Key takeaways

• Short courses are for people staying on a visa other than a student visa, and they start at 2 weeks.
• You cannot work on a visitor stay, so budget for study and travel only.
• Weekly prices run from about US$95 to US$265 per week, depending on the school.
• If you want to stay longer, you need a student visa and a Certificate of Eligibility.

About this guide: written by the LALALA Nihon team. LALALA Plus Co., Ltd. has helped students apply to Japanese language schools since 2009, and our counselors have helped more than 1,000 students. This guide on short-term study is based on the official sources listed at the end and on the published information of our partner schools.

You do not have to move to Japan for a year to study Japanese there. Many schools offer short-term courses that last from a couple of weeks to a few months, which suit people on holiday, between jobs or testing whether Japan is right for them. This guide explains how short-term study works and what it costs.

Who can study short term?

Short-term courses are for people staying in Japan on a visa other than a student visa, for example visitors who can enter without a visa for up to 90 days. Whether you can enter visa-free depends on your nationality, so check the rules of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan for your country. You cannot work on a visitor stay, so plan your budget for study and travel only.

If you want to stay longer than your visitor status allows, you need a student visa and a Certificate of Eligibility. Read our student visa guide for the steps.

Short-term options and prices

ISI's Short-Term General Japanese Course starts at 2 weeks, and its 10-week short-term program costs ¥248,750 to ¥261,250 for 2027, about US$1,570 to US$1,650. UNITAS short-term courses start every month, with classes Monday to Friday at campuses in Tokyo and Kofu. US dollar amounts are estimates at about ¥158 = US$1.

A sample four-week budget

As an example, four weeks at Kyoto JaLS costs ¥168,000. Add a guest house at about ¥106,800 for four weeks, which is ISI's listed price (guest house prices in Kyoto vary by provider). That comes to about ¥274,800, or about US$1,740, before flights, food, local transport and insurance. Plan separately for these extras, and ask the school which accommodation it recommends.

Where should you study?

Tokyo has the widest choice of schools and campuses, Kyoto is known for traditional culture, and Osaka and Kobe have a lower cost of living. Read our city guides for Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka and Kobe.

Photo: Dex Ezekiel on Unsplash.

What will a short course be like?

Most short courses combine daily classes with cultural activities, so you practice Japanese in class and in real life. Kyoto JaLS, for example, runs small classes of up to 8 students with about 15 hours of lessons per week and free afternoons for self-study and cultural activities. Expect a placement test or interview at the start so you are placed in the right level.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming you can work to cover costs.
• Not checking visa-free rules for your nationality before you book flights.
• Booking accommodation too late, when rooms near the school are taken.
• Forgetting that a longer stay needs a student visa applied for in advance.

Tips for a good short stay

• Learn hiragana and katakana before you arrive.
• Choose a school near a major station to save commuting time.
• Buy travel insurance for the whole trip.

What to pack and book before you go

• A passport that stays valid for your whole trip, and a return or onward ticket, which airlines and immigration often ask to see.
• Your school acceptance letter or booking confirmation, and the school's address in Japan.
• Travel insurance for the whole stay, since public health insurance is for residents.
• Accommodation for every night, booked early for the weeks you study.
• Some cash in yen, an unlocked phone or eSIM, and a card that works abroad.

A sample study week

Most short courses combine morning or afternoon classes with free time. Kyoto JaLS, for example, runs about 15 hours of lessons per week, which leaves afternoons for review, cultural activities and exploring. A simple routine is to attend class, spend 30 minutes reviewing new words and grammar the same day, then use what you learned in a shop, café or station. Using Japanese in real situations the day you learn it is what makes a short stay effective.

Making the most of a short stay

• Speak Japanese every day, even if it is only ordering lunch.
• Join school activities and meet students from other countries.
• Plan one trip for the weekend, such as a day in Kyoto, Osaka or Kobe, and practice reading station signs.
• Keep a short journal in Japanese with three sentences a day.
• Before you leave, ask your teacher for a study plan so you can keep learning at home.

Frequently asked questions

Can I turn a short course into a long one?

You can usually continue at the same school if you change to a student visa, but you need to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility, which takes time. Talk to your counselor before you travel.

Do I need a Japanese test result?

The Japanese language proof required from October 2026 applies to student visa applications, not to short courses taken on a visitor stay. Schools may still ask for a short placement test.

Related guides

• Studying Abroad in Japan: Programs and Planning
• Study Abroad in Japan: Culture and the Student Experience
• Japanese Language Schools in Kyoto: Choosing a Program
• Japanese Language Schools in Tokyo: A Comparison Guide
• Moving From the US to Japan: A Planning Guide
• SMBC Banking and Money Transfers in Japan: A Guide

Sources and further reading

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: visa exemption for short stays
• ISI Japanese Language School: price list
• Our 2027 cost guide for every partner school

Looking for a short course that fits your dates? If you would like help choosing a school, see our 2027 cost guide, the April 2027 intake timeline, or book a free consultation with LALALA Nihon.