Schools/Tokyo/
ARC Academy
Tokyo
·Iidabashi & Nishi-Shinjuku
ARC Academy
アークアカデミー（ARC東京日本語学校）
Since 1986
Career track
Two campuses in Tokyo
About the school
ARC Academy has taught Japanese since 1986, with its main campus in Iidabashi and a second campus in Shinjuku; students come from more than 50 countries. From April 2027 it runs separate tracks for university entrance and for a career in Japan.
Founded1986
Students from50+ countries
Course length15 months – 2 years
IntakesApr · Jul · Oct · Jan
What makes it different
Two paths after school: university or a job in Japan
From April 2027 ARC splits its courses into a university track and a career track. University-track students prepare for the EJU and can enter partner universities on the school’s recommendation; career-track students get help from the school’s own careers office — job listings, company presentations at school and matching with employers.
Teaching
Over 90% of students are happy with their classes
That is what the school’s own survey shows every term. Lessons focus on real communication and thinking in Japanese: group tasks, discussions and projects. Students without a kanji background use ARC’s own Kanji Master textbooks.
International
Students from more than 50 countries
Students come from Asia, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa — each campus has more than 30 nationalities at any time, so Japanese is the common language in class and between classes.
Careers
A careers office inside the school
Job listings for international students, company presentations at school, help with CVs and interviews. Every term your homeroom teacher meets you one to one to talk about your plans.
School life
Events every term
Sports day, a speech contest, class trips, cherry-blossom viewing, meetings with local residents and a Christmas party.
ARC Academy (アークアカデミー) opened in November 1986, first teaching Japanese to international business people. The name stands for an arch — a bridge — and for connection, realization and contribution: the school sees its graduates as a bridge between Japan and the world.
The main campus, ARC Tokyo in Iidabashi (Bunkyo ward), is the school’s own building with 640 places in a quiet part of central Tokyo, near Koishikawa Korakuen garden and Tokyo Dome. It has a library, a nurse’s room, the careers office, a student lounge and a terrace. The Shinjuku campus (320 places) is in Nishi-Shinjuku, close to the west exit of Shinjuku Station; two new classrooms were added in 2025. The group also has a school in Kyoto.
From April 2027 ARC moves to new programs: university entrance, careers in Japan and (in Shinjuku) Japanese language and culture. Staff advise on study, daily life, part-time work and future plans, also in English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Burmese.
Programs
University Pathway
For students who want to enter a Japanese university, graduate school or vocational college; 12 years of school education required. Japanese to B2, preparation for the EJU, the JLPT and a research plan for graduate school, and recommended entry to partner universities.
Whole course¥1,324,000 – ¥1,732,000
Advanced University Pathway
For students who already have JLPT N4. After B2 the course covers part of the C1 level.
Whole course¥1,732,000
Career Pathway
For university graduates (including junior-college degrees) who want to work for a Japanese company: Japanese for work, company culture, business etiquette and job hunting. The goal is a work visa in your field.
Whole course¥1,324,000 – ¥1,732,000
Japanese Language and Culture
From zero to B1, with Japanese society, calligraphy and other traditional culture classes. ARC Kyoto also offers this course for 1 or 2 years.
Whole course¥1,130,000
3-month intensive course
From age 16, for students who arrange their own visa (visa-free entry or a short-term visa) — no student visa is issued. Textbooks are extra.
Whole course¥214,000
First-year costs
Application fee¥30,000
Enrollment fee¥70,000
Tuition, first year¥816,000
Total, first year¥916,000
Whole course, 2 years — ¥1,732,000
Payment terms and extra costs
Scholarships and discounts
JASSO scholarship — ¥30,000 a month
12 months, a few places. For students with excellent attendance and grades; you apply through the school after enrolling.
Kyoritsu Maintenance Foundation — ¥60,000 a month
12 months, one place on the school’s recommendation.
LSH Asia Foundation — ¥100,000
One-off payment, one place on the school’s recommendation.
100% attendance award
Students who miss no classes and are never late for six months (April–September or October–March) receive an award from the school.
Intakes
April Main intake
University Pathway (2 years, including the advanced course in Iidabashi) and Career Pathway (2 years). Apply 5–6 months before the start; the April 2027 intake is open and closes when places are filled.
July Summer intake
University and Career Pathways, 1 year 9 months. The July 2026 intake was full by February — prepare your documents early.
October Autumn intake
University Pathway (Iidabashi and Shinjuku) and Career Pathway (Iidabashi only), 1 year 6 months. JLPT N4 or 300 hours of Japanese study required.
January Winter intake
Japanese Language and Culture only, Shinjuku campus, 1 year 3 months.
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
Partner dormitory
Tokyo Life Style Higashi-Jujo
¥69,000 / monthprivate room + ¥15,000 utilities a month
3 minutes on foot from Higashi-Jujo Station (JR Keihin-Tohoku Line). The first payment covers 3 months — ¥377,000, including move-in, equipment, bedding with a Wi-Fi router and cleaning. Each room has internet, air conditioning, a TV, a fridge, a kitchenette, a private bathroom, a desk, a bed and bedding.
Through agencies
Share houses, apartments and homestay
ARC has no dormitory of its own but works with about ten housing agencies (Sakura House, Borderless House, XROSS HOUSE and others) and passes your request to them. Homestay through a partner starts at ¥5,000 a night with breakfast.
When to look for housing
The school helps with housing once tuition is paid and your CoE is issued. A specific place is not guaranteed, so book as soon as you can.
Photos and videos
Location
Iidabashi campus: 2-23-10 Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-0004 — next to Iidabashi Station (JR Sobu Line and 5 subway lines). Shinjuku campus: Toshin Nishi-Shinjuku Bldg 3F, 7-18-16 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023 — from the west exit of Shinjuku Station (exit B16).
Questions about ARC Academy
Can I apply after 11 years of school?
The University Pathway and the Japanese Language and Culture course need 12 years of school education; the Career Pathway needs a university degree. With 11 years you need at least one more year at a college or university — we will check your documents.
Can I start with no Japanese at all?
No. When you apply you need JLPT N5 (or an equivalent) or a certificate of 150 hours of Japanese study. The advanced course and the October intake need N4 or 300 hours. There is also an online interview with a Japanese check.
How much does the first year cost?
¥916,000: application fee ¥30,000, enrollment fee ¥70,000 and tuition ¥816,000. The whole 2-year course is ¥1,732,000. Textbooks are extra — about ¥30,000–¥41,000 for the whole course.
How is the Career Pathway different from the University Pathway?
The University Pathway prepares you for the EJU, the JLPT and entrance exams, with recommended entry to partner universities. The Career Pathway is for university graduates: business Japanese, etiquette, job hunting and support from the school’s careers office.
Does the school help with housing?
Yes. There is no school dormitory, but there is the partner dormitory Tokyo Life Style (private room ¥69,000 a month plus utilities) and agencies with share houses and apartments. The school passes your request to them once your CoE is issued.
Can I work while studying?
Yes, with permission from immigration: up to 28 hours a week, and up to 8 hours a day in school holidays. In Tokyo students usually earn about ¥1,300 an hour. Each campus has a job board, and every term the school runs a seminar on part-time work.
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