Frequently Asked Questions
Find a question you are interested in the list, and then scroll down to the corresponding Q&A below.
If you can't find answers you are looking for, send an inquiry to Dr. Ozawa using the contact form below.
If you can't find answers you are looking for, send an inquiry to Dr. Ozawa using the contact form below.
List of FAQ
I. Basic Facts:
QI-1: What's the duration of the trip?
QI-2: When is the trip?
QI-3: Which places do we visit?
QI-4: Who can participate in the trip?
QI-5: Can my parents participate in the trip, too?
QI-6: How many students participate in the trip?
QI-7: About how many students have participated in this trip so far?
QI-8: What schools have participated in the trip?
QI-9: Can I participate in the trip again?
QI-10: Can I talk to students who have participated before?
II. Language:
QII-1: Do I have to be able to speak Japanese?
QII-2: Should I wait to participate until my Japanese gets better?
QII-3: What if I get lost in Tokyo? My Japanese isn't good enough...
III. Homestay:
QIII-1: Where are the homestay places?
QIII-2: How long do I get to stay with host families?
QIII-3: Will I homestay alone or with another student?
QIII-4: Should I bring some gifts for my host families?
QIII-5: Will I get to learn about my host families before I go?
QIII-6: Do host families speak English?
QIII-7: I'm a little nervous about homestaying. Any advice for me?
IV. Money matters:
QIV-1: Do I need to pay an application fee?
QIV-2: How much is the cost of the trip?
QIV-3: What is included in the price?
QIV-4: When will I need to make payment?
QIV-5: How much personal spending money should I bring on the trip?
QIV-6: Do I need to exchange US dollars to Japanese yen in advance?
QIV-7: Can I use an American credit card in Japan?
QIV-8: Should I get traveller's checks?
QI-1: What's the duration of the trip?
QI-2: When is the trip?
QI-3: Which places do we visit?
QI-4: Who can participate in the trip?
QI-5: Can my parents participate in the trip, too?
QI-6: How many students participate in the trip?
QI-7: About how many students have participated in this trip so far?
QI-8: What schools have participated in the trip?
QI-9: Can I participate in the trip again?
QI-10: Can I talk to students who have participated before?
II. Language:
QII-1: Do I have to be able to speak Japanese?
QII-2: Should I wait to participate until my Japanese gets better?
QII-3: What if I get lost in Tokyo? My Japanese isn't good enough...
III. Homestay:
QIII-1: Where are the homestay places?
QIII-2: How long do I get to stay with host families?
QIII-3: Will I homestay alone or with another student?
QIII-4: Should I bring some gifts for my host families?
QIII-5: Will I get to learn about my host families before I go?
QIII-6: Do host families speak English?
QIII-7: I'm a little nervous about homestaying. Any advice for me?
IV. Money matters:
QIV-1: Do I need to pay an application fee?
QIV-2: How much is the cost of the trip?
QIV-3: What is included in the price?
QIV-4: When will I need to make payment?
QIV-5: How much personal spending money should I bring on the trip?
QIV-6: Do I need to exchange US dollars to Japanese yen in advance?
QIV-7: Can I use an American credit card in Japan?
QIV-8: Should I get traveller's checks?
I. Basic facts:
QI-1: What's the duration of the trip?
Usually about two weeks.
QI-2: When is the 2025 trip?
It is from mid or late June to early July depending on the year. In summer 2023,
the tentative dates of our trip are from June 18 to July 2.
the tentative dates of our trip are from June 18 to July 2.
QI-3: Which places do we visit?

Kumamoto City (homestay), Ogaki/Hashima/Mizuho Cities in Gifu, Gotemba (homestay), and Gotemba and Fukuroi City (homestay), Kyoto or Nara, Hiroshima (full-day tour), and Tokyo (hotel).
QI-4: Who can participate in the trip?
Primarily high school students, but some parents, teachers, or college students may also be able to participate.
QI-5: Can any adult participate in the trip, too?
Yes. In the past, a number of parents and teachers participted in our trip. They may be eligible to apply if the space is available for them and if they can meet our criteria. Our priority goes to high school students studying Japanese in school and are very interesed in learning and experiencing Japanese culture and language.
QI-6: How many students participate in the trip?
Usually about 50 students (including some adults). In summer 2024, 63 members participated.
