Learn Japanese in Japan: The Complete Guide For 2023

The Japanese language is closely related to the Japanese culture, tradition and social standards. Although the percentage of native Japanese speakers worldwide is less than 5%, it is the 9th most popular language in the world. There are many ways that international students can learn the Japanese in Japan. In fact, learning the language will increase your chances of getting accepted to the universities you want in the specialty you’re passionate about.

Additionally, if you learn Japanese in Japan, the skill will come in handy when you pursue your postgraduate degree or when you’re working in the country after graduation.

Learn also the basics of the Japanese culture and tradition.

Table of Contents

Learn Japanese in Tokyo

As the capital of Japan and one of the largest cities in the world, Tokyo has many colleges and universities that offer Japanese language courses. There’s also a wide variety of companies and cultural centers that offer courses that serve a similar purpose. Additionally, there are many people from all over Japan who live in Tokyo. Therefore, being in Tokyo will help you learn the Japanese dialects easily.

Kudan Institute of Japanese Language & Culture

One of the best schools you can learn Japanese in the city is the Kudan Institute which has a campus in Suidobashi, Tokyo. It’s a fairly small school, which will grant you the advantage of a more personalized approach in the teaching. Moreover, the school is a little more demanding with a higher rhythm and level than other larger schools. This will require you more commitment, which might not be a good option if you have to work and study in Japan, for example.

Learn more about Kudan Institute of Japanese Language and Culture

International Study Institute (ISI)

If you’re up to learn at a more convenient pace, ISI is one of the largest Japanese schools in Japan. The institute has 4 campuses: 2 in Tokyo, 1 in Kyoto and 1 in Nagano. It also has a high international profile and welcomes the most students from Europe and America. The school also offer a good balance between kanji (writing), grammar, speaking and listening at a higher price but on the other hand you’ll get a lot of books and excursions in places where you can practice your Japanese easily.

Learn more about the school here.

Learn Japanese in Kyoto

Considered the cultural center of Japan, Kyoto offers you the chance to learn Japanese in Japan in a more traditional environment. The city also gives students the opportunity to visit the many cultural and historical sites in the Kansai region. Moreover, this city features some of the most esteemed universities, and the cost of language courses there is cheaper than in Tokyo.

Genki Japanese and Culture School

This language school is located in the city center of Kyoto, only minutes away from the Kyoto station, Gion and the Kawaramachi districts. What makes the school standout is that 90% of their students are from America, Europe and Australia for which the content of the course has been adapted to suit their specific needs. Classes are relatively small, 6 to 8 students, giving the teacher more time to focus on each individual learner.

Check the school’s website

Learn Japanese in Osaka

Considered the economic center of Japan, Osaka offers the chance not only to learn the Japanese dialect but to learn more advanced level words in the business field. The city is known for speaking the Kansai dialect. Although Kansai is the same language used in Kyoto, Osaka is a lot less traditional in comparison to its neighboring city, Kyoto.

ARC Academy

Next to ISI, ARC Academy is another large Japanese language school in Japan, with campuses in Tokyo, Kyoto and of course Osaka. Despite being a large institution, ARC is quite strict, since it requires 90% attendance every month, punctuality when arriving to class with a level somewhat demanding in the kanjis. But it’s the most recommended language school if you plan to master the Japanese language in Osaka.

Learn more about ARC Academy

How much does it cost to study Japanese in Japan?

It is more efficient and faster to learn Japanese in a language school in Japan than in any school in your home country. However, it may represent a big investment of money, but if you plan to master the language quickly, it’s worth the shot. Language schools and institutes in Japan usually offer an intensive-pace learning with 4 hours study for 5 days a week.

The cost to learn Japanese in Japan vary then based on the length of the course. For a typical 3-month full time program, you’ll pay between 150,000 and 200,000 yen to learn Japanese in Japan. This price covers only the tuition fees, since most schools charge a registration fee and an insurance fee. This will cost you between 5,000 and 20,000 yen for the application and up to 10,000 yen per year for the insurance.

Learn also the study and living cost for students in Japan.

Tips on learning basic Japanese language

You must remember to choose the course or program that is suitable for your level of Japanese language and the goals that you aim to achieve. As a student, you need to immerse yourself in Japanese culture and society in order to learn new words and enhance your language skills quickly. Here are some tips that we have gathered for you:

Learn Japanese at your university

Join Japanese language courses at your university. This will save you the time and effort of applying to an off-campus institute. Additionally, most Japanese universities offer language courses for students at competitive prices when compared to other establishments.

Immerse in the Japanese culture

Speak Japanese on a daily basis. Although this may seem hard, it is one of the most effective ways of learning Japanese. Watch Japanese videos and television shows. You should also tune in to the local Japanese radio on a daily basis.

Learn to pronounce words properly, to adjust to their intonations. Use the context to find out what certain words mean instead of resorting to dictionaries.

Get to know Japanese culture and history, which will help you learn to understand the language at a faster pace.

Further tips

Assign specific goals and a specific number of words that you aim to learn at a certain time. Many studies have proven that this method of learning helps students learn Japanese faster.

Learn the Japanese alphabet and memorize them by heart. You need to test yourself on a regular basis. That will help you learn more words in a shorter time frame.

Learn commonly used words and phrases. The Japanese language consists of many words. However, knowing 100 common words will make up around 50% of Japanese texts. Likewise, when you learn 1000 common words, they’ll make up around 90% of Japanese text.

Switch the language settings on your phone and other electronics into Japanese. You can also join a Japanese group on social media that discusses some topics that you may be interested in.