UTokyo Global Unit Courses: Field Study Program

The UTokyo Global Unit Courses (GUC) Field Study Program is a selective, short-term summer program organized by the Center for Global Education at the University of Tokyo.
Offered for the first time, this program combines rigorous academic coursework taught by current and former UTokyo faculty with a hands-on field study directly connected to the SDGs.
 

A 5-Day Immersive Experience

The 2026 Hokkaido program delivers an extraordinary 5-day academic and professional journey:

• Day 1: Coursework at UTokyo’s historic Hongo Campus in Tokyo
• Day 2-5: A field study at UTokyo Hokkaido Forest in Furano, Hokkaido, providing participants with an unparalleled opportunity to learn in the heart of breathtaking nature

Exclusive Access to a Rare Field Site A unique opportunity to visit the UTokyo Hokkaido Forest in Furano, Hokkaido—normally off-limits to the public—and stay in authentic on-site accommodations. Learn Directly from Leading Experts Special lectures and guidance delivered exclusively for this program by distinguished faculty members of the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences. An Unforgettable Academic Experience Combine immersive field study with expert guidance for a truly unique learning opportunity.

 

Language Support for Success

Students with beginner-level Japanese proficiency are able to enroll in the Survival Japanese Course, a five-day intensive program designed specifically for GUC participants.
 

Academic Excellence & Personalized Learning

• All courses are taught by current and former UTokyo faculty
• Instruction is conducted entirely in English
• Small cohort size (approximately 20 students) ensures close interaction with faculty and peers
• Admission is highly selective, maintaining UTokyo’s rigorous academic standards

Certification & Credit

Upon successful completion, students will receive a Global Unit Certificate that includes a grade and the number of Global Units earned. These units may be transferable for academic credit, subject to the policies of the student’s home institution.
 

* Minimum number of participants required

The minimum number of participants required to run the program is 10.
Please note that the program may be canceled if there are fewer than 9 participants.

• 1) GUC Field Study Program 2026 Schedule
• 2) Course Offering

 
 

1) GUC Field Study Program 2026 Schedule

 

Information Available	Early January
Application Period	By 16:00 (Japan Standard Time), Monday, March 16, 2026
Screening Results Announcement	Late March - Early April
Payment Deadline	Early April - Mid April
Program Period	Monday, June 8 – Friday, June 12   Day1 : UTokyo Hongo Campus   Days 2 – 5 : Hokkaido *The optional Japanese course will be delivered online between June 1 and June 5.
Issuance of Global Unit Certificates	Late September

 

2) Course Offering

• UTokyo GUC Field Study Program 2026 | Timetable

*The schedule is subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

 

Course Code	Campus	Course Title	Instructor	Number of sessions (1session=90min)	Global Units
GUC26SF201C	Hongo Hokkaido	Sustainability and Tourism: Experiential Learning in Hokkaido	Project Lecturer Sho SHIMOYAMADA	20	2.0 (in-person)
GUC26S611JIL	Online	Survival Japanese	Japanese Language Education Division, GlobE	5	0.5 (online)

Note:
The Survival Japanese course will be offered for an additional fee.

Sustainability and Tourism: Experiential Learning in Hokkaido If you are a traveller who appreciates the beauty of nature and celebrates cultural diversity, then this course is perfect for you! Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of flora, fauna, stunning landscapes, delicious food, and indigenous cultures unique to Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island. This course is not a traditional “sit-and-listen” lecture series as it involves fieldwork in UTokyo Hokkaido Forest (Furano), Biei, and Asahikawa. I invite active learners to transcend the acquisition of knowledge and engage in hands-on experiences as well as lively discussions and collaborations with peer learners. Let’s make this an unforgettable journey together!
	Project Lecturer Sho SHIMOYAMADA
Survival Japanese This course is a shared elective offered exclusively to participants enrolled in either the Field Study Program or the internship Experience Program.	Japanese Language Education Division, GlobE

• 1) Eligibility Requirements
• 2) Language Requirement
• 3) Health and Travel Insurance Requirements

 
 

1) Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be full-time undergraduate or graduate students enrolled at a university outside Japan at the time of application. A copy of a valid student ID card from their current institution is required.
• Have completed at least one academic term of undergraduate study. The most recent official academic transcript from their current institution is required.

