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Studying abroad is a big life event and you might feel a lot of pressure to choose the right Japanese language school. This decision involves many personal factors and what is right for someone else might not be right for you. Application timelines and entry requirements can also shift over time, so it’s worth planning ahead and confirming you meet current eligibility requirements before you apply.
Choosing the right Japanese language school for you comes down to a handful of factors: your future goals and the study intensity they require, the school’s teaching method, your budget, your preferred location, how long you want to study, and school accreditation. The sections below break down each one, with tables you can use for quick comparisons.
What are your goals?
You may have read about the importance of goal-setting in our other articles, and we’ll reiterate it here: setting specific and realistic goals is crucial if you’re serious about learning Japanese. Your goals will guide you through the journey and keep you motivated when you hit rough patches in your studies.
Think about what you ultimately want to achieve during your time in Japan, since this will help you choose the right Japanese language school. For example, if you want to continue on to further education after language school, it makes sense to sign up for a school that offers additional university prep classes.
Additionally, if you wish to find full-time work after studying, or even part-time work during your studies, you might want to study at a school that offers you job support.
This is also why having a plan is important. Read our article on planning for your studies in Japan to learn more.
For some students planning to study long term in Japan, your goals may also affect your eligibility to apply. As of the October 2026 intake, student visa applicants are now typically expected to demonstrate their language level through an official exam result (such as JLPT N5 or equivalent) or by completing a school assessment/interview. Please note that some schools may require both. If you have a university degree, you may be exempt from some of these requirements.
Future plans and school intensity
Your end goal is the single biggest factor in deciding how hard you’ll need to work and which school is the right fit. Schools generally fall into two broad tracks.
| Track | Best for | What to expect |
| High-intensity (academic track) | Students aiming for Japanese universities, vocational schools (senmon gakkō), or corporate careers | Heavy homework, fast pace, intense focus on passing the JLPT N2 or N1 |
| Medium-to-low intensity (conversation track) | Students who want to prioritize practical speaking, part-time work, or experience Japanese culture | Lighter workload, flexible pacing, focus on everyday conversation over exam prep |
Learning Japanese full time can be an intense experience, especially if you attend a language school that is fast-paced, gives a lot of homework and assignments, and is strict. This learning style doesn’t suit everyone, so it’s important to consider this when choosing a school.
You also need to take into account your goals and what you want to achieve. If you’re serious about getting into higher education or working in Japan, you may need to enroll in a school that’s at a higher intensity to develop your language skills faster.
If you want to work part time while studying, then a medium-to-low intensity school would work better since you’ll have more time outside of school. A medium intensity school offers a great balance between study pace and free time, where you can experience your life in Japan as a student more without sacrificing your learning progress. Just remember not to neglect your studies, as your personal life as a student only exists because of your student visa and language school studies.
Note that some high intensity schools may not allow or recommend part-time work for students in the first three months of study. Again, a lot of your personal progress will depend heavily on how much study you put in outside of your classes. It’s important to understand that you will need to put in the extra work if you want to achieve a high level of Japanese language skill.
You can see the intensity level of our schools on our school pages.
Teaching methods and the Ezoe Method
Beyond intensity, it’s worth thinking about how a school teaches, not just how hard it pushes you. Not all schools use the same approach, and traditional textbook cramming doesn’t work for everyone.
One unique teaching method is the Ezoe method, a highly visual, hands-on teaching style used at Shinjuku Japanese Language Institute (SNG). Instead of drilling grammar tables, it uses physical, color-coded cards and gestures to represent parts of speech — turning abstract grammar rules into visual, physical building blocks.
| Teaching style | How it works | Who it suits |
| Traditional textbook | Grammar explanations, drills, and written exercises | Learners comfortable with self-study and memorization |
| Ezoe Method | Color-coded cards and gestures representing grammar components | Visual and kinesthetic learners who want an intuitive feel for sentence structure |
The Ezoe Method is one of the main factors for why a majority of SNG students choose SNG. They tend to be more visual and kinesthetic learners who find Japanese grammar much easier to understand when taught via the Ezoe Method.
What is your budget?
Here’s the truth: studying isn’t cheap. School fees will differ depending on what school you’re going to and how long your course is. But you also need money for accommodation, utilities, groceries, transport, entertainment, and travel. How much money you need for all of this will depend greatly on where you choose to study.
Immigration requires that applicants have at least 1.2 to 2 million yen available for one year of study, though the exact amount can vary depending on your situation and the location you plan to study in. This is what they believe is the minimum to be able to live comfortably, however we recommend you save as much as possible before applying to study in Japan.
You can also work part time while on a student visa, allowing you to boost your savings with ongoing income. However, even if you are planning to work when you come to Japan, you will still need to prove for your visa application that you already have sufficient funds available so you can live in Japan for the length of time that you’re applying for.
When budgeting for your studies, it’s also important to consider preparation costs before arriving in Japan. Depending on your situation, this may include additional study time, documentation, or administrative fees, all of which are much easier to manage with early planning. Additionally, with the continued rise of living costs, we recommend saving as much as you can for your living expenses in Japan.
