Study & live in Japan

The easiest way to live in Japan is to come as a student. Our partner universities and language schools help you with your visa and let you book your accommodation through the school - a dormitory room, a Japanese host family, a share house or your own apartment. DreamStudies helps you for free to choose and apply to the right school.

Get free help to study in Japan

Study at a Japanese university - with a room on or near campus

Japanese universities usually teach in Japanese, but our partner universities offer full programs and semesters taught in English. International students can get help with student housing, which is the easiest and most affordable way to settle in when you arrive.

Kyoto University of Advanced Science (KUAS) - Kyoto
Take an English-taught Bachelor's degree in mechanical and electrical systems engineering, bioenvironmental science or business administration, or continue with a Master's or Doctoral degree in engineering. No Japanese is required to apply, and all international students get intensive Japanese courses alongside their studies. KUAS offers dormitory accommodation both on and off campus, and you live in Kyoto - Japan's cultural capital and home to many of the country's leading technology companies. Programs start in September.

Yamanashi Gakuin University - iCLA - Yamanashi, 90 minutes from Tokyo
The International College of Liberal Arts (iCLA) is a four-year, English-taught liberal arts college with majors like Global Business and Economics, Data Science, Japan Studies, Political Science, Psychology and Interdisciplinary Arts. More than 80% of the students are international, from over 55 countries, and you study Japanese from any level alongside your degree. The campus lies at the foot of Mount Fuji, and on-campus accommodation is available to all students: a private room in residence halls connected directly to the iCLA building, where international and Japanese students live together and share a mini kitchen and common areas. Residents are on a meal plan with three meals a day on weekdays.

Juntendo University via Japan Exchange - Tokyo
Are you already a university student? Spend one or two semesters at Juntendo University in central Tokyo and choose from around 60 English-taught courses in liberal arts, Japan studies, business and global health (up to 30 ECTS). The campus is in Ochanomizu, Tokyo's largest student district, five minutes from Tokyo Station. Juntendo runs its own dormitory, Ochanomizu Hijiridai, with fully equipped single rooms for 75,000 Yen per month including utilities, and you can stay there during holidays too. Places are limited and not guaranteed, but the university's housing resources also help you find rental apartments and other student housing.

Japanese language schools - with host family, share house or apartment

If you want to stay in Japan for a longer time, we recommend that you start by learning the language. Japanese makes your life in Japan much easier, and it is required for most jobs and for university programs taught in Japanese. You can take a course from 1 week up to 2 years, and long-term courses start in January, April, July and October. With a course of 20 weeks or longer you get a student visa that also lets you work part-time up to 28 hours per week.

Most language schools can book your accommodation for you, so everything is ready when you land. Depending on the school and city you can choose between a Japanese host family, a share house, a student residence or your own studio apartment.

We work with language schools in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Kobe, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Okinawa (Naha) and Shiga:

• Genki Japanese and Culture School - Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya, Fukuoka and Okinawa. Small classes of max 8 students, starts every Monday and you can combine several cities.
• Meiji Academy - Sapporo, Osaka, Kyoto and Fukuoka. Founded by former international students, conversational Japanese in small groups, starts every Monday.
• LTL Japan - Tokyo and Osaka. Average class size of just 3 students, and more than 80% of the students live with a Japanese host family.
• Kyoshin Language Academy - Japan's largest language school group with campuses in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Kobe and Biwako in Shiga.
• Human Academy Japanese Language School - Tokyo and Osaka. One of Japan's largest schools with long-term courses, university preparation and short courses of 1-3 months.
• Waseda BK - Tokyo, between Asakusa and Akihabara. Experienced teachers and multilingual staff, with courses that prepare you for university in Japan.
• SAMU Language School - Shinjuku, Tokyo. An affordable school that helps you with accommodation, visa and finding a part-time job.

What accommodation can I book through my school?

Dormitories and student residences
Universities and some language schools have their own dormitories or residence halls close to the school. You live with other students, which makes it easy to make friends from day one.

Homestay with a Japanese family
Living with a host family gives you the best cultural immersion. You get your own room and usually breakfast and dinner, and you practice Japanese every day. The commute can be longer since most families live in residential areas. Read more about homestay in Japan.

Share houses
A furnished private bedroom with shared kitchen, bathroom and common areas, often with a mix of international and Japanese residents. Usually the most affordable option. Read more about share houses in Japan.

Student apartments
A compact studio of 12-20 square meters with kitchenette and bathroom for you who want complete independence. Usually the most expensive option. Read more about apartments in Tokyo.

What does it cost?

• Long-term language course (40 weeks/one year): 750,000-1,000,000 Yen including tuition, materials and fees
• Short-term language course: from 30,000 Yen per week plus registration fee
• Homestay: 75,000-120,000 Yen per month including breakfast and dinner
• Share house: 60,000-90,000 Yen per month
• Student apartment: 80,000-150,000 Yen per month

University tuition varies between programs, and several of our partners offer scholarships and discounts. Ask us and we will send you the current prices for the schools you are interested in.

Why book accommodation through your school?

• Everything is arranged before you arrive in Japan
• No Japanese rental contracts, guarantors or key money to deal with
• Student-friendly housing close to school, with support if something goes wrong
• You live with other students and make friends from day one
• You can always move to one of the other options on this site once you know Japan better

Get free help to study and live in Japan

DreamStudies has helped students go abroad since 2002, and our help is free of charge. Fill out an info request and tell us what and where you want to study. We will send you information about suitable schools, prices and accommodation, and help you with the application. You do not commit to anything.

For long-term language courses and university programs, apply 6-10 months before you want to start. For short courses, apply at least 2-3 months ahead to make sure you get the accommodation you want.

Request information about studying in Japan

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