Note: The eligibility requirements presented above serve as general guidelines. Those who do not fully meet the criteria may still apply, with the understanding that selection is not guaranteed and that each course conducts its own review; exceptions may be granted at the instructor’s discretion. The decision to apply rests with each applicant. Please note that the application fee is non-refundable, and that applicants are not permitted to contact the GUC Field Study Program Office regarding screening status or results, as the GUC Field Study Program Office cannot provide such information. Likewise, applicants should not contact course instructors directly.

For UTokyo Students:
UTokyo students are also welcome to apply for the program.
As a general rule, UTokyo students must follow the same application procedures as all other applicants and should complete the steps indicated in the Application section of this website. For additional information that applies specifically to UTokyo students, please search for “UTokyo GUC” on the UTAS Bulletin Board. Relevant guidance — including the application fee exemption code — will be posted in early February.
 

2) Language Requirement

The GUC Field Study Program is taught in English except for Japanese language course, and knowledge of Japanese is not required.
While a certificate of English proficiency is not required, students must possess sufficient language proficiency to complete university-level coursework, including active participation in class discussions, presentations, and other interactive academic activities.
The minimum required proficiency is TOEFL iBT 90 or IELTS 6.5.
 

3) Health and Travel Insurance Requirements

This program includes classes held off campus.
Given the nature of the program, all participants must obtain Health/Travel Insurance prior to traveling to Japan.
Proof of insurance will be required.

• 1) Fees
• 2) UTokyo Campuses and Access
• 3) Travel and Accommodation Arrangements
• 4) Meals & Dietary Considerations
• 5) Forest Safety Guidelines
• 6)Accessibility and Accommodation Guidelines Overview
• 7) VISA

 
 

1) Fees

• 1) -1. Application Fee
• 1) -2. Program Fees
• 1) -3. Discounts for Students from AUA/IARU/USTEP
• 1) -4. Scholarships

 
 

1) -1. Application Fee

Application Fee	JPY 5,000

The application fee must be paid by credit card ONLY during the application period and is strictly non-refundable.
Depending on the payment option you choose within Flywire, which handles the payment procedure via the online application system, a handling charge may apply. Such a charge must be borne by the applicant.
Please note that payment in Japanese yen (JPY) is not available via Flywire.

There is no application fee for UTokyo students.
The application fee exemption code for UTokyo students will be posted on the UTAS Bulleting Board around early February.
 

1) -2. Program Fees and Travel Expenses

GUC Field Study Program

Global Unit	Program Fee
2.0	JPY 380,000

* JPY 190,000 per Global Unit  
 

Survival Japanese

Global Unit	Program Fee
0.5	JPY 40,000

* JPY 80,000 per Global Unit  
 

Travel Expenses

Travel Expenses	JPY 80,000

*Travel expenses are not discounted for UTokyo, AUA, IARU, or USTEP students.
 
The program fee and travel expenses must be paid together in a single credit‑card transaction only during the payment period in April, and payment can be made ONLY by credit card, after the screening results are announced.
Depending on the payment option you choose within Flywire, which handles the payment process, a handling charge may apply.
Such a charge must be borne by the applicant.
Please note that payment in Japanese yen (JPY) is not available via Flywire.
 
   

1) -3. Discounts for Students from AUA/IARU/USTEP Universities

Students currently enrolled at AUA/IARU/USTEP universities are eligible for a 20% discount on the program fees.

• AUA Members
• IARU Members
• USTEP Partner Universities

The discount on the program fee(s) will be applied to successful applicants from partner universities after the screening results are announced.

 

1) -4. Scholarships

Note: All scholarship opportunities specifically offered for this program are listed here.
No additional program-specific scholarships or information are available beyond what is provided here.

For details regarding each scholarship and its application procedures, please contact the scholarship provider directly via the link below.

• FUTI Scholarships for students in the US for summer programs

 

2) UTokyo Campuses and Access

UTokyo GUC Field Study Program will primarily be offered at Hongo Campus on June 8.

 

Access Map to the Campuses

For detailed directions, visit the Access Map.
 

