Japan Manga & Culture Summer Program 2027: facts for parents
For nine days in June 2027, students ages 11–18 study manga and anime in Osaka, Japan. Classes take place in the studio classrooms of Osaka Sogo College of Design, taught by professional Japanese manga and anime artists.
The group is small, and program staff are with the students from the moment they land at Kansai International Airport until they fly home. Each student designs an original character, draws a short manga of their own, presents it at a final showcase, and receives a certificate of completion.
Key facts
- Dates
- June 13–21, 2027 (9 days / 8 nights)
- Location
- Osaka, Japan. Classes at Osaka Sogo College of Design.
- Ages
- The program is for middle school and high school students, ages 11–18. Students should be mature enough to participate responsibly in a group travel setting.
- Price
- $4422 per student (regular price). Early bird price $3980 until January 31, 2027. US dollars.
- Application deadline
- May 10, 2027. Applications may close earlier if spaces are filled.
- Payment
- Pay the program fee in full by May 10, 2027 to reserve your student's seat. Your spot is confirmed once we receive full payment and all enrollment documents.
- Organizer
- Red Fire Capital (Orange County, California), in partnership with Osaka Sogo College of Design
- Language
- English, with translation support from program staff. No Japanese needed.
- Contact
- Email: japanese.manga.school@gmail.com · WeChat: Diegolelezhou
What makes this program different
- Students learn inside a working design college in Osaka, in its studio classrooms, from professional Japanese manga and anime artists.
- Every student leaves with real work: an original character design, a short manga of their own, a final showcase presentation, and a certificate of completion.
- Osaka outside the classroom: a guided day in Den Den Town, the city's anime district; a choice of Universal Studios Japan or an anime cafe with cosplay; and a Dotonbori street food night.
- A small group with staff on hand 24/7, from airport arrival to departure, with group travel, a nightly curfew and no solo outings.
- One program fee covers classes, 8 nights of shared hotel accommodation, daily breakfast and lunch, scheduled excursions and tickets, art supplies, and translation support.
What the fee includes
- Tuition and manga/anime instruction at Osaka Sogo College of Design
- Shared hotel accommodation for the full program (8 nights)
- Daily breakfast and lunch, plus group dinners listed in the itinerary
- Staff meet students at Kansai International Airport (KIX) and travel with them to the hotel, and back to KIX on departure day
- All scheduled cultural activities, excursions, and admission tickets (including Universal Studios Japan if Option B is chosen)
- Standard art supplies and materials for class
- Translation and language support
- 24/7 on-site supervision by program staff
- Certificate of completion
Not included
- International airfare (Japan's ¥3,000 departure tax is included in airline tickets)
- Travel and health insurance (required, proof must be submitted before departure)
- Passport and visa fees
- Meals and snacks outside scheduled group meals
- Train and bus fares in Japan, including the ride from KIX (students pay their own fares with an IC card)
- Personal spending money, souvenirs, and optional activities
- Medical, dental, or emergency expenses
Daily schedule
June 13–21, 2027 · Osaka, Japan
Day 1: Arrival & Orientation
Students arrive in Osaka, check in, and meet fellow participants. The program begins with an orientation, safety briefing, and an anime-themed icebreaker activity. Students are introduced to their creative project for the program.
Day 2: Manga Foundations & Character Design
Students learn the fundamentals of manga drawing, including line work, facial expressions, and character movement. They create their own original anime character and develop its personality and story.
Each student completes an original character design.
Day 3: Storytelling & Manga Panels
Students learn how to build a story and organize manga panels. They begin creating their own short manga and participate in guided peer feedback sessions.
Students complete a first draft of their mini manga.
Day 4: Advanced Techniques & Project Development
Students develop skills in composition, character movement, and background drawing. They refine their manga structure with guidance from instructors.
Students strengthen both their artwork and storytelling.
Day 5: Anime Culture Immersion
Location: Den Den Town (Osaka's anime district). Students explore anime shops, manga stores, and figure stores through a guided activity. They visit locations such as Animate and experience authentic Japanese anime culture.
Day 6: Anime Experience Day
Option A: Visit an anime-themed cafe · Cosplay experience and photos. Option B: Visit Universal Studios Japan · Experience Super Nintendo World and other attractions.
Students choose Option A or Option B during registration. Universal Studios Japan admission is included.
Day 7: Final Project Development
Students focus on completing their final manga projects with guidance from instructors. They refine their artwork, finalize story details, and prepare their work for the final showcase.
Day 8: Showcase & Dotonbori Night Experience
Students present their final manga projects, receive certificates, and take group photos. In the evening, students visit Dotonbori, Osaka's famous food district: street food tasting (takoyaki, okonomiyaki, ramen), night photo spots, and cultural exploration. Students stay with their assigned staff group at all times.
Day 9: Departure
Students pack, check out, and travel with staff to the airport.
Note: The program schedule may be adjusted based on weather, operational needs, or other circumstances. Activities may be reordered, replaced, or modified when necessary to ensure the best experience for participants. June is Osaka's rainy season, so indoor backup activities are planned for every outdoor day.
