If you’re considering learning Japanese in Japan, you’re probably wondering how much it would cost. Japanese is a language that has gained popularity over the years, and it’s no wonder why people from all corners of the world are flocking to Japan to learn it. However, one of the most significant challenges that come with learning a language in a foreign country is estimating how expensive it can be to pursue your studies abroad.
Whether you’re a student, professional, or simply interested in immersing yourself in Japanese culture, this guide will help you get you’ll have a better understanding of the costs associated with studying Japanese in Japan, from language schools to accommodation. In the end, you can make an informed decision about your language learning journey and be able to plan your budget accordingly. So, let’s dive in and explore the costs of learning Japanese in Japan!
Want to study Japanese in Japan? Get free support from initial inquiry to visa application with Coto School Finder!
Factors Affecting the Cost of Learning Japanese in Japan
Before we dive into the cost breakdown, let’s first look at some of the factors that affect the cost of learning Japanese in Japan.
Type of school and program
Firstly, the type of school you choose will significantly impact the cost. For example, at Coto Academy, students can pick from part-time, private, and intensive lessons. You’ll usually find that either private or intensive lessons are the most expensive. Private Japanese classes are more expensive per lesson than group Japanese lessons, but they often offer more personalized attention. On the other hand, intensive lessons can be more costly as a whole because it requires more hours of study per day than regular programs.
While part-time Japanese lessons might be the ‘cheapest’ option, you’ll usually only be studying once or twice a week.
Keep in mind that those who are looking to study in Japan for at least one year, you’ll be studying in a curriculum and class schedule that are similar to intensive Japanese lessons. Full-time language students typically attend class from Monday to Friday for 3 hours a day.
Ultimately, which Japanese lessons you choose depends on your budget and preference.
Location
Another factor is the location of the school. Cities like Tokyo and Kyoto are more expensive than other cities in Japan, so you can expect to pay more for tuition, accommodation, and living expenses. For example, Tokyo was recently ranked as the fifth most expensive city in the world for expats.
Duration of Program
In Japan, there are typically two types of Japanese lessons based on the length of study: short-term and long-term programs. Short-term programs are made for those who don’t need a student visa to study in Japan. This can mean tourists, foreign residents, or spouses of Japanese foreign residents living in Japan. Short-term classes range from a few weeks to six months. It’s also more flexible, as students can register and end the classes anytime they want.
On the other hand, long-term programs are offered by many Japanese language schools for those who want to study in Japan for more than a year (and up to two years). You’ll have to commit to this type of program, as these schools are more regulated by the Japanese Immigration Bureau and therefore are stricter when it comes to your attendance.
Short-term programs are generally less expensive, but not for the very obvious reason that it’s, well, shorter.
Short-term Japanese classes like the ones offered at Coto Academy tend to have lower admission fees and material costs. Typically, both of them combined will be around 20,000 Japanese yen.
Long-term Japanese language schools usually come with more additional fees besides school tuition. These include:
- Registration fee
- Visa application fee
- Admission fee ((入学費 nyuugakuhi)
- Facility fee
- Lesson material
These fees are paid only once in the first year of admission, and the tuition fee (授業料) juugoryou) can be paid annually or every 6 or 3 months. Other fees that you might have to pay every new school term might include the cost of new materials and facility fees.
You’re typically expected to pay around 100,000 – 130,000 Japanese yen for the additional fee listed above.
So why are long-term Japanese language schools more expensive? The answer is simple, really: this is because it takes a longer time and a lot of effort to process your application and student visa.
If you are considering studying Japanese on a student visa, we partner with long-term Japanese language schools, so you can contact us for free support!
So, before you start estimating the cost, consider these factors, as they will help you make an informed decision about the type of program that suits your budget and needs.
Cost breakdown of learning Japanese in Japan
Now that we’ve looked at the factors that affect the cost of learning Japanese in Japan let’s dive into the cost breakdown. Here are the different expenses you’ll need to consider when estimating the cost of learning Japanese in Japan:
Tuition fees
Of course, the first thing when we think of when we hear about the cost of studying in Japan is the tuition fee or gakuhi (学費).
