when I first applied to a university, I applied to 7 majors, one of which was Japanese Studies. Many people asked me what use it's going to be, what am I going to do with it, etc. One of the most frequently asked questions was: "So, you like... wanna go there?"
"Yes."
At the end of my second year of bachelor studies I finally got to go thank to the Japan Foundation (日本語学習者訪日研修-各国成績優秀者). I got to go for around 2 weeks to Osaka to learn language and get to know the Japanese culture as well. Osaka, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Nara,... countless shrines and temples and other beautiful places to visit, great food and Japanese traditions. Also great people from the institute and other 58 countries of the world.
About the program
Only those who have not been in Japan for the last 5 years more than a week can apply for this scholarship. (Note: I think now there is also a rule about not immediately starting another study program after this,...) So it is best to apply for this as the first ever trip to Japan since when you really get to study it and be interested, you may be going for summer schools, conferences, and you will not be able to stay away from Japan for 5 years.
The selection starts at the Embassy with a written test and an interview. They both took place at the same day and the final verdict came just a few days later. The best thing about this is that everything is covered by the Japan Foundation. Flight tickets, housing, pocket money, food, program, travel fees,... everything.
At the Japan Foundation center is a genius shuttle bus from the train station to the institute so you can travel all you want for free. Well, if you do not want to walk for 30 minutes that is...
Housing
Luxurious! Every participant has a private room with full bathroom, TV, desk, bed and AC. On my side of the building I even had a seaside view. On every floor there is a room washing machines and a kitchen and there is a common place area with a big TV for 2 floors so students can meet up.
Language lessons
Apart from "normal" Japanese classes we had a little extra lesson of Kansai dialect, which was great since many small traditional shops in the vicinity were owned by elderly ladies that spoke nothing but Kansai Ben. On the other hand the lesson was only limited to basic differences and more of "funny bits" of the dialect and it did not really teach us to speak it.
We did have lots of free time, when we could borrow bokes and explore the vicinity, go shopping, etc. When we felt a little more adventurous, we went to the center of Osaka to wander around.
Trips
There were a lot... We visited Tokyo of course, however I got stuck in one of the anime dolls shops because of my friends. Not that I am not an anime fan, but spending hours in a merch shop is too much for me. Well, I knew I would be near Tokyo for the next 6 months, so I didn't care that much honestly. Hiroshima was beautiful, local okonomiyaki was amazing and is still one of the best ones I have ever eaten in Japan. The best experience was a trip to Itsukushima on an island called Miyajima where we stayed at a traditional ryokan. If the names don't ring a bell, just look it up online, I bet you have seen it many times, especially the torii gate in the water. We were lucky enough when we arrived that the tide was low, so we cuold walk up to the gate. The next morning we would have to swim pretty far... The rooms were for about 8 people, low seating, yukatas for the dinner, everything was ready for us. Even though we did have some trouble with the clothing and we managed to tie it the other way around, which is how they dress corpses... but they corrected it fortunately. Food was awesome, we had a "little bit of everything" menu, so we started with shabu shabu soup, which they taught us how to cook, crabs in eggs, various fish, sear creatures... simply amazing.
If you have any other questions about the program, just comment or send a message. It has been a while since I went there, but still better than nothing.