As a Shomer Shabbat / Kashrut Orthodox Jewish individual at Columbia University, I was able to study abroad in Japan without compromising on any of my observance. That being said, it was not easy and the decision to Study Abroad in Japan should be made after careful consideration. Here are some of the problems I anticipated, and how I prepared for them.

1] Kashrut: As you might imagine, there is NO kosher food available in Japan except the few items one can find at large supermarkets and International Stores. However, if you are comfortable with the prospect of making all of your food from scratch, eating is not that difficult. I spoke with my Rabbi before I left who told me that some foods, such as tofu and soy sauce, could be purchased without a hekshur (Kashrut certification). Anyone interested in observing Kashrut in Japan should have a similar conversation to determine what they are comfortable eating without a hekshur. Additionally, fresh fruits, vegetables and fish are available at any local supermarket, and cheap kitchen supplies are available for purchase. Besides actually keeping kosher, someone interested in keeping kosher while studying in Japan should understand that observing Kashrut means living in a dorm or an apartment. It would be unspeakably rude to your host if you arrived and told them that you would not eat the same food as the rest of the family. In Japan, eating different food from that which is served is rude even under normal circumstances.

2] Shabbat: This is easy because observing Shabbat is simply not doing things.  However, one should make certain that one’s program does not have requirements on Friday afternoon or Shabbat. For example, my program offered trips many Saturday’s in which I was not able to participate. If observing Shabbat is important to you keep potential conflicts in mind, but remember than many programs are willing to make exceptions and accommodations for religious observance.

3] Holidays: I always went to the Chabad in Tokyo (Rabbi Sudakevitch http://www.chabad.jp/). It was really not very difficult for me to make the trip or prepare for the holidays, though one should know that Rabbi Sudakevitch responds better to phone calls than e-mail. I was even able to build a Sukka at my dormitory during Sukkot much to the bewilderment of the locals (though other locations might be more reluctant to give permission to build a Sukka).

4] Jewish Community: There are three Jewish communities in Japan. A Sephardic community in Kobe, and the JCC and Chabad in Tokyo. Unfortunately, due to my limited time in Japan and my location in Nagoya, I was only able to experience the Chabad community, however, I have heard positive reviews of the other communities, especially that in Kobe. Unless you are located near one of the communities, you should not expect to be able to travel to one of these centers frequently. I went to Tokyo for all of the holidays at a price of about $200 round trip. Obviously, I was not able to make the trip on a regular basis. However, that does not mean that Shabbat was not meaningful at my dormitory.

Every week I prepared a Shabbat dinner and invited all of my friends, both Jewish and non-Jewish. And every meal, except one, I had a small group with whom to share Shabbat dinner. However, there were times when it was difficult to convince people to join me. Jewish or not, for most study abroad students in Japan, there are more interesting places to be on a Friday night than a Shabbat dinner. My point is that one interested in spending a significant amount of time in Japan, while observing Jewish customs and law, should be prepared for some level of cultural isolation and cultural shock. Of course, I feel my time in Japan was worth every moment and one of the most formative experiences I have ever had.