Kojika Preschool
Acceptable age range
| Start date | Date of birth |
|---|---|
| Apr 2026 – Mar 2027 | 2020/4/2〜2026/4/1 |
| Apr 2027 – Mar 2028 | 2021/4/2〜2027/4/1 |
*If you were born between [April 2, 2026 and April 1, 2027], you must be at least [3 months] old at the time of your study abroad.
- Immersing the whole body in Hokkaido’s great outdoors
- Just an hour from Sapporo and the airport, surrounded by rich nature
Reviews
See all 3 reviewsThank you very much for the Japan Preschool Exchange program!
The Irina family (1 year 10 months)
1st time in the program
September 16, 2026
It was a great success for us! My son has been eating local food, watching the w... Read more
It was a great success for us! My son has been eating local food, watching the wildlife, and in particular had so much fun with water activities. I had time to drive across different cities on Hokkaido and have also seen beautiful nature, ate tasty food, talked to local people. It was very relaxing and a wonderful cultural experience. I am very happy to have been participating in the program.
Message to Preschool Teachers
Thank you very much for taking care of Maxim in Yubari! He had such a great time, and was very happy to have you as his preschool teachers!
Message to Local People
The accommodation was great, very spacious, secluded, and had everything you would need. I especially liked the kitchen facilities and children's toys. We once even saw deers near the house! Cicadas in the night created a warm and cozy atmosphere for us.
Activities at the preschool
Activity details
The preschool once went to the large dance hall, where they listened and danced to teachers playing piano, and repeated the exercises.
They have been out for a walk every day, watching snails, eating wild raspberries. Two times on the hot days they played outside in the water pools, played house.
- Number of People
- 3 People (2 Adults, 1 Child)
- Children Age
- 1 year 10 months
- Period
- 1 Week (From Aug 16, 2026)
- Educational Facility
- Kojika Preschool
- Accommodation
Lara Iu-Sowden's Kojika nursery experience
The Alice family (3 years 9 months)
1st time in the program
August 13, 2026
We really enjoyed the residence provided to us, the fact that it was so close to... Read more
We really enjoyed the residence provided to us, the fact that it was so close to the preschool and surrounded by nature made the commute everyday enjoyable and convenient, especially with deers roaming in our backyard made our stay particularly delightful. What came to a surprise to us was the fact that Lara was eager to go to school every morning. The communication was app was impressive as the teachers gave regular videos and photo updates that really brought a smile to our faces.
Message to Preschool Teachers
Thank you for giving Lara such a wonderful experience, opening her mind to so many new things. Thank you for your enthusiasm and patience despite Lara's assertiveness and her language barrier. We are delighted that Lara is more open minded about nature and bugs now, and we were super happy to know that she has held a snail for the first time. Ever since she came back from Japan, she is now a lot more open to walking longer distances too, which we think was a bonus that we never expected!
Message to Local People
Thank you for providing such a wonderful, cozy, well equipped home. We enjoyed having our own house very much and thanks for providing all the toys and child friendly equipment in the residence for our use.
Activities at the preschool
Activity details
- During the two weeks of preschool, 70% of the days included outdoor walks or time in the woods/ forest which was a wonderful experience for a city girl like Lara.
- She got to see some insects up close as the teachers will catch them and some were captured and taken back to the nursery as pets.
- The preschool was small and thus there are mixed age sessions in the morning or afternoon daily.
- We noticed that there are some arts & crafts done at the nursery, there was one time where Lara brought home a crocodile made from a tissue box.
- Lara also got to help with cooking once, it was a pizza made outdoors, using wild berries to make jam as the sauce with some added cheese, an interesting choice of ingredients which proved to be very popular amongst the kids.
- Number of People
- 4 People (2 Adults, 2 Children)
- Children Age
- 3 years 9 months
- Period
- 2 Weeks (From Jul 19, 2026)
- Educational Facility
- Kojika Preschool
- Accommodation
Very interesting program
The Chang family (4 years 9 months, 2 years 8 months)
1st time in the program
February 13, 2026
It is interesting to let children participate in a school with the language barr... Read more
It is interesting to let children participate in a school with the language barrier. Children basically don’t understand what teachers talk about and they can take a good guess, they also observe carefully what other local students talk and do. It seems a good life experience for children.
Message to Preschool Teachers
Thank you so much for taking a good care of our children, especially for taking a good listening to the requests by our children.
