10 Japanese Language Schools in Japan

This article has a wealth of information to share on Japanese language schools in Japan for residential students, International students, or anyone interested in enrolling in these schools to obtain a language degree!

Japan is well known as one of the Asian countries with the majority of her population speaking the local language which is the Japanese language, and as such, is the best country for one to go to if you want to learn the language and be able to speak fluently because their Japanese language teachers are natives of the country, and will be able to teach the language very well starting from the basics.

So whether you are a beginner that is just getting to learn the basics or you just need advanced knowledge of the language to speak more fluently, the teachers will do justice to the job and give you the best.

According to the US Department of State, Japanese is one of the hardest languages for English natives to learn. It doesn’t have many similarities in structure to English. They estimate it takes 88 weeks of learning, or 2200 hours, to reach fluency.

Moreover, not everyone has the time to enroll in a school or meet with a private tutor. For students who do not have the opportunity to go to a Japanese language School in Japan, you can find online Japanese language tutors on websites such as; JapaTalk, Sensei Shokai, Nihongo Online School, Preply, Italki and other online platforms that are willing to teach you. You can also take free online Japanese language courses yourself without the help of a teacher.

For students that are not interested in enrolling in a language school in Japan, but are willing to attend another, there are Business Schools in Japan that one can enroll in and get an MBA Degree.

There is also Art School in Japan for students that want to hone their architectural skills and talents.

Without further ado, let’s answer some relevant questions about Japanese language schools in Japan.

Can I Study Japanese in Japan for free?

Yes, you can study the Japanese language in Japan for free with the help of volunteer groups and sites such as;

  • Tokyo Nihongo Volunteer Network
  • UBIQ Tokyo

These volunteer groups offer community lessons in the Japanese language to student residents.

Most groups in Tokyo offer free Japanese classes for all student levels.

How much is a Japanese Language School in Japan?

The typical tuition is around 150,000 to 200,000 yen for a 3-month full-time program. In addition, most schools charge a registration fee of around 5,000 to 20,000 yen and an insurance fee of 10,000 yen per year in case of long-term programs.

Japanese Language Schools in Japan

Japanese Language Schools in Japan

Japan is home to the largest selection of Japanese language schools so you’re bound to find one that fits your needs and goals. These Japanese Language Schools will be listed and explained in detail in this section. They are as follows;

  • ISI Japanese Language School
  • Academy of Language Arts (ALA)
  • ARC Academy Japanese Language School
  • Intercultural Institute of Japan
  • Kudan Institute of Japanese Language & Culture
  • KCP International Japanese Language School (Tokyo)
  • JaLS Group: Hokkaido Japanese Language School
  • Genki Japanese and Culture School Tokyo
  • Genki Japanese and Culture School, Fukuoka
  • Meiji Academy

1.       ISI Japanese Language School

The ISI (International Study Institute) Japanese Language School is the first on our list of language Schools in Japan. The school was established in 1977 in Ueda City, Nagano, as a “private school”. It has six different campus locations in Japan. The school offers numerous Japanese Language courses. Classes are divided into 8 levels from beginner to advance.

The school uses an online Class Placement Test which can be accessed through a computer or smartphone. As a result, you can immediately check your assigned class on arrival in Japan and smoothly transition to the beginning of your school life.

There are eight fields of study (Listening Comprehension, Reading Comprehension, Conversation, Writing, Grammar, Vocabulary, Pronunciation, and Assignments)

2.       Academy of Language Arts (ALA)

This is a Japanese language School located in Tokyo, Japan. It is the next on our list of Japanese language Schools in Japan. Established in 1984, the Academy of Language Arts is a Japanese Language School with over 250 students from about 40 countries.

Students from various backgrounds study together every day, improving their Japanese and socializing at the same time. The school offers group lessons and private lessons to its students. In these lessons, the students are given the chance to practice and review through the means of giving out homework and then going over the homework in class, as well as having grammar tests. The tests help students to see their progress and to determine whether they are using grammar correctly or not.

