Okinawa Ocean Sports Medicine Winter School
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Official instruction from professional mentors at Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy
Master the core physiotherapy system of sports medicine through a structured journey from theory to practice
Immerse in Okinawa's unique ocean-assisted therapies and experience holistic wellness with the integration of nature and human rehabilitation
Earn an official certificate and gain practical skills in personal rehabilitation therapy
— Introduction —
Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy, founded in 2002, boasts over two decades of experience in cultivating professionals in rehabilitation medicine. The Academy offers comprehensive programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, rehabilitation engineering, prosthetics and orthotics, and other disciplines, establishing a comprehensive practical training system that spans clinical rehabilitation, sports injury prevention, and elderly care. Leveraging Okinawa's exceptional natural environment and rehabilitation resources, the Academy has developed leading expertise in specialized fields such as "ocean therapy" and "environmental adaptation rehabilitation." It maintains long-term collaborations with Japanese medical institutions and welfare centers, offering hands-on training opportunities in realworld clinical settings. The academy features a distinguished faculty, including internationally active rehabilitation and therapy experts. For instance, Yasuda Tomoko, who served as a trainer for the Japanese delegation at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, and Kuramoto Shuichi, who was a chief trainer at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
The Okinawa Ocean Sports Medicine Winter School, taught by official instructors from the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy, focuses on sports physiotherapy, sports injury prevention, practical training, and nutrition design, providing the firsthand experiences of "ocean environmental rehabilitation therapy" for participants in Okinawa’s coastal waters. The program is designed to help participants develop develop systematic professional perspectives in sports medicine, understanding the critical role of scientific rehabilitation in enhancing athletic performance. Upon completion, participants will receive an official certificate issued by the Academy, supporting their future academic and professional pursuits.
— Teaching Faculty —
Yasuda Tomoko
Physical Therapist, Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy Specialist
Yasuda Tomoko holds multiple professional certifications, including the Certified Sports Trainer credential from the Japan Sports Association and the Certified Para-Sports Trainer from the Japan Para-Sports Association. She is also an AHA BLS Provider, an AFA Basic Life Support Instructor, and a Functional Trainer certified by the Adidas Training Academy. With extensive experience in international competitions, she served as the lead trainer for the Japanese delegation at the 2017 Dubai Asian Youth Para Games and was an official trainer for the Japanese team during the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
Hokama Yoshiyuki
Licensed Physical Therapist, Certified Instructor of the DGMSM-Japan
Hokama Yoshiyuki, Vice President of the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy, is a licensed physical therapist and certified instructor of the German Society for Musculoskeletal Medicine, Japan (DGMSM-Japan). He specializes in neurorehabilitation and musculoskeletal manual therapy with extensive clinical and teaching experience, and is also a certified therapist of the Ueda Method, a neurorehabilitation approach that promotes neuroplasticity and functional recovery through sensory stimulation and exercise training.
*The final teaching faculty will be determined by the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy
— Highlights —
Deep Learning in Sports Medicine: Master Core Skills in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Learn from professional instructors at the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy in a systematic curriculum covering sports physiotherapy, injury prevention, strength training, and rehabilitation protocols. Students will build a integrated understanding of medical and exercise sciences through both theoretical learning and hands-on practice.
Hands-On Experience in Okinawa’s Ocean Therapy: Embrace Healing Through Nature
Engage in kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding in the bays of Okinawa, harness the buoyancy, water resistance, sunlight, and breathing to improve bodily coordination, balance, and cardiorespiratory recovery in natural surroundings, get a taste of the “environmental intervention therapy”, and experience the textbook knowledge in the real world.
Earn Official Certificates and Practical Rehabilitation Skills
Upon completion, students will receive an official certificate issued by the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy, along with practical skills in sports physiotherapy, ocean-assisted rehabilitation, and rehabilitation nutrition design, building a solid foundation for future advanced study in sports medicine.
Okinawa Exploration: Island Culture and Vibrant Urban Life
Visit the largest aquarium in Japan— the same museum in Crayon Shin-chan—and witness coral ecosystems where whale sharks swim together. Stroll through the Mihama American Village and immerse in its vibrant international atmosphere.
— Scenes from the physiotherapy class and ocean-assisted rehabilitation training —
— Sample Schedule —
| Morning | Afternoon | Evening | |
| Day 1 | Arrival | Welcome Dinner / BBQ | |
| Day 2 | Professional Course1: • The effects of ocean physiotherapy programs • physiotherapySports Medicine: Fundamentals of Human Anatomy |
Professional Course 2: Okinawa ocean physiotherapy programs (water-assisted rehabilitation experiences including paddleboarding, kayaking, banana boat rides, etc.) |
Culture experience: Mihama American Village Stroll through Mihama American Village, an eclectic neighborhood blending American style and Okinawan culture, full of urban creativity. |
| Day 3 | Professional Course 3: Sports Medicine: Injury Prevention & Taping Practice |
Experiential Exploration 1:Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium Explore the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, the same museum in Crayon Shinchan, and one of the world’s largest aquariums with whale sharks and coral ecosystems. |
Course review and self-directed learning |
| Day 4 | Professional Course 4: Longevity diet and rehabilitation nutrition: Theory learning and cooking workshop (hands-on preparation of Okinawa-style nutritious food) |
Experiential Exploration 2: Yacht sailing in Ginowan Marina Set sail on a yacht from Ginowan Marina to appreciate Okinawa’s unique coastline and understand the connection between the marine environment and rehabilitative healing. |
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| Day 5 | Professional Course 5: Sports Rehabilitation: Exercise Regulation and Mental Training Techniques |
Professional Course 6: Sports Practice: Conditioning at Kin Town Field |
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| Day 6 | Professional Course 7: Sports Rehabilitation: Theory learning about the muscle strength training |
Professional Course 8: Sports Rehabilitation: Hands-on practice on muscle strength training under guidance from KIN Sports Orthopedic Clinic |
Farewell Dinner / BBQ |
| Day 7 | Departure | ||
* The schedule is subject to the final arrangement of the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy. In the event of unforeseen cancellations, similar activities will be replaced.
— Application —
Date：
Feb 21 - Feb 27, 2026 (7 Days)
Subject：
Sports Medicine
Location：
Japan
Language：
Japanese (with Chinese Translation)
Grade：
9-12
Fee
• Include：Tuition, study materials, accommodation, translation, excursion and visits, certificate of completion, welcome and farewell dinners, ASEEDER group leader service fee, pick-up and drop-off fees, and international medical and accident insurance.
• Exclude：
1. International round-trip transportation costs (uniform departure from Beijing/Shanghai/Shenzhen/Hong Kong, China. You can use a third-party service or ASEEDER's unified service. Please confirm with ASEEDER teacher before purchasing tickets.)
2. Visa and visa service fee (optional): ASEEDER Visa Worry-Free Guarantee service promises that if the visa is refused for reasons other than the client's own, the visa service and the program fee will be fully refunded without any loss, or the client will have the right to a second visa application free of charge.
3. Breakfast, lunch and dinner expenses: Students will take the Academy’s shuttle bus with the lead teacher to an area with various restaurants and have meals on their own. Each meal costs about 1,000–3,000 JPY(about 50–150 RMB).
