Language Immersion Courses in Japan

A Japanese language school in Japan teaches Japanese to people whose first language is not Japanese. Study in Japan, the government-approved information site run by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), counts over 600 Japanese language schools in the country, with approximately 49,000 students. Some students come for a few weeks of intensive classes; many others stay one or two years to prepare for a Japanese university, a vocational college or a job.

The level needed for further study is high. According to Study in Japan, keeping up with classes at Japanese schools requires the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) at level N1 or N2, and reaching that level takes approximately 600 to 900 or more hours of study.

Types of Japanese language institutions

Study in Japan distinguishes three kinds of institutions:

• Japanese language schools, established by incorporated educational institutions, business companies and other sponsors
• Japanese language programmes at specialized training colleges (vocational schools approved by the prefectural governor)
• Programmes for international students at private universities and junior colleges

Besides general Japanese, language schools run university preparation courses, business Japanese courses and other options. Admission periods are in April and October, and some schools also start courses in January or July. Japanese universities require at least 12 years of formal education; students from countries where school ends earlier must first complete a university preparatory course designated by the Ministry of Education (MEXT), which many language schools offer.

Levels and exams

The JLPT has five levels, from N5 (the easiest) to N1 (the most difficult). Schools that prepare students for higher education also train them for the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU), held twice a year (June and November). According to Study in Japan, 479 Japanese universities require EJU scores in their application procedures.

Student visa and short courses

Long courses are taken on the "Student" status of residence. To qualify, the student must attend a Japanese language institution designated by the Minister of Justice. The school usually acts as the student's proxy and applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at a regional immigration bureau in Japan; proof that the student can pay for the stay may be requested. Once the COE is issued, the visa is requested at a Japanese embassy or consulate. The period of stay is set for each student and does not exceed 4 years and 3 months.

With permission from the immigration authorities, students may work part-time within 28 hours a week (up to eight hours a day during long school holidays). JASSO's 2023 survey puts average monthly earnings at about 81,000 yen and warns that part-time work cannot cover all expenses.

Short courses do not always require a student visa. The WAHAHA Japanese Language School in Fukuoka, for example, states that it cannot sponsor student visas and that a tourist visa is sufficient for its courses. Visa rules depend on nationality, so check them with the Japanese embassy or consulate.

Costs

According to Study in Japan, the average admission and tuition fees for the first year at a Japanese language institution are approximately 610,000 to 1,900,000 yen, depending on the course. JASSO's 2023 survey of privately financed international students gives an average monthly living cost of 105,000 yen, not counting study costs. Rent averages 41,000 yen a month nationally and 57,000 yen in Tokyo.

How to choose a school

Study in Japan suggests checking whether the school is authorised by the Minister of Justice (needed for a student visa), whether the refund policy is explained, how levels are divided and how many students there are in a class, whether the school prepares for the EJU or JLPT, where its graduates go next, and whether it has dormitories or other housing. Location also matters: rents in Tokyo are well above the national average, and the schools listed here are in Tokyo and Fukuoka.

The schools listed on SpainExchange show the range:

• Sendagaya Japanese Institute runs three Japanese language schools in Tokyo, with the main school in Takadanobaba, and separate courses for university preparation, graduate school entry and employment; the group reports over 25,000 graduates from more than 60 countries and regions
• Genki Japanese and Culture School (GenkiJACS) has schools in Fukuoka, Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya and Okinawa, with a maximum of eight students per class; student visa courses of up to 18 months are offered at its Fukuoka school and in Nagoya
• WAHAHA Japanese Language School is a small school in Fukuoka with group classes of two to four students and a course for students who want to work in translation

Frequently asked questions

How many Japanese language schools are there in Japan?

According to Study in Japan, there are over 600 Japanese language schools, with approximately 49,000 students.

Can I get a student visa for a Japanese language course?

Yes, if the school is designated by the Minister of Justice. The school usually applies for your Certificate of Eligibility, which you then use to apply for the visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate.

How much does a year at a Japanese language school cost?

Study in Japan gives approximately 610,000 to 1,900,000 yen for first-year admission and tuition fees, depending on the course, plus living costs of around 105,000 yen a month on average.

What Japanese level do I need to study at a Japanese university?

Study in Japan advises JLPT level N1 or N2, which takes roughly 600 to 900 or more hours of study.

Can I work while studying Japanese in Japan?

Students with the "Student" status of residence can work part-time with permission, within 28 hours a week (up to eight hours a day during long school holidays).