The AIJP is an intensive program. Even so, you do get to take a break from the books every now and then. There are no weekend classes scheduled. Longer term students can also enjoy the term (quarter) breaks and the Obon break.

Breaks between Quarters & Obon Festival Break

Autumn Break 2007: SEP/22-OCT/02
Winter Break 2007-8: DEC/21-JAN/07
Spring Break 2008: MAR/21-APR/07
Summer Break 2008: JUN/27-JUL/07
Obon Festival 2008: AUG/13-17
Autumn Break 2008: SEP/27-OCT/06
Winter Break 2008-9: DEC/19-JAN/05
Spring Break 2009: MAR/20-APR/06
Summer Break 2009: JUN/26-JUL/06
Obon Festival 2009: AUG/12-16
Autumn Break 2009: SEP/25-OCT/05
Winter Break 2009-10: DEC/19-JAN/05
Spring Break 2010: MAR/20-To be confirmed

Program & Public Holidays*:

Autumn 2007: OCT/12, DEC/03
Winter 2008: None
Spring 2008: MAY/5-6
Summer 2008: None (Obon)
Autumn 2008: None
Winter 2009: None
Spring 2009: MAY/4-5
Summer 2009: None (Obon)
Autumn 2009: None
Winter 2010: None

*Japan has a large number of public holidays. Due to the disruption that frequent public holidays can have on the teaching schedule (affecting preparations for exams such as the Japanese Language Proficiency Test etc) Yamasa has its own schedule. For the most part the public holidays have been moved to Fridays, with the only exception usually being "Seijin-no-hi" (in January), where family committments on the part of the faculty make it impossible to reallocate the holiday. "Obon" (in August, the Obon festival) is observed. There are no classes held during the Obon festival, again due to family committments on the part of the faculty. (Obon is observed in Aichi Prefecture with about the same importance as Christmas or Easter is in western countries).

By moving holidays to create 3 day weekends less disruptive to the teaching schedule and more conducive to weekend travel plans, we hope you will also find it relatively easy and inexpensive to travel throughout the main regions of Japan between Tokyo and the Kansai (Osaka/Kobe) areas. For more details regarding travel please read the Location files.