The Summer Camp in Shiga is a program that brings participants from the US across the Pacific Ocean to Japan to discover and experience a variety of new things in Shiga Prefecture, a prefecture that is located a bit away from the major cities. We have prepared the program that you can have an experience that you cannot find in the U.S., including interaction with the local children and people.

◆ Eligibility for Participation

① Eligible grades for students are from 5th grade through 9th grade (Freshman)

② Accompanying parent(s)*

*Accompanying parents are non-mandatory, and students can participate in the  program with or without their parent(s).

・Japanese language ability is not required. It is totally fine if you only speak English. 

・The program will be conducted either in Japanese with English translation, or vice versa, depending on the situation.

・Rooms at accommodations are based on double, triple or quadruple occupancy; if you are traveling alone, you will share a room with other  participants of the same gender.

❏ Tour Payment Schedule

Initial Deposit ($100.00) : upon Application

Final Payment ($3,580.00) : April 30th, 2025

❏ Tour Cancellation Policy

After the deposit is paid : $100.00 

* Deposits are 100% refundable if the camp does not take place.

May 1st, 2025 ~ May 15th : 20% of the program fee ($736.00)

May 16th, 2025 ~ May 30th : 50% of the program fee ($1,840.00)

After June 1st : 100% of the program fee ($3,680.00)

※ In the event the program is canceled due to lack in number of participants, we will refund the full amount without penalty. However, please note that air ticket refunds will be handled based on the airlines ticket policy, and  most discounted tickets are actually non-refundable or may be subject to penalties.

A support line is available for 24 hours during the program.

To participate in the program, you must obtain a flight ticket to Japan. When purchasing a flight ticket, please prepare one that meets the following conditions.

・Please use Haneda Airport as your arrival/departure airport in Tokyo.

・Please use a flight arriving on June 30th at Haneda airport between 1:00 PM and 5:30 PM.

・Please use a flight departing on July 10th from Haneda between 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM.

* If your flight's arrival or departure time is outside of the time range as shown above, or if your flight arrives / departs from Narita airport, you may be charged an additional fee or may not be able to join the tour.  Please consult with us before purchase.

* Upon arrival at Haneda Airport, there may be a maximum waiting time of approximately 2 hours until other participants arrive.  Waiting times may become longer due to flight delays.

For those whose ages are under 15 or 12 years old (age depends on the airlines) minors traveling alone, he or she must use the services called "Unaccompanied Minor Service" provided by the airlines.

To request the service, you must consult with the airlines and/or IACE Travel before purchasing the tickets.  You will be asked to present a person's names and contact information who will be seeing off at the departure airport and who will be meeting at the arrival airport.  We will provide our tour staff's information as needed.

Ages at which UM service is required by airlines :

United : 5 - 14 / Delta  : 5 - 14 / American  : 5 - 14 / JAL  : 5 - 11 / ANA  : 5 - 11

・For those who have already arrived in Japan prior to the program, please meet the tour staff at the hotel lobby around 7:00 pm on the evening of June 30 (Mon). Please note that the group's arrival time at the hotel may be delayed due to the irregularities in the arrival times of the flights of those arriving on the same day. 

・If you continue to stay in Japan after the program ends, the tour will end upon arrival at Shinagawa station on July 10 (Wed).

・If you arrive late for the program start date and time due to a delay or cancellation of your scheduled flight, you may join the program from the day you arrive. If additional guides, transportation etc. are needed to meet up with the group, additional fees (actual costs) may be charged.

・In the event of a typhoon or inclement weather, the program start date may be delayed, or program may be interrupted especially when transportation is disrupted or expected to be disrupted. There may be cases where we have to stay at the accommodation for a whole day for the weather to recover. The program will start or resume once the weather improves. In those cases, the program may not be able to complete all programs scheduled. 

・In the event of a major disruption to the schedule, alternative activities will be arranged as much as possible. There will be no refunds for any activities that are not completed.

・If we deem it necessary to cancel the tour, we will contact you as soon as possible. Please come to the meeting place as scheduled unless we call you to cancel the tour.

・In the event that the program is cancelled due to the customer's decision not to assemble at the meeting place, the customer will be charged the cancellation fee as specified.

