Let Curiosity Be Your Guide

Hakuba International School’s Summer School 2025 will welcome a small group of students to enjoy the pristine air and spectacular natural beauty of Hakuba while engaging in a range of stimulating activities. Our theme is Sustainability in Action. We have a line-up of science, music/art, systems thinking, and outdoor activities which combine to make for rich interdisciplinary learning, as well as plenty of opportunities to challenge ourselves, try, fail, learn, reflect and grow. Students will conclude the program with new friends, great memories of their amazing adventures in Hakuba, and a new perspective on themselves and the world. 

Do you want to know what it is like to learn in Hakuba? Here is a short video for HIS Summer School!

Available Sessions

In 2025, we will offer two sessions of the same program, each focused on the core theme of Flourishing People, Flourishing Planet and offering a mix of project-based learning and outdoor adventures. Each session is open to students in Grades 6 through 9 as of May 2025. Sessions will be led in English, so High-Intermediate or better English is required.

Session 1: Monday, June 23, 2025 — Friday, July 4, 2025.

Session 2: Monday, July 7, 2025 — Friday, July 18, 2025.

Location 

Hakuba International School Campus

Students will stay in the HIS Miyama Dormitory, and will study and work together at the HIS Mont Bien Classroom Building, a short walk away. Both buildings are at the base of Mount Iwatake, in a small village and with abundant natural opportunities around them.

Access from Tokyo

> Shinkansen & Bus: 1.5-hour Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagano, and 1-hour bus ride from Nagano to Hakuba

> JR Express Train: 4-hour train ride (Azusa) from Shinjuku to Hakuba Station

> Highway Bus: 5-hour bus ride from Shinjuku Bus Terminal to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal

Fees

JPY 550,000 with full board (transportation costs to and from Hakuba are not included)

Accommodation

Students will stay in a safe and comfortable environment at the HIS Miyama Dormitory. This building was until recently a hotel, and has been renovated and repurposed into a school dormitory.

​Students share rooms with up to two others, organized by gender and age.  Freshly cooked meals incorporating local produce are served daily and our summer camp faculty oversee pastoral care.  Students have access to laundry machines in the building.

General Information

Please read this information carefully before submitting an application.  

Fees

The fees are based on an all-inclusive charge, which covers medical and accident insurance (excluding any pre-existing conditions), accommodation, linen and towels, meals, course materials and planned activities.  ​

Schedule

Students are expected to arrive at Miyama Dormitory by 1:30pm on the first day. We recommend the parents/guardians accompany students to and from Hakuba. Please contact the HIS Director if students are required to travel unaccompanied (e-mail: summer@hakuba-is.jp). HIS will organise free pick-ups from Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal and JR Hakuba Station. The program finishes at noon on the last day with the student presentation. Please see below for the details. Should students travel back home on their own, HIS will organise free drop-offs to Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal and JR Hakuba Station. 

Student presentation

Please note that parents, guardians and family members are welcome to attend on the final day to watch the students' presentations from 10am to 12 noon. 

​Fitness

Please ensure your child has a suitable level of fitness which will enable him/her to fully enjoy the physical nature of some of our activities.  ​

Computers and other devices

​Students are encouraged to bring their own laptop or other device for doing research and making presentations. 

How to Apply

Application Form Available Here

Placements are limited.  To avoid your child missing out, please read below and submit an application at your earliest convenience.  

1. After submitting the form (see link a bove), please send a recent photo of your child (no need for a passport photo, a snap photo taken on your mobile phone will do as long as we can see your child's face) by e-mail to summer@hakuba-is.jp. 

2. Acceptance notifications will be made on a rolling basis, until all spots are taken.

3. The place for your child will be secured when the payment of fee is confirmed.  

4. Please read through our Conditions of Acceptance, which outlines our expectations of student conduct during the program and our cancellation policy.  

Conditions of Acceptance

We expect the parents and guardians of HIS summer program students to read and accept the following conditions.  

Conduct

We expect students to demonstrate respect for each other, teachers and members of staff so everyone has a positive experience during the program.  The HIS Director reserves the right to send home students whose behaviour affects the learning and/or well-being of others or themselves. Students are expected to demonstrate care towards the facilities and the local community.

Smoking and drinking are strictly prohibited, therefore the possession of any form of cigarettes, alcohol or drugs will not be tolerated.  Boys and girls are not allowed to visit each other's rooms at any time.  Students may not leave the facility without permissions of the HIS Director.  Students' use of mobile phones may be restricted during the day.  They will be permitted to use their mobile phones during their free time in the evenings.  

Cancellations

In the event of a cancellation, a refund will be made only if the cancellation is communicated in writing no later than June 15th.  The full fee minus the bank transfer fee will be refunded in case a written notice of cancellation is received on or before May 31st.

​

Activities

Subject to weather and other conditions, we reserve the right to change any activities specified in the current HIS summer program.