Schools/Tokyo/
Akamonkai Japanese Language School
Tokyo
·Nippori
Akamonkai Japanese Language School
赤門会日本語学校
11-year graduates welcome
Students from 50 countries
Dormitories from ¥40,000
About the school
Akamonkai opened in 1985 by the Red Gate of the University of Tokyo and has since taught more than 30,000 students from almost 100 countries. It runs the Junbi Kyoiku Katei preparatory course for students with 11 years of school.
Founded1985
Students from50 countries
Course length1–2 years
IntakesApr · Jul · Oct · Jan
What makes it different
30–50% off your commuter pass and other student discounts
Since 2005 Akamonkai has been a school corporation (学校法人, gakko hojin). That means students on a student visa can buy a commuter pass to school at 30–50% off and use other student discounts — something most language schools cannot offer.
Careers
Over 90% of business-course students get job offers
Advice from certified career consultants, CV reviews, mock interviews and visits to companies where graduates work. In 2024, 46 students on the course received offers from Japanese companies.
International
Students from about 50 countries
The school keeps a balance of nationalities: about 19% of students come from Europe, the Americas and other Western countries. Classes have 10–20 students, so you speak Japanese all the time.
University entrance
Junbi Kyoiku Katei course
A preparatory course recognized by Japan’s Ministry of Education that lets students with 11 years of school apply to Japanese universities. EJU classes are included at no extra cost.
Facilities
A 24/7 study room
The main building’s basement has a study room open around the clock, a manga corner and a computer room. Wi-Fi on every floor, a student lounge and bicycle parking.
Akamonkai (赤門会日本語学校, “Red Gate Society”) opened in July 1985 right opposite the Red Gate (Akamon) of the University of Tokyo and moved to Nippori in 1989. In 40 years it has taught more than 30,000 students from almost 100 countries and has become one of the largest language schools in Tokyo.
Today Akamonkai has two campuses in Nippori — the main campus (4 buildings, 1,800 places) and the Nippori campus (450 places), 2,250 places in total. Since 2005 the school has been a school corporation, so students get 30–50% off their commuter pass. Classes have 10–20 students, with students from about 50 countries studying at the same time.
The school’s pride is the Junbi Kyoiku Katei preparatory course, recognized by Japan’s Ministry of Education, which opens Japanese universities to students with 11 years of school. There is also a business course with strong job-hunting support and courses for future Japanese teachers.
Programs
General Japanese Course
For students with 12 years of school education, from beginner to advanced. Reading, writing, listening and speaking, JLPT preparation and optional EJU preparation. Morning (9:00–12:20) or afternoon (13:10–16:30) classes, about 800 hours a year. First year ¥915,000; second year ¥205,000 to ¥820,000 depending on the intake.
Whole course, 2 years¥1,735,000
Junbi Kyoiku Katei (university preparatory course)
For students with 11 years of school who want to enter a Japanese university. Japanese as in the General Course, plus JLPT and EJU preparation at no extra cost. First year ¥935,000.
Whole course¥1,355,000 – ¥1,775,000
Business Course (careers in Japan)
For graduates of a 4-year university with JLPT N2: business Japanese, business etiquette, Japanese versions of office software, job-hunting seminars and one-to-one advice. The first year is ¥985,000, including ¥50,000 for the special classes.
Short-term course
For students on visa-free entry or a short-term visa, and for holders of a work, family, working holiday or similar visa — no student visa is issued. From April 2027 the price includes textbooks and the enrollment fee.
3 months¥220,000
First-year costs
Application fee¥25,000
Enrollment fee¥70,000
Tuition, first year¥780,000
Other fees, first year¥40,000
Total, first year¥915,000
Whole course, 2 years — ¥1,735,000
Payment terms and extra costs
Scholarships and discounts
JASSO scholarship — ¥30,000–¥48,000 a month
¥30,000 a month on the General Course and ¥48,000 on Junbi Kyoiku Katei, for 6–12 months. It does not have to be repaid.
Private foundation scholarships — up to ¥130,000 a month
Kyoritsu Maintenance Foundation — ¥60,000 a month, Takayama Foundation — ¥130,000 a month (for 1 year), LSH Asia Foundation — ¥100,000 as a one-off payment.
