hello! I am a 20 something year old single man who just quit his job and has 100k in savings. I’ve been learning Japanese for around 3 or 4 years now very slowly. my vocabulary is somewhere between N5 and N4 and have spent some time with tutors so my speaking and listening is equivalent to my vocabulary. I went to Japan on vacation for two weeks and got around just fine, but wasn’t able to hold more than simple conversations.
I want to go to a Japanese language school to finally lock in and actually get to an intermediate level. I‘d also like to take the opportunity to travel around Japan and live it up for a few months, try and get out of this slump I’m in.
What‘re the benefits of a 3 month school vs a 6 month school? what’re some good schools in and around Tokyo? how much should I expect to spend on tuition, and how much would it cost to live overall for that 3/6 month period? have I saved up enough for this? Will I need to do post office stuff or can I just chill?
most importantly: how do I know what level school to start at? I know hiragana and katakana, way less Kanji than I should but I will recognize them if spoken. I feel like a brand new beginners course would be a waste, but I wouldn’t call myself intermediate.
thanks a lot!
Comments
by beginswithanx on Apr 24, 2026
Language programs under 90 days can often be done on a tourist visa.
Language programs longer than that require a student via, which means more requirements (proof of funds or guarantor, N5 level Japanese or 150 hours of study, etc).
Each school normally has its own placement tests to put you in the right classes.
by tuxedocat2018 on Apr 24, 2026
with 3 months school if you're from certain countries it means you dont need a specific student visa. you can just come with a tourist one. you can't work part time with this arrangement though. just study and travel. with a proper student visa + longer term you can apply for part time work permit.
for living cost I'd say you need at least (bare minimum, not very comfortable living) around 140-150k yen per month. if you want to be comfier 170k above.
by Thick_Channel6369 on Apr 25, 2026
Do 3 months school, then 3 months travel!
by Kakinaosu on Apr 25, 2026
Now that’s an idea! Isn’t there a limit of 180 days in country per year though?
by Thick_Channel6369 on Apr 25, 2026
Leave for a few weeks then return.
by Moshimoshi-Megumin on Apr 25, 2026
Don’t have recommendations for schools, but for levels they’ll do placements tests.
And yes your savings are more than enough, you could probably do 1 or 2 years if you wanted to and are careful with your money.
by yada-yada-dead on Apr 25, 2026
Take online classes instead.Get to N3 level before you enrol in a language school.
by ReleaseeEscape1 on Apr 25, 2026
100k in savings, I assume dollars? This is PLENTY, I'm on half that budget, and my course duration is 2 years lol.
