Living the otaku dream: One day as a student in Japan

One of the most common themes in Japanese manga and anime is student life. In various genres, from comedy to horror, the unmistakable schools and school uniforms are always present, to the point of causing nostalgia even in those who have never experienced this reality.

With such prominence given to Japanese schools, many of us otaku find ourselves imagining what it would be like to experience that routine. Unfortunately for most of us, who weren't born and raised in Japan, this was an impossible dream. Taking note of this unexpected demand from lovers of Japanese culture, a company created a way to satisfy as much of this curiosity as possible.

The otaku dream school

So that foreigners can get a taste of Japanese school life, Kimino High School (君ノ高校) was created. Located in the mountains of Chiba prefecture, an old school, which stopped operating due to the decrease in local population, was adapted to offer this incredible experience to visitors who want to go a little beyond the traditional tourist spots.

In a place that was actually a school and using traditional uniforms, with "classes" in English that include calligraphy and kendo (martial art with swords), competitions and even a matsuri (traditional Japanese festival), this is probably as close to a Japanese school adventure as foreigners who love Japanese culture will be able to get.

The journey begins

The day started with a van from the company itself picking us up near Shinjuku station. It takes us directly to the school location in Chiba, passing through the tunnel under Tokyo Bay, called Aqualine. The trip of about two hours (less than that when traffic helps) isn't short, but it's fun to go chatting with the other people who are also going to participate in the adventure.

Arriving at the location we are well received, and after a brief explanation about the place, we are taken to a room to choose our uniforms ourselves. They provide various options of school clothes and accessories to help us achieve the ideal look.

First steps as a "student"

Already in uniform, we were guided to the classroom, where our teacher for the day receives us, gives more explanations about the planned activities, we all introduce ourselves and are also introduced to our senpai (a veteran student who is there to help us, give examples and answer questions).

One of the best-known aspects of Japanese schools is how students have responsibilities in the school's operation, taking on tasks like serving lunch and cleaning the classroom. Staying on theme of replicating as much as possible an authentic experience, students have to decide who will be responsible for making everyone stand up in every class to greet the teacher, who will serve lunch and who will organize the cleaning.

Revealing talents in calligraphy class

The first class is calligraphy. The objective is to write a word, using brush and calligraphy ink, on a Shuji-ita (traditional Japanese board for calligraphy practice). After a brief explanation about the activity, our senpai showed us some techniques. We are free to write anything, but there are also leaflets with some words in kanji for us to use as examples. I chose the word "ninja" (忍者), and I even received a compliment from the teacher about how my attempt turned out surprisingly good for someone who had never done this before.

Authentic school lunch

At lunch, the students who were chosen to serve the food are dressed in white outfits and, just like in a real school, the students wait patiently for everyone to be served, and we sit down to enjoy the meal and chat. The food serves both as an example of normal nutrition in Japanese schools, as well as a way to present food produced in the region itself.

From history to kendo: the most unexpected class

The second class was about Japanese history. Sounds like it would be a monotonous class, right? But after just a short explanation about samurai, the lesson transforms into a fun kendo class. We are taken to a larger room, where we are dressed in combat training attire, choose our sword, receive instructions on its handling, and practice the movements.

Japanese-style physical education

The third class was physical education, where we participated in a competition that contained games common in Japanese competitions. After changing clothes to a gym uniform (which immediately reminded us of those used in Squid Game), we did a Radio Taiso session (classic Japanese warm-up/stretching accompanied by characteristic music), divided into two teams and competed against each other. Between competitions like throwing balls in the basket and popping balloons with ninja stars, it was a very fun activity... and convinced me to try harder with aerobic exercises at home.

Unexpected school drama

Back in the classroom, we started to fulfill our obligation to clean the room, but soon after we started, a surprise! A troublemaker from another school appeared wanting to settle scores with our class! Of course, thanks to the teacher's intervention everything ends well, but it was interesting to know that incidents like this used to really happen in Japanese schools. It seems that the cliché of troublemaker students in anime really exists for some reason.

Graduation and celebration

Finishing the classes, we are taken to a hall for our graduation, where we participate in a small ceremony and receive our diploma confirming that we successfully completed our day at Kimino High School!


At the end of the day, we participated in a small matsuri, with traditional items from the country, like sweets, games, music and even sake tasting. With the exception of merchandising products, everything is included in the price. There is also a taiko (traditional drum) on an elevated platform for anyone who wants to feel like a Bon Odori musician.

Back to reality

With the day finished, the van takes us back to Shinjuku station, making us leave the school behind, but taking with us the memories of a unique adventure.

This was the moment our journey ended, but they also offer options for those who want an even more complete experience, which includes spending the night at the school camp, with the right to a bonfire and barbecue that includes wagyu, or a stay at a traditional hotel, with the right to an onsen bath (hot spring bath).

Is it worth it?

Full of moments to take photos and presenting an adventure extremely difficult to obtain in any other way, I recommend a day at Kimino High School for everyone who has any interest in Japanese culture and doesn't mind spending a little money to get a unique experience.

Kimino High School website (in English): https://campiece.com/en/yourhighschool/