3.       ARC Academy Japanese Language School

Being the next on our list of Japanese Language Schools in Japan on our list, the school was established in 1986 and has been welcoming students from many different countries and regions. Multi-nationality, multiculturalism, and diversity are the features of the school. The school has three different campus locations in Japan namely; Kyoto, Tokyo, and Shinjuku.

When students enter the school, inquiries are made about their needs and readiness, and adequately separate into classes. The study of the Japanese characters is done through the original textbook “Kanji Master”, which even learners coming from countries with different writing systems can study without difficulty.

Every school term, the homeroom teacher assigned to each class holds an individual counseling session with each student, to evaluate progress and provide support where needed. Moreover, students of the intermediate level onwards have access to special classes conceived for specific goals (Special Preparatory Class for University, Special Preparatory Class for Graduate School, Business Japanese Class) optional classes (listening, reading, Japanese news), exam preparation classes (JLPT and EJU exams).

4.       Intercultural Institute of Japan

This Japanese language Institute in Japan is the next on our list. Since their establishment in 1977, they have been engaged in the “Japanese Language Education Project” to develop human resources who can serve as a bridge between Japan and overseas countries, and the “Japanese Teacher Training Project” to develop Japanese language education professionals who bring out true communication skills, through which they have responded to the various needs of people, companies, and society who need Japanese language education. The school offers special Japanese Language courses in the summer, winter, and autumn, weekly courses, and long-term courses,

5.       Kudan Institute of Japanese Language & Culture

This Japanese Language School in Japan is in Tokyo and the next on our list. The school is one of the Japanese language schools in Japan where multinational students are enrolled. In addition to learning Japanese, they love to increase and reach out to more people in the world by providing the opportunity to learn about Japanese culture and the country’s history through activities that can only be experienced in Japan.

The school offers various Japanese Language courses such as; conversation Courses, an intensive course, and practical courses for beginners. They also offer online courses such as; Online Japanese Course for Beginners, JLPT Prep Course, a Job Hunting Support Course (Online Lessons), Business Japanese Brush-up Course (Online Lessons), Online Private Lessons,  and One-on-one Online Tea Ceremony Lessons.

6.       KCP International Japanese Language School (Tokyo)

This Japanese language school situated in Tokyo is next on our list. The school offers Japanese Language Courses where students are taught by seasoned teachers starting with a daily conversation to advanced learning. These passionate instructors will raise your ability in all aspects of “speaking,” listening,” reading,” and “writing.”

Individual lessons and small group lessons are also available for those who have come to Japan for business or family stays and find it difficult to participate in regular courses due to time constraints, or for those who want to improve their skills in a short period.

In addition to regular Japanese language classes, you will acquire basic art skills such as drawing, color composition, and plane composition required at art universities and graduate schools.

7.       JaLS Group: Hokkaido Japanese Language School

This is the next on our list of Japanese language Schools in Japan. Hokkaido JaLS is located in Sapporo, the largest city on the island. They specialize in short-term Japanese language study. They have won numerous awards since their establishment in 2012, combining professional Japanese tuition in their intensive language programs with opportunities to use Japanese in practical real-life situations through a variety of activities and cultural experiences.

The school offers numerous Japanese language courses such as;

Standard Course: Perfect for all levels of Japanese from beginner to advanced. 15 hours of group study per week and a maximum class size of 8 students make for a friendly atmosphere in which to quickly improve your skills and build confidence

 Standard Course+Private Lessons: The course is aimed at students with specific study goals and offers a more focused and intensive study experience.

Standard + Internship Course: This is a unique combination of language learning and work experience to prepare you for employment in an international environment and offer life-changing opportunities in Japan.

JLPT Preparation Course: The JLPT Preparation Course is aimed at students preparing for the N2 and N3 levels of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. The 4-week course focuses on the kanji, grammar, reading, and listening comprehension relevant to each level of the test

 Culture Course: The Culture Course is targeted at students who wish to become immersed in aspects of Japanese culture and includes 2 cultural lesson experiences per week. Culture includes Tea Ceremony, Calligraphy, Kimono, Japanese Food, a Japanese garden, Visit to a shrine, and so on. Even if you take this course for a month, you can take different classes every time. Teachers will kindly take you through, so you can join no matter the level of your Japanese

Winter Course: The Winter Course is recommended for students who love the snow, are interested in winter activities, and wish to have these as part of their experience.

