Schools/Tokyo/
Sanko Japanese Language School
Tokyo
·Hongo & Ayase
Sanko Japanese Language School
SANKO日本語学校
Route into group colleges
Two campuses in Tokyo
JLPT discount up to ¥70,000
About the school
The language school of the Sanko Gakuen education group, which runs more than 60 vocational colleges and a university. Two Tokyo campuses, Hongo and Ayase, prepare students for further study, and you can enter the group’s colleges on recommendation and at a discount.
Founded2016
Course length1–2 years
IntakesApr · Jul · Oct
What makes it different
Japanese plus a direct route into 60+ group colleges
SANKO is the language school of the Sanko Gakuen education group: more than 60 vocational colleges in 12 Japanese cities, a university and a junior college. While you learn Japanese you can try different careers in trial classes, then enter a group college on recommendation without exams and with ¥120,000 off; the best students get up to ¥500,000 a year.
Further study
A route into Sanko Gakuen colleges
More than 60 vocational colleges, a university and a junior college. Entry on recommendation without exams, ¥120,000 off for every graduate, and 特待生 (scholarship student) status worth up to ¥500,000 a year for the best.
Choosing a career
Trial classes in different fields
Beauty, weddings, tourism, cooking and pastry, sport, childcare and elderly care, healthcare — try them before you choose a college.
Discounts
Up to ¥70,000 off with a JLPT certificate
With N4 the first year costs ¥20,000 less, with N3 ¥50,000 less and with N2 ¥70,000 less. Plus JASSO, Kyoritsu and LSH Asia scholarships for students of the school.
Two campuses in Tokyo
Hongo or Ayase
Hongo is a student area next to the University of Tokyo, 5 minutes from Hongo-sanchome Station. Ayase is a quiet residential area with more affordable housing and a cheaper program.
SANKO (SANKO日本語学校) belongs to the Sanko Gakuen education group (学校法人三幸学園), founded in 1985. The group includes Tokyo Future University, Odawara Junior College and more than 60 vocational colleges (専門学校) in 12 major Japanese cities, with more than 120,000 graduates. There are two language schools, both in Tokyo: the main school, SANKO Tokyo (SANKO日本語学校東京) in Hongo (Bunkyo), open since 2016 next to the University of Tokyo, and SANKO Ayase (SANKO日本語学校綾瀬) in the residential area of Ayase (Adachi), opened in 2021.
The main program is a Japanese course for entry to colleges and universities: 2 years, 1 year 9 months, 1.5 years or 1 year. Over 2 years students go from beginner (N5–N4 goals) to advanced (N1): reading long texts, essays, discussions and the news. Students aiming for university get extra EJU preparation classes. Classes run in two sessions — morning (9:10–12:40) and afternoon (13:45–17:15).
What sets SANKO apart is its link with the group’s colleges. Students attend events and trial classes in different careers and meet Japanese students and senior international students at the colleges. Entry to Sanko Gakuen schools on recommendation can be without exams, and every SANKO graduate is exempt from the ¥20,000 application fee and ¥100,000 of the tuition.
Programs
2-year Preparation Course (進学2年コース)
For beginners who want to enter a Japanese vocational college or university. Four stages: beginner (months 1–9, N5–N4 goals), upper beginner (10–12, N3), intermediate (13–18, N2) and advanced (19–24, N1) — grammar, kanji, conversation, reading, essays, discussions and the news.
Whole course, Hongo / Ayase¥1,712,000 / ¥1,602,600
Shorter courses: 1 year 9 months, 1.5 years and 1 year
For students who have already studied Japanese and want to move on to college or university sooner. The same program as the 2-year course in less time, so it is best to arrive with basic Japanese. Your class is set by a test after arrival.
Whole course¥836,600 – ¥1,530,500
Careers and EJU preparation
For students on all courses who are choosing where to study next: events and trial classes at Sanko Gakuen colleges — beauty, weddings, tourism, cooking and pastry, sport, childcare and elderly care, healthcare. Extra EJU preparation classes, and advice on choosing a school, documents and interviews.
