There are many good reasons why you should study abroad in Japan. Studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that allows students to experience a foreign culture, gain independence, and depending on the place, learn a new language. If you’re considering studying abroad, then Japan should definitely be at the top of your list. 

With its rich culture, beautiful sceneries, and fascinating history, Japan offers a unique and rewarding experience to international students. From trekking in natural landscapes to exploring the streets of Shinjuku, there are many opportunities to immerse yourself in local Japanese culture and make everlasting memories. 

Not convinced? Read on for more reasons why you should study abroad in Japan.

Reasons Why You Should Study in Japan

Without further ado, let’s have a look at five big reasons why you should study in Japan. These are not the only reasons, there are plenty more but they make for a good start.

1. World-Class Universities Can Be Found in Japan

Education has always been prioritized in Japan with many world-class universities that are known for their high-quality holistic education and innovative research. There are Japanese universities that rank in the Top 25 in the world. 

According to QS World University Ranking 2023: Top Global Universities, the universities in Japan that rank Top 100 globally are:

• University of Tokyo (Rank 23)
• Kyoto University (Rank 36)
• Tokyo Institute of Technology (Rank 55)
• Osaka University (Rank 68)
• Tohoku University (Rank 79)

And, according to that same ranking, the universities in Japan that rank Top 200 globally are:

• Nagoya University (Rank 112)
• Kyushu University (Rank 135)
• Hokkaido University (Rank 141)
• Keio University (Rank 197)

As you can see, Japan has quite a number of universities that are truly world-ranked. A way for you to get into these top universities is to start with a good Japanese language school. Top universities in Japan are highly competitive among Japanese people, let alone foreign students. 

We recommend finding a great school that provides JLPT and EJU preparations with a proven track record of graduates who successfully goes into these universities. 

Usually, these top universities require high EJU and JLPT scores, and you will also be invited for an interview as part of the selection process. Some of these Japanese language schools have specialized programs to help you get into top universities in Japan. Coto School Finder partners with some of the best Japanese language schools to help you get into your dream university. You can know more about the schools that provide university preparation support by contacting us and doing a free online consultation with our experienced coordinator. 

2. Preparations for Your Future Career, In and Outside Japan

What better way to kick off your career in Japan than with an actual education from the country itself? The advantage of studying in Japan means that your education is guaranteed to be relevant for working in Japan, of course, it also depends on what course you study. Plus, you can start building your network which will be helpful for getting a job when you graduate, progressing your career, and if you are interested in starting a business in Japan then finding business partners or customers. 

Having a Japanese education is not just relevant for a career in Japan. No matter where you decide to work, whether back in your home country or in a different country from Japan, having study abroad experience speaks volumes about your capabilities. Talk about your study abroad in Japan during job interviews to illustrate your passions, and how you grew to become independent, can work in a diverse team, and are open to new challenges. When applying to global companies, having mastery in a foreign language also does not hurt. 

3. Countless Opportunities to Experience Japanese Culture and Lifestyle

It is true that you can certainly experience Japanese culture and tradition when visiting on a holiday. But your time will be limited so you will not get to experience as much as you would studying a whole year, or more, there. And, even if you can experience Japanese culture on your trip, you cannot really experience the Japanese lifestyle that is only known to residents in Japan and not tourists, it is a whole different experience. 

Here are some examples of Japanese culture and traditions you can experience in Japan:

• Japanese Tea Ceremony
• Flower Arrangement 
• Calligraphy
• Japanese Traditional Dance (Nihon Buyo)
• Japanese Martial Arts: Kendo, Kyudo, Judo, etc.

Many Japanese language schools that partner with Coto School Finder provide these great cultural events and fun excursions as part of their study program. As for experiences you can enjoy while living in Japan:

• Everyday interactions with Japanese neighbors 
• Receiving sweets or fruits as gifts from a friendly neighborhood obaa-san or ojii-san
• Picking up on local dialects or slang you cannot learn from textbooks 
• Noticing the changes in flowers and plants around town as the season changes
• Visiting neighborhood parks that are not famous, and so are only frequented by locals with a homey comfortable atmosphere 
• Having favorite ramen, teishoku (Japanese set meal), etc. shop that you visit all the time

4. Best Platform to Learn and Improve A Foreign Language Skill 

The hardest part about learning Japanese at an intermediate to expert level is having the right environment to practice listening and speaking. Many Japanese learners find it difficult to understand Japanese when first coming to Japan as there is a huge difference between listening to properly pronounced and choreographed dialogue from listening practice audio and actual local Japanese speech. Not to mention having a pre-prepared conversation where you can prepare what to say in advance is very different from on-the-fly conversations with locals. 

