Ojiya Study Abroad
About
OSA
Ojiya Study Abroad is a non-profit organisation aimed at helping international people learn the Japanese language and learn about Japanese culture on a small budget. OSA is fully supported by the City of Ojiya and offers individuals the opportunity to study in a more traditional Japanese environment. Through OSA you will be able to study in our lovely city from a few weeks to one year at a cost that is roughly half of what you would be paying for in a large language school that the big cities of Japan offer.
Depending on your age and school status you can choose to live either in one of our guest houses, or with a local family on one of our home stay programs. During the weekdays you can visit schools, temples, farms, nursing homes, gyms, or a variety of other places to immerse yourself into the community. On weekends there are various local activities waiting for you, such as festivals, tea ceremonies, folk dances, sporting events, or you can simply rest at home or spend time with your local host family.
About
Ojiya
Ojiya is a fairly small city in Niigata prefecture, with roughly 40,000 people. It's one of the most beautiful cities in Japan with a rich culture, friendly inhabitants, and an abundance of nature. The name Ojiya is literally translated into "thousands of small valleys," which reflects it's easy to access to rivers, hills, rice fields, woods, and a variety of parks filled with Japanese cherry trees.
The townsfolk are hardworking yet easy-going, creating a safe and friendly atmosphere which can't be found in the larger cities. However, should you want to explore the major cities of Japan, Ojiya is just a two hour train ride away from Tokyo. If you love nature you will love Ojiya, however if you prefer bustling cities, the large city of Nagaoka is less than thirty minutes away.