First-year costs
Application fee¥20,000
Enrollment fee¥100,000
Tuition, first year¥660,000
Other fees, first year¥136,000
Total, first year¥916,000
Whole course, 2 years (Hongo) — ¥1,712,000
Payment terms and extra costs
Scholarships and discounts
JLPT discount on entry — up to ¥70,000
N4: ¥20,000, N3: ¥50,000, N2: ¥70,000, deducted from the first-year fees. You prove your level with a certificate when you apply.
Benefits at Sanko Gakuen colleges — up to ¥500,000
Every SANKO graduate: no ¥20,000 application fee and ¥100,000 off tuition. Best exam results: 特待生 status — up to ¥500,000 a year off tuition. On the school’s recommendation you can enter without exams.
Scholarships for students of the school
JASSO — ¥30,000 a month for 1 year; a JASSO reservation for your college or university studies — ¥48,000 a month for 1 year; Kyoritsu Maintenance — ¥60,000 a month for 1 year; LSH Asia — ¥100,000 one-off. Selected from students of the school.
Intakes
April Main intake
2-year and 1-year courses, both campuses (Hongo: up to 70 places on the 2-year course and 20 on the 1-year course; Ayase: 60 and 10). Applications for April 2027 from early September to mid-November 2026.
July Summer intake
1 year 9 months, Hongo campus only (up to 20 places). Applications from early December to mid-February.
October Autumn intake
1.5 years, both campuses (Hongo up to 40 places, Ayase 30). Applications from early March to mid-May.
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 housing
Partner dormitories and share houses
from ¥40,000 / monthincluding utilities and internet, according to listings
No school-owned dormitory is listed on the official website; places are available with the school’s partners. Housing is arranged about 1.5 months before the course starts, and a place is not guaranteed. Ask us for current prices.
Living near the Hongo campus
Hongo is a quiet student area next to the University of Tokyo, 10 minutes on foot from Ochanomizu Station. Rent here is higher than in outer areas, so many students live in nearby districts and commute by subway.
Ayase campus — cheaper housing
Ayase is a quiet residential area in north-east Tokyo (Adachi) where rent is noticeably lower than in the centre. Chiyoda Line trains run to central Tokyo with no change.
Photos and videos
Location
Hongo campus: 3-24-17 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033 — 5 minutes on foot from Hongo-sanchome Station (Marunouchi / Oedo lines), 6 minutes from Yushima Station (exit 3, Chiyoda Line), 10 minutes from Ochanomizu. Ayase campus: 1-7-11 Higashi-Ayase, Adachi-ku, Tokyo 120-0004 — near Ayase and Kita-Ayase stations.
Questions about Sanko Japanese Language School
Can I start with no Japanese at all?
On the 2-year course starting in April, yes — the program starts from beginner level. But for a student visa you need to show Japanese study before you apply (usually at least 150 hours). For the shorter courses it is best to arrive with a foundation.
I have 11 years of school. Can I apply?
The school requires 12 years of education or an education that qualifies you for university in your country. With 11 years of school, ask us early whether you can apply. Keep in mind that Japanese colleges and universities usually also require 12 years of education after language school — with 11 years you may need a year of university or college study at home.
How much does it cost?
At the Hongo campus the 1-year course costs ¥916,000 (application fee ¥20,000, enrollment fee ¥100,000, tuition ¥660,000 and other costs ¥136,000); the 2-year course is ¥1,712,000 in total. Ayase is cheaper: 1 year — ¥836,600, 2 years — ¥1,602,600. With a JLPT N4–N2 certificate the first year costs ¥20,000–¥70,000 less.
What are the advantages when entering Sanko Gakuen colleges?
On the school’s recommendation you can enter without exams. Every SANKO graduate is exempt from the ¥20,000 application fee and ¥100,000 of the tuition, and those with the best exam results get 特待生 status — up to ¥500,000 a year off. You can also apply to other colleges and universities in Japan — the school helps you choose and prepare documents.
How are the Hongo and Ayase campuses different?
Hongo (Bunkyo) is the main campus, in a student area next to the University of Tokyo, with three intakes a year (April, July, October). Ayase (Adachi) is a 100-place campus in a quiet residential area with cheaper housing; it has intakes in April and October and a lower enrollment fee — ¥50,000.
Where can I live, and can I work part-time?
Places are available in partner dormitories and share houses, from ¥40,000 a month according to listings; housing is arranged about 1.5 months before the course starts. With a student visa and permission you can work up to 28 hours a week (8 hours a day in school holidays).
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