Schools/Osaka/
ISI Osaka
Osaka
·Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku
ISI Osaka
ISIランゲージスクール大阪校
2 min from Shinsaibashi
Campus opened in 2024
Kansai university prep
About the school
ISI Osaka is the ISI group’s campus in central Osaka, opened in 2024 just 2 minutes from Shinsaibashi Station. It offers an academic course for entry to Kansai universities, students from 58 countries and regions, and a noticeably lower cost of living than Tokyo.
Founded2024
Students from58 countries
Course length18 months – 2 years
IntakesApr · Jul · Oct
What makes it different
A new campus in the heart of Osaka
ISI Osaka opened in April 2024, 2 minutes on foot from Shinsaibashi Station in one of the city’s main shopping districts. The school helps students enter universities and colleges in the Kansai region, and by the school’s own estimate living in Osaka costs less than in Tokyo.
University entrance
Preparation for Kansai universities
Advice on choosing a university, backed by local knowledge of admissions in Kansai. From intermediate level II you choose electives: graduate-school preparation, EJU and JLPT preparation, and conversation practice.
Cost of living
A big city that costs less than Tokyo
The school estimates monthly living costs in Osaka at ¥74,000 to ¥160,000, compared with ¥85,000–¥180,000 in Tokyo, and rent for your own place at ¥35,000 to ¥60,000 a month.
New campus
Modern classrooms and lounges
Bright classrooms with new equipment, two student lounges for socialising and relaxing, a self-study room and a reception desk where you can talk through any question about your studies or life in Japan.
International
Students from 58 countries and regions
The average student age is 28 (April 2026). Through the year there are field trips, university visits, a kabuki performance, cultural workshops, a speech contest and career events.
ISI Osaka (ISIランゲージスクール大阪校) is one of the campuses of the ISI group, which runs nine Japanese language schools in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Nagano. The campus opened in April 2024 in the Oak Shinsaibashi Building in Minamisenba, 2 minutes on foot from Shinsaibashi Station (Midosuji and Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi lines) and 4 minutes from Nagahoribashi Station. It has places for 1,720 students; students currently come from 58 countries and regions, and the average age is 28.
The main program is Academic Japanese for students who want to enter a university, graduate school or vocational college, above all in the Kansai region (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe). From intermediate level II you choose classes that match your goal, and from intermediate level III university graduates can get help finding a job in Japan. Fees are the same as at the Tokyo campuses in Ikebukuro and Takadanobaba (Academic Pathway Campus): ¥1,015,000 for the first year.
Osaka’s big advantage: it is a big city and the centre of the Kansai region, with good transport and its own food and culture, yet housing and everyday life cost less than in Tokyo. We also work with ISI’s Tokyo campuses, so we can help you compare the cities and choose the right one.
Programs
Academic Japanese Course
For students planning to enter a Japanese university, graduate school or vocational college, and for anyone who wants balanced progress in all Japanese skills. 8 levels from beginner to advanced, taught entirely in Japanese. From intermediate level II you choose electives: graduate-school preparation, EJU and JLPT preparation, and conversation practice. From intermediate level III there is job-hunting support for students who graduated from a university or college in their home country. Fees for 2027/28: first year ¥1,015,000, six months ¥577,500. Whole course: 2 years ¥1,890,000, 1 year 9 months ¥1,671,250, 1 year 6 months ¥1,452,500.
Whole course¥1,452,500 – ¥1,890,000
Short-term General Japanese Course
If your level fits, you can join in the middle of a term. Students who need a short-term visa can get an invitation letter from the school (¥20,000); a minimum enrollment of 8 weeks may be required. Apply early. Fees for 2027/28: 2 weeks ¥99,150, 3 weeks ¥126,850, 4 weeks ¥154,550, 5 weeks ¥164,250, 6 weeks ¥188,350, 7 weeks ¥212,450, 8 weeks ¥222,150, 9 weeks ¥228,250, 10 weeks ¥248,750, 20 weeks ¥467,500. Private lessons are also available: ¥20,000 arrangement fee, then ¥2,000 to ¥8,000 per 45-minute lesson depending on group size and number of lessons.
Whole course¥99,150 – ¥467,500
Class schedule
The school assigns your shift and class based on the placement test.
First-year costs
Application fee¥40,000
Enrollment fee¥100,000
Tuition, first year¥720,000
Other fees, first year¥155,000
Total, first year¥1,015,000
Whole course, 2 years — ¥1,890,000
Payment terms and extra costs
Scholarships and discounts
JASSO scholarship — ¥30,000 a month
For students on a student visa with at least 90% attendance over the year, high grades and plans to enter a Japanese university.
