How to Choose a Japanese Language School: What Actually Matters

The short answer
Step 1: Check the school’s status on an official list
1. What accreditation means for you
Step 2: Decide what the school is for
Step 3: Compare what actually shapes your day
How to read a school’s numbers
Questions to ask before you apply
Warning signs to take seriously
FAQ
Related reading

The short answer

Before you compare class sizes, locations or prices, check the school’s official status. To study at a Japanese language school on a student visa, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan says you need to enroll at either an accredited Japanese-language education institution (認定日本語教育機関) or a Japanese language institution designated by Ministry of Justice notification (often called a 告示校, kokujikō). Japan is partway through a move from the second system to the first, so as of September 2026 you’ll see schools in both categories.

Once a school passes that check, choose based on what you want the year or two to lead to: university, a job in Japan, or everyday Japanese for life here. Class size, timetable, support and cost are much easier to judge once the goal is clear. I checked every official page cited in this guide on September 30, 2026. Rules and lists in this area change, so treat the dates as part of the information.

A student reviewing school brochures at a desk by a window

Step 1: Check the school’s status on an official list

There are currently two official routes a school can be on.

Accredited Japanese-language education institutions. A law usually called the Japanese Language Education Institution Accreditation Act (its full title is much longer) took effect on April 1, 2024. Under it, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) accredits institutions that meet national standards.
Institutions designated by Ministry of Justice notification. This is the older system, and the one many schools have been on for years. The Immigration Services Agency (ISA) publishes the list.

The two systems overlap during a transition period. MEXT’s accreditation portal says that until March 2029, schools designated by Ministry of Justice notification are also permitted to accept international students and provide Japanese language education. ISA’s page for these schools says they need to obtain accreditation from the Minister by March 31, 2029. In other words, as of September 2026, a school that appears on the official lists, either as an accredited institution with a study-abroad (留学) course or as an institution designated by Ministry of Justice notification, can currently accept international students. It’s still worth asking a designated school about its plans for accreditation.

You can check both lists yourself:

MEXT’s accreditation portal. The accredited institution search on the Japanese Language Education Institution Accreditation Act portal lists every accredited school, with a details page for each. You can filter by course type (choose 留学, “study abroad,” for student-visa courses), prefecture, intake month, fees and target level. The portal notes that its foreign-language versions are machine-translated and that school information can take time to update, so it tells you to check each school’s own website for the latest details.
ISA’s list of designated institutions. The receiving institutions page links to a PDF list of schools designated by notification, plus a PDF of their English names. The version I checked was dated August 7, 2026.

If a school’s name doesn’t appear on either list, ask it directly which list it’s on, and don’t send money until you’ve seen it there yourself.

What accreditation means for you

Accreditation isn’t just a label. Under the Act, an accredited institution has to publish basic information about its learning environment in Japanese, including its courses and their content, the number of students, teachers and staff, and tuition. Publishing the same information in multiple foreign languages is something the Act says the institution must make an effort to do, rather than a strict requirement. It also has to evaluate its own teaching and publish the results, and report to MEXT every year.

Teachers are covered too. Teachers in charge of Japanese courses at an accredited institution must be Registered Japanese Language Teachers (登録日本語教員, tōroku nihongo kyōin), a national qualification introduced with the new system. Under a transitional measure until March 31, 2029, teachers who have qualifications or practical experience that a MEXT ordinance treats as equivalent can also teach, so not every teacher at an accredited school will hold the registration yet.

Step 2: Decide what the school is for

Most language schools in Japan serve several kinds of students at once, and the right school for one goal can be a poor fit for another. It helps to be honest about which of these describes you.

Going on to university or vocational school in Japan. ISA’s page for prospective students says that to understand classes taught in Japanese at a university or vocational school after finishing language school, Japanese ability of N2 or above is required, so it advises choosing a school and course that fit that goal. The actual entry requirements differ from one university or vocational school to another, so check the requirements of the schools you’re aiming for, not only the general guideline. If a school has a course aimed at further study, ask what it covers and which level it expects you to reach by the end.
Working in Japan. Some schools offer business Japanese or job-hunting support. If this is your goal, ask what that support looks like in practice, not just whether it exists.
Everyday Japanese and life in Japan. If you mainly want conversation skills, check how much class time goes to speaking rather than exam preparation. If you don’t need to live in Japan to reach your goal, Japanese Language School vs Online Tutoring compares the two routes.

Two structural points apply whatever your goal. According to ISA, intake timing differs by school, but it’s usually twice a year (in principle April and October) or four times a year (in principle January, April, July and October). ISA also says the period you can be enrolled at a Japanese language school is normally up to two years. Both vary by school and course, so confirm them with the school you’re considering.

You’ll also need some Japanese before you start. ISA’s page puts it this way: 「本邦における勉学の意思及び能力を測る指標の一つとして、日本語教育機関へ入学する者に対しては「日本語教育の参照枠」におけるＡ１相当以上の日本語能力を有することを試験又は面接により確認しています。」 In English: as one indicator of the intention and ability to study in Japan, ISA confirms by exam or interview that people entering a Japanese language institution have Japanese ability equivalent to A1 or above on the Japanese-Language Education Reference Framework. Its list of accepted exams includes passing the JLPT at N5 or above. Do You Need JLPT to Study in Japan? covers the accepted exams and the interview route in detail.