Akamonkai excellence scholarship — ¥100,000
One-off payment to about 15 students a year. Students who do not plan to go on to university can also apply.
General conditions
At least 6 months at Akamonkai, average attendance of 95% or more, good grades and behavior and, for most scholarships, going on to a university, graduate school or vocational college.
Intakes
April Main intake
All courses, up to 2 years. General Course: apply from mid-August to the end of October. Junbi Kyoiku Katei: from early September to mid-January.
July Summer intake
General Course, 1 year 9 months. Apply from mid-December to the end of February.
October Autumn intake
General Course (1 year 6 months), Junbi Kyoiku Katei (1 year 6 months) and the Business Course. General Course: apply from early March to mid-May; Junbi Kyoiku Katei: from early to mid-July.
January Winter intake
General Course, 1 year 3 months. Apply from mid-June to the end of August.
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
School dormitories
Akamonkai’s own dormitories
¥40,000–¥60,000 / month+ ¥5,000–¥10,000 utilities a month
About 30 dormitories of its own, 5–40 minutes from school; two are for women only. Rooms have a bed, desk, chair, fridge, air conditioning and Wi-Fi; showers, toilets, kitchen and laundry are shared. Bedding is not provided — you can order a set (pillow, mattress, duvet) from the school in advance. The school takes your wishes into account but may place you in a different dormitory.
School dormitory
Higashi-Ogu dormitory
¥40,000 / monthtwin room
15 minutes by bicycle from school. Deposit ¥30,000, move-in fee ¥30,000, bedding set ¥8,000, cleaning at move-out ¥2,000. Students under 18 live in this dormitory.
School dormitory
Nippori dormitory
¥40,000–¥53,000 / monthtwin or single room
5 minutes on foot from school. Deposit ¥30,000, move-in fee ¥30,000, bedding set ¥8,000.
Women only
Minami-Koen and Bekkan dormitories
¥50,000 / monthsingle room
10 minutes and 1 minute on foot from school. Deposit ¥30,000, move-in fee ¥30,000, bedding set ¥8,000.
Through agencies
Share houses and apartments
The school introduces real-estate agencies that work in English and other languages, so you can choose a share house or an apartment of your own.
Photos and videos
Location
Main campus: 6-39-12 Higashi-Nippori, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo 116-0014 — 10 minutes on foot from Nippori Station, 5 minutes from Mikawashima Station. Nippori campus: 2-54-4 Nishi-Nippori — 4 minutes on foot from Nippori Station.
Questions about Akamonkai Japanese Language School
Can I apply after 11 years of school?
Yes. Students with 11 years of school can take the Junbi Kyoiku Katei preparatory course, recognized by Japan’s Ministry of Education, and then apply to Japanese universities. It starts in April (2 years) and October (1 year 6 months). The General Course needs 12 years of school education.
What level of Japanese do I need?
The school accepts students from JLPT N5. You can show N5 level through an online test and an interview with a school representative when you apply. You cannot enter on a student visa with no Japanese at all.
How much does the first year cost?
From April 2027 the first year of the General Course is ¥915,000 and the whole 2-year course is ¥1,735,000. The first year of Junbi Kyoiku Katei is ¥935,000, and of the Business Course ¥985,000. Housing is paid separately.
Does the school have dormitories?
Yes, about 30 of its own, 5–40 minutes from school, at ¥40,000–¥60,000 a month plus ¥5,000–¥10,000 utilities. Two dormitories are for women only. The school also introduces agencies that rent out share houses and apartments.
Can I work while studying?
Yes, with a student visa and permission from immigration: up to 28 hours a week, and up to 8 hours a day in school holidays. Nippori has plenty of cafés, restaurants and shops, and the school helps you find a part-time job.
Can I get a scholarship?
Yes. Through the school you can apply for the JASSO scholarship (¥30,000–¥48,000 a month), private foundation scholarships (up to ¥130,000 a month) and the Akamonkai scholarship (¥100,000 one-off). You need at least 6 months of study and 95% attendance. Students also get 30–50% off their commuter pass.
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