QI-7: About how many students have participated in the past?
Since the beginning in 1989, about 1,400 students have participated in this program.
QI-8: Which schools have participated in the trip?
Many high schools in the Portland and Eugene areas, including Beaverton, Westview,
Aloha, Jesuit, Gresham, Saint Mary, Central Catholic, Oregon Episcopal, Valley Catholic, Forest Grove, Gaston, Hillsboro, Sunset, Lincoln, Lake Oswego, Franklin, Tigard, Gladstone, Sam Barlow, Corvallis, McKay, West Albany, McMinnville, Sheridan Japanese Program, Sheldon High School (Eugene), Churchill (Eugene), N. Eugene, S. Eugene, and Marist High Schools. College students from PSU, OSU, UO, Clark college, PCC, Parcific U, George Fox U, etc. have also participated in this program.
Aloha, Jesuit, Gresham, Saint Mary, Central Catholic, Oregon Episcopal, Valley Catholic, Forest Grove, Gaston, Hillsboro, Sunset, Lincoln, Lake Oswego, Franklin, Tigard, Gladstone, Sam Barlow, Corvallis, McKay, West Albany, McMinnville, Sheridan Japanese Program, Sheldon High School (Eugene), Churchill (Eugene), N. Eugene, S. Eugene, and Marist High Schools. College students from PSU, OSU, UO, Clark college, PCC, Parcific U, George Fox U, etc. have also participated in this program.
QI-9: Can I participate in the trip again?
Yes! There are several repeaters every year. Some have gone two times! This is to show this program has a strong appeal to many students!
QI-10: Can I talk to students who have participated before?
Yes! References (students, teachers, and also parents) are available. Contact Dr.
Ozawa to request some references.
Ozawa to request some references.
II. Language:
QII-1: Do I need to know how to speak Japanese?
It would be favorable to speak Japanese, but not required. What’s most important is
your desire to experience and learn Japanese culture and language. It's also important for you to foster friendship with your host families and others you meet in Japan.
your desire to experience and learn Japanese culture and language. It's also important for you to foster friendship with your host families and others you meet in Japan.
QII-2: Should I wait to participate until my Japanese gets better?
It depends. About 1/4 of participants are the 9th graders or after their first year of Japanese class. For 9th graders, this Japan experience accelerates their interest in Japanese language and culture and helps them to continue their Japanese studies in school with more motivation and focus. On the other hand, those students (10th,11th, 12th grade) with more Japanese background can further develop their communication skills in Japanese.
QII-3: What if I get lost during the trip? My Japanese isn't good enough...
This is not likely to happen during our group activities or stay with host families. However, during our 3 days of stay in or nearTokyo ), students in small groups can visit various areas of Tokyo with adult supervision. They are earlier given instruction how to use the trains to visit places and get back to their hotel. Just in case, they are also given several cell phone numbers of adult leaders who are ready to help.
III. Homestay:
QIII-1: Where are the homestay places?

Our members homestay in six places: 3 in Gifu Prefecture (Ogaki/Hashima/Mizuho Cities), one in Kumamoto City in Kyushu Island, and one in Shizuoka Prefecture (Gotemba City). Gifu is located in the center of the main island (Honshu).
QIII-2: How long do I get to stay with host families?
For 6 days in Gifu and another 4 days in the second location, plus 3 days in Tokyo.
QIII-3: Will I homestay alone or with another student?
Generally, you will homestay alone so that you can experience the Japanese culture and practice Japanese with your host families. You may also request to stay with another student.The final decision to stay alone or in pairs will be made by our sponsoring cities. Regardless of how you stay, you will have a lot of activities as a group such as visiting schools and mayors, trying out crafts, going on full-day sightseeing trips, trying out Japanese Kimono or Yukata, tea ceremony, marshal arts, etc.
QIII-4: Should I bring some gifts for my host families?
Yes, it is a Japanese custom to take some gifts when visiting people's homes.
These gifts don’t need to be expensive but should be thoughtful to express your gratitude to them. You will also receive some gifts from your host families before you leave them. During our orientation meetings (3 such meetings) we will talk about this, so you will have some ideas about how to prepare gifts for your host families.
These gifts don’t need to be expensive but should be thoughtful to express your gratitude to them. You will also receive some gifts from your host families before you leave them. During our orientation meetings (3 such meetings) we will talk about this, so you will have some ideas about how to prepare gifts for your host families.