Step 3: Compare what actually shapes your day

Once you’ve narrowed the list to schools with the right status and the right kind of course, these are the points that make the biggest difference to daily life. For accredited schools, some of this is in the information they’re required to publish, so start there.

Class size and placement. Ask about the usual number of students per class, how students are placed when they arrive, and how often they can move between levels.
Hours and timetable. Ask how many hours of class there are per week and when they’re held. Some schools split students into morning and afternoon classes, which affects everything from your commute to when you can work part-time.
Curriculum and materials. Ask which textbooks are used and what level each term aims to reach. A school that can show you a clear plan by term is usually easier to judge than one that only describes its “method.”
Life support. Housing help, support with visa procedures and advice on part-time work all matter more than they sound. ISA notes that the Certificate of Eligibility application is usually filed by the school on your behalf, so how organized the school is shows up early. The whole process is covered in Student Visa for Japanese Language School.
Further study and job support. If you’re aiming for university or work, ask what support is offered, who provides it, and from which term.
Location and cost. Tuition is only part of the cost. Entrance fees, materials, housing and daily living vary a lot by school and city. How Much Does It Cost to Study Japanese in Japan? breaks down the main items.
The student mix. The balance of nationalities and goals differs from school to school. There’s no right answer here, but it shapes how much Japanese you use outside class, so it’s worth asking.

An empty classroom with rows of desks and a blank whiteboard

How to read a school’s numbers

Schools often advertise JLPT pass rates, university acceptances or job placements. These figures are usually published by the school itself, so rather than taking a single number at face value, it’s worth checking a few things about how it was produced.

The denominator. Is a pass rate based on all enrolled students, or only on those who sat the test? The two can give very different pictures.
The period. Which year or years does the figure cover, and is it the most recent one?
The level. Which JLPT level does a pass rate refer to? A high rate at one level says little about another.
What counts as a result. For university or job figures, does the count include only students who completed the course, and does it separate universities, vocational schools and other destinations?

A school that can answer these clearly is giving you more useful information than one with an impressive headline but no detail behind it.

Questions to ask before you apply

You can send these by email before any application. Clear, specific answers are a good sign in themselves.

Are you an accredited Japanese-language education institution or an institution designated by Ministry of Justice notification, and where can I confirm that on the official list?
If you’re designated by notification, do you plan to apply for accreditation during the transition period?
Have you been selected as an “appropriate school” (適正校, tekiseikō) by ISA? ISA selects these every year from institutions accepting international students, based on how well they manage student enrollment (as of ISA’s page updated April 17, 2025).
How many students are usually in a class, and how is placement decided?
How many hours of class are there per week, and are classes in the morning or afternoon?
Which textbooks do you use, and what level does each term aim for?
What are the teachers’ qualifications?
What help do you offer with housing, visa procedures and part-time work?
What support do you offer for further study or job hunting, and how are your results counted?
What’s the full cost for the first year, item by item, and what’s your refund policy if my visa isn’t granted?
What are the attendance rules, and what happens if a student’s attendance drops?
Roughly what is the mix of nationalities and goals among current students?

A simple way to use this list: pick three or four schools from the official lists that match your goal and budget, send each of them the same questions, and put the answers side by side. Differences that are invisible on a brochure, like how quickly a school replies, whether it answers the question you actually asked, and whether the costs add up, tend to become obvious once you compare them this way. If a school offers an online information session or a trial lesson, it’s worth joining one before you decide, since it shows you how the staff and teachers communicate.

Warning signs to take seriously

Some claims should make you slow down, whether they come from a school or from an agent recruiting for one.

“You can cover all your costs with part-time work.” ISA says that with permission to engage in activity outside your status, students can work up to 28 hours a week (up to 8 hours a day during long vacations, such as the summer break), and that covering the full cost of tuition and living expenses through part-time work isn’t allowed. It also warns about brokers who claim students can earn ¥300,000 or more a month. Part-Time Work on a Student Visa in Japan covers the rules in detail.
The school can’t tell you its official status, or you can’t find it on either official list.
Guaranteed outcomes. No one can guarantee a JLPT pass or a university place.
Vague costs. If you can’t get a written, item-by-item breakdown before paying, treat that as a reason to wait.
Pressure to pay quickly, especially fees to a third party that the school itself can’t explain.

As a native Japanese speaker, I’d add one thing: a good school doesn’t mind being asked detailed questions, and it usually answers them in writing. If a school gets evasive about the basics, that tells you something about how it will handle problems once you’re here.

FAQ

Can a school designated by Ministry of Justice notification still accept students after 2029?

MEXT’s portal says these schools are permitted to accept international students until March 2029, and ISA says they need accreditation by March 31, 2029. I couldn’t find an official explanation of how students already enrolled at that point would be treated, so if your course would run past March 2029, ask the school directly and get the answer in writing.

Do I need Japanese before I apply?

Yes, at a basic level. As quoted above, ISA confirms by exam or interview that new students have A1-equivalent ability or above on the Japanese-Language Education Reference Framework. Individual schools can set their own requirements on top of that.

How long can I study at a Japanese language school?

ISA says the enrollment period is normally up to two years. Course lengths and intake months differ by school, so check the course you’re interested in.

Can I work part-time while studying?

With permission to engage in activity outside your status, ISA allows up to 28 hours a week, and up to 8 hours a day during long vacations. Plan your budget with those limits in mind, since ISA says the full cost of tuition and living expenses can’t be covered that way.