Studying in Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe

Japan
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Updated 2022-12-21 07:36

The Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe metropolitan area is known worldwide as a tourist hotspot. It is known as "Keihanshin".  It is also a dynamic and innovative student destination. How to go and study there? What are the requirements to obtain a student visa in Japan? Here is our practical guide to studying in Kyoto, Osaka or Kobe.

Studying in Japan: the latest figures 

Literature, law, economics, science, "senmon gakko" (specialized Japanese schools), and more. This is just a glimpse of what Japan has to offer to international students. More and more students are interested in its advanced training in animation, video games, manga, engineering or robotics.

According to the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), 312,214 international students attended a Japanese institution in 2019. This figure has been impacted by Covid and the Japanese government's tough stance. By 2021, the number of international students was down to 242,444. The country is one of the few that have kept their borders closed till early 2022. Since March 1, 2022, the Kishida government, which came to power in 2021, has officially reopened the country to international students and workers. They expect higher education in Japan to return to their pre-Covid-19 levels by 2027.

Higher education in Japan

Japan has several types of higher education programs: 

  • The “Daigaku”: A 4-year minimum university courses
  • The “Tsuushin kyôikubu”: 4-year correspondence course
  • The “Tanki daigaku”: A 2-year university course in short cycle
  • The “Kôtô senmon gakkô”: Technical training from high school to college (4 years on average)

Universities in Japan

When it comes to Japanese universities, there are three cycles: 

  • The “Gakushi”: bachelor level (Bac 3). 
  • The “Shûshi”: master (Bac 5). 
  • The “Hakase” or “Hakushi”: doctorate (Bac 8).

The Japanese university system includes national universities (managed by the State), public universities (managed by a local authority) or private universities.

The Japanese school year

In Japan, the school year starts in April. The academic year is divided into two semesters. The first one lasts from April to September and the second from September to March.

Japanese students usually apply in April, but some institutions also open their admission period in September or October. Therefore, it is best to find out in advance in case you need to apply for a student visa.

There are three long vacation periods for students, from the end of July to the beginning of September (summer), from the end of December to the beginning of January (winter), and from February to March (spring).

Do you need to speak Japanese to study in Japan?

Ideally, yes. Some Japanese universities offer courses only in Japanese, while others offer courses in both Japanese and English. 

If you are staying in Japan only for a few months and taking all your classes in English, you can be satisfied with a basic level. But if you intend to stay longer, learning Japanese will give you more confidence and make your integration easier. Even if your classes are in English, you will not spend your entire stay in Japan on the university benches. Speaking Japanese will enable you to enjoy your student life along with the locals, to better discover your new environment, to travel in the prefecture of Kyoto, Osaka and Hyogo.

You should at least have a basic knowledge of Japanese (hiraganas, katakanas, kanjis and basic grammar). You can always broaden your language skills on the spot. Some international students enroll in a language school for a few months or even a year before going to university in Japan. Others choose a university that offers an intensive Japanese language program.

Enrolment in Japanese universities

Examinations to enroll in a university or school in Japan

Students who wish to enroll in a university where courses are primarily taught in Japanese will need to demonstrate proficiency in Japanese by one of the following methods:

Students who do not yet meet the requirements outlined above or who have not completed 12 years of study may enroll in a Japanese language school before continuing their studies at a university.

Enrolling in a language school

There are two types of Japanese language institutions open to international students seeking higher education in Japan:

  • Private institutions: where students can acquire the skills required for their studies and/or receive preparatory training for university admission.
  • Japanese language preparatory programs offered at private universities and pre-university institutions: once the program is completed, students are free to apply to the same university or to another university in the country.

Good to know:

Not all schools sponsor student visas for Japan. Only those authorized by the government can do so.

Enrollment of non-English speakers in an English language curriculum

International students from non-English speaking countries who wish to enroll in an English language program must certify their English proficiency with one of the following:

  • A TOEFL score of 71 to 80 for universities and 75 to 80 for graduate schools 
  • An IELTS score of 5.6 to 6 for universities and 6 for graduate schools

The leading universities in Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe

In addition to all the enrollment requirements, you will need to take an exam to enter a Japanese university. The examination for both national ("state-run") and public ("city-run") universities is national. Private universities hold their own exams.

Studying in Kyoto

  • Kyoto University (national university) 

It is the second oldest university in Japan and one of the best research institutes in the country. "Kyodai", as it is called, has an excellent reputation, and its research work is often published in specialized journals. The university is particularly renowned in chemical engineering and law. It has produced 10 Nobel laureates, two Fields Medalists and a Gauss Prize winner. In 2020, Kyodai admitted 2,600 international students from over 110 countries. 

