Getting ready
Students will be participating in a variety of activities, both indoors and outdoors. Since Karuizawa can be very hot and humid in the summer, clothing made from light, comfortable summer fabrics is recommended. See our Suggested Packing List below for more information on what to bring.
Dress Code
In general, people in Japan tend to dress conservatively, and we ask that summer school students do the same. We ask that all students dress modestly and be sensitive to others.
Please wear clothing that is comfortable, but also mindful towards others.
Excessively revealing or form-fitting clothing, including camisoles, tank tops, see-through tops, cropped tops, cut-offs, and excessively short skirts or shorts may be uncomfortable for others to see. Please note that if students express their discomfort, we will ask students who are dressed in a certain way to change clothes or be dismissed from certain activities.
If you have any specific questions about our dress code, please contact us: [email protected].
Weather in Karuizawa
Although Karuizawa is located in the mountains, it can still be very hot and humid in the summer months. The average temperature in the summer ranges between 33°C and 16°C. Rain is also possible in the summertime. We recommend bringing light-weight clothing that can be washed and dried quickly, sunscreen and a hat for sun protection, and a light-weight waterproof jacket in case of rain.
You can see the current weather in Karuizawa here.
Suggested Packing List
Due to space limitations, students are limited to one suitcase and one backpack. Please write your name on all of your belongings.
- 3-4 shorts or skirts
- 5-6 shirts
- 2-3 lightweight long pants (to avoid bug bites during outdoor activities)
- 1 long sleeve sweatshirt or sweater (temperature drops to 16°C)
- 5 pair underwear
- 5 pair socks
- 1-2 pajamas/sleepwear
- 1 pair of Indoor shoes (slip-on style recommended)
- Traditional outfit from your country/culture (optional but highly encouraged!!!)
- 3 sets exercise/workout clothes (one waterproof set if possible)
- 1 warm sweatshirt or fleece appropriate for exercise
- Hat with a brim (for sun protection)
- Sunglasses (optional)
- 1 pair of outdoor shoes (for hiking and general outdoor activities)
- 1 pair of indoor athletic shoes (for indoor gym activities – without this you may not play sports in the gym)
- Insect repellant
- Sunscreen
- Small backpack for day hiking
- Water bottle or Thermos (required)
- Prescription medicine
(please describe details on Guardian Consent Form) - Tooth brush / tooth paste
- 1-2 bath & small towels
- Sanitary Items
- Laundry bag for dirty clothes
- 7-8 plastic bags for wet/dirty items
- Soap & Shampoo
- Hairbrush or comb
- Wrist Watch (optional)
- Glasses / Contact Lenses (optional)
- Mirror (optional)
- Pillow (optional) – past students have shared that the pillows we provide are harder than what they are used to at home.
- Notebooks
- Pens
- Pencil / erasers
There will be an event during summer school where students can showcase their talents. You may bring items for the talent show as long as they fit in your suitcase! (Musical instrument, costume, etc.)
NOT ALLOWED
- Illegal drugs/substances/alcohol
- Electronic devices with internet functions
- Knives, Swords, or weapons of any kind
- Expensive jewelry/irreplaceable items
Indoor vs. Outdoor Shoes…
Following Japanese custom, outdoor footwear must be removed upon entering the buildings at UWC ISAK, including the residences, classroom buildings, and school gym. Summer school participants will need to bring “indoor only” shoes. (See the Packing List for details.)
In the residences, students may wear socks or slippers. In the classroom buildings, we recommend clean slip-on shoes without laces (such as crocs or slippers) because they are easy to slip on and off. Please note that flip-flops, beach sandals and house slippers are not recommended footwear for our classroom buildings.
For activities in our gym, students will need a pair of “indoor only” athletic shoes.
Example of indoor slip-on shoes:
Laundry Facilities
Each residence has a washer and dryer, as well as a drying rack for student use. Students will have an opportunity to wash clothes during the program and laundry detergent will be provided.
Bedding
All summer school participants are provided with a bedding set which includes one duvet, one bed pad (to place between the sheet and mattress), one blanket, one pillow, one duvet cover, sheets and one pillowcase.
Learning Supplies
Participants should bring notebooks, pens, pencils, and erasers. Electronic translation dictionaries are also recommended for who want to use them to support their English language learning.
Electronics
Please note that all electronic devices including phones, personal computers, gaming devices, and tablets are not allowed during the program. We also do not allow cameras including film cameras.
Electronic dictionaries for language comprehension purposes are an exception to this rule.
Students are also allowed to read their personal books on an e-reader if this e-reader does not have access to communication apps and cannot connect with wifi (so no iPad or Tablets).
Mobile Phones and Other Valuable Items
Students may bring their mobile phones, wallets and other valuable items to UWC ISAK, but please note that all mobile phones will be collected, turned off and stored in a secure place once summer school begins.
Wallet, money, electronics, passport, tickets etc will also be stored in a secure place once summer school begins.
Any food students bring will be collected and stored once the program begin.
Phones and other belongings listed above will be returned to students on Aug 1st, 2026.
Important Notes
Please note that any material found to be inappropriate or causing conflict among students will be confiscated and returned to the student after the conclusion of summer school. UWC ISAK reserves the right to confiscate any object considered to be dangerous. Parents whose children willfully break or damage any property will receive an incident report and be billed for the costs involved.
UWC ISAK is not responsible for any personal belongings lost, stolen, or damaged during summer school. Any personal belongings left behind at the end of summer school whose owner cannot be identified will be donated to a local charity or school.
