Yes, with a caveat. You can spend a full day as a student in a real Japanese school building, though the classes are staged specifically for visitors. Active schools in Japan are strictly closed to tourists, so an events company has transformed a real countryside school—closed in 2020—into an immersive Showa-era classroom about 60 km from Tokyo.
If you have ever watched anime, read manga, or wondered what it actually feels like to wear a Japanese school uniform, serve classroom lunch, and compete in a traditional sports festival, this is the closest you can get without enrolling.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, Japan Joy Experiences may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Everything below is compiled from the official booking listing (checked on 14 November 2026) and independent press reports.
The Short Answer: At a Glance
- What it is: A one-day immersive programme in the former Kameyama Junior High School in Kimitsu, Chiba (renamed Kimino High School for the experience).
- Who runs it: Undokaiya, an events company specialising in traditional Japanese sports days.
- What you do: Put on a classic uniform and go through morning homeroom, calligraphy, school lunch (kyushoku), a cosplay history class, a sports festival (undokai), classroom cleaning (souji), a graduation ceremony, and an afternoon festival (matsuri).
- Language: Fully run in English.
- Price: ¥43,000 per adult (12+) and ¥15,000 per child (aged 6 to 11).
- Getting there: A free return shuttle runs from Shinjuku at 08:30 (must be selected as an add-on when booking).
This is a lively recreation, not an academic exchange programme. Because the school has had no regular pupils since 2020, your classmates for the day are other visitors, and your teachers are English-speaking hosts. The setting recreates a nostalgic 1970s and 80s countryside school, complete with period uniforms and props.
👉 Check available dates and prices on Rakuten Travel Experiences
What the School Day Looks Like
The booking listing gives this timetable for the standard option. Times are approximate and shift slightly depending on group size.
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 08:30 | Shuttle leaves Shinjuku, from the ground floor of Cocoon Tower |
| 10:30 | Arrive at the school, register and change into uniform |
| 11:00 | Morning homeroom |
| 11:45 | Japanese class: calligraphy |
| 12:40 | School lunch |
| 13:30 | Social studies, listed as a history class with cosplay |
| 14:50 | Physical education: undokai, the school sports festival |
| 15:10 | Cleaning time |
| 15:40 | Graduation ceremony, with a diploma |
| 16:30 | Traditional festival (matsuri) |
| 18:00 | Shuttle leaves the school, reaching Shinjuku around 20:00 |
The uniforms come in two kinds: the gakuran, the high-collared jacket, and the sailor-style sailor fuku.
Press reports from 2025 fill in what the listing leaves out. Reuters described tug-of-war and a bean-bag toss during the sports festival, plus an earthquake drill. SoraNews24 mentioned troublemakers from a rival school turning up as a scripted surprise. Those details may have changed since.
Two parts of the day are less theatrical than they sound. Pupils in Japanese schools really do serve lunch to their classmates, and they really do clean their own classrooms.
What It Costs
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, 12 and over | ¥43,000 | Includes full programme, uniform hire, lunch & souvenir |
| Child, 6 to 11 | ¥15,000 | Roughly a third of the adult rate |
| Shuttle from Shinjuku | ¥0 | Free add-on; must be selected at checkout (up to 7 people) |
| Camping at the school | ¥30,000 per person | Optional 2-day add-on per person with site & gear (food not included) |
What your ticket actually covers:
- 7.5 hours of hosted activities in English across classrooms, the gym, and school grounds.
- Full uniform and equipment hire (gakuran, sailor fuku, indoor school shoes, calligraphy materials, and cosplay props).
- Authentic school lunch (kyushoku) served in the classroom.
- Return private transport from Shinjuku (nearly 4 hours of round-trip travel to rural Chiba at zero extra cost if you select the shuttle add-on).
- A keepsake diploma and a souvenir hagoita (a traditional decorated wooden paddle).
Is It Worth ¥43,000?
Two adults pay ¥86,000. For families, the heavily discounted child rate makes a big difference: two adults with two children aged 6 to 11 pay ¥116,000 in total.
The price makes sense if you love Japanese pop culture, anime, and manga, or if you are travelling with kids and want a hands-on memory you cannot get in central Tokyo. If you are only mildly curious about what an ordinary school building looks like from the outside, the theatrical format will likely feel too expensive.