・In the event of a major delay or cancellation of flights to the U.S. due to transportation disruptions caused by inclement weather, if an extension of stay in Japan is necessary, we will arrange a hotel for those who need  a room. You will be responsible for the full cost of accommodation, meals, and other expenses.

✈️  Please make your own way to Tokyo, Haneda Airport. 

IACE Travel agents are happy to arrange your international flight. 

Upon arrival at Haneda airport, representative(s) of IACE Travel will greet you at the arrival lobby and assist you with your hotel transfer.

(We can meet at the hotel if you are already in Japan.)

🏨 : TBA

🍽️️ : Dinner 

🗓  Schedule (Subject to change)

Welcome to Tokyo, a city where ancient temples coexist with towering skyscrapers, and tranquil gardens are just steps away from bustling city streets. As a leading destination for travelers from around the world, Tokyo offers an array of unforgettable sightseeing experiences. To kick off our journey, we'll go sightseeing at some of Tokyo's must-see spots.

🏨 : TBA

🍽️️ : Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner 

🗓 Schedule 

Bullet Train to Shiga >>> BBQ Lunch at Farm Garden >>> Hikone Castle >>> Farm Stay

Enjoy a ride on the bullet train (shinkansen) to Shiga prefecture, the majestic home of Lake Biwa. Located roughly 2 hours from Tokyo.  Shiga Prefecture is located near the center of Japan's main island, and is home to the largest lake in Japan, Lake Biwa. Although it is conveniently located near major cities such as Kyoto, Osaka, and Nagoya, Shiga Prefecture has an abundance of water and greenery centering on Lake Biwa, making it a calm and peaceful place to live away from the city. Since Shiga has been historically located in an important place since ancient times, there are many valuable and old buildings that still exist. Please take this opportunity to explore the area!

🏨 : Farm Stay

🍽️ : Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

                                                          　　　　　　　　　　 photo ©Biwako Visitor's Bureau

🗓️ Schedule

Farm experience >>> Visit Japan Center for Michigan Universities >>> Farm experience

🏨 : Farm Stay

🍽️ : Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

🗓️ Schedule

Environmental learning >>> Outdoor cooking (Japanese Curry) >>> Hotel check-in

🏨 : Youth Castle at Kibougaoka

🍽️ : Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

                                                          　　　　　　　　　　 photo ©Biwako Visitor's Bureau

🗓️ Schedule

Ninja training experience at Koka Ninja Village >>> Ninja Medicine making experience >>> Pottery experience at Shigaraki

🏨 : Youth Castle at Kibougaoka

🍽️ : Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

                                                          　　　　　　　　　　 photo ©Biwako Visitor's Bureau

🗓️ Schedule

Lake Biwa Cruise by cruise ship, Michigan >>> Zazen experience at the World Heritage site, Enryaku-ji Temple >>> Temple lodge at Enryaku-ji Kaikan

🏨 : Enryaku-ji Kaikan

🍽️ : Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

                                                          　　　　　　　　　　 photo ©Biwako Visitor's Bureau

🗓️ Schedule

Lake Biwa environmental learning, (Supported by O'PAL OPTEX Co, Ltd) >>> Canoe experience >>> Lunch at O'PAL >>> Biwako Valley (Ropeway) >>> 

🏨 : J-Hoppers Biwako

🍽️ : Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

                                                          　　　　　　　　　　 photo ©Biwako Visitor's Bureau

🗓️ Schedule

Visit local school >>> Participate in classes >>> School Lunch >>> Sightseeing at Chikubu-jima island >>> Shirahige Shrine >>> Hotel

🏨 : Biwako Grand Hotel 

🍽️ : Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

With 117 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, over 1,600 Buddhist temples, and more than 400 Shinto shrines, Kyoto is the perfect place to immerse oneself in the rich culture and history of Japan. Today, we'll have the chance to explore a selection of these important cultural landmarks.

🏨 : TBA

🍽️ : Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Today is the final day of the summer camp. We will take the bullet train (shinkansen) to Tokyo, and the camp will disband after saying "sayonara" to Japan and each other at Haneda Airport.

Time for bullet train to Tokyo is TBA. This will be determined once we know the participants departure flight schedule. If you arrange your flight on your own, please make sure it leaves after 3:00 PM from Haneda Airport.

🍽️ : Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner