Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQ
Does Coto Academy offer trial lesson?
We do not offer a free trial lesson, but you can schedule a one-time class as a way to see if our lesson suits you. Please message info@funjapanese.net for more information!
What is it like studying at Coto Japanese Academy?
Coto Japanese Academy strives to offer classes for everybody. We have 60+ courses with different levels for you to choose from. Most of our courses are designed to practice Japanese conversation skills.
What is the maximum number of students in 1 class?
Each class is limited to a maximum of 8 students to ensure quality and maintain the personal care the instructor can give each student.
Does Coto Academy offer student visa sponsorship?
While many of our students study Japanese with us for one year or longer, Coto Academy does not provide student visa sponsorship. If you are looking to study Japanese long-term with a student visa, we recommend our sister school, Coto Japanese Institute, which offers long-term, visa-eligible programs. If you’re interested in schools outside Tokyo, our Coto School Finder team can also help you find a Japanese language school that meets your needs.
What is the enrollment process?
Getting started is easy:
- Submit an inquiry form so we can learn about your goals and learning needs.
- Book a free consultation with our team. We’ll assess your Japanese level and recommend the most suitable course for you.
- Complete your enrollment and get ready to begin your Japanese studies with Coto Academy.
We recommend registering at least two weeks before your desired course start date to ensure a smooth enrollment process and secure your place in class.
Is there a registration fee to join Coto Academy?
All new Coto Japanese Academy students pay a one-time ¥10,000 registration fee upon signing up for the first in-person class. This fee contributes to multiple aspects of the educational experience, such as developing the course offerings and organizing cultural and social events. A registration fee is not required for online courses.
Are classes instructed in Japanese?
Classes are primarily in Japanese, but depending on course level, English is sometimes used to help with comprehension.
Is there a minimum age requirement to attend lessons at Coto Academy?
While we do offer Japanese kids course, our general courses are open to students 16 years old and older. Younger minors may join but will need extra parental documents.
Are courses available on Saturdays or evenings?
Absolutely. We offer courses on Saturdays or evenings to accommodate Japanese learners with busy schedules. Please refer to All Courses to see what courses are currently open at those times!
Can I book a class to learn field-specific terminology?
Our Japanese language instructors can teach and accommodate vocabulary within the scope of general Japanese. Currently, we do not offer any classes regarding the terminology of specialized fields, although you might benefit from taking our Private Japanese Course for a more customized lesson plan.
Terms & Policies FAQ
Can I cancel or reschedule a class?
It depends on your course and payment plan. For most Package Plan courses, you can cancel your reservation by 6:00 PM (JST) the day before your class and either rebook the lesson (in-person courses) or receive your lesson points back (online courses). If you are enrolled in a Subscription Plan, make-up classes and lesson refunds are not available.
Intensive Japanese Course has a separate attendance policy. If you notify us by 6:00 PM (JST) the day before your class, you may be able to:
- Audit the class online (watch the lesson but not participate in exercises), or
- Receive a 50-minute private make-up lesson if you meet the eligibility requirements.
Make-up lessons are only available for full-day absences from Monday to Thursday classes. The maximum number of make-up lessons is based on the length of your course.
What are the payment methods accepted by Coto Japanese Academy?
Payment methods include cash, bank transfers, credit cards (VISA/JCB/Mastercard/Amex), PayPal, and Stripe. Regarding bank transfers from overseas, we also accept payments through Wise.
What are the classroom rules?
All students are asked to abide by the following guidelines in order for all students to comfortably attend lessons and maximize results.
1. Please be in the classroom 5 minutes before the start of class to ensure that you are not late.
2. Please refrain from eating during class time. Drinking during class time is permitted.
3. Please set your phone to silent mode and refrain from using it unless necessary for the class.
4. If you will not be able to attend class in person, please let our school know by 16:00 on the day before. You may be permitted to audit the class online or take a catch-up lesson under the conditions stipulated in the Terms and Conditions.
5. If you receive homework, please complete it and be ready for the next class to help ensure a smooth and effective lesson.
6. For lessons involving pair work or activities, please cooperate with the instructions to ensure the lesson runs smoothly.
7. Each course is taught by a team of instructors who communicate closely to ensure consistency across lessons.
8. In the Beginner level course, please note that English may be present in course materials, explanations, and instructions.
9. Students may be requested to change levels mid-course if the instructor deems the student’s level inappropriate for the course.
10. There is a maximum capacity for students in each class. Please apply early if you are planning to continue with the course.
11. Generally, if you wish to receive course materials early for the next course, they will be available 1 week before the start of the new level. Please contact your school’s staff for further information.
