Who Are We?
The Natsuyasumi Project ("Natsu Project"), or 夏休みプロジェクト in Japanese, is an innovative social enterprise that takes a market-driven approach to addressing unmet societal needs and solving social challenges, especially those in the education sector.
In today's competitive landscape, international experience, interdisciplinary knowledge, and language skills have become increasingly crucial for upward mobility. However, we understand that financial limitations can prevent many talented individuals from accessing these opportunities. That’s why The Natsuyasumi Project exists—to bridge this gap and provide equal access to international education, and to educate a new generation of changemakers. We believe that the benefits of international exposure go beyond education and employability. Effective cross-cultural communication skills foster mutual understanding across regions and contribute to global development.
Every summer, we invite high school students from around the globe to immerse themselves in East Asian culture in Japan. Participants will have the opportunity to explore diverse subjects such as art, language, social entrepreneurship, biology, coding, aerospace engineering, and automated driving. The specific subjects offered each year will vary based on our careful selection of world-class mentors and their proposed lesson plans. Our camp will be held annually in different locations throughout Japan, with the inaugural 2025 camp set in the stunning region of Hokkaido.
To support the mission, our long-term goal is to enable at least half of our participants to attend our summer camp free of charge. Need-based scholarships, ranging from full to partial support, will be offered to encourage more first-generation and low-income students to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in Japan.
Follow our Instagram page for the latest updates on Natsu Camp 2025!
*Schedule and mentor lineup may change without prior notice. This year's mentors are all volunteers passionate about our mission to democratize international education.
Our Directors!
Ria Oyama "Ying"
Representative Director & Founder
Before founding her own social enterprise, Ria gained valuable experience at the intersection of policy-making and philanthropy upon graduating from Stanford University with a graduate degree in East Asian Studies and a merit-based scholarship. During her time there, she conducted research in international relations at the Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC).
While participating in project implementation with various non-profit organizations, including a UN-affiliated NGO in Africa, she identified inefficiencies in traditional charity models. This inspired her to create Natsu Project, which uses a for-profit model to support non-profit work, ensuring financial independency and meaningful social impact.
Hitoshi Kiyokawa
Natsu Camp 2025 Class Director
Hitoshi majored in Mechanical Engineering at Keio University before joining a double-degree program in Hannover, Germany, where he conducted thermodynamics research and published in international journals.
After graduation, he began his career as a Supply Chain Manager at P&G Japan, overseeing logistics and warehouse operations. Two years later, he moved to New York in search of new challenges. A trilingual speaker of Japanese, Chinese, and English, he became a top-rated tennis coach, earning the title of Manhattan and Brooklyn’s No.1 coach for eight consecutive months.
Currently, Hitoshi supports a startup’s expansion into the Japanese market while also competing in professional tennis tournaments. Passionate about both business and sports, he continues to push boundaries across multiple fields.
Join us this summer for a unique blend of intellectual exploration and creative inspiration!
We’re thrilled to welcome Shogo Takatsu to our mentor lineup this year!
Shogo is the keyboardist of Johnnivan, a popular multinational band based in Japan.
Sapporo, Hokkaido
SUMMER 2025!
Mentor Line-Up
'25 Mentor Lineup
Prof. Xueji Zhang
American Institute for Medical & Biological Engineering (AIMBE)
Caroline Cheng
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Johns Hopkins University
Shogo Takatsu
Keyboardist of Johnnivan
Waseda University
Eric Senkit Suen
Harvard University
Mitsubishi Research Institute
Sharon Shen
United Nations
Stanford University
Kohei Oyama
NTT Group
Keio University
Ria Oyama
The Natsuyasumi Project
Stanford University
Yifan Xu
Deloitte Japan
Stanford University
'25 Course Offerings
'25 Program Features
Impact Lab
Turn ideas into actions
Led by a consultant from a United Nations–affiliated institute, the Impact Lab guides students to explore global issues through the lens of local realities.
From Hokkaido’s aging population and regional revitalization challenges to Ainu cultural preservation and environmental sustainability, students will work in small teams to design creative, socially impactful projects rooted in the communities they’ve explored.
Through workshops and mentorship, you’ll learn to turn ideas into real-world proposals—and pitch them at our final showcase.
Career
Workshop
Future-Ready, Your Way
Learn from professionals with experience at top graduate schools like Harvard, Stanford, and Keio, as well as in leading organizations such as Mitsubishi Research Institute, Deloitte Japan, NTT Data, Bosch Japan, Johns Hopkins Hospital, PwC HK, and major international NGOs. Students will join one of two tailored tracks:
・High School Track: Discover your academic interests, explore potential majors, and build a solid foundation for college and career planning.
・Early College Track: Get actionable advice on grad school applications, research opportunities, and securing internships or jobs in Japan and internationally—from people who’ve landed top offers.
Field Trips
Think deeper, Walk further
Step beyond the classroom and experience Hokkaido firsthand through guided field visits focused on Ainu heritage, rural development, and environmental change.
Students will learn from local communities, Japanese mentors, and a PhD researcher in Modern Japanese History at Harvard.
These on-the-ground encounters will help students connect local realities to historical context and global challenges—deepening insight and strengthening the relevance of their final team projects.
Night Sessions
Unwind, Reflect, Connect
After a full day of learning and exploration, evenings at Natsu Camp are all about connection. From fun games and movie nights to reflection circles and spontaneous talent shows, these sessions create space for students to unwind and be themselves. It's in these low-pressure moments that the real magic happens—jokes are shared, stories are told, and friendships take root.