  • Ritsumeikan University (private university)

Nicknamed "Rits," Ritsumeikan University is a generalist institution that offers many programs in law, science, social science, international relations, humanities, sports, and economics, amongst others. It had 2416 international students in 2019.

  • Doshisha University (private university) 

"Dodai" is a private liberal arts university overlooking the Imperial Palace in Kyoto. Dodai has two campuses: one for liberal arts, theology and law, and one for science and engineering. Law and business and management are the most popular majors. It also offers a wide range of courses in English.

Studying in Osaka

  • Osaka University (national university) 

Osaka University was founded in 1931. It is part of the Global 30 project, a program that facilitates the enrollment and integration of international students in Japan. The faculty has produced 13 international award winners, including Yukawa Hideki, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1949. Its programs in basic science, technology and medicine are highly sought after. It currently has 2590 international students. 

  • Osaka Prefectural University (public university)

The Osaka Prefectural University (OPU) was established in 1949. It was formed by the merger of Osaka Prefectural University, Osaka Women's University and Osaka Prefectural School of Nursing. OPU is a small-scale university known for its engineering and nursing programs. 

  • Osaka City University (public university) 

Located in Sumiyoshiku, Osaka City University is a generalist university, especially known for its medical program. The institution excels in research, particularly in the study of next-generation energy, health science, and natural disasters. Courses are taught primarily in Japanese.

Studying in Kobe

  • Kobe University (national university) 

Kobe University is a leading faculty in the humanities and social sciences. Its major academic research programs are medicine and entrepreneurship, and foresight and innovation are at the core of its identity and development strategy. In 2021, Kobe University welcomed 15,986 students, including 1,179 from abroad.

Admission requirements to Japanese universities

In principle, international students wishing to study in Japan must have completed 12 years of primary and secondary education. Students educated in a country where primary and secondary education lasts less than 12 years (including high school) but who are older than 18 years must complete a preparatory course to be eligible. The institution may add other admission requirements.

Application for a student visa in Japan

Planning to enroll in a university in Kyoto, Osaka or Kobe? The application process is the same everywhere in Japan.

First, contact your university in Japan. They will issue you a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE). Once you have it, arrange an appointment with the Embassy of your country to apply for your student visa. Since COVID, you are required to provide a Uketsuke Zumisho (Certificate for Completion of Registration to the ERFS system). If you are a non-EU national, you will need to provide proof of residence as well.

Upon arrival in Japan, you will receive a residence card with student status, which you must carry at all times during your stay. Your student residency status will remain in effect until you complete your studies. If you are expelled from school or if you drop out of university, your right of residence will expire automatically.

Going home temporarily during your visa period 

If you are returning from a short stay in your home country, you will need to fill out a "Disembarkation Card for Reentrant" and show your Japanese residence card to the immigration authorities at the airport. In any case, you must re-enter the country within one year or before the expiry of your residence period in Japan.

Extending your student visa in Japan 

A student visa in Japan can be valid for a period of 3 months to 4 years. If the initial period of stay is not long enough for you to complete your studies, you can request an extension from your school.

Working with a student visa in Japan

As a rule of thumb, a student visa does not allow you to work in Japan. However, your institution may grant you a waiver certificate upon enrolment and upon your request. You will then need to present the relevant document to the immigration services upon your arrival at the airport. The procedure is simple, fast and free of charge. If you do not yet have the required document that allows you to work, contact your Japanese establishment as soon as possible. Then go to an immigration office. The application is free of charge.

You are allowed to work 28 hours per week, and up to 8 hours per day during long school vacations. You cannot work in the nightlife sector. In any case, your job should not affect your studies.

Fees and scholarships in Japan

According to JASSO, the Japan Student Services Organization, the annual fee for an undergraduate or graduate program at a national university is about 820,000 yen per year or around 6,000 euros. But it can go up to 1,000,000 yen which makes approximately 7,200 euros, for a private university. For an undergraduate program in a private university specializing in the fields of medicine, pharmacology or dentistry, count up to 3,200,000 yen or almost 23,000 euros. Some scholarships are open to international students (link at the end of the article).

