Ah, Japan … home of Hello Kitty, Pokémon and … heroes? Yes, everyone’s favorite teleporter, Hiro Nakamura, is from the “land of the rising sun.”
Study abroad programs in Japan are perfect for students who want options. And if you get homesick, your cure is a click of the remote away-turn on the TV and you’re likely to see Brad Pitt hocking jeans, George Clooney endorsing Toyotas or Cameron Diaz telling you why you should study at Aeon Language School.
The Japanese eat up American culture, which you will see all around you. And if you study abroad in Japan, you can take a few bites of theirs. Throw on that kimono and brush up on your chopstick skills!
Learning the language will allow you to read haiku, as well as works by famous Japanese writers like Murasaki Shikibu, Yoshida Kenko and Haruki Murakami.
Japan Facts
Languages Spoken
The official language spoken in Japan is Japanese, however you will also find minority languages such as Ainu
Currency
Name: Japanese Yen
Code: JPY
Symbol: ¥
100 JPY is approx 68p
Time Zone
Time Zone: Japan Standard Time (UTC+09:00)
Reasons to Study in Japan
When you study abroad in Japan, you will quickly realize that there are many other international students in the “daigaku,” or universities-there are more than 100,000 foreign students studying in Japan these days, and for good reason:
- Japan has a near-perfect literacy rate and places great emphasis on its educated workforce
- Cooperation, discipline and creativity are essential educational ingredients
- You’ll find the most cutting-edge facilities and technologies imaginable – do you know that they have video chat on their cell phones and technology vending machines?
- It’s no secret that Japan is way into technology, as the country has given the world VHS tapes, CDs, CD-ROMs and more. Japan boasts the second-largest economy in the world, thanks in great part to this tech savvy. It’s no understatement to say students interested in a focus on technology will find paradise in Japan.
- Study a variety of fields at the prestigious Tokyo Institute of Technology
- Spend literally days exploring Tokyo’s National Museum of Emerging Science and Technology
- Browse the Tokyo’s Akihabara Electric Town for stores that sell gadgets the likes of which you have never seen
While technology is the center of many study abroad programs in Japan, the country’s culture is also a fascinating study field. Japanese culture has influenced the cultures of so many other countries, including bits of our own. Also, in addition to anime, which is a famous Japanese art style, the arts are very much alive in Japan, and study of the arts is taken very seriously:
- Pay a visit to Mashiko, a pottery town with more than 400 studios and kilns that produce Kutani and Shigaraki styles
- Kado is “the way of flowers,” Shodo is “the way of calligraphy” and Kendo is “the way of the sword”
- Sword-making is an art in Japan, and many students studying abroad there try their hand at ikebana, or the art of flower arrangement (Scarlett Johanssen in Lost in Translation, anybody?).
Is Japanese Difficult to Learn?
Japanese isn’t a difficult language, quite contradictory to the common perspective we tend to hold. The grammar of the Japanese language is relatively simple in comparison to European languages, gender, articles and distinctions between plural and singular do not exist in the Japanese language.
Pronunciation of Japanese is quite straightforward, the language possesses an inconsiderable amount of sounds, which makes it easier for the Japanese language learner, unlike rolling the ‘r’ in Spanish, or the harsh ‘g’ of German. Although the written form of Japanese, consisting of hiragana and katakana, (similar to an alphabet), and Kanji, which can be difficult, the calligraphy, brush stroke and meaning behind these Chinese symbols is intriguing.
Popular Places to Study in Japan
Cities and Regions:
- Tokyo
- Kyoto
- Hiroshima
- Fukuoka
- Sapporo
Study Japanese in Tokyo
Tokyo, as the capital of Japan with its 12 million inhabitants is a city full of energy, and an excellent choice for learning Japanese Language it is a place that is constantly moving and changing. Within only a few years of development, this big city has become a role model for economic miracle.
The city of Tokyo is spread over 1’700 square kilometres and consists of several smaller cities. Thanks to the metro, the train and the helpful inhabitants, transportation within the city is still quite comfortable and fast. The moving and ever changing life as well as the modern architecture with its skyscrapers in contrast to the traditional little shops and typical restaurants along the streets have always been fascinating the tourists.
Japanese language schools in Tokyo is one of the best schools to learn Japanese. Most are located in the heart of the city in or near the three major districts of the city, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Ikebukuro. From the Narita International airport it takes you about 2 hours by train to reach the city centre.
Facilities
Schools are equipped with spacious and bright classrooms offering computer rooms with the possibility to plug in your own computer, a library and soda machines. Most schools offer wireless internet connection, and most of the coffee shops in Tokyo do too. There are sometimes social rooms and billboards are at the disposal of the students to put up ads to meet and interact with Japanese students.
