Japan

This course explores the link between Japanese culture and its distinctive and highly developed sense of aesthetics. Students will learn background information about Japanese culture, geography and history and explore how these elements have influenced aesthetics and design. They will identify and examine key aesthetic principles and practices that underpin Japanese art and cultural expressions. As a study abroad offering, this course will include direct experience in the culture, local observation, and reflection, as well as seminars, lectures, and readings to build student understanding of the intersection of Japanese design, culture, art, and aesthetics. By the end of the course, students will be expected to articulate how fundamental cultural and aesthetic precepts are manifested in the art, design, and daily practices of the country. 

Students will be immersed in Japanese culture during this program. The group will spend most of its time living and learning in Tokyo.

Housing for the group will be in a hotel with two students to a room. The group will use public transportation to get around the city, both for program activities and during free time.

The program includes:

• A one-night excursion to the small city of Nikko in the mountainous Tochigi Prefecture.
• A day trip to Kamakura
• Numerous other outings in and around Tokyo

Flights for this program will depart from a New York area airport. Some students may incur additional costs to get to the departure airport to meet the group.

Flights to and from Japan are long, and the whole process of getting to Japan can take 24 hours or so. The time difference between Putney, Vermont and Tokyo, Japan is +12 hours; students should expect to experience jet lag.

At least one program leader will accompany the group on each flight.

Landmark will offer optional shuttle service between campus and the airport, with a stop in Massachusetts and/or Connecticut depending on student demand.

Students may opt out of the group flight; in this case they would be credited the amount of the flight and would make their own round-trip travel booking.

Consider the following to determine if this course is right for you.

• Free time/Independence: Moderate. For the first two weeks, the group will have full days: class time in the mornings and a local excursion in the afternoons, and a full day activity/excursion on Wednesdays. In the third week the group will have an overnight excursion to Nikko, followed by class time and free time to work on final projects. The two weekends and most evenings will be free for students to use at their leisure, with at least one optional activity in Tokyo offered each weekend. Support will be available for students to find local restaurants and food options, particularly in the first week.
• Physical Demands: Moderate. Transportation around the city will be on foot and via public transit. Some excursions may include significant walking and stamina.
• Transitions: Low to Moderate. The group will stay at the same hotel in Tokyo for the duration of the program except for the one-night excursion to Nikko.
• Stimuli: Medium to High. Tokyo is a huge and busy city and most excursions will involve taking public transportation to sites throughout the city.
• Language Difficulty: Moderate. Some students may find the language barrier intimidating. Many people in popular tourist areas may speak English. Past students have found it helpful to learn a few basic words in Japanese, and have found apps like Google Translate helpful in some interactions. No prior Japanese language experience is necessary for admission to this program.
• Cultural Differences: Significant. Support and orientation is available to students to understand cultural norms in Japan.
• Accessibility Notes: Students with limited mobility, vision, or hearing should reach out to [email protected] if they are considering this program. Landmark’s partner in Japan, IES Abroad, works hard to accommodate student needs of all kinds, but it is helpful to understand student needs as soon as possible in the planning process. Students will have access to Wi-Fi throughout the program and laptops will be used to complete assignments, so students who use technology such as speech-to-text software should not have any issues using these programs to complete work.
• Additional Considerations: The flights to and from Japan are l-o-n-g. The program will start while you are still experiencing jet lag. Housing for most of the program is in small shared (double) rooms. Food options may be limited, or different from what one finds in the U.S. (e.g., soup for breakfast), so dietary flexibility is necessary. Students with particular dietary restrictions or allergies will be responsible for managing these needs on their own. There may be meals when the program will not be able to accommodate individual dietary needs.

The Japanese government has strict restrictions on the kinds of medications that may be brought into the country. Information about bringing medications into Japan, along with useful links, can be found on the U.S. Embassy website.

Both Landmark College and our partner in Japan, IES Abroad, will collect information from accepted students about the kinds of medications they take, including names and dosages. IES Abroad will advise students about any medications that are not permitted.

While considering whether this program is right for you or not, we advise all students to do their own research about what medications may/may not be brought into Japan. You may wish to talk to your doctor well in advance about potential alternatives if your medications are not permitted.

Academic Prerequisites

ART3711 is a 3-credit, 3000-level course and requires the following prerequisites:

• Good academic standing (GPA of 2.0 or above)
• EDU1011
• WRT1012 and
• One course in the Integrated Arts - can be ART, CER, DRW, MUS, PHO, PNT, THE, VIT or Art History Course 

If an applicant is missing one or more of the course prerequisites, they may request a waiver from Integrated Arts department chair, Meg Baronian.

Other Prerequisites

The following abilities are also important qualities for success on this program:

• Ability to function independently in a large city without direct faculty guidance
• Ability to respect cultural expectations of group conformity
• Ability to make and reflect on connections between experiences and class concepts

Program Director: Luke Strosnider, Assistant Professor of Photography

Academic Director: Cynthia Ludlam, Assistant Professor of Ceramics

Program Fee: $12,550

Cost of this program includes:

• Tuition for the 3-credit course
• Group flights with one checked bag
• In-country transportation
• Field trips and housing
• Health insurance for the duration of the program
• Breakfast daily and 3-4 group meals

Student spending can vary depending on the individual. Estimated additional costs are approximately $800 - $1,000. Additional costs include:

• Most lunches and dinners. Budget-friendly restaurant options are available.
• Free time activities
• Cell phone costs - students are expected to have a data plan, whether activating a roaming plan on their home network or purchasing a local SIM card or eSIM.
• Laundry
• Souvenirs, gifts, etc.
• Additional baggage fees beyond the first checked bag

Landmark College’s Global Engagement Scholarship offers a scholarship of up to 50% of the program fee. Scholarships are need-based and on average there is one scholarship available per program.

Applications for the Global Engagement Scholarship for Summer 2026 were due on January 9, 2026. Scholarships are no longer available for the 2026 summer study abroad programs. 

Applications are no longer being accepted for this program.