What You Should Know Before Searching for a Japanese School in Tokyo: A Basic Guide to Types, How to Choose, and Fees

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To you who want to take on the challenge of studying Japanese in Tokyo! Are you worried, thinking, “Which one should I choose?” and “What kind of course suits me?” because Tokyo has so many appealing Japanese language schools?

This article will thoroughly explain the basic information and practical advice so you won’t regret your choice of Japanese language school. If you read this article to the end, you should be able to find the perfect Japanese school for you in Tokyo and take the first step towards a fulfilling study abroad life. Now, let’s review the roadmap to success together!

Why Should You Choose a Japanese School in Tokyo? Seize the Learning Benefits and Take the First Step

When you seriously consider studying Japanese, the advantages of choosing Tokyo are truly significant. Tokyo is not just the capital of Japan; it’s a global hub for diverse information, opportunities, and international exchange.

Meet the World! What is the Unique “Learning Environment” Provided by Japanese Schools in Tokyo?

Japanese schools in Tokyo attract students from all over the world. For example, at Kudan Institute of Japanese Culture, an average of 35 to 40 countries are represented by students studying there each month. Such an environment can be described as a global hub where you not only learn Japanese but also “meet the world.”

By deeply learning Japanese and Japanese culture with multinational classmates and, at the same time, learning about each other’s cultures and customs, your world view will expand significantly. This multinational and international educational environment that goes beyond mere Japanese study should be a major appeal of studying in Tokyo.

To Succeed in Japanese Study! Clearly Define Your Goal (Further Education? Employment? Daily Life?)

What is your purpose for studying Japanese? Setting a concrete goal at the beginning is crucial for success in your Japanese language study. The school, course, and necessary support system you should choose will vary depending on your objective.

  • If aiming for further education: If your goal is to enroll in a Japanese university or vocational school, the “Comprehensive Japanese Course” which systematically teaches the four Japanese skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening) is recommended. You must choose a school that offers substantial classes, especially those dealing with advanced grammar, long-form reading comprehension, and composition skills.
  • If aiming for employment/career advancement: If you are considering work or job hunting in Japan, courses like “Business Japanese” or “Job Preparation Courses” which teach practical skills, Japanese corporate culture, and business manners, are optimal.
  • If aiming to enjoy daily life/cultural exchange: If you prioritize communication skills for daily life or want to deeply experience Japanese culture, choosing a conversation course or cultural course will lead to higher satisfaction.

Once your purpose is clear, you’ll start to see information about the optimal Japanese schools in Tokyo for you.

Check Before Starting Your Study Abroad Life! Types of Visas and Estimated Study Period

You must be aware of visa information to study Japanese in Japan.

  • Student Visa: Required if you desire long-term study (6 months to 2 years). Enrollment periods are usually set four times a year (January, April, July, and October), and applications are typically required up to six months prior to admission.
  • Temporary Visitor Visa (Tourist Visa): Allows short-term study from two weeks to about six months. Depending on the Japanese language school and your level, you may be able to enroll from every Monday. It’s advisable to apply up to one month in advance.
  • Working Holiday Visa: Allows a stay of up to one year, permitting both attending a Japanese language school and part-time work.

The type of visa you need will differ based on how long and how you wish to study in Tokyo. If you are considering long-term study abroad, it’s important to inquire with the school early, as preparation takes time.

[Course Type Breakdown] Find the Optimal Course at a Japanese School in Tokyo for You

Japanese schools in Tokyo offer a truly wide variety of courses to meet diverse needs. Here, using Kudan Institute of Japanese Culture as an example, let’s look specifically at the main types of courses and their learning contents.

Balance All Four Skills?Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening! Build a Foundation with the “Comprehensive Japanese Course”

The Comprehensive Japanese Course (Intensive Japanese Course) is recommended for those who want to acquire all four Japanese language skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening) in a balanced way, or those who aim for future advancement to further education or employment and wish to receive systematic Japanese language education.

At the elementary level, you learn practical expressions used in daily life, and as you advance to the intermediate and advanced levels, the focus shifts to understanding high-level themes such as social issues and news, and developing the ability to state your own opinions.