In a world that often rushes past stillness, Night Sessions offer something rare: time to slow down, look inward, and grow closer—to others, and to yourself.
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Apply by April 20 for JPY 20,000 off
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Regular Deadline: May 18 | Limited Spots*
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Program Fee: JPY 298,112**
*This year’s class is limited to 20 students to ensure the best possible experience.
**Includes boarding (premium individual bed for 4 nights), dining, and all on-site activities.
Optional Pre-Camp Arrangements
[July 27, 2025]
Option 1:
Complimentary Staff Supervision & Guidance
Students may choose to arrive a day early (July 27) and stay overnight at a recommended hotel near New Chitose Airport, accompanied by our staff members. This complimentary service includes:
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Free staff supervision from airport arrival until the start of camp
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Staff accompaniment during dinner on July 27 and breakfast the following morning
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Staff accompaniment during train travel to Sapporo (students must purchase their own train tickets)
Please note:
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All direct expenses (hotel accommodation, meals, and transportation) must be covered individually by students, payable directly to the respective vendors, and are not included in the program fee.
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Scholarship recipients may be eligible for financial support to cover these pre-camp expenses.
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We will carefully select and recommend a conveniently located hotel near New Chitose Airport, prioritizing cleanliness, safety, comfort, and reasonable pricing. Specific details of the recommended hotel will be provided to participants by early June, at which point participants can directly book their accommodations.
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Option 2:
Self-Arranged Arrival
(Not Recommended for Younger Students)
Students who choose to make their own arrangements must arrive at the campgrounds by 10:30 AM on July 28 for Orientation, which will be held in Sapporo.
Please note: This arrival option is entirely self-directed. Natsu Camp will not be responsible for students’ safety, supervision, or travel arrangements prior to July 28 under Option 2—including any overnight stay on July 27. We strongly encourage younger participants and first-time travelers to choose Option 1 for a smoother and safer experience.
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To ensure a stress-free start to the program, we kindly ask that all students arrive in Hokkaido by July 27.
Camp
Schedule
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Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
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Luggage Drop-off
Orientation & Refreshers
Lunch Break~
Expert Mentor Session 1
Expert Mentor Session 2
Ask Us Anything!
Expert Mentor Session 3
Impact Lab
Dinner & Group Activities~
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*Please note that the schedule provided is for reference only. A finalized and detailed version will be released in May.
Impact Lab sessions will be led by a mentor affiliated with the United Nations, who will guide students through their group projects at the intersection of academics and philanthropic design.
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Breakfast
Expert Mentor Session 1
Expert Mentor Session 2
Expert Mentor Session 3
Lunch Break~
Impact Lab
Expert Mentor Session 4
Team Project Field Trip
Dinner & Group Activities~
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Breakfast
Expert Mentor Session 1
Expert Mentor Session 2
Expert Mentor Session 3
Lunch Break~
Impact Lab
Academic & Career Workshops
Expert Mentor Session 4
Team Project Field Trip
Dinner & Group Activities~
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Breakfast
Expert Mentor Session 1
Expert Mentor Session 2
Expert Mentor Session 3
Lunch Break~
Group Presentation Preparation
Interdisciplinary Panel
Explore Hokkaido
Dinner & Group Activities~
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Breakfast
Group Presentation Preparation
Lunch Break~
Final Group Presentation
Closing Ceremony & Certification
Q&A
When are applications due?
Early Application (EA) Deadline: April 20, 2025 23:59 Japan Standard Time (GMT+9) Regular Application Deadline: May 18, 2025 23:59 Japan Standard Time (GMT+9)
How much is the camp tuition?
The tuition fee for Natsu Camp 2025 is JPY 298,112 (approx. USD 1,990). This fee covers program participation, educational materials, group meals, and communal living experiences. Additional costs, such as airfare, visa fees, and personal expenses, are not included. Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the program location in Hokkaido. Students admitted through the Early Admission (EA) program will have a reduced tuition of JPY 278,112. As admissions are on a rolling basis, we ask that students who are notified of their acceptance complete the enrollment procedures and submit a non-refundable deposit fee of JPY 74,903 (approx. USD 500) within 14 calendar days of notification to secure their spot.
Is there an age limit?
All participants must be at least 14 years old at the time of application and must be either a high school student, a recent high school graduate, or a first- or second-year university student.
Where will students be staying during the program?
To encourage social connection and communication skills, students will stay in shared housing—one house for female campers and one for male campers. Each student will be assigned at least one individual sleeping space, either a standard bed or a traditional Japanese futon, allocated randomly. All accommodations are under staff supervision and professional security protection to ensure a safe and comfortable environment. Please note that while sleeping arrangements are gender-separated, all camp activities—including workshops, meals, and field project trips—are mostly mixed-gender.
What measures will be taken to ensure students' safety during the summer camp?
We hear you! That's why we take the safety of participants as our utmost priority. Medical staff and a security team will be available on site 24/7, and our directors and mentors will supervise all activities. We will have personnel who can speak English and Japanese on site at all time. Therefore, we ask that our participants have at least basic language skills in either language. If you have further questions regarding safety, we are happy to answer! Please email us at info@natsuproject.org
Are accommodations available for participants with special needs?
Yes. We will do our best to accommodate participants with disabilities, allergies, dietary restrictions, or other special needs.
What is the closest airport to Sapporo?
The most convenient and commonly used airport is New Chitose Airport.
Questions?
info@natsuproject.org | 070-4087-9253
〒150-0043 東京都渋谷区道玄坂1丁目10番8号渋谷道玄坂東急ビル2F−C
1-10-8 Dogenzaka 2F-C, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, Japan