Hongo Campus Nearest Stations: Todaimae Station (Namboku Line) Hongo-sanchome Station (Marunouchi/Oedo Line) Yushima/Nezu Station (Chiyoda Line) Transportation from Tokyo Station About 10-20 minutes by Tokyo Metro to Hongo-sanchome Station. Walking Distance from Ueno Station Approximately 20-30 minutes on foot to Hongo Campus.

 

3) Travel and Accommodation Arrangements (Self-arranged & UTokyo-arranged)

• 3) -1. Self-arranged and UTokyo-arranged Items
• 3) -2. Staying in Tokyo
• 3) -3. Staying at UTokyo Hokkaido Forest in Furano

Participants may arrange part of your travel and accommodation on your own, while some arrangements will be provided by UTokyo.
Please review the information below carefully to understand which parts are self-arranged and which are organized by the university.
 

3) -1. Self-arranged and UTokyo-arranged Items

The travel and accommodation requirements for this program are divided into items that participants arrange independently and items arranged by UTokyo, as follows:

Self-arranged	Flight	・Flight from home country to Tokyo ・Return flight from Hokkaido (Asahikawa) to Tokyo / home country
	Transportation	・Local transportation in Tokyo ・The round-trip bus to the Kawamura Kaneto Museum in Hokkaido
	Meal	<in Tokyo> ・All meals are self-arranged, including lunch during the travel to Hokkaido (June 9) <in Hokkaido> ・Dinner in Asahikawa (June 11) ・Lunch in Asahikawa (June 12)
	Accommodation	・Accommodation in Tokyo
UTokyo-arranged	Flight	・Flight from Tokyo to Hokkaido (Asahikawa)
	Transportation	・Basic transportation in Hokkaido (Excluding the round-trip bus to the Kawamura Kaneto Museum)
	Meal	・All meals in UTokyo Hokkaido Forest in Furano, Hokkaido ・Breakfast in Asahikawa (June 12)
	Accommodation	・Accommodation in Hokkaido (June 9 – June 11 )

For details regarding the schedule and meals, please refer to the UTokyo GUC Field Study Program 2026 | Timetable  and  4) Meals & Dietary Considerations (Halal, vegetarian, allergies, etc.).

 

3) -2. Staying in Tokyo

In Japan, summer is in the middle of the academic year, which begins in April.
Unlike in many other countries, campus housing is fully occupied at this time, and even a few openings are prioritized for UTokyo students.
For this reason, GUC students are not eligible for campus housing.
We kindly ask you to refrain from contacting the UTokyo Housing Office regarding this matter.

This, however, provides an opportunity to choose accommodation that best suits your preferences and needs.
Tokyo offers a wide variety of options, and past participants have enjoyed selecting and securing their own housing.
Prices vary by hotel. A standard hotel room (with a private bathroom) typically costs around USD 100 per day.
As Tokyo experiences high demand during the summer and accommodation prices generally increase, we encourage participants to secure their lodging in a timely manner. Early-booking discounts may be available, and reservations should be made at participants' own discretion.

 

Near the Hongo Campus: Forest Hongo (Japanese website only) Searching for other accommodation options: Please note that the websites listed below are general third‑party travel search sites. They are provided for your convenience only and are not specifically recommended or endorsed by UTokyo. UTokyo assumes no responsibility or liability for any bookings, fees, changes, or issues arising from their use. Rakuten Travel Expedia Jalan JAPANiCAN

 
 

3) -3. Staying at UTokyo Hokkaido Forest in Furano

A unique opportunity to visit the UTokyo Hokkaido Forest in Furano, Hokkaido—normally off-limits to the public—and stay in authentic Japanese-style accommodations featuring tatami-mat rooms, futon bedding, and shared rooms.  
We will inform participants separately about the items they need to bring for the accommodation.
     

4) Meals & Dietary Considerations (Halal, vegetarian, allergies, etc.)

For participants with dietary restrictions:
Please indicate any dietary restrictions in the relevant section of the Application form at the time of submission.
Due to the location of the Hokkaido component of the program, meal options may be limited. While we will make every effort to accommodate individual dietary needs, please understand that you may need to make your own arrangements in some cases.

Please refer here for details of the menu during the UTokyo Hokkaido Forest stay.
 *Please be advised that the menu is subject to change without notice depending on circumstances.

 

5) Forest Safety Guidelines

We will provide an update as soon as it becomes available.
 

