Why I Chose to Study Japanese in Japan「A Personal Story」

2025/06/30

If you’ve ever dreamed of learning Japanese in Japan, this story might resonate with you. For me, studying Japanese wasn’t just an academic goal—it was a life-changing decision. In this post, I’ll share my personal motivations for studying Japanese, why I chose to study in Tokyo, how I selected my Japanese language school, and what goals I set before arriving.

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My Motivation: More Than Just a Language

Building a Future in Japan

I’ve always known that Japan was more than just a place I wanted to visit—it was where I wanted to build my future. My goal is to live and work in Japan long-term, start a family here, and integrate fully into Japanese society. To make that dream possible, I needed to master the Japanese language, not just for daily life, but for professional settings as well. Living in Japan isn’t just about knowing how to order at a restaurant—it’s about being able to handle job interviews, sign rental contracts, and eventually raise a family with confidence in this new environment.

Supporting My Family Back Home

Another major reason I decided to study Japanese was to improve the future of my family in Chile. By pursuing career opportunities in Japan, I aim to provide them with a better quality of life in the long term. Learning Japanese opens the door to higher-paying jobs, entrepreneurial projects, and stable professional growth—all of which can benefit not only myself but those I care about most.

A Lifelong Love for Japanese Culture

Japanese culture has always been a huge part of my life. I grew up playing Nintendo games, watching anime, and reading manga. But over time, my fascination went beyond pop culture—I began to admire Japan’s values, creativity, and sense of community. Learning the language felt like a natural next step. I didn’t just want to understand subtitles or translate menus. I wanted to truly connect with the culture I’ve loved for so long.

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Choosing the Right Japanese Language School

Finding a School That Offers Business Japanese

When I started researching how to study Japanese in Japan, I knew I needed a school that would go beyond beginner or conversational Japanese. My dream is to work in Japan—and eventually launch my own video game development company here. That means I need to speak Japanese at a business level. I was specifically looking for a Japanese language school that included business Japanese, training for job interviews, email writing, and client communication. That’s how I discovered Nihongo Online School, a program that immediately stood out for its practical, career-oriented curriculum.

Matching the Curriculum to My Goals

Nihongo Online School was the perfect match because it wasn’t focused only on textbooks or passing JLPT exams. The school offers real-world preparation, especially for students who want to succeed in Japanese work environments. From role-playing mock interviews to learning the structure of polite and humble language in emails, the program is designed to equip students like me with skills that are directly applicable in the Japanese workplace. It felt like the school was made for people with concrete goals—people who want to use Japanese, not just study it.

More Than Language: A Roadmap for Life in Japan

Another reason I chose Nihongo Online School is the overall support it offers students. The program provides advice not just on grammar and kanji, but also on how to find jobs in Japan, how to adjust to cultural expectations, and how to thrive long-term. The teachers understand that studying Japanese is part of a bigger journey—one that includes career, lifestyle, and personal growth. For me, this was a major advantage over more traditional classroom-based schools.

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Why I Chose Shibuya, and Why I Live in Setagaya

The Benefits of Studying Japanese in Shibuya

When choosing where to study, I wanted to be in the heart of Tokyo. Shibuya was an easy choice. It’s one of the most vibrant, international, and forward-thinking areas of Japan. Studying Japanese in Shibuya means I’m surrounded by creative energy, new trends, and daily exposure to both formal and casual language. It’s a place where I can learn inside and outside the classroom.

My Home in Setagaya: Quiet, Central, Connected

To stay close to my Japanese language school in Shibuya, I moved to Setagaya, one of Tokyo’s most peaceful and livable wards. I currently live alone in a mansion (マション)—a modern apartment—in a quiet residential area that’s just a short train ride from school. It’s the best of both worlds: I can enjoy the calm of everyday life while staying connected to the excitement and opportunity of central Tokyo.

Daily Life in Tokyo Is Part of My Language Practice

What makes studying Japanese in Japan so effective is the constant exposure. Every moment—grocery shopping, going to the bank, reading train announcements—is part of the learning process. Living in Tokyo turns the whole city into a classroom. I’m not just memorizing vocabulary from a book; I’m applying it every day. And that’s something no app or online course can truly replicate.

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Looking Ahead: What I Want to Achieve

Launching a Video Game Development Company in Japan

One of my biggest long-term goals is to create my own video game studio in Japan. I’ve always been passionate about storytelling, design, and interactive experiences. Being in Japan, the birthplace of companies like Nintendo, fuels that passion even more. But to succeed in this industry here, I need to be fluent in Japanese—not just casually, but professionally. Nihongo Online School is giving me the foundation I need to communicate with potential partners, pitch ideas, and manage a business in Japan.

Bridging Cultures Through Language

I believe that learning Japanese allows me to serve as a bridge between Japan and Latin America. Having grown up in Chile and now living in Tokyo, I see so many opportunities for cultural collaboration, especially in tech, education, and creative industries. Speaking Japanese fluently—and understanding the social context behind the words—lets me contribute to that exchange in meaningful ways.

Language Is the Key to Everything

At the end of the day, everything I want to accomplish in Japan hinges on language. From career growth to everyday happiness, the ability to understand and be understood is everything. That’s why I chose to study Japanese in Japan, and why I chose Nihongo Online School. It’s not just about language lessons—it’s about building a new life, one sentence at a time.

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Studying Japanese in Japan has been one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences of my life. If you’re serious about living, working, or building a future in Japan, I highly recommend it. And if you’re looking for a school that supports your goals, prepares you for the real world, and empowers you with professional-level Japanese, I can confidently say that Nihongo Online School is the place to start.