News and dates

Good times to travel, admission dates and open days, and news about new trips. We keep this page up to date.

Draft Draft: dates and fees below are typical values or placeholders that are being checked. Always confirm on the official pages.

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Latest news

The dates and open days page is live

Here you will find the best times to travel and admission information for the universities we visit or explore. Official links are added as we confirm them.

Japan Kansai

Planning for cherry blossom 2027

Typical peak bloom in Osaka and Kyoto is late March to early April. Tell us if you want a Kansai trip in that window and we will share dates as soon as they are ready.

New trip

New trip: Live & Study Abroad

Language study, exchange semester, internship or research exchange in China or Japan, a first step toward a degree.

Open →

China Shanghai New trip

New trip: Shanghai Highlights

Skyline, old lanes and a canal town in five days: the Bund, Yu Garden and Zhujiajiao, with a campus walk and a student chat to see what study life is like.

Open →

China Hong Kong New trip

New trip: Hong Kong City Break

Neon harbour, mountain views and fishing villages in five days, plus a look at university life in Hong Kong.

Open →

Japan Kansai New trip

New trip: Kansai Week

Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe in one week: street food, temples and deer, harbour views, and a day at Osaka University with an introduction to Nara Institute of Science and Technology.

Open →

Japan Tokyo New trip

New trip: Tokyo Pop & Tradition

Anime streets, ancient shrines and a day by the sea in five days: Akihabara, Asakusa, Shibuya and Kamakura, plus a walk through Tokyo's university district.

Open →

Hong Kong New trip

New trip: Two Countries Study Trail

Hong Kong, Tokyo and Osaka in 14 days: famous sights, hidden local corners and university visits in Japan, with Osaka University as our main focus and an introduction to Nara.

Open →

Best times to travel

Typical windows. Real dates change every year, so check forecasts and official calendars.

Japan Busy

Golden Week

29 April – 5 May

Japan's busiest holiday week: trains and hotels are full and prices rise. Book early or choose another week.

Japan KansaiTokyo Quiet

Rainy season (tsuyu)

Early June – mid July

Fewer tourists and lush green gardens. Bring a compact umbrella.

Trips that fit: Kansai Week

Japan KansaiTohokuTokyo Moderate

Summer festivals (matsuri)

July – August

Gion Matsuri in Kyoto (July), Sendai Tanabata (6–8 August) and many fireworks. Obon in mid August is busy.

Trips that fit: Kansai WeekTokyo Pop & Tradition

Japan Kansai Busy

Autumn colours (koyo)

Mid November – early December

Kyoto and Nara are at their best in late November, and also very busy.

Trips that fit: Kansai WeekTwo Countries Study Trail

Japan Hokkaido Moderate

Snow and Sapporo Snow Festival

Early February

Giant snow sculptures in Sapporo. Hokkaido is very cold, so pack warm layers.

China ShanghaiHong Kong Busy

Lunar New Year and Lantern Festival

6 February 2027 · Lantern Festival 20 February 2027

Cities glow with lantern displays like the dragons in our photos. It is also the biggest travel rush of the year, and many shops close for several days.

Trips that fit: Shanghai HighlightsHong Kong City Break

China HangzhouShanghai Moderate

Spring in China

March – May

Comfortable weather for West Lake and canal towns. The Longjing tea harvest in Hangzhou is in spring.

Trips that fit: Shanghai Highlights

China Busy

National Day Golden Week

1 – 7 October

Extremely crowded across China. Book far ahead or choose another week.

China ShanghaiHangzhouNanjing Quiet

Autumn in China

September – November

Clear, mild weather in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Nanjing. Often the best time.

Trips that fit: Shanghai HighlightsHong Kong City Break

Admissions and open days

Every university we visit, talk to or are exploring. Official admission pages are added as we confirm them.

Photo idea: Osaka University campus in cherry-blossom season, or the deer at Todai-ji in Nara.