Tuition fees will be your most significant expense when learning Japanese in Japan. On average, tuition fees for a short-term 12-week program can range from ¥200,000 to ¥400,000 (approximately $1,800 to $3,600). However, the cost can vary significantly depending on the school, program, and duration.
One thing that a lot of people might not know is that there’s no such thing as the ‘cheapest’ Japanese language school. The tuition fee to study one year in Japan on a student visa (long-term) in popular cities in Japan like Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka ranges from 750,000-850,000 Japanese yen — not that different!
Below is an estimate and breakdown for 1-year tuition fees.
| Cost breakdown | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Visa/admission fee | 20,000 | 22,000 |
| Admission fee | 50,000 | 55,000 |
| School tuition | 620,000 | 750,000 |
| Material fee | 30,000 | 33,000 |
| Facility Fee | 30,000 | 56,000 |
| Total | 780,000 | 916,000 |
Remember that the first year will always be the most expensive, especially when you are typically expected to pay the first 12 months in full sum.
Of course, there are exceptions to cheaper schools in Japan, but the biggest factor behind this is due to location. For example, one school that we partnered with, Future Design Language School, is located in Kagawa. The tuition fee per year is 550,000 Japanese yen — but this is because it’s not located in a prime commercial neighborhood in Japan! Likewise, going to a school located in Shibuya might be more expensive, and you’ll find that the facility fee will probably be higher than average just because rent and land price in this neighborhood is high.
Accommodation in Japan
Depending on how long you are planning to stay in Japan, you’ll have different accommodation options.
For short-term stays of less than one year, you can look for sharehouses and homestays. For homestays, you’ll stay with a Japanese host family, which is a great way to immerse yourself in local Japanese life. If you would like to meet more diverse people from around the world, your best bet is to stay at a sharehouse.
Either way, both homestays, and sharehouses are great options because the contract is quite flexible. If you’re contemplating between these two options, check out our article that compares both homestays and sharehouses in Japan!
If you’re planning to study long-term in Japan, you have more chances of finding a school that offers a dormitory option! This is probably the best option because it’s relatively more affordable and easier to process. If you’re staying in a dormitory, you can expect to pay between ¥30,000 to ¥75,000 (approximately $270 to $680) per month.
It’s another thing if you decide to rent an apartment from the get-go. In Tokyo, expect to pay around 60,000 to 150,000 Japanese yen (approximately $450 to $1,350) per month depending on the location and size of the apartment.
But here’s the catch: it’s common practice in Japan to pay three to four times your monthly rent the first time! Don’t worry — no one is trying to scam you! This is just an industry practice in Japan where tenants need to pay initial fees that include key money, or reikin. A reiki in is basically a gratitude, non-refundable fee. There are also additional costs such as guarantor fees, lock changing fees, cleaning fees, maintenance fees, and agency fees. Altogether, they can rack up a ton of money!
According to the Statistics Bureau of Japan’s 2018 Housing & Land Survey, the average monthly rent in Japan nationwide is 55,695 yen. The survey also reveals the average monthly rental for each prefecture in Japan. Here are a few popular prefectures whose average monthly rental exceeds the national average
- Tokyo: 81,001 yen
- Kanagawa: 68,100 yen
- Saitama: 59,358 yen
- Chiba: 57,421 yen
Other costs of popular prefectures are:
- Osaka: 55,636 yen
- Kyoto: 54,605 yen
- Nara: 48,492 yen
- Fukuoka: 48,429 yen
Of course, there are ways to find affordable housing options in Japan! For example, you can consider finding a sharehouse. Sharehouses are a type of rental residence in Japan where multiple unrelated individuals live together, sharing all spaces except their own private rooms. A good thing about living in a sharehouse, besides being relatively cheaper, is that it’s typically resided by other foreigners in Japan (with a good mix of Japanese people, of course)! A lot of people opt for sharehouses because it allows them to meet new people and make friends
Food
Groceries are actually quite affordable in Japan. We estimate that, for a single foreign student, you can keep groceries down to ¥5,000 a week — but that’s only if you’re on a super tight budget!
