{"id":26954,"date":"2022-08-31T10:35:10","date_gmt":"2022-08-31T10:35:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/?p=26954"},"modified":"2026-01-22T17:01:56","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T08:01:56","slug":"study-in-japan-other-than-tokyo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/blog\/study-in-japan-other-than-tokyo\/","title":{"rendered":"Wondering where to study in Japan other than Tokyo? We’re here to help"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When looking at options for schools in Japan<\/a>, you may automatically be looking at Tokyo – but it\u2019s not for everyone. It’s busy and heavily populated, a sensory overload for some. With the rest of the country to explore, why not take a look at places to study in Japan other than Tokyo?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve put together an overview of some of our favourite cities and why they\u2019re worth exploring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sapporo \u672d\u5e4c<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sapporo is relatively well known for its annual Snow Festival<\/strong>. But there\u2019s a lot more to the city and the island of Hokkaido than this. With amazing flower festivals in the spring and plenty of exceptional food, Sapporo offers a friendly and welcoming environment to foreign students. It\u2019s also a great hub for the rest of the island, which has some of the more wild parts of Japan. We love it so much that we\u2019ve put together an article on some of our favourite things about the city<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate:<\/strong> Cold and snowy in the winter, warm and wet in the summer<\/a> (tends to miss hurricane season).
Highlights<\/strong>: Sapporo Snow Festival, proximity to nature, spring flower festivals, beer.
Local Food:<\/strong> Miso ramen<\/em> \u5473\u564c\u3089\u3081\u3093 (visit Ramen Alley<\/a>), Soup Curry.
Partner schools:<\/strong> Hokkaido Japanese Language Academy<\/a>, Yu Language Academy<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Torii<\/figure><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fukuoka \u798f\u5ca1<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you travel further south in Japan, people become more and more relaxed. Fukuoka is a great demonstration of that and offers itself as the perfect hub for exploring the rest of Ky\u016bsh\u016b <\/strong>\u4e5d\u5dde, an island full of farms, volcanoes and hidden nature. It\u2019s also great for onsen<\/a><\/strong> \u6e29\u6cc9 because of all the active volcanoes on the island. Fukuoka itself has a very laid back atmosphere and with a beautiful beach<\/strong> and hot summers, it\u2019s ideal if you\u2019re looking for a relaxed, slower pace of life without sacrificing all the conveniences of living in a larger city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate:<\/strong> Warm and humid, subtropical.
Highlights:<\/strong> Sunshine, Proximity to Busan, Fuji Hachimangu Shrine River Crossing Festival, Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.
Local Food:<\/strong> Motsunabe<\/em> \u3082\u3064\u934b (beef\/pork offal stew), Hakata tonkotsu ramen <\/em>\u535a\u591a\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3 (ramen made with a creamy pork broth).
Partner schools:<\/strong> Fukuoka Foreign Language College<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Osaka<\/figure><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Osaka \u5927\u962a<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Osaka is often cited as one of the more relaxed cities out of the larger ones in Japan and rightly so. You\u2019ll find the people friendly and helpful and the food is exceptional. With bustling streets, busy entertainment districts and a river running alongside the famous Dotonburi<\/strong>, Osaka<\/a> gives you the hustle and bustle of Tokyo but with a bit less formality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate:<\/strong> Subtropical, mild winters and humid summers.
Highlights:<\/strong> Dotonburi, Osaka Castle, Aquarium.
Local Food:<\/strong> Okonomiyaki <\/em>\u304a\u597d\u307f\u713c\u304d (savoury pancake), Takoyaki \u305f\u3053\u713c\u304d (grilled balls with octopus).
Partner schools:<\/strong> Daiwa Academy<\/a>, ECC Kokusai College of Foreign Languages<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Old<\/figure><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kyoto \u4eac\u90fd<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The traditions of Japan are at the forefront of everything in Kyoto<\/a>. This makes it the best place to study in Japan other than Tokyo, if you are looking to immerse yourself in the history<\/strong> of this amazing country. With numerous, well-known temples and shrines, it\u2019s a great place if you\u2019re looking for a bit of zen. It\u2019s also close to Osaka and is surrounded by plenty of places to visit on day trips. Arashiyama<\/strong>, in particular, gives you an easy getaway with monkeys, bamboo groves and glorious red and orange foliage in the autumn months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate: <\/strong>Subtropical, mild winters and humid summers.
Highlights:<\/strong> Fushimi Inari Shrine<\/a> (Fushimi Inari Taisha<\/em> \u4f0f\u898b\u7a32\u8377\u5927\u793e), Arashiyama<\/em> (\u5d50\u5c71), Gion district
Local Food:<\/strong> Yud\u014dfu<\/em> \u6e6f\u8c46\u8150 (tofu cooked in a hot broth), sh\u014djin ry\u014dri<\/em> \u7cbe\u9032\u6599\u7406 (vegan Buddhist cuisine).
Partner schools<\/strong>: ISI Language School<\/a>, ARC Academy<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Road<\/figure><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kofu \u7532\u5e9c<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While Kofu<\/a> is a pretty big urban area by a lot of standards, it\u2019s a much smaller city by Japanese standards. So if you like things a little quieter and you want to make the most of the countryside<\/strong> in Japan then it\u2019s the perfect place for you. It\u2019s surrounded by mountains<\/strong> that are easy to get out too and of course, there\u2019s Fuji<\/a> and the Fuji 5 lakes to the south. It\u2019s definitely one that should be on the top of your list if you\u2019re looking for a slightly different experience when studying in Japan<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate:<\/strong> Warm and temperate. While it gets hot in the summer, it\u2019s less humid than the major cities.
