How does the idea of studying abroad sound to you? Exploring a new culture, different than yours, opens new paths in life you have never imagined. Studying abroad in Japan is an option you should seriously consider.  Japan or ‘’Nippon’’ ‘’Nihon’’ or as more widely called ‘’The Land of the Rising Sun’’ is an island country located in East Asia in the northwest of the Pacific Ocean.

How does the idea of studying abroad sound to you? Exploring a new culture, different than yours, opens new paths in life you have never imagined. Studying abroad in Japan is an option you should seriously consider. 

Japan or ‘’Nippon’’ ‘’Nihon’’ or as more widely called ‘’The Land of the Rising Sun’’ is an island country located in East Asia in the northwest of the Pacific Ocean. It consists of five main islands and spans in an around 7,000 island archipelago. Did you know that human habitation of the Japanese archipelago was traced back to prehistoric times, around 30,000 years ago?

Why study abroad in Japan? You will find yourself living in one of the most urbanized and densely populated countries in the world. In fact, the Greater Tokyo area is the most populous area in the world, with more than 37 million residents! In Japan, you will have the option to live in one of the main five islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu or Okinawa.

The country is rather mountainous, but the coastal life will also give you the opportunity to explore the numerous islands as you study abroad in Japan. Imagine visiting Mount Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan, located in the island of Honshu. The famous Mount Fuji is actually the second highest volcano located in an island in Asia and has the seventh highest island mountain peak on earth. 

More than 300,000 international students over the years have chosen Japan so far as their study destination, for multiple reasons. No matter which major you are interested in studying, if you study abroad in Japan, you will get experience of living in the world’s third largest economy, since Japan is a great financial power.

The country is a member of numerous international organizations like the United Nations (UN), the Organization for Economic Co-operations and Development (OECD) and the Group of Seven (G7). In addition, the country is ranked fourth in relation to military power, is a pioneer with contributions in science and technology and maintains one of the world’s highest life expectancies! 

First of all, Japanese universities have excellent reputation and facilities. Their global reputation in terms of innovation and research is reflected in the fact that almost 40 of their institutions are ranked among the World’s Top 200 universities. Secondly, Japan is ranked first in the Top 10 Places to Study Abroad in Asia for experiencing a new culture and second overall in Asia.  

Japan has everything an ambitious student needs, in order to experience a life-changing academic experience with promising career prospects. Read through our Study in Japan Guide to find out why Japan is a great place to live and study as an international student.

Japan - Quick facts & figures

More about studying abroad in Japan

But why study in Japan and not another Asian country? Deciding to apply for university education in Japan will give you the opportunity to choose among 783 universities (daigaku) and  junior colleges (tanki daigaku). Both universities and junior colleges provide a four-year training which leads to a Bachelor's degree, while some offer six-year programs for a professional degree. Only universities and junior colleges are considered as higher education institutions in Japan. 

The Japanese government has made a big effort to attract international students in the last decades, by offering financial support to students through scholarships, a variety of English-taught programs and also by hiring teaching staff from all over the globe with the aim to make the academic environment more diverse and welcoming to international students. The university of Tokyo, Kyoto university and Tokyo Institute of Technology are considered the top universities in the country, ranked very high in the world university rankings. 

Still wondering why to study in Japan? Studying abroad in Japan will open you the doors to an exciting student life with high quality degrees. In Japan you can choose among numerous Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate programs. You can study either in English or even Japanese if you are able to prove your language proficiency. The most popular majors to study in Japan include economics and business, science and technology, education or humanities. 

Study in Japan: Application Process

Ready to apply for your dream Japanese university? Of course you are! The application process for Japanese universities is quite simple. We have gathered all the necessary steps you need to follow in order to get admitted to the Japanese university of your choice. Before you begin with your application, make your research by visiting the official websites of the universities you are mostly interested in, along with contacting your nearest Japanese embassy or consulate for additional questions and information. 

1. Choose your Study Area 

Begin by deciding what you want to study and also the level of education you are interested in. Are you interested in studying business, IT and computer science or medicine? No matter what it is, Japan offers a wide range of globally recognized degrees. In addition, consider if you want to apply for a public or private university, since changes in the application process may apply. 

2. Check the Admission Requirements 

Depending on the objective and the academic level of your studies, there are particular admission requirements you need to take seriously into consideration when preparing your application process for Japanese universities. After choosing your study major, make a research on the universities that cover your study needs and contact them in order to gain more information. You can also visit their websites and also get in touch with JASSO for additional queries.

3. Prepare the Paperwork

This is probably the most time consuming step, so be careful at this stage to gather all the necessary documents, depending on the university, the academic level and the particular requirements. The common paperwork for a university application include the following:

A completed application form signed by the embassy authorities, proof of payment for the application fee, certificates and diplomas depending on the level you are applying to, copy of your passport, passport sized photos, motivation letter and/or letters or recommendation. Please note that each program might ask for additional documents, so make sure you have made a detailed list with the programs you aim to apply for and the documents needed for each of them. 

The embassies offer translation services in Japanese language in case you need it and additionally, don’t forget that if applying for a Bachelor’s degree you need to take the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU).

You can find which Japanese universities use the EJU examination for international students here. If you aim to apply for a Master’s degree, then the proof of English language proficiency through the TOEFL or IELTS examinations is needed.

4. Submit Your Application

In Japan, there is no unified online application platform. As a consequence, you need to submit your application through the university you want to get admitted to. Contact the universities of your choice before for additional information regarding your submission if needed and avoid any unofficial university agencies. Pay the application fee and submit your application through the university platform. Pay special attention to the application deadlines and the application intake periods for each university. 

5. Apply for a Japanese Student Visa 

Congratulations, you made it and you are officially a student in Japan! When you receive your letter of acceptance, it is time to contact your university in order to pay the first installment of your tuition fees. Next, you need to apply for a Japanese student visa as soon as possible. Contact the Japanese embassy in your home country in order to book a meeting and gather the documents for your visa application. Furthermore, it is now time to also gather the paperwork for your National Health Insurance (NHI).

6. Arrive in Japan

After you have obtained your student visa and have prepared all the necessary documents for your insurance, it is time to search for accommodation options. Make a research before online and choose whether you want to stay in a student dormitory, guesthouses or private accommodation. Pack your bags, brace yourself and get on a plane to arrive in Japan. The ultimate study experience for you is about to begin!