6)Accessibility and Accommodation Guidelines Overview

Our program is committed to ensuring that all students can participate on an equal basis and have equitable access to learning opportunities. We recognize that each student’s needs are unique, and accommodations are considered individually through an interactive process.

These guidelines are intended to clarify the principles of reasonable accommodation and the request process for UTokyo GUC Field Study Program. By providing this information in advance, we hope to help prospective participants understand what support may be available and make informed decisions before submitting an application.

 

• UTokyo GUC Field Study Program : Disability Access & Reasonable Accommodation Guidelines

 
     

7) VISA

For successful applicants who hold a nationality that requires a visa to enter Japan, a temporary visitor visa is required.
UTokyo will send detailed information and supporting documents after confirming payment of the program fees, following the announcement of the screening results.

Information on visa-related matters will be shared with successful applicants based on their admitted courses after the screening results are announced.

Students requiring a visa should apply at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate General in their country of residence.
Please note that this process may take several weeks.

For more information:

• Visa Information
• Visa Exemption (Short-Term Stay)

• 1) Global Unit / Assessment
• 2) Contact Hours of Global Unit
• 3) Global Unit Certificate

 
 

1) Global Unit / Assessment

Students will be rigorously assessed based on their performance and the number of class hours.
Upon successful completion of each course, students will receive a Global Unit Certificate for each course, which includes their grade and the number of Global Units earned.

These "Global Units" may be used to calculate credits for transfer to students' home institutions; however, the transfer of credits is subject to the policies of the respective institutions.
We strongly recommend that students check with their home institutions in advance to confirm whether the credits can be transferred.
For the syllabus of each course, please refer to the information provided under 3. Instructor's Video Message / Syllabi.
 

Course Level

Please assess the course level based on the "Syllabus" page under 3. Instructor's Video Message / Syllabi, which includes details such as prerequisites, course contents, and required/reference readings.
This page contains all official information instructors can share before the course begins, as applicants are not permitted to contact them directly to ensure fairness in the screening process. In some cases, the course level may not be clearly stated, but this reflects the program's effort to accommodate the diverse backgrounds of GUC students.
Although the program is primarily designed for undergraduates, instructors ensure the content is accessible to graduate students, as the program is also open to them.
*Please note that the GUC Field Study Office cannot provide any individual consultations on the course level, as stated in the Important Notice.
 

2) Contact Hours of Global Unit

A "Global Unit" consists of 15 hours, comprising 10 sessions of 90 minutes each. It is aligned with the UCTS (UMAP Credit Transfer Scheme).
The contact hours for each course per Global Unit are as follows:
 

Global Unit	Hours	Minutes	Sessions
0.5	7.5	450	90-minute session × 5
1.0	15	900	90-minute session × 10
2.0	30	1800	90-minute session × 20

 

3) Global Unit Certificate

The Global Unit Certificate for each course is the only official document that verifies the student's participation, enrollment, and grade.
It is issued by the University of Tokyo in electronic format only (no paper copy) to students who meet the requirements. 
No other official letters of any kind will be issued; accordingly, students are expected to consult their home institutions in advance as necessary.

It includes the following information: Participant's name Course name Number of Global Units for the course Lecture type (In-person/Online) Instructor's name Course period Grade earned by the participant Number of Global Units earned by the participant Notes (*1 Global Unit = 90 minutes × 10 / 0.5 Global Unit = 90 minutes × 5, **System of Grading: S (100-90), A (89-80), B (79-70), C (69-60), D (Fail))

Please refer to here for application information.

Important Notice 1. Owing to the high volume of inquiries, the GUC Field Study Program Office prioritizes responses to questions not addressed on this webpage. If you do not receive a reply, it means that the information relevant to your inquiry is already available here. We encourage you to review this page carefully. 2. To ensure fairness, the GUC Field Study Program Office provides all information exclusively through this website. We do not offer individual letters, confirmations, or personalized guidance regarding course selection or application materials. This policy applies to all prospective and current applicants.

The University of Tokyo Global Unit Courses provides a great opportunity for students around the world to experience studying at one of the world's foremost universities in East Asia. UTokyo GUC offers a variety of in-person and online courses with cutting-edge contents, taught by current and former faculty members of the University of Tokyo.