Who It Suits (and Who Should Skip It)
It makes sense if:
- You know Japanese school life from anime, manga, or dramas and want to step inside that classroom yourself.
- You have been to Japan before and have already ticked off the main temples, shrines, and food tours.
- You are travelling with children aged 6 to 11, where the reduced child rate offers great value.
- You are travelling as a group of friends or family (the listing takes bookings of up to 30 people per session).
Skip it if:
- This is your first trip to Japan with only three or four days in Tokyo—the experience takes a full day from 08:30 until the evening.
- You expect to observe real Japanese teenagers in class; this is a closed school run for visitors.
- You dislike costumed role-play and group games, as the whole day is built around active participation.
- Your travel plans are still up in the air, as cancellation terms are strict within the final week.
How to Book Step by Step
- Open the Rakuten listing and pick your preferred date on the calendar.
- Select the number of adults (12+) and children (6–11).
- Crucial step: Add the ¥0 Shinjuku transfer to your booking if you want the free shuttle, and message the operator to confirm your seats.
- Review the cancellation policy and complete your payment.
You do not need to bring any special gear—you will change into your school uniform and indoor shoes as soon as you arrive.
👉 See available dates and book on Rakuten Travel Experiences
Practical Tips & Fine Print Worth Reading First
To make sure your day goes smoothly, keep these seven logistical details in mind before you go:
- The shuttle leaves at 08:30 sharp: Meet at the ground floor of the Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower in Shinjuku. If you miss the bus, the operator treats it as a same-day cancellation and charges the full fee.
- Select the shuttle at checkout: The Shinjuku transfer is free, but it is not added automatically. Make sure to tick the add-on when booking. It is listed for up to 7 people per booking, so larger groups should message the operator right after reserving.
- Check which return time applies to your date: The listing mentions two slightly different afternoon schedules—one ending with the festival at 16:30 (reaching Shinjuku around 20:00) and another arriving back by 17:45. Ask the operator which timetable applies on your date before booking dinner reservations in Tokyo.
- Cancellation fees start one week out: Cancelling costs 30% from seven days before, 50% from three days before, and 100% on the day of the activity or for a no-show.
- Bad weather is fully covered: If the operator cancels due to a typhoon, earthquake, or heavy snow, you will receive a full refund with no cancellation fee.
- Media coverage happens occasionally: Because this experience is popular with international TV and press, crews sometimes film the day. Simply let the staff know in advance if you prefer to stay off camera.
- Arriving on your own: If you drive or take public transport, arrive at least 10 minutes before 10:30 to register and change. Latecomers join the classes partway through.
How to Get to Kimino High School Without the Shuttle Bus
Taking the free shuttle from Shinjuku is by far the easiest option, as the school is located in a quiet rural area of the Boso Peninsula (223-1 Sakahata, Kimitsu, Chiba 292-0532). However, if the shuttle is full or you are already staying in Chiba, you can reach the venue independently.
Option 1: Highway Bus from Tokyo Station
You can take a direct highway bus from Tokyo Station towards Kimitsu, which takes roughly 70 to 95 minutes depending on traffic. From Kimitsu, you will need to take a local taxi for the final leg to the school, as rural bus connections are infrequent.
– Keisei Bus – Tokyo to Kimitsu
Option 2: Train to Kazusa-Kameyama
The nearest railway station is Kazusa-Kameyama Station, on the JR Kururi Line. The school is approximately 1 km away, or around 12 minutes on foot.
However, there is an important transport consideration: as of November 2026, rail services between Kururi and Kazusa-Kameyama have been suspended, with replacement buses and taxis operating instead. This arrangement is currently scheduled to continue until 31 March 2027.
Check the latest service information before travelling:
Should You Travel Independently?
Unless you have a rental car or are already exploring Chiba Prefecture, stick with the free Shinjuku shuttle. Navigating rural train replacements and local taxis before 10:30 adds unnecessary stress—and since the shuttle is included as a ¥0 add-on with your ticket, it saves both time and train fare.
If you decide to travel independently, contact the organiser beforehand to confirm your arrival time and the best transport option for your chosen date.
👉 Reserve your spot and free Shinjuku shuttle on Rakuten Travel Experiences
