Schools/Tokyo/
ISI Ikebukuro
Tokyo
·Ikebukuro
ISI Ikebukuro
ISI外語カレッジ
6 min from Ikebukuro
400-student campus
Japanese college on site
About the school
ISI Ikebukuro is a small ISI campus with 400 places, 6 minutes from Ikebukuro Station. It runs an academic course for entry to Japanese universities and colleges, and students of the Japanese vocational college TBL study in the same building.
Founded2002
Students from49 countries
Course length15 months – 2 years
IntakesApr · Jul · Oct · Jan
What makes it different
A small campus in the same building as a Japanese college
ISI Ikebukuro is the group’s smallest Tokyo campus: 400 places, close contact with teachers and plenty of shared events. The group’s vocational college TBL is in the same building, so students mix with Japanese students and can sit in on trial classes at vocational colleges.
University entrance
Academic Japanese for up to 2 years
From intermediate level you choose electives: EJU and JLPT preparation, a job-hunting class and practical conversation. A career corner offers advice on choosing a university.
Japanese environment
One building with TBL college
Sharing a building with the group’s vocational college (Tokyo Business and Language College) means contact with Japanese students and trial classes at vocational colleges — rare for a language school.
Small school
400 places, 49 countries
A small campus where the average student age is 27 (April 2026). There is a lecture hall, a library, a self-study room with computers, a lounge and consultation booths.
Local themes
SDGs and Ikebukuro subculture
Classes and activities built around the Sustainable Development Goals and Japanese subculture — Ikebukuro is known as an “SDGs city” and one of the centres of Japanese subculture.
ISI Ikebukuro (officially ISI外語カレッジ) 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 2002 as “ISI Tokyo” and since 2014 has been in Minami-Ikebukuro, 6 minutes on foot from the east exit of Ikebukuro Station, a major hub for JR, subway and private lines.
Unlike the large Shinjuku campus, Ikebukuro is a small, close-knit school with 400 places: students come from 49 countries and the average age is 27. The group’s vocational college TBL (Tokyo Business and Language College) is in the same building, so students can meet Japanese students and attend trial classes at vocational colleges.
The main program is Academic Japanese for entry to Japanese universities, graduate schools and vocational colleges. The first year costs ¥1,015,000, compared with ¥1,065,000 at the Shinjuku campus. Students can use all ISI group services — dormitories, scholarships and the career support centre.
Programs
Academic Japanese Course
For students who plan to enter a Japanese university, graduate school or vocational college. Balanced work on all skills from beginner to advanced level; you take a placement test when you arrive. First year ¥1,015,000, or ¥577,500 for six months (fees for April 2027 – March 2028).
Elective classes
EJU preparation — the exam for entry to Japanese universities. JLPT preparation — focused work towards the certificate exam. Job-hunting class — CVs, interviews and finding jobs in Japan. Practical conversation — real Japanese for everyday and work situations.
Short-term General Japanese Course
Students who need a short-term visa can get an invitation letter from the school (¥20,000); 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. 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 – ¥248,750
Class schedule
The school assigns your shift based on the placement test in the first days.
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
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 after graduating. Applications in April.
ISI Principal’s Award for Achievement — ¥50,000
One-off payment. For high attendance, excellent grades and at least one year of study at ISI schools.
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.
October Autumn intake
Academic course, 1 year 6 months. Apply by the end of May of the same year.
January Winter intake
Academic course, 1 year 3 months. Apply by the end of August of the previous year. By January you need about N5 and should be ready to move quickly to N4.
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 · men only
International House Shakujii-Koen
from ¥55,000 / monthsingle and twin rooms
10 minutes on foot from Shakujii-Koen Station, about 30–40 minutes to the ISI campuses. Furnished rooms with Wi-Fi; shared kitchen, laundry and lounge.
ISI dormitory · mixed
International House Toda
from ¥55,000 / monthseparate floors for men and women
5 minutes on foot from Toda Station (JR Saikyo Line) in Toda City, Saitama Prefecture. Kitchen, dining room, lounge, study room, gym and laundry; auto-lock entrance, security cameras and a live-in manager.
ISI dormitory · women only
International House Musashi-Seki
from ¥55,000 / monthsingle and twin rooms
9 minutes on foot from Musashi-Seki Station on the Seibu-Shinjuku Line, with direct trains to Takadanobaba and Seibu-Shinjuku. Kitchen, dining room and study room; live-in manager.
ISI dormitory
International House Shimo
from ¥109,000 / monthsingle rooms only, bedding included
7 minutes on foot from Shimo Station (Namboku Line) in a quiet, green neighbourhood. Meals in the dining hall are available for an extra fee.
Dormitory fees and terms
One-off fees: entry fee ¥40,000, equipment fee ¥30,000 and cleaning ¥20,000 (single room) or ¥10,000 (twin room). Rent is paid per term (3 months): the first term costs from ¥245,000 (twin room) to ¥417,000. Furniture, appliances, bedding and utilities are included; meals are not. The commute to school takes 20–60 minutes.
Other options
Guesthouses, weekly apartments and homestay
Guesthouse from ¥3,100 a night, weekly apartment from ¥4,500 a night, homestay with a Japanese family (breakfast and dinner) from ¥7,000 a night. We can help you choose and apply for housing together with your school application.
Photos and videos
Location
1-13-13 Minami-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-0022 — 6 minutes on foot from the east exit of Ikebukuro Station (JR, subway, Seibu and Tobu lines)
Questions about ISI Ikebukuro
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 about 150 hours of Japanese study or JLPT N5, must be 55 or younger 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. Your level is confirmed by an online test and an interview with a school representative when you apply.
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 April 2027 – March 2028). You can pay every six months — the first six months are ¥577,500. It is one of the most affordable ISI campuses in Tokyo.
How is ISI Ikebukuro different from the Shinjuku campus?
Ikebukuro is a small campus with 400 places and closer contact between students and teachers, while Shinjuku is the group’s largest campus with 4,300 places. The program and ISI services are the same, but Ikebukuro costs less, shares its building with TBL vocational college and builds activities around SDGs and subculture.
Where can I live while studying?
ISI has four dormitories in Tokyo and neighbouring Toda: a place in a twin room starts at ¥55,000 a month, single rooms cost more, utilities included. Rent is paid per term, with one-off fees of ¥80,000–¥90,000 the first time. 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 the airport when you arrive. Short-term course students cannot work.
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