How much does it cost to study Japanese at Nihongo Center?

The 1.5-year program costs ¥1,579,800 (approximately $10,500 USD) and the 2-year program costs ¥2,072,600 (approximately $13,800 USD). Prices include tuition, materials, cultural activities, insurance, and medical checkup. Accommodation and airfare are not included.

When do I pay the tuition fees?

Payment is split into two installments: the first payment of approximately ¥562,000 is due after your Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) is issued, before arriving in Japan. The second payment covers the remaining semesters and is due at the start of each semester.

Is there a registration fee?

The only upfront fee before the CoE is the ¥22,000 screening fee, paid after the initial application is approved. A ¥55,000 enrollment fee (入学金) is included in the first-year tuition total.

What is the refund policy if I withdraw?

If you withdraw before the semester ends, the enrollment fee (¥55,000), insurance (¥10,200), and medical checkup (¥4,000) are non-refundable. Unused tuition for remaining semesters is generally refundable. Full details are in the enrollment contract.

Tuition & Fees | Japanese Language School Kyoto

Transparent Tuition — No Hidden Fees

At Nihongo Center, everything you need for your studies is included in the program cost: instruction, materials, facility access, the Discover Kyoto cultural program, insurance, and medical checkup. Accommodation, airfare, and personal living expenses are separate — you choose your own options.

What Does Nihongo Center Tuition Cover?

Nihongo Center publishes full tuition figures with a complete fee breakdown — no application fee hidden until the end, no separate “activity fees” revealed after enrollment. The total cost of each program is fixed at the time of acceptance and does not change during enrollment.

All fees cover: classroom instruction (4 hours/day, Monday–Friday), course materials, facility access, the Discover Kyoto cultural activity program, accident insurance, and the mandatory medical screening. Housing, airfare, and personal living expenses are separate — typical monthly living costs in Kyoto run ¥80,000–¥120,000.

No payment is required at the application stage. Fees become due only after the Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) is issued by Japanese immigration — typically 2–3 months after application submission. If your visa is denied, all fees except the non-refundable screening fee (¥22,000) and registration fee (¥55,000) are returned in full.

¥1,076,800

first-year tuition reference

¥22,000

screening fee — due after CoE issuance

Payment Schedule — How It Works

No payment is required when you submit your application. Unlike many language schools, Nihongo Center does not charge any upfront fees. All program fees are due only after your Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) has been officially issued by Japanese immigration.

①

Submit Your Application

Send your documents. Our team reviews your eligibility. No fee required at this stage.

②

CoE Processing

Nihongo Center submits your visa application to the Osaka Regional Immigration Bureau. Processing takes approximately 2–3 months.

③

CoE Issued — Fees Due

Once immigration approves your CoE, all program fees become due and payable in full at this stage.

④

Visa & Departure

Present your CoE at the Japanese embassy to obtain your student visa, then book your flight to Kyoto.

1.5 Year Program

October intake · 18 months

Screening Fee ¥22,000
Registration Fee ¥55,000
Tuition Fee ¥1,320,000
Material Fee ¥33,000
Facilities Fee ¥66,000
Activity Fee ¥59,400
Insurance ¥20,400
Medical Checkup ¥4,000

Total

¥1,579,800

Apply — October 2026

2 Year Program

April intake · 24 months

Screening Fee ¥22,000
Registration Fee ¥55,000
Tuition Fee ¥1,760,000
Material Fee ¥44,000
Facilities Fee ¥88,000
Activity Fee ¥79,200
Insurance ¥20,400
Medical Checkup ¥4,000

Total

¥2,072,600

Apply — April 2027

⚠️ Graduation Certificate & Level Requirement

Students who complete the full program but do not reach JLPT N2 level (CEFR B2) upon graduation are not eligible for the school’s official certificate of program completion. The certificate is awarded only to students who demonstrate the required proficiency level by the end of their studies.

✅ Included in tuition

Classroom instruction · Course materials · Facility access · Discover Kyoto cultural activities · Insurance · Medical checkup

❌ Not included

Accommodation · Airfare · Student visa fees · Personal living expenses (est. ¥80,000–¥120,000/month)

Refund Policy

Nihongo Center’s refund policy is determined by Japanese law (Act on Specified Commercial Transactions). The following table summarises the refund conditions for each withdrawal scenario.

Scenario	Refund
CoE issued — cancel before arriving in Japan	All fees refunded except screening fee (¥22,000) and registration fee (¥55,000)
Cancel after arriving, before classes begin	All fees refunded except screening fee and registration fee
Cancel after classes start (during first semester)	Full tuition for the unfulfilled second semester (¥492,800) refunded
Cancel after end of first semester	Tuition, materials, facility, and activity fees for the second semester fully refunded if cancelled before semester start
Student visa denied	All fees refunded except screening fee (¥22,000) and registration fee (¥55,000)

The non-refundable screening fee (¥22,000) covers administrative review of your application. The registration fee (¥55,000) is retained when a CoE has been issued in your name. All other amounts are returned in full in case of visa refusal.

Frequently Asked Questions

The tuition for 1 year at Nihongo Center is ¥1,076,800. The full 1.5-year program (October start) totals ¥1,579,800, and the 2-year program (April start) totals ¥2,072,600.

The program cost covers tuition, registration, course materials, facility fees, the cultural activity program (DKP), insurance, and medical checkup. Accommodation, airfare, and personal living expenses are not included.

If the visa is denied, Nihongo Center refunds all fees except the non-refundable screening fee (¥22,000) and registration fee. See the full refund policy above for all cancellation scenarios.

Yes. The screening fee of ¥22,000 is non-refundable regardless of outcome. The registration fee is also non-refundable once the Certificate of Eligibility has been issued.

Nihongo Center does not currently offer its own scholarship program. Students may explore Japanese government scholarships (MEXT), local government scholarships, or scholarships offered by Japanese foundations for foreign students.

Learn More Before You Apply

📚 Intensive Japanese Program

4 hours/day, Monday–Friday. Six levels N5→N1. Max 20 students per class. Two intakes: October (1.5 years) and April (2 years).

Program Overview

📋 How to Apply

No payment at application stage. Nihongo Center staff prepare and submit all CoE documents. Next intake: April 2027. Deadline October 31, 2026.

Application Guide

🏠 Student Accommodation

Housing is not included in tuition. Partner dormitory and private apartments from ¥30,000/month. School assists with rental contracts.

Housing Options

🗺️ Student Life in Kyoto

Living costs ¥80K–¥120K/month. Part-time work permitted (28h/week, ~¥1,100/hour). Practical guides to budget, food, and daily life.

Student Life Guide

Ready to Start Your Japanese Journey?

Apply for the April 2027 intake. Full student visa support included, small classes, central Kyoto.
Application deadline: October 31st, 2026.

Request Information Application Guide

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