One of the Coto School Finder coordinators tracked their weekly food budget in Tokyo. You can expect to spend between 40,000 to 60,000 Japanese yen (approximately $360 to $540) per month on food when you’re doing a good mix of eating out and cooking at home!
But what happens if you’re someone who’s always eating out in Japan? Would it be expensive?
Well, as a reference, the price of one onigiri (riceball) in Japan ranges from 110 to 220 yen. Family Mart, one of the biggest convenience store chains in Japan, also sells 100-yen coffee, and an egg sandwich called tamago sando costs 270 yen.
As you can see, it’s not so expensive! However, if you’re ordering Uber Eats every night, which easily costs 1,500 to 2,000 yen, you’ll definitely be spending a big portion of your expenses on food!
Either way, there are a lot of cheap places to eat that you’ll discover on your own, whether it be a local shop or a chain restaurant. Don’t forget that you can always rely on the famous 100 yen shops that sell just about anything!
Transportation
Japan has one of the best public transportation systems in the world, and whether you’re a short-term visitor or an international student, you’ll be using them a lot!
Transportation costs can vary significantly depending on the location of your school and where you’re staying!
If you’re staying in a dormitory, chances are it’ll be 10-15 minutes away from school. The most expensive it’ll get will be when you buy a bike in Japan, which is actually pricier than you think!
On average, you can expect to spend between ¥10,000 to ¥20,000 (approximately $90 to $180) per month on transportation.
There are other expenses in Japan besides these primary needs. If you want to get a complete breakdown of how much it costs to live in Japan, visit our guide here!
Other expenses when it comes to studying Japanese in Japan
Other expenses to consider include textbooks, stationery, health insurance, and visa fees. Textbooks can cost between ¥10,000 to ¥20,000 (approximately $90 to $180) per semester, depending on the program.
For those thinking of studying on a student visa, let’s not forget about your health insurance and pension! If you come to Japan on a student visa, you’re now technically a resident in Japan — and all residents in Japan are required to pay taxes, insurance, and pension.
Luckily, most students who earn below a certain income can apply for exemptions and reductions. While the premium varies depending on location and income, in most cases, it’s about ¥20,000 to ¥30,000 (approximately $180 to $270) per year for foreign students in Japan.
If you decide to live in your own apartment in Japan for privacy and comfort reasons, expect to pay an average utility cost of about 11,000 yen a month. You’ll spend 4,000 for electricity on average, but be aware that it usually goes up during summer and winter when you are using AC all the time). Gas costs 4,000 yen, and water is typically 3,000 yen.
Check out: Should You Study Abroad in Japan? Pros and Cons
Example of Expenses in Japan
So what’s a monthly expense look like for an international student enrolled in a one-year program in Japan? We’ve made a scenario of someone who lives in a shared apartment in Tokyo who lives two stations away from their school!
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Rent | 45,000 yen (split with a roommate from 90,000 yen) |
| Utilities | 11,000 yen |
| Internet and phone plan | 3,500 yen |
| Groceries | 30,000 yen |
| Transportation | 7,000 |
| Entertainment (going and eating out with friends) | 10,000 yen |
| Others (personal hygiene, clothes, supplies, etc) | 3,000 yen |
| Total | 109,500 yen |
Comparison of costs between different cities in Japan
As mentioned earlier, the cost of learning Japanese in Japan can vary significantly depending on the location of your school. Here’s a comparison of the cost of living and studying in three different cities in Japan:
Tokyo
Tokyo is the most expensive city in Japan, and you can expect to pay more for tuition, accommodation, and living expenses. On average, tuition fees for a 12-week program can range from ¥300,000 to ¥400,000 (approximately $2,700 to $3,600).