ISI Principal’s Award for Achievement — ¥50,000
One-off payment. For at least one year of study at ISI schools, excellent grades and attendance, and strong motivation. Awarded four times a year.
ISI Principal’s Award for Attendance — ¥30,000
One-off payment. For students on a student visa with no absences and no late arrivals for a whole year.
Intakes
April Main intake
Academic course, 2 years. Applications close at the end of October of the previous year (end of October 2026 for April 2027), or earlier if places run out.
July Summer intake
Academic course, 1 year 9 months. Apply by the end of February of the same year (end of February 2027 for July 2027).
October Autumn intake
Academic course, 1 year 6 months. Apply by the end of May of the same year (end of May 2027 for October 2027).
January Short-term course only
In Osaka only the short-term course starts in January. If you need a January start on a student visa, we can suggest ISI campuses in Tokyo or Kyoto.
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
ISI dormitory · single studios
International House Bentencho
from ¥100,000 / month+ 10% tax, utilities extra
10 minutes on foot from Bentencho Station (JR Loop Line); about 25 minutes to campus by bicycle. A new building with single studios only: private bathroom and toilet, two-burner kitchen, fridge, microwave, washing machine, furniture and bedding. Auto-lock entrance, security cameras, parcel lockers and bicycle parking.
ISI dormitory · single studios
International House Taisho
¥750,000 / 6 months+ 10% tax, utilities extra
6 minutes on foot from Taisho Station and 12 minutes from Dome-mae Station. Single studios with private bathroom and toilet, kitchen, fridge, microwave and washing machine. A new building with an auto-lock entrance and security cameras.
Dormitory fees and terms
Minimum contract: 2 terms (6 months). One-off fees: entry fee ¥40,000, equipment fee ¥30,000 and cleaning ¥20,000; the first 6 months at Bentencho cost ¥690,000. 10% tax is added to all prices. Utilities are not included in Osaka: you pay a deposit covering about 6 months when you move in, and it is settled when you move out. Housing must be paid at least 30 days before move-in. Pickup from Kansai Airport: ¥23,000 on the designated move-in day, ¥41,000 on other days.
Other options
Guesthouses, weekly apartments and homestay
For your first weeks or a short-term course: guesthouse from ¥106,800 for 4 weeks, weekly apartment from ¥141,500 for 4 weeks, homestay with a Japanese family (breakfast and dinner) ¥219,000 for 4 weeks. The school estimates rent for your own place in Osaka at ¥35,000 to ¥60,000 a month. We can help you choose and apply for housing together with your school application.
Photos and videos
Location
3-5-8 Minamisenba, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0081, Oak Shinsaibashi Building — 2 minutes on foot from Shinsaibashi Station (Midosuji and Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi lines), 4 minutes from Nagahoribashi Station (Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi and Sakaisuji lines)
Questions about ISI Osaka
What are the entry requirements?
12 years of school education. Students with 11 years of school can be accepted if they are 18 or older and have a secondary-school certificate. You also need Japanese at JLPT N5 (A1) level, must be under 55 on 1 April 2027 and need proof of funds for your studies. We check your documents before they go to the school.
Can I start with no Japanese at all?
No. The school accepts students from N5 (A1) level. Your level is confirmed by an online test and an interview with a school representative when you apply. Students with no Japanese at all are not accepted.
How much does the first year cost?
¥1,015,000 for the Academic Japanese Course: application fee ¥40,000, enrollment fee ¥100,000, tuition ¥720,000 and other costs ¥155,000 (fees for students starting from April 2027). You can pay every six months — the first six months are ¥577,500. The whole 2-year course is ¥1,890,000.
Why choose Osaka over Tokyo?
Osaka is the main city of the Kansai region, but housing and everyday life cost less: the school estimates ¥74,000–¥160,000 a month, compared with ¥85,000–¥180,000 in Tokyo. Tuition is the same as at ISI Ikebukuro and Takadanobaba (Academic Pathway Campus). The campus suits students who want to enter Kansai universities. Note that Osaka has no January intake for the long-term course.
Where can I live while studying?
The school has two new dormitories with single studios, Bentencho and Taisho: from ¥100,000 a month plus tax, utilities extra, minimum contract 6 months. They are convenient at first but cost more than your own apartment — the school estimates rent in Osaka at ¥35,000–¥60,000 a month. Guesthouses, weekly apartments and homestay are also available.
Can I work while studying?
Yes. On a student visa, with permission, you can work up to 28 hours a week (8 hours a day in school holidays). You can get the permission at Kansai Airport when you arrive. Short-term course students cannot work.
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