For Kanji, which is a significant burden in Japanese language learning, many schools have their own special measures. For example, at Kudan Institute of Japanese Culture, a Kanji class is integrated into the Comprehensive Japanese Course, and classes are organized into seven detailed levels so that both Kanji-using and non-Kanji-using students can advance at their own pace. This allows you to efficiently build vocabulary and inference skills.

Achieve “Conversation Skills” the Fastest Way! Learning Content of Practice-Oriented Conversation Specialist Courses

For those who say, “I just want to be able to speak Japanese!” the Conversation Course is optimal.

This course focuses on improving communication skills, specifically speaking and listening. You practice conversations while considering how to speak in various situations and topics. The classes allow you to learn many scenes useful in Japanese daily life, and at the intermediate level and above (Conversation III and higher), a wealth of expressions useful for job hunting and work are also included.

The Conversation Course at Kudan Institute of Japanese Culture aims for skills in daily exchanges, as well as the ability to accurately explain complex situations and solve problems (Conversation IV level), and the ability to select appropriate language for a wide range of situations and communicate effectively (Conversation V level).

Recommended for Busy People! Utilizing Flexible “Online Lessons” and “Private Lessons”

If you want to proceed with Japanese study without being restricted by time or location, Online Courses and Private Lessons are extremely convenient.

A major advantage of online lessons is that you can receive instruction from professional instructors in real-time live lessons even while in your home country or a remote location. Using tools like ZOOM, you can study in an environment where you can get immediate answers to your questions, just as if you were at school.

Furthermore, Private Lessons (one-on-one or semi-private) are appealing because the lesson content can be customized to match your goals and pace. For example, you can intensively study what you truly want to learn, such as Business Japanese, JLPT preparation, or job preparation. Since the instructors are qualified professionals, you also have the reliability of receiving high-quality instruction.

Students who have actually taken private lessons have reported feedback such as, “I can take lessons at my preferred time,” and “The teacher customizes the content to my needs,” showing that this experience is accelerating their learning.


Enjoy Japanese Culture Experience Too! Make Your Study Abroad Life in Tokyo Unique with Special Courses

Some Japanese language schools offer unique courses that allow you to deeply experience Japanese culture in addition to language study. These courses will make your study abroad life in Tokyo an unforgettable experience.

    • Manga Course: A course where you learn professional manga techniques in parallel with Japanese classes. At Kudan Institute of Japanese Culture, in collaboration with Nihon Manga Juku, you can thoroughly learn character design, panel layout, and digital techniques, from beginner to aspiring professional. The goal is to deeply experience the world-renowned manga culture and ultimately complete an original character illustration.
    • Sushi Course: A course where you learn Japanese while also learning how to make sushi, a symbol of Japanese food culture. At Kudan Institute of Japanese Culture, active sushi chefs from “Sushi Ginza Onodera,” which has expanded from Ginza to the world, act as instructors, providing a practical program that covers how to make sushi rice, fillet seafood, and techniques for nigiri sushi.
    • Holiday Course: A package course that combines intensive Japanese lessons with cultural experiences, utilizing winter or summer vacations. For example, the Winter Holiday Course includes two weeks of intensive lessons plus extracurricular activities where you can fully enjoy Tokyo’s attractions, such as a tea ceremony experience, Tokyo Disneyland, and Shibuya Sky.
    • Kintsugi Course: A course where you learn Kintsugi, the traditional Japanese technique for repairing ceramics. While understanding the Kintsugi philosophy of embracing brokenness as a new beauty (wabi-sabi), a time-saving hybrid Kintsugi using adhesives is implemented in collaboration with Nihonbashi Yumetou Honten. It is a specialized program where even beginners can experience authentic Kintsugi that can be used for food and drink in a short period.

These special courses will add color to your life in Tokyo, in addition to your Japanese study.

Don’t Make a Mistake! Key Points to Check When Choosing a Japanese School in Tokyo

To find your ideal Japanese language school in Tokyo, you need to check several important points. In particular, the fees, support system, and quality of instructors will affect your satisfaction with your study abroad life, so let’s confirm them thoroughly.