Accommodation costs can range from ¥50,000 to ¥150,000 (approximately $450 to $1,350) per month, and food costs can range from ¥50,000 to ¥80,000 (approximately $450 to $720) per month. Overall, you’ll need to budget between ¥300,000 to ¥500,000 (approximately $2,700 to $4,500) per semester.
Kyoto
Kyoto is another popular city for learning Japanese in Japan, and it’s more affordable than Tokyo. On average, tuition fees for a 12-week program can range from ¥200,000 to ¥300,000 (approximately $1,800 to $2,700).
Accommodation costs can range from ¥30,000 to ¥80,000 (approximately $270 to $720) per month, and food costs can range from ¥40,000 to ¥60,000 (approximately $360 to $540) per month. Overall, you’ll need to budget between ¥200,000 to ¥400,000 (approximately $1,800 to $3,600) per semester.
Fukuoka
Fukuoka is a less popular city for learning Japanese in Japan, but it’s more affordable than Tokyo and Kyoto. On average, tuition fees for a 12-week program can range from ¥100,000 to ¥200,000 (approximately $900 to $1,800).
Accommodation costs can range from ¥20,000 to ¥50,000 (approximately $180 to $450) per month, and food costs can range from ¥30,000 to ¥50,000 (approximately $270 to $450) per month. Overall, you’ll need to budget between ¥150,000 to ¥250,000 (approximately $1,350 to $2,250) per semester.
Besides these options, which other cities should you consider for immersing yourself in Japan? Check out our recommendation for popular cities to study Japanese in Japan!
Scholarships and financial aid for learning Japanese in Japan
If you’re concerned about the cost of learning Japanese in Japan, you’ll be happy to know that there are scholarships and financial aid available. The Japanese government offers scholarships for international students, and many private organizations also offer scholarships and grants. You can also check with your home country’s government or education department for financial assistance.
While Coto School Finder does not provide financial aid or help with applying for one, you can learn more about scholarships in Japan in this article!
Tips for saving money while learning Japanese in Japan
Learning Japanese in Japan can be expensive, but there are ways to save money. Here are some tips for saving money while learning Japanese in Japan:
- Opt for a regular program instead of an intensive program
- Consider living in a dormitory or shared apartment
- Cook your meals instead of eating out
- Use a bicycle or walk instead of using public transportation
- Look for free or low-cost activities to do in your free time
Cost of living in Japan for non-students
If you’re not a student and want to live in Japan, you’ll need to consider the cost of living. On average, the cost of living in Japan is higher than in many other countries. Accommodation, food, and transportation are the most significant expenses. However, if you’re on a tight budget, there are ways to save money. For example, you can choose to live in a shared apartment or cook your meals instead of eating out.
Options for learning Japanese online or in your home country
If you’re unable to travel to Japan to learn Japanese, there are other options available. Many language schools offer online courses, and you can also find many online resources to learn Japanese. You can also consider taking classes in your home country or finding a language exchange partner.
Should you learn Japanese online or offline in Japan? We’ve made another article discussing the pros and cons of each option!
Conclusion
Learning Japanese in Japan can be an incredible experience, but it’s essential to consider the cost before making a decision. In this guide, we’ve looked at the factors that affect the cost of learning Japanese in Japan, the cost breakdown, and tips for saving money. We’ve also compared the cost of living and studying in different cities in Japan and discussed scholarships and financial aid. Ultimately, the cost of learning Japanese in Japan will depend on your individual circumstances, so it’s essential to do your research and make an informed decision.
WANT TO STUDY AND LIVE IN JAPAN? USE COTO SCHOOL FINDER’S FREE SERVICE!
Coto School Finder partners with almost 20 of the best Japanese language schools across Japan. We help match you with the right school that fits you, apply for a student visa, and make sure your admission is processed as easily as possible!
If you are ready, get the full support you need and contact us today!
