Programs | Fall Programs | Japan

The Program

The Japanese archipelago consists of more than 14,000 islands that span roughly 25 degrees of latitude, creating an impressive gradient of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. While cold, nutrient-rich upwelling supports kelp forests and temperate marine life in the north, coral reefs and tropical species flourish in the warm waters of the south. This dramatic range creates an unparalleled natural laboratory, showcasing how ecological transitions shape biodiversity, biogeographic boundaries, and human-marine interactions.

Traversing the Japanese archipelago from north to south, our field studies will take students to four different islands—Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, and Okinawa. Although sites may vary between years, students can expect to be immersed in Japan's marine environment, staying at world-class field stations, camping at coastal sites, and putting on a snorkel to learn about marine diversity, with a special emphasis on ichthyology (the study of fishes). Program highlights include exploring the cold-water marine ecosystems of Hokkaido, including kelp forests and the rocky intertidal zone; visiting the contrasting coasts of Honshu, Japan's main island, to examine how oceanographic forces create marine 'boundaries', which drive speciation; investigating the warm influence of ocean currents around Kyushu, Japan's third-largest island characterized by active volcanoes and steep mountainsides; making our way to the beautiful island of Okinawa, home to vibrant coral reefs teeming with tropical fishes and invertebrates, perfect for snorkeling and furthering our understanding of fish diversity and reef ecology; engaging with isolated coastal communities and fishers to learn about traditional management practices that balance sustainable fisheries with habitat protection; spending time at field stations and practicing field research techniques such as intertidal transects, snorkeling-based fish censuses, and looking at museum specimens, which serve as a historical record to understand biodiversity patterns; and becoming fully immersed in Japanese culture by exploring local markets, visiting several impressive aquariums, and utilizing Japan's bullet train, traveling nearly 200 miles per hour, to make our way between sites.

By the end of the program, students will have in-depth knowledge of Japan's marine environment, natural history, and cultural landscape, including an admiration for Japan's deep relationship with the sea—a relationship that has inspired chefs, artists, and the way that humans interact with the ocean, including their resiliency in the wake of earthquakes and tsunamis. Students will leave with diverse field skills, including how to conduct surveys across marine systems, species identification, scientific illustration, and approaches for designing research projects and analyzing datasets.

Program Photo Gallery

Eric Witte

LEAD INSTRUCTOr

PhD Candidate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UC Santa Cruz

Eric is an evolutionary biologist interested in venom and biological invasions. His current research focuses on the role of venom in lionfish invasion of coral reefs. He uses genomic techniques to understand both ancient and modern evolution. In addition to research, Eric is a passionate educator who taught biology in Morocco and Madagascar. He believes that travel helps us to develop a multidimensional understanding of other cultures and environments. Eric leads our Thailand and Japan programs.

Eric’s Other Program:

Shinji Yamamoto

INSTRUCTOr

PhD Candidate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UC Santa Cruz

Shinji is an evolutionary biologist studying how life history shapes speciation in coastal fishes. He focuses on surfperches, a group of live-bearing fish found along the Pacific coast, and uses genetic tools to understand how restricted movement and environmental differences influence genetic diversity. Originally from Japan, Shinji has conducted extensive fieldwork along Japan’s coasts, where he also collaborates with local fishers and researchers. Shinji co-leads our Japan program.