 Spring Course: The Spring Course is held as things start to warm up and flowers start to bloom in Hokkaido.

 Summer Course: Summer is the best season in Hokkaido, and the school has prepared a summer course for those who are searching for a fun summer program

 Autumn Course: Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons in Hokkaido. The scenery is great and seasonal dishes are abundant. This course is recommended for students who want to enjoy nature and food while engaging in intensive Japanese language studies.

8.       Genki Japanese and Culture School Tokyo

This is the next on our list of Japanese language Schools in Japan. The school has other locations in Fukuoka, Nagoya, and Kyoto. She offers core Japanese language courses, group online lessons, and private online lessons

Their Standard Course uses interesting and modern materials and activities to focus on improving your Japanese speaking ability in a way that gives you the flexibility to adapt to new situations until one day you won’t even need a teacher anymore!

Small-group classes are given both inside and outside of the classroom – you will learn essential communication techniques in structured lessons with the teacher, then practice them in real-world situations. The course will form the basis of any study plan you choose to follow at GenkiJACS. It consists of ten 50-minute grammar classes per week, and ten 4-skill “application” classes, where you practice what you learned in communicative situations.

9.       Genki Japanese and Culture School, Fukuoka

This is the next on our list of Japanese language Schools in Japan. The school has other locations in Fukuoka, Nagoya, and Kyoto. She offers core Japanese language courses, group online lessons, private online lessons

Their Standard Course uses original, modern materials combined with activities based on real-world situations, improving your Japanese speaking ability in a way that gives you the flexibility to adapt to new situations.

Small-group classes are given both inside and outside of the classroom – you will learn essential communication techniques in structured lessons with the teacher, then practice them in real-world situations.

Their lesson system entails two grammar lessons and two lessons focused on speaking, listening, writing, or reading, every weekday. Practice what you’ve learned at home with homework and assignments, then put that new knowledge to use the next day in their language skills practical classes.

10.   Meiji Academy

This is the last on our list of Japanese language Schools in Japan. She offers  Standard Japanese language courses,  intensive Japanese courses, group online lessons, private online lessons, Conversational Japanese, Japanese Business Manners, Kanji Lessons, Traditional Culture, Pop Culture, and Private Lessons.

Their Standard course is the foundation of their Japanese teaching methods and focuses on the most important element of daily life: conversations! Their lessons follow a communicative approach, which means they are always full of interaction and are based on real-life situations.

You will learn Japanese in a new and fun way that you can only experience by being in Japan. Their teaching methods and classes are tailored for all Japanese language levels and their small classes ensure that everybody will get enough attention and support from their teachers. During your lessons, you will learn how to:

  • Interact with Japanese people in different scenarios and make new friends
  • Find your way through Japan by asking for directions
  • Order your favorite Japanese dish at any restaurant

Their Conversational Japanese module is for students who would like to make meaningful connections with people in Japan. Whether you want to make new friends, or just feel more comfortable speaking the language and improving your accent, this module will help you infinitely. Get ready to start speaking confidently and reach a newer level of fluency in spoken Japanese as you use the language in many different situations outdoors!

  • Talk about your hobbies, passions, and interests with Japanese people
  • Order delicious food at a traditional Ramen Stall
  • Get directions from the railway staff to get to your destination
  • Find traditional Japanese souvenirs in the downtown area

Conclusion

These Japanese Language Schools that I have talked about in this article are open to enrolling interested Students who are ready to learn Japanese and Japan Culture!

Let me summarize by answering a frequently asked question about Japanese Language Schools in Japan

Japanese Language Schools in Japan- FAQs

[sc_fs_faq html=”true” headline=”h3″ img=”” question=”How long does it take to learn Japanese? ” img_alt=”” css_class=””]  It takes an estimate of 88 weeks (2200 class hours) for a student to achieve Japanese proficiency. It takes a commitment of at least three years to achieve something resembling fluency. The average learner gets to the advanced level in three or four years. [/sc_fs_faq]

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