QIII-5: Will I get to learn about my host families before I leave?
Yes. In most cases you will receive information about your host families about two weeks before your departure. They will also have received information about you (Profile Form) in advance. Your Profile Form includes information about you (photo, name, date of birth, hobbies, any medical concern, food preferences, and your brief message to your host families) as well as brief information about your own family members, etc.
QIII-6: Do host families speak English?
In general, one member in each family knows enough English to communicate, especially if he or she is a student in high school or college. But, they all want to learn English with you, so you'll have a chance to teach them some English. One main purpose of homestay is to learn and practice Japanese with your family members. Most students take small Japanese-English (vice versa) dictionaries as well as notebooks for this purpose. You will manage to communicate with your host family members and practice Japanese with them. It’s a great feeling of accomplishment when you have succeeded in communicating in Japanese with your host families!
QIII-7: I'm a little nervous about homestaying. Any advice?
The idea of living with families in another country is intimidating! But, once you meet them and become part of their families, you will know they love you and appreciate having you in their homes. Your families will try their best to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. Just be open-minded to new experiences, including food, activities, customs, or family traditions. Your host families always want to know and often ask you what you like to do, eat, see, or experience while staying with them. Don’t hesitate to let them know of your interests. If you have any questions or concerns, you can always let your adult chaperon/s or program director know about them for receiving proper advice.
IV. Money matters:
QIV-1: Do I need to pay an application fee?
Yes, it's $80 for an application fee. You need to send in this application fee when you submit an application form. If your application was not accepted, you will be notified of this decision and your check will not be processed. Once accepted, this application fee becomes non-refundable and is not part of the program cost.
QIV-2: How much is the cost for the 2025 Japan educational trip?
The program cost for Japan trip will be $4,500 (estimated). There are also some additional individual expenses such as some lunches/dinners during full-day tours and in Tokyo. Every year the program cost may vary somewhat depending on the airfare and other land costs such as JRPasses (2 weeks for use of "Bullet Train"), hotel (3 nights), etc. The price of this program, however, is very affordable compared to many other similar programs in the US!
QIV-3: What is included in the price?
Your round-trip airfare from Portland to Japan, most meals, cultural activities, and
homestay in two cities, 3 nights of stay in hotel (4-star rating) in or nearTokyo, and full-day sightseeing tours and transfers between cities by “Bullet Train” using JRPasses (two-week passes).
homestay in two cities, 3 nights of stay in hotel (4-star rating) in or nearTokyo, and full-day sightseeing tours and transfers between cities by “Bullet Train” using JRPasses (two-week passes).
QIV-4: When do I pay for this program?
Normally you pay in 3 installments at our 3 orientation meetings: the first meeting in mid- January; the second in mid-March; and the final meeting in mid-May in both Eugene and Beaverton. You may pay by personal check, bank's cashier's check or money order.
QIV-5: How much personal spending money shall I take on this trip?
Generally we recommend that our members take about $500 equivalent in Japanese currency as personal spending money. This money can be used to pay for some drinks, snacks or meals during our full-day excursion trips or transfers from one city to another and during your stay (3 days) in or near Tokyo.
QIV-6: Do I need to exchange US dollars to Japanese yen before departure?
You need to have Japanese yen before you leave the U.S. Contact your bank to see if they can exchange US dollars for Japanese yen for you. If you are unable to exchange money in the U.S/, you may be able to do this at the airport in Tokyo where you arrive.
QIV-7: Can I use an American credit card in Japan?
You can use an American credit card in well-established stores or most convenient stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, etc.), restaurants in large cities like Tokyo. It is advisable to always have Japanese money with you .
QIV-8: Should I get traveller's checks?
We don't recommend traveler's checks in Japan. You can't really use them in stores
there and will have to go to a bank to exchange for cash. Bring enough cash ($500) as personal spending money. Also, if you take an American credit card like Visa, you may be able to use it in most well-established stores or restaurants in large cities like Tokyo.
there and will have to go to a bank to exchange for cash. Bring enough cash ($500) as personal spending money. Also, if you take an American credit card like Visa, you may be able to use it in most well-established stores or restaurants in large cities like Tokyo.
© Oregon Intercultural Association, 2012