Schools/Nagano/
ISI Nagano
Nagano
·Ueda, Nagano Prefecture
ISI Nagano
長野ビジネス外語カレッジ
Cheaper than Tokyo
Dormitory 5 min away
Students from 49 countries
About the school
ISI Nagano is the ISI group’s campus in the quiet city of Ueda, Nagano Prefecture: 540 places, students from 49 countries, and the Japanese language department of a vocational college. Life here costs less than in Tokyo, and the school dormitory is 5 minutes away on foot.
Founded1992
Students from49 countries
Course length18 months or 2 years
IntakesApr · Oct
What makes it different
Japanese in a quiet mountain city — for less than in Tokyo
The campus has been teaching since 1992 in the city of Ueda, Nagano Prefecture, 12 minutes on foot from JR Ueda Station. The first year costs ¥905,000 — less than at any other ISI campus — and a place in the dormitory 5 minutes from school starts at ¥32,000 a month.
Japanese college
One building with Japanese students
The school is the Japanese language department of a vocational college, Nagano Business and Language College. The college’s students study in the same building, so it is easy to get to know Japanese people your age at events and in everyday school life.
Cost of living
Life costs less than in a big city
The school estimates living costs in Nagano at ¥53,000–¥140,000 a month, compared with ¥85,000–¥180,000 in Tokyo. The dormitory next to the school starts at ¥32,000 a month, with utilities and internet included.
University preparation
An academic course up to B2 level
The 2-year course is 1,600 hours of Japanese across eight levels from beginner to advanced. From intermediate level there are electives: EJU preparation, JLPT N3–N1, graduate-school preparation, conversation practice and career planning.
Regional life
Festivals, mountains and hot springs
Students take part in local festivals, meet schoolchildren from the city and join cherry-blossom viewing, a sports day and a speech contest. In winter, ski resorts and hot springs are close by.
ISI Nagano (長野ビジネス外語カレッジ) is a regional campus of the ISI group, one of the largest networks of Japanese language schools in Japan, with nine schools in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Nagano. We also help students enter ISI’s Tokyo campuses, so you can compare studying in the capital and in the regions.
The campus opened in October 1992 in the city of Ueda in Nagano Prefecture, 12 minutes on foot from JR Ueda Station. It is the Japanese language department of a vocational college, with 540 places; the college as a whole has 680 places, including specialist courses attended by Japanese students. Students currently come from 49 countries, and the average age is 25 (April 2026).
The program prepares you for entry to vocational colleges, universities and graduate schools, and for employment, including under the Specified Skilled Worker (i) status (特定技能1号). The school holds meetings with companies and internships, and a city with mountains, Ueda Castle and hot springs nearby shows you Japan beyond the big cities. Long-term course intakes are in April and October only.
Programs
Academic Japanese Course
For students who plan to enter a Japanese university, graduate school or vocational college, and for those who want to find a job. Eight levels — beginner (6 months), intermediate and advanced (9 months each) — with B2 as the target. 20 lessons a week, up to 20 students per class. From intermediate level you choose electives: EJU preparation, JLPT N3, N2 and N1, graduate-school preparation, conversation practice and career planning. Fees for students starting from April 2027: first year ¥905,000; whole 2-year course ¥1,670,000, 1 year 6 months ¥1,287,500.
Whole course¥1,287,500 – ¥1,670,000
Short-term General Japanese Course
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. You cannot work part-time on this course. Fees for the 2027 school year: 2 weeks ¥92,050, 3 weeks ¥116,200, 4 weeks ¥140,350, 5 weeks ¥148,500, 6 weeks ¥169,450, 7 weeks ¥190,400, 8 weeks ¥198,550, 9 weeks ¥203,500, 10 weeks ¥221,250.
Whole course¥92,050 – ¥221,250
Private lessons
A program built around your goal: conversational Japanese, JLPT, EJU or business Japanese. Teacher arrangement fee ¥20,000; a lesson for one student costs ¥6,000 to ¥8,000 depending on the number of lessons.