Who runs and teaches the program
This is a structured educational program, not a tour. The program is organized by Red Fire Capital (Orange County, California) in partnership with Osaka Sogo College of Design, and professionally managed by experienced program staff to ensure a safe, supportive, and meaningful learning experience for students.
International Manga Summer Program
This program is organized by Red Fire Capital through a U.S.–Japan educational partnership, bringing students together to study manga and anime in partnership with Osaka Sogo College of Design, one of Japan's respected professional design schools.
Partner School in Osaka
Students attend classes at Osaka Sogo College of Design, a respected professional design school in Osaka with decades of experience in manga, animation, and creative arts education. During the program, students learn directly from professional Japanese manga and anime artists in real studio classrooms.
Professional Staff Supervision
Experienced program staff support students throughout the program, from arrival in Japan to departure, providing guidance during travel, classes, excursions, and daily activities.
Students attend this program at Osaka Sogo College of Design in Osaka, Japan. Students attend classes in professional design studio classrooms and learn directly from experienced Japanese manga and anime artists. The college has a long history of educating creative professionals in manga, animation, and visual arts.
Safety and supervision
We understand that sending your child abroad is a significant decision. Below is a detailed overview of how we keep students safe throughout the program.
Student Supervision
- Adult chaperones accompany students during all travel and excursions
- Group travel during all activities, no solo outings
- Hotel supervision and a nightly curfew enforced by staff
- Students are never left unsupervised in a foreign environment
- Alcohol, tobacco, vaping, and drugs are strictly prohibited
Medical Support
- Staff are prepared to assist students if medical care is needed
- Students provide emergency contact and medical information before departure
- Japan has excellent, accessible healthcare in Osaka
- Students with medical needs are accommodated with advance notice
Communication with Parents
- Parents receive direct contact information for program staff
- Students have access to communicate with parents throughout the trip
- Program updates and photos shared with families during the program
- Emergency contact procedures clearly communicated before departure
Flights and arrival
Families are responsible for booking international flights to Japan. After enrollment, the program will provide a recommended group flight for arrival in Osaka.
Booking Your Flight
- Each family is responsible for booking the student's international flight to Japan.
- To make it easy to meet up and travel together, we will tell families which flight to book a couple of months before departure.
- Students are strongly encouraged to book this recommended flight so the whole group lands together.
- Families may book a different flight if needed. Staff will still meet the student within the arrival window, but the wait at the airport may be longer.
- We recommend booking early to secure the best airfare.
Arrival at Kansai International Airport (KIX)
- All students should arrive at Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka on Sunday, June 13, 2027. Please land between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM Japan time.
- Program staff will meet students at the airport and travel with them to the hotel.
- Detailed arrival instructions and meeting location information will be sent to families before the program begins.
Meeting at KIX & Getting Around
- Program staff will meet students in the KIX arrival hall, and the group travels to the hotel together by train.
- Each student pays their own train and bus fares in Japan with an IC card such as ICOCA. We will tell families how much to load before departure.
- Students arriving on other flights within the arrival window will also be met, though they may wait longer at the airport.
- On departure day, Monday, June 21, 2027, staff escort students to KIX. The group leaves the hotel at 8:00 AM, so please book return flights departing after 11:30 AM Japan time.
- No student will be required to travel alone after arrival.
Arrival Information for Families
Closer to the program start date, families will receive:
- Recommended flight information
- Airport meeting location details
- Emergency contact information
- Arrival instructions for students
- Please email your child's flight details (airline, flight numbers, arrival and departure times) to japanese.manga.school@gmail.com by May 24, 2027.
Cancellation and refund policy
If a participant cancels:
- More than 30 days before the program start date: Full refund minus a $300 administrative fee.
- 15–30 days before the program start date: 50% of the program fee will be refunded.
- Within 15 days of the program start date: Program fees are non-refundable.
If the organizer cancels:
If the program is canceled due to insufficient enrollment, participants receive a full refund of all payments made to the organizer.
Events outside our control:
If the program is canceled or changed due to events outside our control (such as natural disasters, pandemics, or government travel restrictions), program fees will be refunded minus any non-recoverable costs already paid to third parties.
The organizer is not responsible for airfare or other travel costs. Full terms are in the Program Participation Agreement.
How to sign up
01. Submit Student Information
Complete our online registration form with your student's personal, medical, and contact information.
02. Review Program Policies
A parent or guardian reviews and acknowledges the program's participation guidelines, supervision policies, and code of conduct.
03. Complete Payment
Pay the program fee in full by May 10, 2027 to reserve your student's seat. Your spot is confirmed once we receive full payment and all enrollment documents.
04. Receive Travel Information
Enrolled families receive a detailed preparation packet including packing lists, flight coordination instructions, and staff contact information. Please send us your child's flight details by May 24, 2027.
Questions parents ask
Is the program safe for my child?
Program staff supervise students 24/7, from arrival at Kansai International Airport until departure. Students travel in staff-led groups with no solo outings, follow a nightly hotel curfew, and are never left unsupervised. Alcohol, tobacco, vaping and drugs are prohibited. Parents receive direct contact information for staff, and updates and photos are shared during the program. Travel and health insurance is required.
