Many people may be thinking about coming to Japan on a student visa first, studying Japanese seriously, and then looking for a job in Japan.
Studying at a Japanese language school and experiencing Japanese daily life and culture firsthand can be a very good option. Without experiencing life in Japan before starting work, some people may feel a gap between their expectations and reality after arriving.
How Should You Choose a Japanese Language School?
Unfortunately, there is no perfect answer to which school is “the best.” Many things only become clear after actually enrolling. The atmosphere of the school, the quality of teachers, and the learning environment are difficult to fully understand in advance. The same is true when Japanese students choose schools abroad.
Reading online reviews can also help. However, opinions about schools vary greatly from person to person, so it is important to be careful.
First, we recommend checking the curriculum and details of “Accredited Japanese Language Education Institutions.”
An “Accredited Japanese Language Education Institution” is a school officially certified by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) under the Japanese Language Education Institution Certification Act. Since these schools have been evaluated based on certain educational standards, they can serve as a useful reference when choosing a school. They may also help students avoid schools with questionable educational environments.
As of October 2025, 64 institutions have been accredited. You can search for them on the following website:
Guide to Accredited Japanese Language Education Institutions (MEXT)
In addition, 32 new schools were accredited on April 30, 2026. These schools have not yet been added to the official MEXT website, so please refer to the list below.
What About Other Japanese Language Schools?
In addition to accredited institutions, there are also Japanese language schools officially announced by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (845 schools). However, these schools are expected to become accredited institutions within the next five years. In other words, only schools reviewed and certified by MEXT will eventually be officially recognized as Japanese language education institutions.
Therefore, if you want to study in a stable and reliable environment, choosing an accredited institution first may be the safest option.
How Much Does It Cost?
Costs vary depending on the school and course.
- A 2-year course generally costs around ¥1.4 million to ¥1.7 million.
- A 1 year 6 month to 1 year 9 month course generally costs around ¥1 million to ¥1.4 million.
Most 2-year courses start in April, while many 1 year 6 month to 1 year 9 month courses begin in October.
Can Students Receive Commuter Discounts?
Some students have experienced problems after arriving in Japan, such as schools not issuing certificates for student commuter discounts or not properly responding to curriculum consultations.
Accredited Japanese language institutions may help students avoid such issues.
Benefits of Enrolling in an Accredited Institution
- Study with teachers and curricula that meet national standards
- Eligible for student commuter discounts and student benefits (the same generally applies to officially announced schools)
- Enrollment in an accredited institution (or officially announced school) is a requirement for applying for a student visa
Please note that enrolling in an accredited institution or officially announced school does not guarantee visa approval. Visa screening is handled separately on an individual basis.
Japanese Language Education Institution Certification Act:
A law established to ensure and improve the quality of Japanese language education by setting certain standards for educational institutions and teachers.
By Hajime Saito
X:@hajimesaitoYJC
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