10 Best Japanese Schools in Tokyo

For those who live in Tokyo or are planning on moving to Tokyo, how comfortable are you with your Japanese communication skills?

One common problem many people who come to live in Japan face is the language barrier. Even if you’ve learned Japanese before coming to live in Japan, some people don’t feel comfortable enough or feel the need of learning more. In some cases, people come to live in Japan even before learning the language.

For those people, specifically, those who live or plan to live in Tokyo, I am here to show you 10 of the best Japanese schools in Tokyo. Since there are so many Japanese language schools in Tokyo, hopefully, this article will help you find the one that best fits your needs.

*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.

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1. Tokyo Central Japanese Language School (TCJ)

Tokyo Central Japanese Language School (TCJ), accessible from Shinanomachi Station and a brief 5-minute train ride from Shinjuku, boasts over 35 years as a premier Japanese language institution, welcoming students from over 80 countries.

TCJ offers a wide array of courses, including long-term study abroad, professional and work-related programs, and online learning opportunities, with enrollment open to international students.

Interested learners can start by booking a free counseling session through TCJ’s website to explore course options and create a tailored learning plan.

TCJ began its Zero Beginner Classes in April with a Daytime Intensive Class running Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 12:20 PM JST, focusing on comprehensive skill development and JLPT preparation from N3 level. A Light Daytime Class also began on May 13, with classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM JST (Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST), exclusively online.

Additionally, a Business Japanese Class is available Tuesday to Thursday, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM JST, catering to all levels from complete beginners to advanced, with a focus on conversational skills, kanji, and JLPT prep.

TCJ’s counselors are professionals well-versed in Japanese education. Feel free to discuss anything, from your goals to your course schedule and budget. TCJ’s experienced instructors and welcoming student community are ready to support new learners.

▶Official Website: https://tcj-education.com/

2. Human Academy Japanese Language School

Next, on our list, we have Human Academy Japanese Language School. The Tokyo campus is located near Takadanobaba station (高田馬場駅) which is also a very centric area in Tokyo. They also have campuses in Osaka and Saga prefecture.

They offer different types of courses that can be divided into two categories which are: Courses for residents (people with visa) and Courses for non-visa holders such as people wanting to apply for higher education in Japan.

You can take group lessons as well as private lessons. They also have the option of online courses as well.

▶Official Website: https://hajl.athuman.com/e/?code=130071

3. International Study Institute Language School

International Study Institute Language School (ISA) is the third school on our list. They have three campuses in Tokyo which are located in Takadanobaba, Ikebukuro, and Harajuku. All of which are very convenient areas.

ISA offers a wide variety of courses such as the Academic／General Japanese course, Career Japanese Course, and even an Art College Preparatory Course.

One attractive point about ISA is that, on each of the campuses, they regularly organize extra-curricular activities. this makes it possible for the students to have an inter-cultural exchange, which helps with the development of Japanese language skills.

They also have campuses in Kyoto and Nagano prefecture.

▶Official Website: https://www.isi-education.com/

4. Kai Japanese Language School

The next school on the list is Kai Japanese Language School. This school is located near Shin-Okubo station (新大久保駅) making it also a school that is easy to access.

The courses that this school provides include the general course, practical conversation course, and business Japanese course among others.

They also have private classes as well as online courses.

Their classes are mainly digitized and they lend iPads to all students in the General Course.

▶Official Website: https://www.kaij.jp/

5. Academy of Language Arts

Academy of Language Arts (ALA) is the next school on our list. It is located just 3 minutes away from Iidabashi station (飯田橋駅) which is a very centric area in Tokyo.

This school first opened in 1984 and has been steadily expanding its capacities ever since. The school capacity is currently of over 300 students.

The courses that ALA provides are mainly two which are group classes and private classes. In the case of group classes, the levels are finely separated making it easier to find the perfect spot for you to start. And in the case of private classes, these are all made-to-order to fit the students’ needs and goals.

▶Official Website: https://ala-school.jp/

6. Shinjuku Japanese Language Institute

Shinjuku Japanese Language Institute (SNG) is another Japanese language school in Tokyo; in this case, near Takadanobaba station (高田馬場駅).

SNG has a unique teaching method called the “Ezoe method” which uses cards and gestures to help students easily and quickly learn Japanese grammar. they’ve been using this method for over 40 years and it’s shown to be effective.

Some of the courses that you can choose from in SNG include the short-term course, preparation classes (for JLPT or EJU), and the Kanji course. They also have evening classes as well as private classes.

▶Official Website: https://www.sng.ac.jp/en/

7. ARC Academy Japanese Language School

Next, we have the ARC Academy Japanese Language School. This school has two campuses in Tokyo which are located in Iidabashi and Shinjuku respectively.

Other than the general courses which are the long-term course (for student visa holders) and the short-term course (for non-visa holders), they also have special preparatory classes for graduate school and business Japanese classes.

You can also choose to take private lessons.

The school offers various types of support for its students when it comes to applying for a job (part-time and full-time), accommodation, and class schedule.

▶Official Website: https://japanese.arc-academy.net/en/

8. Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School

Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School is a Japanese school located near Kayabacho station (茅場町駅).

The courses in this school are tailored to the specific goals and needs of the student.

The “Special Class for Top Universities” course is for those who are applying for higher education in Japan while the “Business Japanese Class” course is for those who are looking for a job in Japan. They also have an “Optional Subject Curriculum” course which lets you design your own curriculum from the over 100 themes they offer.

Another attractive point is that they have a dormitory, which enhances the Japanese language learning experience.

▶Official Website: http://www.tokyogalaxy.ac.jp/en/

9. Intercultural Institute of Japan

Intercultural Institute of Japan is another Japanese language school in Tokyo. It is located near Akihabara station (秋葉原駅) or Okachimachi station (御徒町駅).

Their catch copy is “Japanese for everyone who needs it” which is reflected in the wide variety of courses that they offer.

You can choose to take weekly classes or more concentrated courses. They also offer early morning classes as well as evening courses and Saturday courses, making it easier to adjust your schedule.

▶Official Website: https://www.incul.com/eng/japanese_school/

10. Kudan Institute of Japanese Language & Culture

Lastly, on our list, we have Kudan Institute of Japanese Language & Culture. This school is located near Suidobashi station (水道橋駅).

Some of the courses they offer include conversation courses, intensive courses, and practical courses. They also have online courses.

Other than just teaching Japanese, they also held activities and events to teach Japanese culture and history to their students. Also, they provide various types of support for accommodation, job searching, higher education, etc.

▶Official Website: https://www.kudan-japanese-school.com/

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I hope this article was helpful to you. As I mentioned in the beginning, there are many Japanese language schools in Tokyo, so it might become difficult to decide if you’re not very sure what to look for.

Hopefully, this article helps you to have an idea of some of the best Japanese schools in Tokyo.

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