Transparency is Key! Learn How to Accurately Compare Tuition and Living Expenses

When choosing a Japanese language school, the transparency of fees is extremely important. Checking the detailed breakdown of what is included in the presented tuition is the first step to choosing a school without regrets. Here, we will introduce examples of fees at Kudan Institute of Japanese Culture.

  • Estimated Short-Term Course Fee: For Kudan Institute of Japanese Culture’s “Beginner Practical Course” or “Japanese Conversation Course,” the cost for 4 weeks is 102,000 JPY. This includes the enrollment fee, tuition, and textbook fees.
  • Estimated Long-Term Course Fee: For the long-term course (12 months) requiring a Student Visa, the total cost should be estimated to be approximately 915,000 JPY to 1,059,000 JPY, as it includes the selection fee, translation fee, enrollment fee, textbook fees, and student insurance.

Furthermore, living expenses account for a large portion of the cost of living in Tokyo.

    • Homestay: The estimated cost for 4 weeks (28 nights) is about 94,000 JPY to 102,400 JPY. This fee often includes the arrangement fee, plus meals on weekdays (breakfast and dinner) and weekends/holidays (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
    • Guesthouse/Share House: The estimated cost is about 65,000 JPY to 80,000 JPY per month. In addition to this, bedding and a separate arrangement fee may be required.

When comparing fees, be sure to consider the total cost, including both tuition and living expenses.

Check the Support System! The Importance of a Secure Study Abroad Life and Career Guidance Support

Especially for your first time studying abroad or living in Tokyo, the presence or absence of a support system from the school makes a big difference in your sense of security.

The support provided by Japanese language schools includes, for example, arranging accommodation (homestay, guesthouse, apartment, etc.), airport pickup, visa guidance, and life consultation.

Kudan Institute of Japanese Culture states, “Our experienced teachers and specialized staff provide detailed support for everything from your Japanese study to your life in Japan.” Such schools have established a system to attentively support each student, which suggests high reliability.

Moreover, if you aim for further education or employment, whether there is post-graduation support (career counseling, issuance of various certificates, etc.) is another crucial point in choosing a school. If you are career-focused, we recommend choosing a school that emphasizes employment support.

A Perspective for Assessing the Quality of Instructors and the Specialization of the Curriculum

The quality of instructors and the specialization of the curriculum are indispensable for receiving high-quality Japanese language education.

Good Japanese language schools employ qualified professional instructors with specialized knowledge. In particular, check if there are courses specialized for the goal you are aiming for.

For example, for JLPT preparation, is there a course focused on quickly improving grammar scores? For Business Japanese, are there classes where business professionals with corporate HR experience handle the practical part, not just Japanese language instructors? The ability to receive concrete advice and specialized guidance unique to professionals greatly influences learning outcomes.

Also, whether the class levels are finely divided (e.g., 7 levels for Kanji class) and whether a program is prepared for you to learn efficiently is a crucial perspective for assessing specialization.

[By Goal] Tips for Successful Career Advancement at Japanese Schools in Tokyo

If your purpose for studying Japanese is career advancement, such as employment or further education, choosing a course specialized for that goal is the shortest path to success.

Intensive Short-Term JLPT Preparation! Utilizing Efficient Online Courses

The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is an essential qualification for further education and employment in Japan. If you aim to pass the JLPT, we recommend utilizing an intensive preparation course.

The Online JLPT Preparation Course provided by Kudan Institute of Japanese Culture is optimal for those who want to efficiently increase their JLPT score in a short period.

  • Course Features: Grammar questions are categorized and thoroughly analyzed, and key points for strategy are confirmed, allowing for focused, short-term improvement in grammar scores.
  • Practical Learning: Besides test preparation, you can practice interaction with Japanese instructors, which also improves your ability to apply grammar and acquire Japanese that can be used in communication.
  • Student Experience: Students who actually took the N1 class and passed have sent feedback based on their experience, saying, “I felt grateful for the class while solving problems during the exam!”

This course is available for levels N1, N2, and N3, and the fee is 49,500 JPY (tax included).