Who is learning Japanese
Students are able to pursue their language goals, whether the goal is entering a Japanese university, using Japanese language skills in his/her home country or simply learning the basic Japanese necessary to enjoy life in Japan. There are usually hundreds of students from more than 25 different countries studying different subjects in ESL, so it is a very international atmosphere. More than 90% of the students come to this school by recommendation from family members, relatives or friends that prove the utter satisfaction of the students.
Teachers
The teaching staff consists of a group of dedicated professionals, who have many years of experience in teaching Japanese language to international students.
Courses
On the first school day, students are asked to take a Japanese language test so that they can be placed into a class according to their level. The Japanese levels range from beginners up to advanced students, this way each student can be with people of the same level and take out a maximum of profit from the course.
Courses generally consist of 20 lessons of 50 minutes a week and there are on an average 15 students in one class. Very ambitious people have the possibility to attend private lessons in addition to the general course.
Activities
Explore the modern bustling city of Tokyo; discover the Shinjuku district, a large entertainment and business area alive with locals and tourists alike. Or if you’re the adventurous, strong stomached type, wander in the Tsukiji fish market, the largest fish market in the world, spectacular! Appreciate the Todaiji temple in Nara, which houses Japans largest Buddha statue. Sample the yatai (food stalls) in Fukuoka, Kyushu’s largest city.
Immerse yourself in the individuality of Japan, not forgetting admiring the Geisha, appreciating a tea making ceremony, walking in the sensational Japanese style gardens or marvelling over the kimonos with their captivating colour and detail. Surround yourself with Japanese language, Japanese characters and Japanese people and you will love learning this captivating language.
It is only possible to book excursions with a summer- or winter holiday course. These courses take place on specified dates in January, February, April, July, August and October. The holiday course consists of 20 English classes per week plus several excursions depending on the season. Examples for the excursions are: a journey to the beautiful cities of Kamakura or Nikko, to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park with its famous hot springs or to Sumo fights or to Tokyo Disneyland.
Accommodation
Homestay with a Japanese speaking family
Homestay with a Japanese speaking family is the ideal way to learn more about the Japanese way of life and at the same time it is a great opportunity for the student to practice the Japanese language with native speakers in real-life situations. Our homestay coordinator carefully interviews and selects the host families to ensure that the students will be able to learn Japanese language with them. Once they are in the programme, the coordinator regularly visits them to ensure that high standards are maintained permanently. There are about 160 host families, which are currently active in the program. Most of these families have experience in hosting international students and are thus able to adapt to each student’s needs.
Dormitory
Accommodation in a dormitory is another option for students who wish to be more independent and share their spare time with other students, while at the same time learning Japanese language. Students can choose between the school and a private dormitory. The school dormitory offers single and double rooms while the private dormitory offers only private rooms. In the private dormitory, students are required to pay a deposit in advance whereas in the school dormitory there is no need to pay a deposit. Each room is equipped with a bed, a desk and a chair. The bathroom, the shower, the kitchen and the laundry facilities, as well as TV are shared with other students. As Tokyo is spread over 1’700 square kilometres, the journey from a dormitory to the school takes about one hour.
As Tokyo is spread over 1’700 square kilometres, the journey from accommodation to schools can take s significant amount of time. All the facilities are modern, functional and of very good quality.
Culture
There have been many films depicting Tokyo as a staggering neon forest, crammed with countless people and cars-and it’s true-you’ll find that frenetic energy is very much a reality in the capital city. Entertainment is king in Japan, and there is no better example of this than Tokyo, with the endless miles of options it offers students:
- Make the Kabuki-cho disco scene, indulge in karaoke (a Japanese obsession) or play around at one of the many “gemu-sentas,” or game centers
- Roam the Harajuku neighborhood, made famous by Gwen Stefani, with its vendors, street cafes and boutiques
But it’s not all bright lights and pop culture in Japan, not by far. Even in Tokyo you’ll find some interesting historical sites, such as the Sensoji Temple, built in the year 628 in honor of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy and happiness. The Sensoji is the oldest temple in the country, but it is just one of many other amazing must-sees:
- Covered in gold leaf, Kinkakuji, the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, was built in the 1390s
- Experience the awesome Mount Fuji, a dormant volcano and Japan’s highest mountain-climb it, hike it or paraglide off of it!
- If you’re seeking all the Japanese clichés alive and well (from pebble gardens to geishas), visit the former imperial capital of Kyoto
And we haven’t even gotten to the food! You’ll be expected to slurp your Udon noodle soups in Japan, and if you order pizza delivery, don’t be surprised if it takes up to two hours! As for toppings, you can choose from ingredients including corn, sesame seeds and mayonnaise! You’ve got to try the fish dishes-after all, the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo is the world’s largest.
Whether it is nature or culture you want, a study abroad program in Japan brims with both: mountains and volcanoes, temples and parks, islands and beaches, and architecture and museums. Experience this fascinating land and earn a top-notch education.