The Atarashift Blog
Insights for working in Japan
Guides, interviews, and honest advice for international talent building a career in Japan.
The Atarashift Blog
Guides, interviews, and honest advice for international talent building a career in Japan.
Study Japanese for as little as two weeks or up to 18 months, with five schools and additional courses combining language study with culture and tourism.
Study Japanese for as little as two weeks or up to 18 months, with five schools and additional courses that let you combine language study with culture, tourism, marine activities and environmental projects.
Studying Japanese in Japan can mean very different things depending on what you are looking for. You might want to spend a few weeks improving your Japanese while experiencing everyday life in Japan, study for several months, or combine language learning with other experiences and activities along the way.
Genki Japanese and Culture School (GenkiJACS) offers students the flexibility to choose between these different options. Founded in Fukuoka in 2005, it has since expanded to five locations across Japan: Fukuoka, Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya and Okinawa.
Although the five schools share the same communicative approach to Japanese language education, they are not identical. Each location has its own atmosphere, course combinations and activities, allowing students to choose a school that fits the kind of experience they want to have in Japan.
One of the main features of GenkiJACS is its focus on communication. Rather than concentrating mainly on grammar and vocabulary, lessons are designed to give students regular opportunities to use Japanese in practice.
The Core Japanese Course covers grammar, speaking, listening, reading and writing, with activities designed to help students apply what they learn in class. Classes are also relatively small, normally with a maximum of eight students, giving students regular opportunities to interact with their classmates and teachers.
This communicative approach is shared across all five GenkiJACS schools, providing a consistent foundation for students regardless of where they choose to study.
GenkiJACS has five schools across Japan, from the original school in Fukuoka to locations in Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya and Okinawa. While they share the same approach to Japanese language education, each school has its own combination of courses and activities.
GenkiJACS offers courses ranging from two weeks to 18 months, with different options depending on how long students want to study in Japan. The Core Japanese Course has a minimum length of two weeks and does not have a fixed maximum duration, although the length of study is subject to visa restrictions.
The Core Japanese Course can be taken from two weeks, giving students flexibility over the length of their studies. Regular courses start every Monday, with complete beginners generally starting on the first Monday of each month. Students can also change their study period after applying or after starting their course, subject to the relevant conditions.
For students who want a fixed course length, GenkiJACS also offers 10-week and 20-week courses. The 10-week course is intended for students planning to study in Japan for around three months, while the 20-week course provides five months of study at a discounted rate compared with the standard weekly tuition.
Students planning a longer stay can choose 1-year or 18-month courses in Fukuoka and at GenkiJACS's sister school, I.C. Nagoya. These courses are designed for students studying on a student visa and have specific admission, attendance and academic requirements.
Students can add selected modules and courses to the Core Japanese Course, depending on the school, schedule and eligibility requirements.
GenkiJACS also offers summer courses for students of different ages, depending on the location. The Summer Course is a seasonal package offered at the Fukuoka, Kyoto and Nagoya schools during the summer. It combines Japanese lessons with cultural activities, excursions and other organised activities, with the age requirements and course structure varying by location.
The exact activities vary by location and may change from year to year.
For students planning their budget, the main 2026 course fees are:
| Course | Duration | 2026 price |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Japanese Course | From 2 weeks | ¥40,000/week |
| 10-Week Course | 10 weeks | ¥390,000 |
| 20-Week Course | 20 weeks | ¥740,000 |
| 1-Year Course | 1 year | ¥1,380,000 |
| 18-Month Course | 18 months | ¥1,980,000 |
| Chura Green | 2-4 weeks | 60,000 yen/week |
Additional modules and private lessons are charged separately.
| Additional option | 2026 price |
|---|---|
| Plus Conversation | ¥16,000/week |
| Plus Cultural Activities | ¥16,000/week |
| Plus Tourism | ¥12,000/week |
| Plus Marine Activities | ¥22,000/week |
| Autumn in Kyoto | ¥70,000/2 weeks |
| Private Lesson | ¥8,000/lesson |
Prices, schedules and course availability may change between academic years, so students should check the latest course information before applying.
With five schools, different course lengths and a range of additional options, GenkiJACS offers several ways to study Japanese in Japan. Whether you are looking for a short stay focused on Japanese lessons, a longer course, or a combination of language study and other activities, the right option will depend on what you want to get from your time in Japan.
Students can choose a course based on factors such as their Japanese level, age, interests and intended length of stay. The five schools also offer different combinations of courses and activities, so the choice of location can be part of the decision too.
For students planning a long-term course, visa requirements and eligibility will also need to be taken into consideration. Ultimately, the best choice depends on how long you want to study, what you want to focus on and which part of Japan you would like to experience while learning Japanese.
Once you have decided on a school and course, you can apply through the GenkiJACS website. After receiving the application, the school will review the information provided and guide students through the next steps.
The required procedures and documents may differ depending on the course and length of stay. Students applying for long-term courses will also need to complete the relevant admission and student visa procedures.
No. GenkiJACS accepts students from complete beginner to advanced levels. Complete beginners can join the Core Japanese Course, although basic hiragana knowledge is required before starting.
Regular courses generally start on Mondays. Complete beginners usually start on the first Monday of each month, with additional start dates available during June, July and August.
The Core Japanese Course includes 20 lessons per week, with four 50-minute classes each weekday. There are three possible class schedules: morning, middle and afternoon. Students cannot choose their preferred schedule, as their timetable depends on the class they are placed in. The schedule for each week is released the week before.
Students take a placement test as part of the enrolment process to determine the most appropriate class for their Japanese level. Complete beginners do not need to take the placement test.
Yes. Depending on the school and course, students can add options such as the Plus Conversation Module, Plus Cultural Activities Module, Plus Tourism Module or other location-specific courses.
Yes. The Core Japanese Course is available from two weeks, making it suitable for students who want to study Japanese during a shorter stay in Japan.
Yes. Private lessons are available as an add-on, subject to availability.
Yes. Course materials are included in the course fee.
Yes. GenkiJACS offers the Genki Route, which allows students to combine their Japanese studies at different GenkiJACS schools in Japan. This can be a way to experience different cities while continuing to study Japanese. The available route and course options depend on the schools and course periods involved.
Yes. GenkiJACS offers accommodation options for students, with the available types and arrangements varying depending on the school and location. Accommodation fees are separate from the course fee.
Losing your job does not cancel your visa. Your status runs to its expiry date. What matters is a 14-day notification, the three-month rule, and your next renewal.
Leaving Japan? You can claim back up to five years of pension contributions. But claiming erases your entire Japanese pension record, permanently.
You can bring your spouse and unmarried children to Japan on a Dependent visa, but not your parents. Your spouse can work only 28 hours a week, with permission.