Highlights:<\/strong> Views of Fuji, nature on your doorstep, Kofu Castle.
Local Food:<\/strong> H\u014dt\u014d<\/em> \u307b\u3046\u3068\u3046 noodles (Extra-thick udon noodles in a miso soup served in an iron pot) and boiled chicken giblets.
Partner schools: <\/strong>Unitas<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kobe<\/figure><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kobe \u795e\u6238<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kobe has a lot to offer, but is also a great hub for visiting other places. With Osaka, Kyoto, Himeji, and Awaji island are all day trips, you can see a lot of different sides of Japan. Of course, there\u2019s the amazing food, but Kobe has a great international feel<\/strong> to it with its port, plus its coastline on the south side and a mountain range to the north. There\u2019s plenty of options for getting outdoors. It\u2019s also one of the best places to visit sake distilleries. In fact, we love Kobe so much we\u2019ve put together a whole article<\/a> on the best bits of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate: <\/strong>Subtropical, mild winters, and humid summers.
Highlights:<\/strong> Harborland, Mt Rokko.
Local Food:<\/strong> Kobe beef (of course) and ramen.
Partner schools:<\/strong> Communica Institute<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Nagoya<\/figure><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nagoya \u540d\u53e4\u5c4b<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nagoya is Japan’s fourth most-populated city and is an important transport and industrial hub. It’s in close proximity to several places of interest including Osaka, Kyoto, and old post towns of the Nakasend\u014d<\/i> \u4e2d\u5c71\u9053, a major route that connected Edo (present-day Tokyo) with Kyoto during the Edo Period (1603-1867).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With all the conveniences of a major city \u2013 extensive public transport, lots of things to do, easy access to food and entertainment \u2013 without the big city price tag, Nagoya is easily one of the best cities in Japan to learn Japanese in. Learn more in our article<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate: <\/strong>Similar to the rest of Japan with a mild climate. Summers are hot and humid with a short typhoon season, and winters are cold and frosty.
Highlights:<\/strong> Nagoya castle (Nagoyaj\u014d<\/em> \u540d\u53e4\u5c4b\u57ce), K\u014drankei<\/em> Valley \u9999\u5d50\u6e13, SCMAGLEV and Railway Park
Local Food:<\/strong> Tebasaki <\/em>\u624b\u7fbd\u5148 (marinated chicken wings), miso katsu<\/em> \u5473\u564c\u30ab\u30c4 (deep fried pork cutlet with a rich red miso sauce)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"onsen<\/figure><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oita \u5927\u5206<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Located on the island of Ky\u016bsh\u016b, Oita prefecture is famous for its many natural hot springs.  There is a diverse mix of bigger cities and beautiful, untouched nature. Mountains, coastlines and ravines are never that far away. Oita City itself was once considered the gateway to the west, with influence from Europe and a strong Christian history shaping the city into what it is today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate:<\/strong> Hot and humid in summer. Mild but chilly in winter.
Highlights:<\/strong> Beppu \u5225\u5e9c (nearby onsen town), Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival, Mt Takasaki.
Local Food:<\/strong> Toriten<\/em> \u3068\u308a\u5929 (tempura chicken), reimen<\/em> \u51b7\u9eba (cold ramen dish).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beppu \u5225\u5e9c<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Located on the island of Ky\u016bsh\u016b in Oita Prefecture, Beppu is a charming bayside city that produces more hot spring water than anywhere else in the country. Besides onsen, there is plenty of nature of enjoy, along with local festivals and community events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate:<\/strong> Hot and humid in summer. Mild but chilly in winter.
Highlights:<\/strong> Various hot springs, Jigoku \u5730\u7344 (hot springs for viewing, rather than bathing), Mt Tsurumi, Beppu Park
Local Food:<\/strong> Toriten<\/em> \u3068\u308a\u5929 (tempura chicken)
Partner schools: <\/strong>Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Momotaro<\/figure><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Okayama \u5ca1\u5c71<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Okayama is located right between the popular cities of Osaka and Hiroshima, famous for its folklore history, delicious fruit and beautiful landscape garden. The smaller size and relaxed pace of the city makes it a delightful experience to live and learn more about the Japanese language, culture, and way of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more about Okayama in our article<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate:<\/strong> Hot and humid summers, cold winters with clear skies, low rainfall compared with other parts of Japan
Highlights:<\/strong> K\u014drakuen<\/em> (\u5f8c\u697d\u5712), Okayama Castle, the Kibi Plain
Local Food:<\/strong> White peach (hakut\u014d <\/em>\u767d\u6843), oyster okonomiyaki, barazushi <\/em>\u3070\u3089\u5bff\u53f8 (rice topped with seafood and other ingredients)
Partner schools: <\/strong>Okayama Institute of Languages<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having covered some of the highlights of our favourite cities there’s no reason not to think about where to study in Japan other than Tokyo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you like to read more about Japanese culture, make sure to follow our blog<\/a> where we cover everything you need to know about Japan!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When looking at options for schools in Japan, you may automatically be looking at Tokyo – but it\u2019s not for everyone. It’s busy and heavily populated, a sensory overload for some. With the rest of the country to explore, why not take a look at places to study in Japan other than Tokyo? We\u2019ve put […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":117,"featured_media":26003,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[401],"tags":[690,670,680],"class_list":["post-26954","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-life-in-japan","tag-living-abroad","tag-school","tag-study-in-japan"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26954","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/117"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26954"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26954\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":207295,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26954\/revisions\/207295"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26003"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26954"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26954"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26954"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}