How do I reserve more in-person lessons at Coto Academy?
If you are already attending Japanese lessons in one of our campuses, you can email info@funjapanese.net or visit reception, where our staff will guide you. Please make a reservation three days in advance to secure your spot.
What are the class reservation process for online classes?
To reserve a course on Coto Online Japanese School, please use the online lesson scheduling system to view your lesson schedule or cancel lessons. You can book Part-time Courses within one month from the current date. If you would like to book classes more than one month in advance, please contact online@funjapanese.net and ask our student support staff to make a reservation.
What are the class cancellation and refund policies for online classes?
Refunds are generally not available after your contract has been completed, except in specific cases.
Cooling-Off Period
If you purchase a plan with a validity period of more than 2 months and a total cost of more than ¥50,000, you may cancel within 8 calendar days from the transaction date registered by your credit card provider or bank. To request cancellation, please contact us at online@cotoacademy.com. This policy does not apply to Subscription Plans.
Early Cancellation
If you cancel a qualifying plan before the end of the course, the remaining balance may be refunded after applicable fees are deducted. If you have not used any lesson points, a ¥15,000 cancellation fee will be deducted. If you have used lesson points, the refund will be calculated by deducting the value of used points and a cancellation fee (up to ¥50,000).
Please note that refunds are not available for Subscription Plans. Refund transfer fees are the responsibility of the recipient. Cooling-off and early cancellation policies do not apply to students residing outside Japan. Additional charges may apply if you request custom learning materials not provided through Coto Academy.
What are the rules for recurring class cancellations?
Private Class: If the class is canceled within 24 hours of the class start time, the points will return to your account. However, this is limited to twice a month. After two times, points will not be refunded even if you cancel the class within 24 hours.
Group Class: If you cancel a class, the student is not eligible for a points refund. However, the student can watch a video recording of their missed lessons within two weeks of the class taking place.
What is the deadline for canceling and rescheduling one-time classes?
Cancellations up to 24 hours before the class start time are fully refundable, meaning the lesson points will return to the student’s account. However, for cancellations within 24 hours of the class start time, the points will not be refundable.
Can points be refunded if a class is unavailable due to poor internet connection for online Japanese lessons?
If the internet connection issue is caused by the instructor, your lesson points will be returned. If the issue is caused by the student’s internet connection, the lesson points will be used. The instructor will make every effort to help reconnect during the lesson. Please test your internet connection before class. We do not recommend taking lessons using public Wi-Fi, such as at cafes or restaurants. If you experience connection issues, please submit a Problem Report Form so we can review and assist you.
What is the deadline for canceling and rescheduling one-time classes?
Cancellations up to 24 hours before the class start time are fully refundable, meaning the lesson points will return to the student’s account. However, for cancellations within 24 hours of the class start time, the points will not be refundable.
Can I cancel a reservation after lesson points have expired?
If you cancel the class before your points expire, they will remain valid for future use. However, if you cancel after the points have expired, they will no longer be valid.
What are the Coto evacuation procedures?
The evacuation procedures are posted in every classroom. Since each school has different evacuation routes, please check the ones specific to your location.
– Iidabashi School
– Shibuya School
– MInato School
– Yokohama School
In-Person Japanese Lesson FAQ
What are Intensive Courses?
Cto Academy’s Intensive Japanese Course is a more full-time program where students learn 3 hours a day from Monday to Friday for 4 weeks. The class uses a mix of Coto Academy’s original material with Genki.
When can I join Intensive Japanese course?
All Intensive Courses start at the beginning of the month. You can check our Intensive Course calendar for reference. Enroll in a class now by filling out the inquiry form.
What are JLPT Courses?
The JLPT Course is designed to help you reach your JLPT objectives optimally through expert guidance, practice exams, and in-house materials as you work towards your JLPT goals. We offer courses for all JLPT levels. To learn more about the course, please refer to the JLPT Course page.
What are the differences between the 3-Months and Full-year JLPT Course?
The 3-Month JLPT Course is an intensive preparation course designed to help students improve their JLPT performance in a short period. It focuses on practicing JLPT-style questions and covers all major exam areas, including grammar, reading, vocabulary, and kanji. Classes are held for 3 hours per week. The Full-Year JLPT Course is a longer-term program designed to help students build a strong foundation for JLPT success. It focuses on developing grammar knowledge and reading comprehension skills. Classes are 2 hours per class.
What is the Part-time Japanese Course?
The Part-time Japanese Course is a flexible program for learners who want to focus on specific areas of Japanese, such as grammar, speaking, reading, or conversation. Instead of covering all Japanese skills at once, students can choose classes that match their learning goals and interests.