Japan Kansai We visit

The University of Osaka

Japan › Osaka › Suita

Intake
April, October
Application window
To be confirmed
Open day
To be confirmed
Tuition
¥535,800 per year + ¥282,000 one-time admission fee Draft
Teaching language
To be confirmed
Tests
To be confirmed
Scholarships
To be confirmed

Official admissions page Official website

Photo idea: Osaka University campus in cherry-blossom season, or the deer at Todai-ji in Nara.

Japan Kansai We visit

Nara Institute of Science and Technology

Japan › Nara › Ikoma

Intake
April, October
Application window
To be confirmed
Open day
To be confirmed
Tuition
¥535,800 per year + ¥282,000 one-time admission fee Draft
Teaching language
To be confirmed
Tests
To be confirmed
Scholarships
To be confirmed

Official admissions page Official website

Photo idea: Senso-ji gate at dawn, or a campus path under cherry blossom.

Japan Tokyo In discussion

The University of Tokyo

Japan › Tokyo › Bunkyo

Intake
April, October
Application window
To be confirmed
Open day
To be confirmed
Tuition
To be confirmed Draft
Teaching language
To be confirmed
Tests
To be confirmed
Scholarships
To be confirmed

Official admissions page Official website

Photo idea: Osaka University campus in cherry-blossom season, or the deer at Todai-ji in Nara.

Japan Kansai In discussion

Kyoto Institute of Technology

Japan › Kyoto

Intake
April, October
Application window
To be confirmed
Open day
To be confirmed
Tuition
¥535,800 per year + ¥282,000 one-time admission fee Draft
Teaching language
To be confirmed
Tests
To be confirmed
Scholarships
To be confirmed

Official admissions page Official website

Photo idea: Osaka University campus in cherry-blossom season, or the deer at Todai-ji in Nara.

Japan Kansai In discussion

Wakayama University

Japan › Wakayama

Intake
April, October
Application window
To be confirmed
Open day
To be confirmed
Tuition
¥535,800 per year + ¥282,000 one-time admission fee Draft
Teaching language
To be confirmed
Tests
To be confirmed
Scholarships
To be confirmed

Admissions link coming soon Official website

Photo idea: Kumamoto Castle, or the crater at Mount Aso.

Japan Kyushu In discussion

Kumamoto University

Japan › Kumamoto

Intake
April, October
Application window
To be confirmed
Open day
To be confirmed
Tuition
¥535,800 per year + ¥282,000 one-time admission fee Draft
Teaching language
To be confirmed
Tests
To be confirmed
Scholarships
To be confirmed

Official admissions page Official website

Photo idea: Hakodate night view from the mountain, or Goryokaku Fort from above.

Japan Hokkaido In discussion

Future University Hakodate

Japan › Hokkaido › Hakodate

Intake
April, October
Application window
To be confirmed
Open day
To be confirmed
Tuition
¥535,800 per year + ¥310,000 one-time admission fee Draft
Teaching language
To be confirmed
Tests
To be confirmed
Scholarships
To be confirmed

Official admissions page Official website

Photo idea: Osaka University campus in cherry-blossom season, or the deer at Todai-ji in Nara.

Japan Kansai Exploring

Kyoto University

Japan › Kyoto

Intake
April, October
Application window
To be confirmed
Open day
To be confirmed
Tuition
¥535,800 per year + ¥282,000 one-time admission fee Draft
Teaching language
To be confirmed
Tests
To be confirmed
Scholarships
To be confirmed

Admissions link coming soon Official website

Photo idea: Osaka University campus in cherry-blossom season, or the deer at Todai-ji in Nara.

Japan Kansai Exploring

Kobe University

Japan › Hyogo › Kobe

Intake
April, October
Application window
To be confirmed
Open day
To be confirmed
Tuition
¥535,800 per year + ¥282,000 one-time admission fee Draft
Teaching language
To be confirmed
Tests
To be confirmed
Scholarships
To be confirmed

Admissions link coming soon Official website

Photo idea: Nagoya Castle with its golden dolphins.

Japan Nagoya & Aichi Exploring

Nagoya University

Japan › Aichi › Nagoya

Intake
April, October
Application window
To be confirmed
Open day
To be confirmed
Tuition
¥535,800 per year + ¥282,000 one-time admission fee Draft
Teaching language
To be confirmed
Tests
To be confirmed
Scholarships
To be confirmed

Admissions link coming soon Official website

Photo idea: Hakodate night view from the mountain, or Goryokaku Fort from above.