Among international students studying abroad in Japan, those who take on a part-time job where they can use their Japanese language skills, or be active in clubs that have Japanese student participation, all agree that doing so has greatly improved their Japanese skills in length as compared to fellow international students who keep to themselves. Studying in Japan, the only country in the world to use Japanese is sure to greatly improve your Japanese language skills but only if you take the chance to challenge yourselves. 

5. Natural Beauty and Distinct Four Seasons of Japan

Unless you are able to afford trips to Japan in each of the seasons, especially since seasons like spring and autumn are peak seasons which means extra expensive, it is difficult to experience the four seasons in Japan and each season’s beauty. 

By living in Japan, you can see the various changes that your neighborhood and city experience. It is especially enjoyable to see how the trees and flowers change throughout the year along your daily commute route. From the vibrant green in summer, yellow and red in autumn, to becoming naked in winter, and the growth of new life in spring. 

Take the opportunity to visit the many parks and gardens in your city. Many international students choose to study in Tokyo which has many, many of them to visit. There’s Yoyogi Park in Shibuya, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in Shinjuku, Inokashira Park in Musashino, and in the Bunkyo-Ku area itself – Rikugien Garden, Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, Koishikawa Botanical Garden, Hotel Chinzanso Garden, and more. 

A tip for students, many of these places offer student discounts so remember to bring your student card. 

The Pros and Cons of Studying in Japan

Above we’ve highlighted the 5 biggest reasons why you should study abroad in Japan. These can be considered the pros of studying in Japan too, but what about the cons? And are there any solutions to them? 

Studying in Japan is Expensive 

Costs for studying abroad in Japan can be divided into 2 categories: costs incurred before going to Japan and costs incurred after arriving in Japan. Costs incurred after arriving in Japan include academic fees and daily living costs. Though study costs in Japan are not as expensive as in the US and UK, it is expensive compared to the other countries. 

In Japan, the first-year tuition fees are different from the other academic years. In the first year, an admission fee is included which means the first-year fees will be more expensive than the remaining years. According to JASSO, the average academic fees for the first year (first-year tuition fee plus admission fee) for higher education institutions in Japan are: 

• Graduate School: 820,000 yen (National), 930,000 yen (Public), 1,000,000 yen (Private; excludes medical, dental, pharmaceutical courses), 800,000 yen (Private; medical, dental, pharmaceutical courses) 
• University (Undergraduate): 820,000 yen (National), 930,000 yen (Public), 1,100,000 yen (Private; excludes medical, dental, pharmaceutical courses), 3,200,000 yen (Private; medical, dental, pharmaceutical courses) 
• Junior College: 610,000 yen (Public), 960,000 yen (Private)
• Technical College: 320,000 yen (National)
• Vocational School: 850,000 yen
• Japanese Language Institutions: 610,000 to 1,050,000 yen 

Note that these prices are approximate only, and only for the first year with admission fees included. 

Studying in Japan may be expensive but there are various ways to subsidize academic fees and daily living costs. For academic fees, with excellent academic results, you can apply for scholarships to subsidize or even study in Japan for free. For daily living costs, staying at a shared house is cheaper than living in a private apartment. What region you live in in Japan will also affect the cost of rent and goods. You can also choose to work a part-time job to gain income and support your studies abroad. 

Culture Shock and Difficulty Getting Used to Japanese Culture

For students whose home country’s culture is very different from Japan’s, you may suffer from culture shock. This is perfectly normal and many people get it but always temporarily. In fact, even long-time foreign residents in Japan will “re-suffer” culture shock when they go back to their home country for a while and then return to Japan. 

Some things you may find difficult to get used to:

• Communicating in Japanese
• Eating Japanese food (especially raw food and fermented food)
• Strictness when it comes to manners and punctuality 
• Being in the minority group

It takes getting used to becoming accustomed to a different culture. If you ever feel too lonely, reach out to groups formed by people from your home country living in Japan who will have excellent advice for you, or just make friends with fellow international students who will be in the same boat. Major cities in Japan are quite globalized with many foreigners, do a search online for foreign cuisine restaurants or bars where you can feel, not exactly but, close to home. 

Conclusion

In this article, we have only mentioned the 5 most important ones, but there are many more reasons out there. There are also cons to studying in Japan but they are simply problems that have solutions and can be overcome. 

If you are interested in studying abroad in Japan, then why wait? Your first step after reading this article is to start doing some research! Check what programs you are interested in, what schools in Japan offer those programs, and what scholarships can you avail yourself of. 

If these reasons have convinced you to come to Japan, then Coto School can help you find schools and areas to fit your needs for the right study-abroad experience in Japan! Contact us today to get your Japanese-learning journey started.