Class schedule
Morning classes run in two blocks, 8:50–10:20 and 10:30–12:00; afternoon classes in two blocks, 13:00–14:30 and 14:40–16:10. The school assigns your shift based on the placement test; you cannot choose it yourself.
First-year costs
Application fee¥40,000
Enrollment fee¥100,000
Tuition, first year¥640,000
Other fees, first year¥125,000
Total, first year¥905,000
Whole course, 2 years — ¥1,670,000
Payment terms and extra costs
Scholarships and discounts
JASSO scholarship — ¥48,000 a month
For students on a student visa with at least 90% attendance over the year, excellent grades and plans to enter a Japanese university or college after graduating. At the Nagano campus the amount is higher than at other ISI schools (¥30,000 a month there).
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. In Nagano it is awarded twice a year, in April and October.
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. In Nagano it is awarded in April and October.
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.
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).
July and January No intake
Unlike ISI’s Tokyo campuses, the long-term course in Nagano starts only in April and October. If you need a July or January start, we can suggest another campus.
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 · main building
Konyamachi International House
from ¥32,000 / monthsingle, twin and triple rooms
About 5 minutes on foot from school, with supermarkets and restaurants nearby and Ueda Castle not far away. Rooms come with furniture, air conditioning, a fridge and internet. Shared kitchen, dining room, living room, study room and bicycle parking. Live-in manager and security cameras.
ISI dormitory · men only
Konyamachi International House Annex
from ¥32,000 / monthrooms for two or four
About 10 minutes on foot from school. Kitchen, living room, study room and laundry. The manager visits regularly to check on things.
Dormitory fees and terms
Monthly rent: single room ¥65,000, twin room ¥39,000–¥43,000, room for three or four ¥32,000. Contracts are for 3 months; one-off fees on move-in: entry fee ¥30,000, equipment fee ¥20,000, cleaning ¥10,000. The first 3 months including these fees cost from ¥156,000 (room for three or four) to ¥255,000 (single room), plus 10% tax. Furniture, bedding, utilities and internet are included; meals are not. Payment is due at least 30 days before move-in; if there are more applicants than places, rooms are allocated by lottery.
Other options
Airport pickup and short stays
Pickup at Narita or Haneda Airport and transfer to the dormitory from ¥33,000 one way (for arrivals between 5:00 and 15:00). For the short-term course: a dormitory for 2 weeks from ¥48,000, for 4 weeks from ¥76,000; homestay with a Japanese family (breakfast and dinner) ¥219,000 for 4 weeks. We can help you choose and apply for housing together with your school application.
Photos and videos
Location
3-5-18 Chuo, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-0012 — 12 minutes on foot from JR Ueda Station
Questions about ISI Nagano
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 N5 (A1) level, confirmed by a test or interview, 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 level. You can confirm N5 with 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?
¥905,000 for the Academic Japanese Course: application fee ¥40,000, enrollment fee ¥100,000, tuition ¥640,000 and other costs ¥125,000 (fees for students starting from April 2027). The whole 2-year course is ¥1,670,000. You can pay every six months — the first six months are ¥522,500. It is the most affordable ISI campus.
How is studying in Nagano different from Tokyo?
The campus is not in Nagano city but in Ueda, Nagano Prefecture — a quiet historic city surrounded by mountains — and costs here are noticeably lower: the school estimates ¥53,000–¥140,000 a month, compared with ¥85,000–¥180,000 in Tokyo. The school is the Japanese language department of a college, Japanese students study in the same building, and students take part in local festivals and meetings with schoolchildren. There are two long-term intakes, in April and October.
Where can I live while studying?
The school has two Konyamachi International House dormitories, 5 and 10 minutes away on foot: a place in a room for three or four from ¥32,000 a month, a twin room from ¥39,000, a single room ¥65,000, with utilities and internet included. Contracts are for 3 months; the first 3 months with fees cost from ¥156,000 plus 10% tax. Homestay is also available for the short-term course.
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 the airport when you arrive. Short-term course students cannot work.
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