Message to Local People
Very good communication and help!
- Number of People
- 4 People (2 Adults, 2 Children)
- Children Age
- 4 years 9 months, 2 years 8 months
- Period
- 1 Week (From Feb 8, 2026)
- Educational Facility
- Kojika Preschool
- Accommodation
- Yubari Station Front Residence
Access
From New Chitose Airport, pick up a rental car and drive for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach Kojika Preschool in Yubari City.
Take a flight from Haneda Airport to New Chitose Airport. From New Chitose Airport, pick up a rental car and drive for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach Kojika Preschool in Yubari City.
Take a flight from Narita Airport to New Chitose Airport. From New Chitose Airport, pick up a rental car and drive for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach Kojika Preschool in Yubari City.
Features of the Preschool
From snowy play in winter to foraging mountain plants in spring, river and mud play in summer, and collecting autumn leaves — children grow curiosity and sensitivity through the beauty of each season in Yubari.
In satoyama-style preschooling, children play freely in nature, take on challenges, and discover their own abilities. This nurtures confidence, creativity, and the joy of expression.
With small numbers, each child receives close attention and gentle guidance. Strong ties with the local community make learning warm, personal, and home-like.
A Day of the Children
Three hours outdoors, embraced by nature, rain or shine
Spring: Wild adventures into the heart of mountain nature
Summer: Playing energetically in the cool, shaded whispers of the forest
Autumn: Diving into mountains of crisp, colorful fallen leaves
Winter: Embracing the crisp air with energetic snowy play
Warm, handmade lunches cooked with love by our teachers
Unleashing creativity through joyful, free-spirited indoor crafts.
Splashing in cool, clear streams on warm, sunny days
Embracing the rain and exploring the sensory wonders of nature
Accommodation
Yubari Shikanotani Residence
10
minAccommodation Type
Whole building rental
Capacity
7 people
Kitchen
Private Kitchen
Bedroom
Bed, Futon
Bathroom
Bathtub Available
Laundry
Washing Machine
Features
Pet-Friendly
Work Environment
Wi-Fi Pocket Wi-Fi / Separate Workspace for Couples Available / Coworking Space Not Available
Minowa
2
minAccommodation Type
Whole building rental
Capacity
9 people
Kitchen
Private Kitchen
Bedroom
Bed
Bathroom
Shower Booth Only
Laundry
Washing Machine
Features
Within 15-Min Drive to Preschool
Work Environment
Wi-Fi Available / Separate Workspace for Couples Available / Coworking Space Not Available
Yubari Station Front Residence
20
minNo floor plan available
Accommodation Type
Whole building rental
Capacity
8 people
Kitchen
Private Kitchen
Bedroom
Bed, Futon, Crib
Bathroom
Bathtub Available
Laundry
Washing Machine
Features
Pet-Friendly, Baby-Friendly
Work Environment
Wi-Fi Available / Separate Workspace for Couples Available
Destination
YUBARI CITY, HOKKAIDO
Lake Shuparo
You can enjoy expansive views of the lake and surrounding mountains. It is perfect for leisurely walks and photography, and also ideal for children who love to run and play freely.
Official SiteFormer Yubari Branch Line (Railway Remains)
Popular with children who love trains. They can see real railway remains and learn about the town’s history at the same time.
Official SiteMount Racey Ski Resort
Winter transforms Yubari into a wonderland, offering enchanting snow-lit evenings and exciting winter sports. *This photos is for illustrative purposes only
Official SiteYubari Merod
You can enjoy Yubari melon-themed souvenirs and light snacks. The soft-serve ice cream is especially popular with children.
Official SiteSample Itinerary
Visitors can indulge in luxurious "all-you-can-eat" experiences or taste freshly harvested melons during the peak season. The season runs from June to August. At local markets, you can purchase these prestigious, high-end melons as the ultimate premium souvenir. Additionally, Yubari Onsen is located within the city, making it easy to relax and unwind in a hot spring surrounded by nature after enjoying your melon feast.
Yubari is also renowned as the “City of Film.” Every year, the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival draws filmmakers and visitors from all over the world, adding a unique cultural touch to the city. With its fascinating history, seasonal beauty, and vibrant cultural events, Yubari promises both heartwarming nostalgia and delightful new discoveries for every traveler.