How to Choose a Japanese Language School in Japan: A Practical Checklist

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How to choose a Japanese language school

Start with your learning goal, confirm that the course works for your dates and level, then compare the full cost and everyday experience.

1. Decide what you want to achieve

Write one sentence describing your main goal. For example: “I want to feel more comfortable using Japanese while travelling,” or “I want structured study to prepare for further education in Japan.”

• Everyday communication: ask about speaking practice, listening activities and chances to use Japanese outside class.
• A short study experience: ask how a short stay fits into the curriculum and what you can realistically cover.
• Exam preparation: ask which JLPT levels the course supports and whether preparation is included or an optional extra.
• Further education or career goals: ask what relevant preparation and individual guidance the specific course provides.

You may have several goals, but choosing a main priority helps when two schools have different strengths.

2. Check dates, duration and entry requirements

Confirm availability for your exact starting level and intended dates. A school may offer a course without having a suitable class available for your preferred intake.

• Can I start on my preferred date at my current level?
• How many teaching weeks and actual class days are included?
• Are there holidays or breaks during my stay?
• What documents, previous study or other entry requirements apply?
• When are the application and payment deadlines?

See our guides to short-term study and long-term study to help define your plans.

3. Understand the classes you would actually join

Ask about the course at your chosen campus, rather than relying only on a school-wide description.

• Placement: how are reading, writing, speaking and listening assessed?
• Class size: what is the maximum, and what is typical for the level you expect to join?
• Teaching time: how many lessons are there each week, and how many minutes is each lesson?
• Study pace: how much homework and independent study should you expect?
• Progress: how often are students assessed, and what happens if a class feels too easy or too difficult?

For example, twenty 45-minute lessons equal fifteen hours of teaching. Comparing actual teaching minutes helps you interpret different timetables.

4. Compare the whole budget

Request an itemised quote covering the same study period at each school. Check application and admission fees, tuition, textbooks, facilities, compulsory insurance or activities, and any applicable taxes.

Then add accommodation, initial housing charges, utilities, food, transport, flights and a reserve for unexpected expenses. Check what is already included so you do not count it twice.

• How much is payable before arrival?
• Are instalments available, and do they change the total?
• Which optional activities or services cost extra?
• What currency and payment methods are accepted, and who pays transfer charges?

Our one-month, three-month and one-year sample budgets show how school and living costs can fit together. Use a current school quote for your own calculation.

5. Check accommodation and your daily commute

Compare the actual campus address with realistic housing options. A room with lower rent may involve more travel time or higher transport costs.

• Does the school arrange accommodation, introduce providers or only share information?
• Is a room available for my exact arrival and departure dates?
• What are the total initial charges, ongoing costs and cancellation terms?
• How long is the door-to-door commute, including walking and transfers?
• What happens if my arrival date changes?

See our student accommodation guide for dormitories, share houses, homestays and private apartments.

6. Ask about student support and atmosphere

Think about the help you may want during your first weeks: arrival information, housing questions, daily-life guidance or advice if a problem arises.

Ask which languages support staff use and when they are available. Administrative support in English does not necessarily mean lessons are taught in English.

If student age range, social activities or the balance of short-term and long-term students matters to you, ask about your intended campus and course. A broad school-wide profile may not describe your class.

7. Read the refund terms before paying

Request the written policy and make sure you understand the deadlines and deductions.

• What happens if I cancel before the course starts?
• What happens if a visa application is refused or delayed, where relevant?
• Can I postpone my start date, and are there charges?
• What happens if I leave early or the school cannot run my course?
• Does accommodation have a separate contract and refund policy?

Keep the quote, payment schedule and terms that apply to your booking. If an answer is unclear, ask for clarification in writing before making a payment.

Your three-school comparison checklist

Copy this table into a document and replace the headings with your shortlisted schools. Mark unanswered questions as “not confirmed” rather than assuming they are included.

On a small screen, swipe across the table to see all columns.

Choose in two stages: first remove options that cannot meet essential requirements such as dates, entry requirements or your maximum budget. Then compare the remaining schools against your top three personal priorities.

A message you can send to schools

Replace the details in brackets, then send the same core questions to each school.

Common questions

What is the best Japanese language school in Japan?

Start by defining “best” for your goals, level, dates and budget. A useful shortlist gives you suitable options with clear answers to your questions, rather than relying on a single overall ranking.

Should I choose the city or school first?

If you have a firm reason to live in a particular city, use that as a filter. Otherwise, compare course fit alongside housing and everyday costs before settling on a location.

Can a beginner apply?

Ask each school whether it accepts complete beginners for your intended course and starting date, and whether any preparation is required before arrival.

How many schools should I compare?

Two or three well-matched options are a practical starting point. A longer list is less useful if you have not checked the course details or received comparable quotes.

Further reading

JASSO’s official guide to Japanese language institutes provides background on school types and key selection questions.

This article provides a practical comparison method. Confirm current course details, requirements, availability and booking terms with each school before applying.