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Nihongo Online School > Tips for More Effective Studying > Foreign Students, What Are the Actual Costs to Study in Japan?
Foreign Students, What Are the Actual Costs to Study in Japan?
2025/06/16
Director: Kotaro Muramoto
Principal of Nihongo Online School
In September 2019, he founded "Nihongo Online School". Since then, has been teaching Japanese online lessons, with a total of over 1,000 students.
He has designed an individualized curriculum based on student’s needs and study goal. And is conscious of making the classes speech-centered in order to improve students’ speaking skills.
The school asks students to submit homework assignments worth 2 hours per lesson to improve faster. By supporting students with these features, students are able to efficiently improve Japanese language skills.
Director: Maximiliano Moya
Digital Marketing at Nihongo Online School
Maximiliano is passionate about digital marketing and intercultural communication. He has been living in Japan since 2022, continuously improving his Japanese and exploring new opportunities in the digital world.
At Nihongo Online School, he contributes to marketing strategy and content creation for the blog, helping expand the school’s reach. His goal is to make Nihongo Online School more accessible to those interested in learning Japanese, providing them with the support they need to progress effectively and with motivation on their language-learning journey.
If you’re dreaming of coming to Japan as a foreign student, you’ve probably already asked yourself:
“How much does it really cost to study and live in Japan?”
I asked myself that same question before I arrived in October 2023 to study Japanese at a language school in Tokyo. I graduated in June 2025 — earlier than the typical two-year course — because I was lucky enough to find a job I’m passionate about before finishing the full program.
In this article, I’ll break down my real costs, the stress and challenges I faced, and why, despite everything, it was worth it to live in the country I love, work in my field, help my family in Chile, and build a future with my girlfriend.
Contents
💸 How Much Does It Cost to Study in Japan? (Real Numbers)
📌 Tuition Fees
- School: Private language school, Tokyo
- Period: October 2023 – June 2025
- Cost: ~¥700,000–¥800,000/year (USD 4,500–5,200)
- Payment: Every 6 months, ~¥350,000–¥400,000
➡ Tip: You can save a little if you pay a full year upfront or apply for scholarships.
🏠 Housing + Utilities
- Rent (one-room apartment): ¥60,000–¥70,000/month
- Utilities (water, gas, electricity): ¥7,000–¥10,000/month
- Internet: ¥3,000–¥5,000/month
➡ Many international students choose shared houses to reduce costs.
🍱 Food
- Convenience stores + dining out: ¥25,000–¥35,000/month
- Groceries for home cooking: ¥15,000–¥20,000/month
➡ I mostly relied on konbini meals because of my busy schedule, but cooking at home saved me money.
🚃 Transportation
- Monthly pass: ¥0–¥10,000
- I lived near my school, so I walked most of the time.
🏥 Insurance
- National Health Insurance (NHI): ~¥2,000/month
➡ NHI covers 70% of medical costs—essential for students.
📱 Other Monthly Costs
- Phone (budget SIM): ¥2,000–¥3,000
- Entertainment, hobbies, outings: ¥5,000–¥10,000
- Miscellaneous (toiletries, small items): ¥2,000–¥5,000
💡 My Monthly Budget Summary
| Expense | Monthly Cost (JPY) |
|---|---|
| Tuition (avg) | ¥60,000–¥70,000 |
| Rent + utilities | ¥70,000–¥85,000 |
| Food | ¥40,000–¥55,000 |
| Transportation | ¥0–¥10,000 |
| Insurance | ¥2,000 |
| Daily expenses | ¥10,000–¥15,000 |
✅ Total per month: ¥180,000–¥230,000 (USD 1,200–1,500)
✅ Total per year: ~¥2,200,000–¥2,800,000 (USD 15,000–19,000)
⏳ The Reality: Stress, Uncertainty, and Growth
Living in Japan as a student isn’t just about managing your budget — it’s also about managing your emotions and your energy.
👉 I often felt the stress of juggling language school, part-time jobs (arubaito), and trying to make ends meet. After school, I worked — sometimes exhausted — to cover my living expenses.
👉 The uncertainty of visa renewals, job hunting, and adapting to life in Japan added to the pressure.
👉 And personally, I had a unique challenge: I fell in love with a Thai girl instead of a Japanese girl, so I didn’t practice daily conversational Japanese at home. I had to find other ways — talking to shop staff, chatting at work, or making local friends.
But all that effort paid off. Today, I live in Japan — the country I admire — working in a job I love, supporting my family back in Chile, and thinking about building a family with my girlfriend.
🌸 My Advice to Future Students
- Save up before coming. Living in Japan is possible on a tight budget, but unexpected costs always appear.
- Be ready for hard work. Between studying and working, your time and energy will be stretched.
- Don’t lose sight of your goal. All the stress and effort will feel worth it when you’re living your dream.
✉️ Need help preparing for your study adventure in Japan?
At Nihongo Online School, we not only teach Japanese — we guide students through the practical side of moving here. If you have questions about budgeting, visas, or language learning, contact us anytime!
