ISN Summer School
2027
Rivers and mountains — this summer, all in English.

Gojo Campus Rivers, Mountains, and English All Summer Long.

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— Coming Soon

Thank you for all your applications. Details for Summer School 2027 are usually announced around February.

The latest Summer School news is shared first via ISN’s Official LINE.
Information that stays the same each year — campus features, the daily schedule and what to bring — is listed below.

— Summer School 2027 / Gojo Campus

Gojo Campus Summer School is a seasonal program for elementary and junior high school students. Children who live in English every day and children who rarely use English alike spend the whole day in an all-English environment.

Making the most of its location in the mountains of Shiga-Gojo, Matsumoto, the program covers a wide range — from activities in nature to learning about the SDGs. No English ability is required to join.

Why Gojo Campus?

Three reasons to spend the summer here.

01

A Campus Surrounded by Rivers and Mountains Is Our Field

Gojo Campus sits in the mountains of Shiga-Gojo, Matsumoto. With rivers and places to explore all around, and with the cooperation of the local community, children learn about the environment surrounding the campus.

02

Outdoors in the Morning, Indoors in the Afternoon

In the cool mornings: hiking, observing plants and animals, and bus trips to nearby parks. On hot afternoons or rainy days, activities move indoors — the STEAM classroom, film screenings, an indoor pool and more.

03

No English Required — Take Home a Sense of Achievement

It is fine to lack confidence. Our aim is for children to experience, together, the thrill of being understood in English and the pride of having accomplished something.

The moment English clicks, the whole world opens up. — ISN Summer School
Program Overview

Gojo Campus at a Glance

For Grades 1 – 9 (Elementary & Junior High)
Dates Summer 2027 (dates to be confirmed)In 2026 the program ran in two five-day sessions: Session 1, Mon Jul 27 – Fri Jul 31, and Session 2, Mon Aug 3 – Fri Aug 7.
Fee To be announcedIn 2026 the fee was ¥75,000 for the one-week plan / ¥150,000 for the two-week plan (tax included).
Location Gojo Campus
6387-1 Gojo, Matsumoto, Nagano 399-7401
A Day at ISN Summer

Daily Schedule

Gojo Campus (Elementary & Junior High)

9:00–9:45Morning ActivityInquiry-Based Learning
9:45–9:50BreakShort Rest
9:50–10:35Morning ActivityInquiry-Based Learning
10:35–10:55BreakShort Rest
10:55–11:40Morning ActivityInquiry-Based Learning
11:40–11:45BreakShort Rest
11:45–12:30Morning ActivityInquiry-Based Learning
12:30–13:20Lunch TimeProvided Daily
13:20–13:40Cleaning TimeTidy Up Together
13:45–14:50Afternoon ActivitiesCreative & Outdoor Sessions
14:50–15:00BreakShort Rest
15:00–15:25Diary Writing & Closing CircleReflection Together

* The schedule above is from 2026. The 2027 schedule will be announced once confirmed. Timings may shift depending on the day’s activities.

Activities

Program Activities

01

Nature & Outdoor Activities

  • Route Finding & Map Reading
  • Day Hikes & Mountain Trails
  • River & Stream Exploration
  • Forest Exploration
  • Wildlife & Ecology Studies
  • Slacklining & Balance Challenges
  • Swimming & Water Activities
  • Outdoor Team Challenges
  • Leadership & Team Building
  • Nature Excursions
  • Day Trips to National Parks
  • Mountain & Forest Excursions
  • River & Outdoor Adventure Trips
02

Cultural & Learning Activities

  • Local Cultural Experiences
  • Cultural Exchange with Local Communities
  • Museum Visits
  • Sustainability / SDG Workshops
  • DIY & Creative Workshops
  • World Cinema
  • Local Food & Community Experiences
  • STEAM Projects
  • Coding & Programming
  • Animation & Creative Media Projects
What to Bring

What to Wear & Bring

Clothing
  • Any clothing is fine* ISN uniforms are also available for purchase
  • We recommend comfortable, lightweight trousers suitable for hiking
Items to Bring
  • Water bottle (water or tea)
  • Tissues & handkerchief
  • Hat (with a brim)
  • A full change of clothes
  • Towel for sweat
  • Sunscreen (UV levels are high in Matsumoto in summer)
  • Packed lunch (only if bringing your own)
  • Swim set (swimsuit, goggles, swim cap, towel)

* Please label all belongings. The list above is based on our 2026 guidance.

Partner Accommodation

Where to Stay

For families joining from outside the area, we partner with accommodation near Gojo Campus. Full details are in the PDF below (in Japanese).

The main house of Satoyama villa HONJIN, a high-ceilinged hall with exposed timber beams

Hofukuji, Matsumoto

Satoyama villa HONJIN

246 Hofukuji-machi, Matsumoto, Nagano / About 12 minutes by car from Gojo Campus

A historic estate where the lords of the Matsumoto domain once rested on their official journeys to Edo, now open to guests. Four of the buildings on the grounds are Registered Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan.

Exclusive benefits for Summer School participants

  1. Shuttle service to and from ISN (reservation required)
  2. Free accommodation for the participating child (stays of 2 nights or more)
View Details (PDF)
How to Apply

From Application to the First Day

01

Notice of Acceptance

Summer School applications are accepted only through ISN’s Official LINE. After each application period closes, we send a “Notice of Acceptance” to the email address you registered. Places are not allocated on a first-come, first-served basis; we review all applications once the period closes and contact families in turn.* This program is not first-come, first-served. After each application period closes, the office reviews all applications carefully and sends Notices of Acceptance in turn.
* Sessions that reach capacity in the first round will not hold a second round.

02

Enrollment (Payment & Details)

Together with the Notice of Acceptance, we send payment instructions and the details for the program days (what to bring and where to meet).

03

All Set

Enrollment is complete once we confirm your payment by the due date.

* If you use domain-based email filtering, please make sure you can receive emails from our office. Fees are non-refundable once paid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

Can my child join without speaking English?

At Gojo Campus (Elementary), no English ability is required at all. Bilingual Japanese–English staff are always in the office and help children enjoy activities alongside ISN students and teachers. The goal of the program is to feel the joy of being understood in English — and to go beyond it.

Can families from outside Nagano Prefecture participate?

Yes, we welcome many families from across Japan and from overseas. Our campuses are easily accessible via the Hokuriku Shinkansen and expressways, and many families combine the program with a summer trip or a visit home. We are happy to help with accommodation as well.

Is the program only for current ISN students?

Not at all — external participants are very welcome. Learning alongside current ISN students in our inclusion-style format is at the heart of the program.

Are places first-come, first-served?

No. After each application period closes, the office reviews all applications and sends Notices of Acceptance in turn. Sessions that reach capacity in the first round will not hold a second round.

For any other questions, please contact the Gojo Campus office (office@isn.ac.jp).

— Coming Soon

Details for 2027
Are in Preparation

For the Gojo Campus Summer School,
we will announce dates, fees and capacity
via ISN’s Official LINE and website as soon as they are confirmed.

Add ISN Official LINE to receive the latest updates

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