What does the program fee include?
Included: Tuition and manga/anime instruction at Osaka Sogo College of Design; Shared hotel accommodation for the full program (8 nights); Daily breakfast and lunch, plus group dinners listed in the itinerary; Staff meet students at Kansai International Airport (KIX) and travel with them to the hotel, and back to KIX on departure day; All scheduled cultural activities, excursions, and admission tickets (including Universal Studios Japan if Option B is chosen); Standard art supplies and materials for class; Translation and language support; 24/7 on-site supervision by program staff; Certificate of completion. Not included: International airfare (Japan's ¥3,000 departure tax is included in airline tickets); Travel and health insurance (required, proof must be submitted before departure); Passport and visa fees; Meals and snacks outside scheduled group meals; Train and bus fares in Japan, including the ride from KIX (students pay their own fares with an IC card); Personal spending money, souvenirs, and optional activities; Medical, dental, or emergency expenses.
Is the program worth the price?
That depends on what your child wants from a summer. The fee is $4422, or $3980 with the early bird price until January 31, 2027. It covers 9 days and 8 nights in Osaka: manga and anime classes at Osaka Sogo College of Design with professional artists, shared hotel accommodation, daily breakfast and lunch plus the group dinners in the itinerary, all scheduled excursions and tickets, art supplies, translation support and 24/7 supervision. Airfare, insurance, train fares in Japan and spending money are extra. Students finish an original character and a short manga of their own and present it at a final showcase.
Who teaches the classes?
Students attend classes at Osaka Sogo College of Design, a respected professional design school in Osaka with decades of experience in manga, animation, and creative arts education. During the program, students learn directly from professional Japanese manga and anime artists in real studio classrooms.
When is the deadline, and how do I pay?
Application Deadline: May 10, 2027. Applications may close earlier if spaces are filled. Pay the program fee in full by May 10, 2027 to reserve your student's seat. Your spot is confirmed once we receive full payment and all enrollment documents.
Do students need a visa to travel to Japan?
U.S. passport holders do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Students holding a passport from mainland China (and some other countries) DO need a Japanese visa before travel. As of July 1, 2026, Japan's single-entry visa fee is ¥15,000. Apply through the Japanese embassy or consulate that covers your place of residence and allow at least 4–6 weeks. We can provide an invitation letter after enrollment, just email us. Japan's new JESTA online travel authorization is not expected until 2028 and does not apply to Summer 2027. Note: the Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles does not accept visa applications from people who are only visiting the U.S. (ESTA or B1/B2 visa holders), and it has no expedited service, current processing is 2 weeks or more.
Does my child need a passport, and how early should we apply?
Yes. The passport must be valid for the entire trip, and we recommend at least 6 months of validity beyond June 21, 2027. U.S. passports for children under 16 must be applied for in person, with both parents present (or Form DS-3053 from the absent parent), and routine processing usually takes about 8–10 weeks door to door. We recommend applying no later than March 2027.
Do students need travel insurance?
Yes. Health and travel insurance covering June 13–21, 2027 is required. Proof of insurance must be submitted before departure.
Do students need to speak Japanese?
No. All program activities are conducted in English. Program staff provide translation support throughout the trip, including during classes, excursions, and at the hotel. Students can take part fully without knowing Japanese.
What age is the program for?
The program is for middle school and high school students, ages 11–18. Students should be mature enough to participate responsibly in a group travel setting.
How does the flight work?
Each family books their own flights to Japan. A couple of months before departure, we will tell families which flight to book so the group lands together. Program staff will meet every student at the airport, and the group travels to the hotel together. No student will be left to navigate the airport alone. The exact meeting time and place will be sent to all parents closer to the departure date.
What should students bring?
A passport (plus a printed copy kept separately), a light rain jacket or compact umbrella (June is rainy season in Osaka, expect warm, humid weather around 75–85°F / 24–29°C), comfortable walking shoes, prescription medications in their original labeled containers, a universal power adapter (Japan uses Type A plugs, 100V), a sketchbook and any favorite drawing tools, and about ¥20,000–30,000 (roughly $130–$200 USD) for personal spending.
How much spending money should students bring?
We recommend about ¥20,000–30,000 (roughly $130–$200 USD) in cash for snacks, souvenirs, and personal purchases, plus about ¥10,000 (roughly $70 USD) on an IC card for trains and buses, including the ride from the airport. A debit card with no foreign transaction fees is a good backup. All scheduled meals and activities are already covered by the program fee.
Are art supplies provided?
Yes. All materials needed for manga and anime drawing classes are provided as part of the program fee. This includes drawing paper, pencils, and inking tools. Classes are mostly hand-drawn. Some lessons may use drawing software if the school's computer lab is available. We will confirm this, and whether students should bring a laptop, by April 2027. Students do not need to bring art supplies.
Is there a curfew? How are students supervised?
Yes. Students follow a nightly hotel curfew, travel in staff-led groups, and may not leave the group without staff permission. Alcohol, tobacco, vaping, and drugs are strictly prohibited. The full code of conduct is in the Program Participation Agreement.