10 Best Japanese Schools in Tokyo

If you live in Tokyo—or are planning to move here—how confident are you in your Japanese communication skills?

One of the most common challenges people face when moving to Japan is the language barrier. Even if you’ve studied Japanese before moving, many people still don’t feel confident enough—or feel the need to keep learning more. In fact, some people move to Japan without learning the language at all.

For those people—especially anyone living in or planning to move to Tokyo—I’ve put together a list of 10 of the best Japanese schools in the city. With so many Japanese language schools to choose from, I hope this article helps 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) offers flexible Japanese language courses online and in-person, with branches in Tokyo and Osaka. The Tokyo branch is in Shinjuku, a peaceful area just a 5-minute walk from Shinanomachi Station, while the Osaka branch is near Umeda Station, a major hub.

For over 35 years, TCJ has supported learners with diverse goals, offering options like intensive classes, evening courses, and personalized one-on-one sessions. Online courses are also available for international students. Start your journey with a free counseling session to create a tailored educational plan and achieve your goals with expert guidance.

TCJ also runs specialized classes tailored to different schedules and goals:

Morning Intensive Class: An intensive daytime class meets Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 12:20 PM JST, focusing on fundamental skills and JLPT preparation up to the N3 level.

Morning Light Class: Exclusively online, this class runs 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).

Afternoon Intensive Class: An intensive class meets Monday to Friday, 1:30 PM to 4:50 PM JST, focusing on fundamental skills and JLPT preparation up to the N3 level.

Afternoon Light Class: Meets Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM JST (1:30 PM to 3:00 PM on Fridays), focusing on practical communication skills from zero to N4 level, with real-life conversation practice.

Afternoon Communicative Class: Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM JST, focuses on building strong conversation skills for real-life situations, such as shopping, hospital visits, and workplace communication.

Evening Business Class: Designed for all levels, this class focuses on conversational skills, kanji, and JLPT prep. It runs Tuesday to Thursday, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM JST.

With its expert instructors, flexible scheduling, and commitment to student success, TCJ makes learning Japanese a truly enriching experience.

▶︎Check more details for a free trial lesson and counseling!

2. Human Academy Japanese Language School

Next on our list is Human Academy Japanese Language School. The Tokyo campus is located near Takadanobaba Station (高田馬場駅), a convenient and central spot in Tokyo. The school also has campuses in Osaka, Kobe, and Fukuoka, as well as satellite schools in Yokohama and Nagoya.

The courses are divided into two main categories: those for residents (individuals with visas) and those for non-residents, such as students planning to pursue higher education in Japan.

Students can choose between group or private lessons, and online courses are also available.

▶ Official Website: https://hajl.athuman.com/en/

3. ISI Japanese Language School

International Study Institute (ISI) Japanese Language School is the third school on our list. They have four campuses in Tokyo, located in Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Takadanobaba, and Harajuku—all of which are in convenient areas.

ISI offers a wide variety of courses, including the Academic/General Japanese Course, Career Japanese Course, and Short-Term General Japanese Course.

One attractive point about ISI is that each campus regularly organizes extracurricular activities. This gives students the chance to experience intercultural exchange, which in turn helps develop their Japanese language skills.

In addition to Tokyo, ISI also has campuses in Osaka, 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. Located near Shin-Okubo Station (新大久保駅), it is easily accessible.

The courses offered here include the General Course, Practical Conversation Course, and Business Japanese Course, among others.

The school also offers private lessons and online courses.

Classes are digitized mainly, and students in the General Course are provided with iPads for their studies.

▶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 three minutes from Iidabashi Station (飯田橋駅), a very central area in Tokyo.

The school first opened in 1984 and has continued to expand steadily ever since. Today, it has over 300 students from around 40 different countries.

ALA offers two main types of courses: group classes and private classes. Group classes are divided into finely separated levels, making it easier to find the right place to start. Private courses, on the other hand, are fully customized to fit each student’s 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, located near Takadanobaba Station (高田馬場駅).

SNG is known for its unique teaching method called the “Ezoe Method,” which uses cards and gestures to help students quickly and easily learn Japanese grammar. They’ve been using this method for over 50 years, and it has proven to be highly effective.

Courses offered at SNG include the Short-Term Course, preparation classes for the JLPT or EJU, and a Kanji Course. The school also provides evening and private classes.

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

7. ARC Academy Japanese Language School

Next, we have ARC Academy Japanese Language School, which has two campuses in Tokyo: one in Iidabashi and another in Shinjuku.

In addition to the Standard Study Abroad Course and the Intensive Course, the school also offers a Specified Skilled Worker Preparation Program and Business Japanese classes.

Students can also choose to take private lessons.

ARC Academy provides a wide range of support services, including assistance with job applications (both part-time and full-time), housing, and class scheduling.

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

8. Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School

Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School is located just a 5-minute walk from Kayabacho Station (茅場町駅).

The courses here are tailored to the specific goals and needs of each student.

The “Special Class for Top Universities” is designed for students applying to higher education in Japan, while the “Business Japanese Class” is aimed at those preparing for employment in Japan. The school also offers an “Optional Subject Curriculum,” which allows students to design their own program from more than 100 available themes.

Another attractive feature is the school’s dormitory, which further 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, conveniently accessible from either Akihabara Station (秋葉原駅) or Okachimachi Station (御徒町駅).

The school’s catchphrase is “Japanese for everyone who needs it,” which is reflected in the wide variety of courses they offer.

Students can choose from weekly classes or more intensive courses. The school also provides early morning, evening, and Saturday classes, making it easier to fit lessons into any schedule.

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

10. Kudan Institute of Japanese Language & Culture

Lastly on our list is Kudan Institute of Japanese Language & Culture, located near Suidobashi Station (水道橋駅).

Courses offered include Conversation Courses, Intensive Courses, and Practical Courses for beginners. The school also provides online classes.

In addition to language instruction, Kudan organizes cultural activities and events to introduce students to Japanese history and traditions. They also provide support with accommodation, job searching, and higher education.

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

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

Hopefully, this article has given you a clearer idea of some of the best Japanese schools in Tokyo.

If you’re interested in similar topics, be sure to check out the following articles!