Schools/Chiba/
Funabashi Japanese Language Academy
Chiba
·Funabashi
Funabashi Japanese Language Academy
船橋日本語学院
Pre-university prep course
24 min to Tokyo
Classes of up to 20
About the school
Funabashi Japanese Language Academy is a school in central Funabashi, 24 minutes from Tokyo Station, and part of the Asahi Gakuen group. It runs a pre-university preparatory course — a route into a Japanese university for students with 11 years of school.
Founded2009
Students from15 countries
Course length18 months – 2 years
IntakesApr · Jul · Oct
What makes it different
A route into a Japanese university after 11 years of school
Funabashi Japanese Language Academy is the only language school in Chiba Prefecture with a pre-university preparatory course (準備教育課程, junbi kyoiku katei). It is open to students with fewer than 12 years of school education, and after two years of study it lets you apply to Japanese universities and vocational colleges.
After 11 years of school
Pre-university preparatory course
The only one among the language schools of Chiba Prefecture. Two years of Japanese and general school subjects — and you can apply to Japanese universities without 12 years of school.
Asahi Gakuen group
Group colleges for your next step
After the school you can continue at colleges of the same group: IT and business in Matsudo, aviation in Narita, and care and social work in Funabashi.
Progress
A test and a talk every 3 months
Classes of up to 20, regular exams and one-to-one meetings with your teacher — you always know your level. Separate groups for the JLPT, the EJU and kanji.
Location
24 minutes to Tokyo Station
Central Funabashi, with the city hall, post office, supermarkets and shopping centres nearby. Narita and Haneda airports are 50–60 minutes away, and life is cheaper than in Tokyo.
Funabashi Japanese Language Academy (船橋日本語学院) is a Japanese language school in central Funabashi, a large city in Chiba Prefecture on the border with Tokyo. Tokyo Station is 24 minutes away by JR, and Narita and Haneda airports 50–60 minutes. The school opened in 2009 as Only One (オンリーワン日本語学校); in 2022 it joined the Asahi Gakuen education group (学校法人朝日学園) and took its current name.
What sets it apart is the pre-university preparatory course (準備教育課程; 2 years, April start). According to the group, it is the only Japanese language school in Chiba Prefecture with such a course. It is designed for students with 11 years of school: besides Japanese it covers basic general school subjects, and when you finish you can apply to Japanese universities and vocational colleges.
The regular Japanese course lasts 1 year 6 months to 2 years: beginner level aims at N4, intermediate at N2 and advanced at N1. At the higher levels you choose a focus — further study, work (business Japanese and etiquette) or teaching Japanese back home. The school currently has 221 students, 10 of them on the preparatory course.
Programs
Pre-university preparatory course (準備教育課程)
For students with fewer than 12 years of school education who want to enter a Japanese university or vocational college — the 12-year requirement does not apply to this course. Japanese from beginner to advanced, basic general school subjects, and preparation for the EJU and the JLPT.
Whole course¥1,728,000
Japanese course
Beginner (goal N4), intermediate (goal N2) and advanced (goal N1), in classes of up to 20. At the higher levels you choose a focus: further study (reports and presentations), work (business Japanese, etiquette, presentations) or teaching Japanese in your home country.
Whole course¥1,313,500 – ¥1,728,000
Next step: Asahi Gakuen colleges
Graduates can continue at the group’s colleges: Japan International Institute of Cybernetics in Matsudo (IT, business, hotel management), Narita International Institute of Aviation (aircraft and airport services) and Funabashi International Welfare College (care and social work).
First-year costs
Application fee¥20,000
Enrollment fee¥50,000
Tuition, first year¥600,000
Other fees, first year¥229,000
Total, first year¥899,000
Whole course, 2 years — ¥1,728,000
Payment terms and extra costs
Scholarships and discounts
Illness and injury support
The school has its own support system (見舞金制度): if you fall ill or are injured, it partly covers treatment costs and, if you need care, the cost of a relative travelling to Japan. Conditions apply.
Intakes
April Main intake
2-year Japanese course and the pre-university preparatory course. For April 2027, applications are accepted from September to the end of October 2026 (some school pages say early October, so do not wait); if places run out, the intake closes earlier.
July Summer intake
Japanese course, 1 year 9 months. Applications from early December to early February.
October Autumn intake
Japanese course, 1 year 6 months. Applications from early March to early April.
The school applies for your Certificate of Eligibility; with the visa this takes about 4–6 months. Places are limited — apply early.
Student visa. For a long-term course you study on the Student status of residence: the school applies for your Certificate of Eligibility, then you get the visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate. Student visa for Japan · Which documents do I need?
Working while you study. With permission, up to 28 hours a week: Part-time work for students
Housing
Near the school
Dormitory near the school
Studio rooms with a kitchen and a combined bathroom, fridge, washing machine and air conditioning. You can move in as soon as you arrive. The school gives current prices before your intake — ask us.
Apartments in Funabashi
Funabashi is a big city with supermarkets and shopping centres, and many graduates stay on here after their studies. The school estimates average living costs at ¥50,000–¥100,000 a month.
Airport pickup and support
Students are met at the airport if they book in advance. Office staff speak English, Chinese and Vietnamese and help with daily life, paperwork and study.
Photos and videos
Location
2-1-6 Minatocho, Funabashi-shi, Chiba 273-0011 — 12 minutes on foot from Funabashi Station (JR / Tobu Urban Park Line), 10 minutes from Keisei-Funabashi Station
Questions about Funabashi Japanese Language Academy
I have 11 years of school. Can I get into a Japanese university?
Yes — that is what the pre-university preparatory course (準備教育課程; 2 years, April start) is for. The 12-year requirement does not apply to it, and when you finish you can apply to Japanese universities and vocational colleges. You must be at least 18 when you enter university.
Can I start from zero?
Yes, classes start from beginner level. For the student visa you need a certificate of Japanese study with the number of hours (usually 150 or more), or a JLPT certificate if you have one.
How much does it cost?
The first year is ¥899,000: application fee ¥20,000, enrollment fee ¥50,000, tuition ¥600,000, and facilities and materials ¥229,000. The second year is ¥829,000. The whole 2-year course, like the preparatory course, is ¥1,728,000; the July course is ¥1,520,750 and the October course ¥1,313,500.
Is there a dormitory?
Yes, near the school: studios with a kitchen, bathroom, fridge, washing machine and air conditioning. The school gives prices before your intake. The school estimates living costs in Funabashi at ¥50,000–¥100,000 a month.
How far is it from Tokyo?
Not far. The school is 12 minutes on foot from Funabashi Station and 10 minutes from Keisei-Funabashi. Tokyo Station is 24 minutes by JR, and Narita and Haneda airports 50–60 minutes.
Can I work while studying?
Yes, with permission from immigration: up to 28 hours a week (8 hours a day in school holidays). You can get the permission at the airport when you arrive. Students work in cafés, restaurants and factories, and find jobs through friends, the school notice board and online.
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