Schools/Chiba/
Matsudo International School
Chiba
·Matsudo
Matsudo International School
松戸国際学院
1 min from the station
40 min to Tokyo
Dorms from ¥25,000
About the school
A Japanese language school in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture, 1 minute from the station and about 40 minutes from central Tokyo. Teaching since 1989, with its own dormitories from ¥25,000 a month.
Founded1989
Course length1–2 years
IntakesApr · Jul · Oct · Jan
What makes it different
Affordable living next to Tokyo
The school is 1 minute from the station in Matsudo, and central Tokyo is about 40 minutes away. A place in the school dormitory costs from ¥25,000 a month — a fraction of Tokyo prices. If you are thinking about a career in elderly care, there is a scholarship that helps with rent and tuition.
Location
1 minute from the station, 40 minutes to Tokyo
The school is by Yabashira and Shin-Yahashira stations in Matsudo. A calm, affordable city, with central Tokyo less than an hour away.
Housing
Dormitories from ¥25,000 a month
The school’s own dormitories are 5–10 minutes on foot, with furniture and bedding in place; the move-in fee is ¥77,000. A single room is ¥35,000–¥40,000 a month.
Teaching
The school’s own online platform
Besides classroom lessons, students work on the school’s platform on a computer or smartphone: the school’s own materials, games and spaced repetition of vocabulary.
Careers
A route into elderly care, with a scholarship
A school scholarship for future care workers: ¥30,000 a month towards rent and ¥50,000 a month towards tuition, plus part-time work at partner care facilities. There is also a Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能) course.
Matsudo International School (松戸国際学院) was founded in 1989 in Matsudo, one of the largest cities in Chiba Prefecture, on the border with Tokyo. Yabashira Station (Keisei Matsudo Line) and Shin-Yahashira Station (JR Musashino Line) are 1 minute on foot, and central Tokyo is about 40 minutes away. Life in Matsudo is noticeably cheaper than in the capital.
The main program is a student-visa course (長期留学コース) of 1 to 2 years, starting in January, April, July and October. The goal is JLPT N2–N1 for entry to a vocational college or university, or for work in Japan. Classes run about 4 hours a day, Monday to Friday, in groups of 12–20: the first year in the afternoon shift, the second in the morning. Besides textbooks, the school uses its own online platform with exercises and spaced repetition.
The school has its own dormitories 5–10 minutes on foot: a shared room for two is ¥25,000–¥30,000 a month and a single room ¥35,000–¥40,000. It also runs a Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能) course for work in hotels and elderly care, and offers a scholarship for future care workers approved by Chiba Prefecture.
Programs
Student-visa course (長期留学コース)
For students aiming at JLPT N2–N1 and then a vocational college, university or job in Japan. About 4 hours a day, Monday to Friday, in groups of 12–20: first year 13:15–16:45, second year 9:00–12:30. Reading, writing, listening, speaking and JLPT preparation.
Whole course, 2 years (April)¥1,477,000
Specified Skilled Worker course (特定技能, tokutei gino)
Preparation for work in Japan in hospitality, the hotel industry and elderly care. For students who plan to find a job on a Specified Skilled Worker visa after language school.
General course for current visa holders (一般コース)
Levels from beginner to advanced; you can pay for anything from one week to two terms. For people already living in Japan on another visa.
Short-term and private lessons
An introductory course for beginners (2–3 weeks), seasonal courses in spring, summer and winter with a cultural program, private lessons and mini-group classes.
First-year costs
Application fee¥22,000
Tuition, first year¥755,000
Total, first year¥777,000
Whole course, 2 years — ¥1,477,000
Payment terms and extra costs
Scholarships and discounts
Care-worker scholarship (介護奨学金) — ¥30,000 + ¥50,000 a month
Support: ¥30,000 a month towards rent (¥180,000 in total) and ¥50,000 a month towards tuition (¥300,000 in total), plus part-time work at partner care facilities for ¥1,000 an hour.
Conditions: a student-visa student with excellent attendance and grades, JLPT N3 by graduation, and living in the designated housing. The program runs for 8–9 years: 2 years of language school, 2 years of college and 5 years of work. It is approved by Chiba Prefecture, and you can apply after 6 months of study.
School awards
Awards for 100% attendance, top results in class, effort, and passing JLPT N3, N2 and N1. They are presented at the end of each term and after exam results are announced.
Intakes
April Main intake
Student-visa course, up to 2 years. The school asks for applications at least 6 months before the start: it takes about 5 months from application to the screening result.
July Summer intake
Student-visa course, up to 1 year 9 months. Apply at least 6 months ahead, so by around January.
October Autumn intake
Student-visa course, up to 1 year 6 months. Apply at least 6 months ahead, by around April.
January Winter intake
Student-visa course, up to 1 year 3 months. Apply at least 6 months ahead, by around July. Ask us for the exact deadlines for each intake.
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 dormitory
Dormitories near the school
¥25,000 – ¥40,000 / monthshared room ¥25,000–¥30,000, single ¥35,000–¥40,000; one-off move-in fee ¥77,000
5–10 minutes on foot from the school or two stations away. Furniture, bedding and everything you need are provided; the internet connection is shared. Places are limited, and the price depends on the building.
Guesthouse or your own apartment
Guesthouse: about ¥42,000 a month. Own apartment: rent from ¥40,000 a month, but signing the contract costs roughly 4–6 months’ rent. The school works with real-estate agencies.
Living in Matsudo
Matsudo is a calm satellite city of Tokyo: housing and everyday costs are noticeably lower than in the capital, and central Tokyo is about 40 minutes away. You can also live with relatives if the trip to school takes no more than 45 minutes.
Photos and videos
Location
Yuasa Bldg. 3F, 1-1-6 Higurashi, Matsudo-shi, Chiba 270-2253 — 1 minute on foot from Yabashira Station (Keisei Matsudo Line) and Shin-Yahashira Station (JR Musashino Line)
Questions about Matsudo International School
Can I start with no Japanese at all?
Not for the student visa: you need at least 150 hours of Japanese study, ideally JLPT N5. With N4 or above you can go straight into a stronger class. We will advise you on how to prove your study hours when you apply.
I have 11 years of school. Can I apply?
The school’s website does not state a separate requirement for years of education, but a Japanese student visa usually needs 12 years of education. With 11 years you usually need extra proof of education — for example a college diploma or a certificate of university study. Check your case with us before you apply.
How much does it cost?
For the April intake the first year is ¥777,000: the ¥22,000 application fee plus ¥755,000 for the first year. The second year is ¥700,000, so the 2-year course is ¥1,477,000. Other intakes cost a different amount — we will confirm it for yours.
Is there a dormitory, and how much is it?
Yes, the school has its own dormitories 5–10 minutes on foot: a shared room for two is ¥25,000–¥30,000 a month and a single ¥35,000–¥40,000, plus a one-off fee of ¥77,000. Places are limited, so the school also helps with guesthouses and apartments.
Can I work while studying?
Yes, once you have permission from immigration: up to 28 hours a week (8 hours a day in school holidays). Students on the care scholarship program work part-time at partner care facilities for ¥1,000 an hour.
Is the school in Chiba or in Tokyo?
In Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture, 1 minute from Yabashira and Shin-Yahashira stations. Matsudo borders Tokyo, and central Tokyo is about 40 minutes by train.
Compare