Cost of living in Kyoto, Osaka or Kobe

You should expect to spend between 138,000 and 207,000 yen, that is between 1000 and 1500 euros per month, to live properly in Kyoto, Osaka or Kobe. These estimates are only averages and will vary greatly depending on your lifestyle. In any case, your biggest expense will be rent. With inflation affecting Japan as well, prices are rising significantly. The cost of transportation in Japan is high, but your institution may offer support for these expenses. Food prices are also rising, especially for fruits and vegetables. To save money, eat like a local. And when it comes to mobile telephony in Japan, opt for low-cost companies such as Rakuten mobile, GTN mobile or HIS mobile.

To learn more about the cost of living in Japan, have a look at Expat.com's Japan forum.

Accommodation in Kyoto, Osaka or Kobe

To save money on your rent in Kyoto, Osaka or Kobe, the best solution is the dorm. Some universities provide dormitory spaces for international students. But if you want more intimacy, another option is the single or semi-shared room in a sharehouse. It may be a little more expensive but not as much as the third option which is to rent an apartment.

For a few years now, "social residences" have been gaining in popularity. These sharehouses of a new type are meant to be more welcoming and multicultural. Japanese and foreigners live together in large common spaces that include sports rooms, home cinema, co-working spaces, game rooms and so on. The rooms are individual and spacious. These social residences are designed for all types of people, employees, entrepreneurs, students, etc.

Transportation in Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe

Kyoto has two subway lines that are limited to the area immediately adjacent to the city center. The remaining part of the city is covered by buses. To leave the city, you will have to take the train. Kyoto often suffers from traffic congestion, especially during the tourist season.

The most convenient way to get around Osaka is by subway. There are seven lines that serve the area surrounding the city center and an eighth line that extends to the outskirts of the city. The Midosuji line runs north-south through all the major areas of the city, including Shin-Osaka, Umeda, Shinsaibashi, Namba and Tennoji. 

In Kobe, subways and trains serve the entire city. There is also a tourist bus service called Kobe City Loop, which connects many of the city's major attractions. 

Most subway and train companies in Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe offer discounted passes for regular travelers or students. Some universities, such as Kyoto University, offer their own transportation pass for students.

Student life in Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe

Osaka

Osaka is a welcoming and friendly tourist city. The southern part of the city is particularly vibrant. The Osaka castle and its popular gardens, which are regularly visited by families and walkers, offer a well-deserved culture break. Joggers work out around the castle while tourists and locals mingle and enjoy the landscape. 

If you fancy more festive entertainment after the culture break, we will suggest you go back to the south to have some fun, namely in the Namba and Dotonbori districts, which offer almost non-stop entertainment. Games centers and other entertainment stores, karaoke, clubs, restaurants, etc., are found there. These are the ideal places to have fun and party.

Kyoto

Kyoto is just as touristy as Osaka. Its downtown area is taken by storm by tourists, especially in summer. Many monuments of the city are classified as world heritage by UNESCO. Kyoto, the capital of the eponymous prefecture, is an important part of Japan's history. The former capital of the country, Kyoto has maintained all its prestige. It is also a dynamic student city. It is even one of the world's most popular student cities. One can find many places of entertainment like karaoke clubs, games centers, manga cafes, bars, nightclubs, and more. You can enjoy many sports, from climbing (Kyoto is surrounded by mountains) to swimming, cycling or walking. 

Kobe

Kobe is Hyôgo prefecture's port capital and often appears to be outshone by its two neighbors. Almost everyone in the world knows Kobe for the high quality of its beef, but that's all. This is to forget that Kobe is one of the largest cities in Japan, with Mount Rokko (931m above sea level) overlooking the bay of Osaka with a stunning, breathtaking view. 

The city has also developed facilities for sports people and walkers. Many activities are waiting for you. In winter, you can even go skiing. If you want more of nature, head to the famous Nunobiki Falls. And if you wish to get more height, go to the Kobe Tower, the city's landmark. Want to dance? Kobe's music scene is very vibrant, with some of the oldest and best jazz clubs in the country. Most of the bars and clubs are located in the Sannomiya district, in the heart of the city.

Useful links:

Study in Japan

Japan Student Services Organisation (JASSO): take the EJU

Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT): official website

Take the TOEFL

Take the IELTS

Scholarship to study in Japan

Universities in Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe

Kyoto University (Kyodai)

Ritsumeikan University (Rits)

Doshisha University (Dodai)

Osaka University (OU)

Osaka University: Japanese language courses

Osaka Prefectural University (OPU)

Osaka City University (OCU)

Kobe University

Find a small job

GaijinPot

Townwork kansai (in Japanese) 

My navi baito kansai (in Japanese) 

Transport in Kobe

Kobe City Loop Bus

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