April 21, 2025
4.7 - 30 Reviews

Study Abroad in Hikone

Hikone is a charming city located in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. With a population of approximately 110,000, Hikone offers American college students a unique and authentic experience of Japanese culture and way of life. The city is located on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan, and is surrounded by beautiful mountains, making it a picturesque location for studying abroad in Japan.

Hikone is famous for its well-preserved Hikone Castle, one of only 12 original castles in Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The castle grounds offer stunning views of the city and lake, and visitors can also explore the castle museum to learn about the history and significance of Hikone Castle. Other attractions in the city include the Hikone Municipal Museum of Art, which showcases a collection of modern and contemporary Japanese art, and Genkyuen Garden, a traditional Japanese garden that is especially beautiful during the cherry blossom season.

For those interested in Japanese culture, Hikone offers a variety of opportunities to learn about traditional crafts, such as pottery and weaving, as well as martial arts like kendo and karate. The city also hosts several festivals throughout the year, including the Hikone Castle Festival, which features traditional Japanese music, dance, and food.

Hikone is generally considered a safe city for students, with low levels of crime and a friendly local community. The city is also well-connected to other parts of Japan, with easy access to Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo via train.

Please note that the number of American students studying in Hikone varies from year to year. However, Hikone is a popular destination for American college students seeking a unique study abroad experience in Japan. It is important to take common-sense precautions when studying abroad, such as being aware of your surroundings and following local customs and laws. The cost of living in Hikone can be more affordable than in other major Japanese cities, but students should still budget accordingly and take advantage of student discounts on attractions, transportation, and food.

Below you will find our list of Study Abroad and Internship programs in Hikone, Japan. It is an index to international education in Hikone, listing university-level study abroad, internships, volunteer opportunities, and intensive language school programs oriented to American college and university students. Some pre-college and post-graduate study abroad options are also included. We invite you to read the student reviews, see the ratings scores, and use this site to compare programs and understand what other students have encountered during their education abroad.

You can also see other study abroad programs in Japan or use our advanced program search

Study Abroad in Hikone - Featured Programs

Study Abroad in Hikone - All Programs

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Study Abroad Reviews for Youth For Understanding (YFU): YFU Programs in Japan
Youth For Understanding (YFU): YFU Programs in Japan
Aichi, Japan: Akita, Japan: Fukuoka, Japan plus 28 other locations

A YFU exchange program is the learning adventure of a lifetime. YFU is a homestay experience where you will live with a carefully selected host family who has agreed to op...

5.0

1 review
Study Abroad Reviews for Japan Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
Japan Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
Field Programs in Japan, Japan: Aichi, Japan: Akita, Japan plus 29 other locations

Find your dream Study Abroad Program in Japan at Abroad101 and this directory of Study Abroad Programs, Rankings and Reviews.  Future students are drawn to Abroad101 for t...

0.0

0 reviews
Study Abroad Reviews for JCMU Japan Center: Intensive Japanese Language & Culture
JCMU Japan Center: Intensive Japanese Language & Culture

Experience life in Japan while immersing yourself in its culture! On this program, you can make Japan a part of your academic plan by studying abroad for the summer, fall,...

3.9

6 reviews
Study Abroad Reviews for University of Shiga Prefecture: Hikone - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
University of Shiga Prefecture: Hikone - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

The University of Shiga Prefecture is a public university in Hikone, Shiga, Japan. The predecessor of the school was founded in 1950, and it was chartered as a university ...

5.0

1 review
Study Abroad Reviews for JCMU Japan Center: Career/Culture Hybrid Courses
JCMU Japan Center: Career/Culture Hybrid Courses

Think study abroad isn't in your major? Think again! Spend 4 weeks over the summer in Japan on one of our career-oriented programs. These courses are taught entirely in En...

5.0

7 reviews
Study Abroad Reviews for JCMU Japan Center: Faculty-led Short Programs
JCMU Japan Center: Faculty-led Short Programs

*NOTE: We are not currently offering faculty-led short programs. It may be offered again in the future. Please see the Career/Culture Hybrid Program instead. Add Japan to ...

5.0

4 reviews