What are Lite-Intensive Courses?
Similar to the Intensive Course, the Lite Intensive Course is designed to help students develop their Japanese skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Instead of attending classes five days a week, students take two-hour classes twice a week for four weeks, making it a more flexible option for learners with busy schedules.
What is the difference between Part-time and Lite Intensive Japanese Course?
The Part-time Course is a flexible option for learners who want to focus on a specific area of Japanese, such as grammar, speaking, reading, or conversation. Classes are available at various times, and students can drop in and join anytime as long as there are available spots. The Lite Intensive Course is a structured four-week program designed to develop overall Japanese skills, including speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Instead of attending classes five days a week like the Intensive Course, students take two-hour classes twice a week for four weeks.
Can I book Private Japanese Course for my children?
Yes, we offer kids private classes by request. However, the availability of the course depends on the instructor’s availability and the children’s age. Please fill out the inquiry form if you are interested in this course.
Online Japanese Course FAQ
What is Coto Online Japanese School?
Coto Online Japanese School is Coto Japanese Academy’s online platform that lets Japanese learners study Japanese anywhere, anytime. We offer courses ranging from beginner to advanced levels. The platform provides a wide range of courses
Does Coto Academy offer JLPT Course online?
Yes, Coto Academy offers a completely online JLPT preparation course. We currently offer 2 types: a 6-month course that covers all elements of the test and a 12-month course that covers grammar and reading.
Will class times change during daylight saving time?
Daylight saving time is not observed locally in Japan. Depending on the teacher or language learner’s region, there might be times when either one or both party’s local time changes according to daylight saving time. In the case that this results in a time difference between the teacher and the language learner, please confirm with your teacher and adjust accordingly.
If you’d like to keep your local time the same, you’ll need to check with your teacher to see if they’re able to change their schedule, and cancel your recurring reservation 2 weeks prior to the desired date of change and make a new recurring reservation at the new time
What are lesson points?
Lesson points are the currency that the Coto Online Japanese School system uses to book lessons. Prices differ depending on the class. When you book a class, the system will deduct the points from your balance to reserve your spot. The points owned will be shown in the top right corner of the page.
What are the different types of point packages?
We offer two ways to purchase lesson points: a Subscription Package, which provides a set number of lesson points every 28 days with automatic payment and renewal, and a Point Package, which allows you to purchase lesson points as a one-time purchase.
Is it possible to extend the expiration date of the lesson points if multiple point packages are purchased?
No, points will always be deducted from the package with the earlier expiration date.
Can I transfer points to another user?
No, lesson points are non-transferrable.
Which platform wil the lessons be conducted at?
The classes are mainly conducted through Zoom; please make sure your application and browser are up-to-date to ensure a smooth experience.
Can I get a receipt or an invoice with the Coto Japanese Academy company seal?
Yes, you can. Please contact us through online@funjapanese.net or the Help Page on Coto Online Japanese School. It typically takes about 2 to 3 business days to issue an invoice. However, during the end of the year, New Year holidays, and other holidays it can be particularly busy, so the request will take longer to process.
What method of payment is acceptedwhen purchasing leson points?
Credit cards and bank transfers are accepted. However, payment by bank transfer is available only for the Points Package and is limited to domestic bank accounts. If you wish to make payments through a bank transfer, please contact us.
What happens if my payments fail to be processed?
Please check and update your payment information. If necessary, please contact your credit card provide. The system will retry your transaction up to 5 times; please DO NOT create a new point subscription, as it may cause the system to double-charge the account, resulting in duplicate subscription plans. If you have recurring bookings and the payment for your point subscription does not go through by the deadline, your recurring bookings may be automatically canceled due to lack of points. If they are canceled, please start new recurring bookings again.
Is it possible to take a month off from recurring Private Courses?
It is not possible to put a recurring private class on hold; the student will need to cancel the recurring classes and rebook them in the future.If the student has a point subscription package, the booking reservation and point subscription package must be canceled separately. Please note that cancellations of your recurring lessons take two weeks to process; cancellations take effect two weeks after the date of your cancellation request. Once the student cancels a recurring reservation, it is possible that the instructor or timeslot may not be available when you resume. If the student wants to keep taking classes with the same instructor and on the same schedule, please keep the recurring reservation and cancel the individual courses for which attendance is impossible. But please note: Free cancellations up to 24 hours before the lesson’s start time are only available twice a month.
Do I need to purchase textbooks?
It depends on the course. If a textbook is required for purchasing, a link to the textbook will be shared with the students through the Coto Online Japanese school chat. Please be sure to purchase the materials before the start of class.