Studying Abroad in Japan: How Much Japanese You Need and How to Prepare
How much Japanese you need to study in Japan depends on what kind of study you choose. Many university exchange programmes and English-taught degrees ask for little or no Japanese at entry, Japanese language schools take complete beginners, and Japanese-taught degrees usually expect a high level, often around JLPT N2 or above. Whichever route you take, daily life, friendships and part-time work all happen in Japanese, so the more you arrive with, the more you get out of your time there.
Four ways to study in Japan
| Route | Japanese usually needed |
|---|---|
| Exchange programme (a semester or a year) | Varies widely. Some partner universities offer English-taught classes plus Japanese courses at every level; others expect you to take classes in Japanese. |
| Japanese language school | None to start. You study Japanese full time, often for one or two years, and many students aim to go on to a Japanese university or vocational school. |
| English-taught degree | Often none for admission, as teaching is in English. Japanese still matters for life outside class, part-time work and job hunting later. |
| Japanese-taught degree | High. Undergraduate admission for international students often involves the EJU, and many schools also look at JLPT results. |
Requirements vary from school to school and change over time, so treat this as a general picture and check each programme’s admissions page for the real numbers.
Exchange programmes: check the course list, not just the brochure
If your home university has a partner in Japan, an exchange is the simplest way in. The key question is what language the classes you need for credit are taught in. Some programmes are built for international students and run in English; others place you in regular classes alongside Japanese students. Most include Japanese language classes, usually with a placement test on arrival, so even a basic level pays off: you start in a higher class and spend more of your semester actually using the language.
Japanese language schools
Language schools (日本語学校, nihongo gakkō) teach Japanese intensively, usually several hours every weekday. They suit people who want to reach a high level quickly, or who plan to apply to a Japanese university or vocational school afterwards. Schools differ a lot in class size, how many students share your first language, how much they focus on exams and how much help they give with university applications. Ask about these before you choose, and check that the school can sponsor the student visa you need.
English-taught vs Japanese-taught degrees
A growing number of Japanese universities offer full degrees taught in English. They are a realistic option if you want a Japanese degree but are not yet at an advanced level. The trade-off is that you may spend most of your time with other international students unless you make an effort to join clubs and mix.
Japanese-taught degrees open up far more courses and universities, but the bar is high. For undergraduate admission, many universities use the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU), which tests Japanese and academic subjects. Which subjects you need, and what scores are competitive, depend on the university and faculty. Graduate schools set their own requirements. Check JASSO, which runs the EJU, and each university’s admissions office for current details.
Daily life on campus
Even in an English-taught programme, the university runs in Japanese around you. Expect to meet:
- The international office (留学生課, ryūgakusei-ka), usually your first stop for paperwork, and often bilingual.
- Club activities (サークル, sākuru, and the more serious 部活, bukatsu), the easiest way to make Japanese friends.
- Notices and emails about class changes, cancellations (休講, kyūkō) and exams, which may only be in Japanese.
- Seminar groups (ゼミ, zemi), small classes where you are expected to talk and present.
With professors, use polite です・ます Japanese and address them as 〇〇先生 (sensei). With classmates, casual speech comes quickly. See casual vs polite Japanese for how to switch, and making friends in Japan for how friendships tend to grow.
Part-time work as a student
Students on a student visa can usually work part time only after getting permission to engage in activities other than those permitted (資格外活動許可, shikakugai katsudō kyoka), and there is a weekly limit on hours during term. The rules can change, so confirm them with the Immigration Services Agency of Japan or your school. Common student jobs are in cafés, restaurants, convenience stores and tutoring. A few phrases you will use from day one:
| Japanese | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 留学生なのですが、週に何時間まで働けますか？ | ryūgakusei na no desu ga, shū ni nanjikan made hatarakemasu ka? | I’m an international student. How many hours a week can I work here? |
| 試験期間はシフトを減らしてもいいですか？ | shiken kikan wa shifuto o herashite mo ii desu ka? | Can I do fewer shifts during exams? |
| 授業があるので、平日は夕方からなら入れます | jugyō ga aru node, heijitsu wa yūgata kara nara hairemasu | I have classes, so on weekdays I can work from the evening |
| すみません、もう一度お願いします | sumimasen, mō ichido onegai shimasu | Sorry, once more please |
For the customer-facing side, see Japanese customer service phrases and convenience store Japanese.
How to prepare in the months before you go
- As soon as you decide: learn hiragana and katakana. Signs, menus and forms will make far more sense. Our kana guide shows how.
- Six months before: work through a beginner course and build a solid self-introduction. You will give it at orientation, in class, at your club and in job interviews.
- Three months before: practise the situations you will meet first: the city office, opening a bank account, the international office, a part-time job interview. Our moving to Japan checklist covers the paperwork.
- The last month: focus on listening and speaking. Classroom Japanese is slow and clear; real Japanese is not.
If you are taking a placement test or need the JLPT for admission, see JLPT levels explained to see where you stand.
Common questions
Can I study in Japan with no Japanese at all?
Yes. Language schools take beginners, and many exchange programmes and English-taught degrees do not require Japanese. You will still have a much easier start with basic Japanese.
Is a working holiday a better option?
It depends on your goal. A working holiday suits people who mainly want to live and work in Japan; studying suits people who want a qualification or structured learning. See Japanese for a working holiday to compare.
Arriving ready
The students who get the most from a year in Japan are usually the ones who could already hold a simple conversation on arrival, because they can join in from the first week. One-to-one online lessons with a native tutor fit around your current studies, can focus on placement tests or the JLPT, and can carry on once you are in Japan.