Where do you want to study?
Your location in Japan will affect your budget and is a considerable step in choosing the right Japanese language school for you. Go! Go! Nihon works with more than 30 schools across Japan and each city has its own personality, so it’s important to choose the one that best suits you.
| Location | Pros | Trade-offs |
| Tokyo or Osaka | More job opportunities, large international communities, easier to find English support | Higher cost of living, more competition for part-time work |
| Fukuoka, Sapporo, Oita, Kyoto, Chiba, Hiroshima, Kobe, Kofu, Nagoya, Okayama, Yokohama | Cheaper rent, deeper cultural immersion, closer access to nature | Fewer English safety nets, smaller international communities |
Tokyo is big and exciting and there is always something to do. But it is also the most expensive city in Japan to live in. It might also be a less enjoyable experience for people who don’t like big cities and it may be harder to feel connected with the local community.
There are, however, plenty of smaller cities in Japan that offer the convenience of living in a city, without the crowding and aloofness you might find in a big metropolis. Cities like Oita, Fukuoka, and Sapporo are great for those who enjoy city life, but also want to be close to nature and the outdoors.
You should also take into account the location of the school itself in the city, since some schools are closer to public transport than others. Remember this too when you start looking for your accommodation.
Not all schools offer the same start dates or course lengths in every location. Availability can vary depending on the city and the size of the school, so it’s worth checking your options early if you have a specific location in mind.
Read more about the different parts of Japan that you can study in here, or take our quiz!
You can also see all our partner schools on our website.
How long do you want to study?
With your goals and budget in mind, you will need to consider how long you want to study for. All our language school partners offer general Japanese language courses that will get you from beginner to advanced in about two years. Of course this will also depend significantly on your own commitment to studying, attending class, doing your homework, and improving your language skills outside of class.
The maximum length of time you can extend a student visa for Japanese language school is two years, and how much of that you can use depends on which intake you start in. Most schools reset their full curriculum every two years, starting in April, which is why April is the most common option if you want to complete the entire two-year program from start to finish.
| Intake | Maximum study length |
| April | Up to two years |
| July | Up to one year and nine months |
| October | Up to one year and six months |
| January | Up to one year and three months |
However, not all our school partners offer shorter term study options, so this is something to bear in mind when choosing the right language school.
Additionally, you also need to think about when you are able to begin studying. For the majority of schools, you can choose to start studying from four terms a year. Not all our schools offer four study terms a year though, with some only offering two.
Please note: Long-term Japanese language study usually starts from specific intake periods during the year and follows a set academic structure. Because of this, your preferred study length may influence when you can apply and when you can arrive in Japan. Planning your timeline early gives you more flexibility when choosing a school and start date.
For more information on how language school terms work, please read our article here.
A note about school accreditation
It’s important to be realistic about how intense you want your studies to be and how much effort you’re willing to put in. Schools get penalized for poor student behavior, such as students who overstay their visa or who work more than the 28 hours they’re allowed on their student visa.
They can lose their accreditation from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). This means applying for that school can be much more complicated and involve more documentation than usual.
Extra perks and preferences
Is it important to you to have a modern learning environment? Technology-driven classes? A school cafeteria? A library where you can read Japanese books? Regular cultural activities?
These are some of the extra perks and preferences that some of our schools can offer students. These things may or may not be important to you, but they could make all the difference in your learning experience.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best Japanese language school in Japan?
There’s no single “best” school because the right one depends on your goals, learning style, budget, and preferred location. A school that’s ideal for university-bound students may be the wrong fit for someone who wants a relaxed, conversation-focused experience.
- How much does it cost to study at a Japanese language school?
Costs vary by school, course length, and location, so it’s hard to give one exact figure. As a general guide, immigration typically expects applicants to have at least 1.2 to 2 million yen available for one year of study, though this can vary depending on your situation.
- How long does it take to become fluent in Japanese?
Reaching JLPT N2, often considered a benchmark for practical fluency, typically takes 1.5 to 2 years of full-time study.
- Is it better to study in Tokyo or a smaller Japanese city?
Tokyo and Osaka offer more job opportunities and larger international communities. Smaller cities like Fukuoka, Sapporo, Oita, or Kyoto offer cheaper living costs and deeper immersion, with fewer English safety nets.
- What is the Ezoe Method?
The Ezoe Method is a visual, hands-on approach to teaching Japanese grammar, used at schools like Shinjuku Japanese Language Institute (SNG). It uses color-coded cards and gestures to represent grammar components, making sentence structure more intuitive for visual learners.
Choose the right Japanese language school for you
Ultimately, the final choice depends on many different factors and the decision is personal to you. Think about what you want to achieve by learning Japanese, how much money you are able to save up, and how much time you have available to commit to studying Japanese.
If you need advice or help with your options, feel free to contact our team. Make sure to read more articles on our blog for more insights and advice on studying in Japan.