Essential Skills for Working in Japan! How to Choose Business Japanese and Job Support Courses

If you aim for employment or career change in Japan, taking Business Japanese or Job Preparation Courses is unavoidable. These courses go beyond mere language study to provide an opportunity to acquire specialized knowledge such as Japanese corporate culture and manners.

Kudan Institute of Japanese Culture offers an Online Job Preparation Course and an Online Business Japanese Brush-up Course.

    • Job Preparation Course: A program where job preparation in Japan can be completed in two months. In addition to lectures by Japanese instructors, business professionals with corporate HR experience handle interviews and practical sessions. Class content includes finding job postings, writing resumes and cover emails, telephone etiquette and manners, and practicing interview techniques, manners, and Q&A, allowing for practical learning.
    • Business Japanese Brush-up Course: A 10-week course to learn the correct Japanese expressions and nuances required in business settings. It covers essential business situations, from honorifics, greetings, and basic business manners, to telephone correspondence, writing emails and business documents, presentations, and conduct in meetings.

These courses are characterized by their specialized instruction system and practical learning content. Students who actually took the courses have provided feedback such as, “There were various teachings on workplace courtesy and Japanese culture, which was more educational than I imagined!” and “The interview practice was helpful. I received advice on interview precautions and techniques.” The ability to receive classes incorporating the specialized knowledge of business professionals with HR experience is a huge advantage for those who want to build a career in Tokyo.

Experience Japanese Study Where the World Expands at Kudan Institute of Japanese Culture

Up to this point, we have thoroughly explained the basic information for choosing a Japanese school in Tokyo, the diverse course types, and the key points for selecting a school. If you are looking to gain an international experience and a deep understanding of Japanese culture alongside your Japanese study, you should certainly learn about the environment at Kudan Institute of Japanese Culture.

5 Minutes Walk from Suidobashi Station! Grow in a Multinational Environment with Rich Cultural Experiences

Kudan Institute of Japanese Culture is located in an easily accessible location, just a 5-minute walk from Suidobashi Station in Tokyo. We are not just a place to learn Japanese; we provide an international educational environment where students from over 50 countries gather.

We aim to make your study abroad life a unique experience by not only teaching the language but also offering rich cultural experiences and extracurricular activities to deeply understand Japanese culture.

For example, our Japanese + Culture Courses include unique programs that are hard to find elsewhere, such as the Manga Course, Sushi Course, Tea Ceremony Course, Kintsugi Course, Winter Holiday Course, and Summer Holiday Course. Through these extracurricular activities, you increase opportunities to use Japanese practically and deeply enjoy Japanese life and culture.

Highly Specialized Curriculum and Reliable Support System

We offer a variety of Japanese courses tailored to individual goals and levels, from beginners to advanced Japanese learners. We have the “Comprehensive Japanese Course” to acquire the four skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehensively, the “Japanese Conversation Course” specialized in conversation, and the “Beginner Practical Course” (allowing intensive acquisition of Hiragana, Katakana, and practical daily life skills in 4 weeks).

Furthermore, for those in remote locations or with busy schedules, we offer specialized programs directly linked to career advancement as online courses, such as the JLPT Preparation Course, Business Japanese Brush-up Course, and Job Preparation Course.

Our experienced teachers and specialized staff are dedicated to supporting your learning and growth by providing detailed support for both your life in Japan (accommodation arrangements, airport pickup, etc.) and your study.

For example, the fee for the “Beginner Practical Course” is 102,000 JPY for 4 weeks (including enrollment fee, tuition, and textbook fees), and our fee information is always accurate and transparent.

In this way, Kudan Institute of Japanese Culture strongly supports the achievement of your Japanese language goals through a multinational environment and unique, rich cultural experiences such as manga, sushi, tea ceremony, and kintsugi. Our specialized courses and reliable support system are designed to genuinely support your future career and academic advancement.

Now, let’s make the most of this opportunity to study Japanese in Tokyo to fulfill your dreams!

If you would like to know more details about the courses or fees, or if you would like to consult a specialized staff member about the optimal course for you, please feel free to contact us.


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