Japan Hokkaido Exploring

Hokkaido University

Japan › Hokkaido › Sapporo

Intake
April, October
Application window
To be confirmed
Open day
To be confirmed
Tuition
¥535,800 per year + ¥282,000 one-time admission fee Draft
Teaching language
To be confirmed
Tests
To be confirmed
Scholarships
To be confirmed

Admissions link coming soon Official website

Photo idea: Matsushima Bay at sunrise.

Japan Tohoku Exploring

Tohoku University

Japan › Miyagi › Sendai

Intake
April, October
Application window
To be confirmed
Open day
To be confirmed
Tuition
¥535,800 per year + ¥282,000 one-time admission fee Draft
Teaching language
To be confirmed
Tests
To be confirmed
Scholarships
To be confirmed

Admissions link coming soon Official website

Photo idea: Kumamoto Castle, or the crater at Mount Aso.

Japan Kyushu Exploring

Kyushu University

Japan › Fukuoka

Intake
April, October
Application window
To be confirmed
Open day
To be confirmed
Tuition
¥535,800 per year + ¥282,000 one-time admission fee Draft
Teaching language
To be confirmed
Tests
To be confirmed
Scholarships
To be confirmed

Admissions link coming soon Official website

Photo idea: The Itsukushima gate at high tide.

Japan Hiroshima Exploring

Hiroshima University

Japan › Hiroshima › Higashihiroshima

Intake
April, October
Application window
To be confirmed
Open day
To be confirmed
Tuition
¥535,800 per year + ¥282,000 one-time admission fee Draft
Teaching language
To be confirmed
Tests
To be confirmed
Scholarships
To be confirmed

Admissions link coming soon Official website

Photo idea: The skyline from Victoria Peak at dusk.

China Hong Kong Exploring

The University of Hong Kong

China › Hong Kong

Intake
September
Application window
To be confirmed
Open day
To be confirmed
Tuition
HK$198,000 per year Draft
Teaching language
To be confirmed
Tests
To be confirmed
Scholarships
To be confirmed

Admissions link coming soon Official website

Photo idea: The Bund skyline at blue hour.

China Shanghai Exploring

Fudan University

China › Shanghai

Intake
September
Application window
To be confirmed
Open day
To be confirmed
Tuition
CN¥20,000 – CN¥45,000 per year Draft
Teaching language
To be confirmed
Tests
To be confirmed
Scholarships
To be confirmed

Admissions link coming soon Official website

Photo idea: West Lake in morning mist.

China Hangzhou Exploring

Zhejiang University

China › Zhejiang › Hangzhou

Intake
September
Application window
To be confirmed
Open day
To be confirmed
Tuition
CN¥20,000 – CN¥45,000 per year Draft
Teaching language
To be confirmed
Tests
To be confirmed
Scholarships
To be confirmed

Admissions link coming soon Official website

Photo idea: The Ming city wall in autumn.

China Nanjing Exploring

Nanjing University

China › Jiangsu › Nanjing

Intake
September
Application window
To be confirmed
Open day
To be confirmed
Tuition
CN¥20,000 – CN¥45,000 per year Draft
Teaching language
To be confirmed
Tests
To be confirmed
Scholarships
To be confirmed

Admissions link coming soon Official website

Photo idea

Singapore Coming soon

Singapore Management University

Intake
To be confirmed
Application window
To be confirmed
Open day
To be confirmed
Tuition
To be confirmed Draft
Teaching language
To be confirmed
Tests
To be confirmed
Scholarships
To be confirmed

Admissions link coming soon Official website

Photo idea

Thailand Coming soon

Chiang Mai University

Intake
To be confirmed
Application window
To be confirmed
Open day
To be confirmed
Tuition
To be confirmed Draft
Teaching language
To be confirmed
Tests
To be confirmed
Scholarships
To be confirmed

Admissions link coming soon Official website