience teaching writing, reading, literature, and creative writing in community college and university settings. Since 2002, he has taught primarily at Green River College in Auburn, Washington, where he has led courses such as Composition Skills, Writing Skills, College Writing, and Writing in the Humanities, with an emphasis on online instruction. He has also taught at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide, Central Texas College, Missoula College, and Muckleshoot Tribal College, working with diverse and Indigenous student populations. An active writer, Mr. Johnson has published poetry and reviews in regional journals and holds an M.A. in English Literature from the University of Montana. His interest in Japanese culture began in high school and college through the study of karate. His interests also include Japanese literature, Japanese film, and the cultural connections between Japan and the United States.

WHERE YOU'LL BE STUDYING

During your stay in Japan, you’ll be hosted by Miyazaki Municipal University and attend classes on their campus, which specializes in areas like engineering, computer science, and health sciences. The city itself offers rich cultural experiences, shopping venues, natural beauty, and recreational activities. Nearby, you can explore local markets full of diverse goods and fresh produce. Don’t miss the historic Shinto shrine, a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Miyazaki Prefecture is known for its stunning beaches, inviting parks like Hinatawada Park and Heiwadai Park, and scenic outdoor spaces ideal for relaxation and nature appreciation, such as Aoshima Beach or Shirahama Beach.

ACCOMMODATIONS

While at Miyazaki Municipal University, you will live in shared apartments right across from campus. These are small Japanese-style lodgings with futons, a kitchenette, and a bathroom. You will share the apartment with two other students in the group.

The university’s vicinity boasts a variety of dining establishments ranging from local eateries serving traditional Japanese cuisine to international restaurants offering diverse culinary experiences. Whether you’re in the mood for authentic Japanese dishes like sushi, ramen, or tempura, or prefer international flavors such as Italian, Chinese, or Indian cuisine, you’ll find a wide range of restaurants, cafes, and food stalls to choose from near the university campus.

TRANSPORTATION

Program fees include airfare and transfers from/to Miyazaki airport. Japan has one of the most efficient and impressive mass transportation systems in the world. High speed bullet and local trains connect to subways and buses providing speedy and convenient access to all major points of interest. You will have ample opportunity to explore the public transit Miyazaki has to offer and make visits to points of interest.

ACTIVITIES

The program includes cultural activities and several organized field trips which may include:

• Miyazaki: Sado (Tea Ceremony), Takachiho-town, one-day excursions in Aya-town, Nichinan-city, Ebino-city, Kirishima-city
• Tokyo: TeamLab Planets, TOP Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, MiPig Café (if reservations available), Tokyo National Museum, Nezu Museum, Tokyo Municipal Tower, Shibuya
• Osaka: TBD

Additional field trips are optional and may require a separate fee. There will also be opportunities to do your own exploring using convenient public transport or a tour specialist.

Program Fee: $8,000

Included

• Round-trip group airfare on program dates Seattle-Miyazaki-Seattle
• Group transfers to/from Miyazaki airport
• Round-trip group airfare on program dates from Miyazaki-Tokyo-Osaka-Miyazaki
• Student housing accommodations while at Miyazaki Municipal University
• Arrival and farewell parties
• Some cultural activities and excursions
• Some local transportation
• Pre-departure and arrival orientations
• Student basic medical insurance

Not Included

• College tuition and books
• Passport and visa fees (if applicable)
• Meals
• Curriculum activities admissions
• Personal and entertainment expenses
• Independent travel and expenses
• US and Japanese airport fees and taxes (if applicable)
• Anything not specified as included in the program

Date: TBD
Time: 10am-2pm
Location: Green River College, Auburn WA