For short-term study (visa-exempt entry), yes — you can absolutely start from scratch with just the Japanese alphabet. However, if you plan to apply for long-term study of 6 months or more (student visa), Japan's Immigration Services Agency has tightened its requirements. The old '150-hour study certificate' is no longer accepted. For a long-term visa, we now recommend having at least JLPT N5 (or passing the school's Japanese placement interview).
The key differences lie in duration, visa type, and core purpose. Choose based on your goals:
- Short-Term Study (2 weeks – 3 months)：Ideal for using school holidays, paid leave, or a career transition gap to improve spoken Japanese and experience daily life in Japan. No study visa required — Taiwanese passport holders can enter visa-free for up to 90 days, making this the easiest first step into life in Japan.
- Long-Term Study (6 months – 2 years)：Best for those aiming to reach fluent Japanese (JLPT N2/N1 or above), or planning to pursue higher education or a career in Japan. Requires a 'Student' residence status (student visa). Benefits include full academic and career support, plus the legal right to work part-time (up to 28 hours/week) to help cover living costs.
The key is matching the school to your study purpose and personal preferences. Consider these dimensions:
- Teaching Style：Do you want practical everyday conversation, or a school focused on exam prep and university entrance (JLPT, EJU)?
- City & Lifestyle：Do you prefer the energy and resources of a major city like Tokyo or Osaka, or a smaller city with lower costs and a more relaxed pace?
- Nationality Mix：Do you want a diverse international student body, or a community with more Mandarin-speaking peers for mutual support?
HAOGAKU's services are completely free for students — we charge zero agency fees. All tuition is paid directly to the Japanese school at their official rates, with no markups or hidden charges. The main costs you need to prepare for are:
- School Fees：Tuition, application fee, enrollment fee, and materials fee.
- Living Expenses：Accommodation, daily living costs, flights, and overseas insurance.
No — accommodation is a separate cost. Japanese schools offer a wide variety of housing options, typically ranging from ¥30,000 to ¥90,000 per month depending on the city, neighborhood, and room type (single vs. shared). Beyond school dorms, we also have long-term partnerships with local rental networks and student apartment providers that don't require a guarantor. Before you apply, our consultants will walk you through all accommodation options and costs based on your budget.
Japan's student visa (Certificate of Eligibility, COE) review typically takes 2–3 months. To allow plenty of time, we strongly recommend starting the application process 5–6 months before your intended enrollment date. Japan's immigration authority applies strict standards for long-term visas. The most critical factors are the quality of your 'Study Purpose Statement' and the completeness of your financial documentation. Students who follow our consultant's guidance step-by-step have an excellent track record of approval — there's no need to worry excessively about the rate.
Students on a long-term student visa (6 months or more) are legally required to enroll in Japan's National Health Insurance (Kokumin Kenko Hoken). Once enrolled, you typically only pay 30% of medical costs, covering standard consultations, prescriptions, and basic dental care. Premiums are calculated based on your declared income from the previous year in Japan. Since newly arrived students have no prior-year income on record, premiums are usually heavily reduced — often as low as ¥1,000–2,000 per month. We cover the full process for registering at your local ward office (kuyakusho) during our pre-departure orientation.
Yes. As long as you hold a long-term student visa and obtain 'Permission to Engage in Activity Other than That Permitted' (資格外活動許可) — either at the airport on arrival or afterward at an immigration office — you can work legally. Japanese law caps student part-time work at 28 hours per week (up to 8 hours/day and 40 hours/week during school holidays). Minimum wages vary by region. In major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, hourly rates are roughly ¥1,100–1,300; in smaller cities, around ¥950–1,050. Part-time work not only helps with daily expenses — it's one of the best ways to build spoken Japanese and integrate into Japanese society.
Yes — but successfully obtaining a Japanese work visa depends primarily on your educational background and Japanese ability:
- Educational Background：You must hold a Taiwanese college diploma (associate degree, bachelor's, or above), or have completed a Japanese vocational school program or higher.
- Japanese Language Requirement：Under Japan's latest immigration guidelines, if your target role involves communication-based duties (e.g. sales, translation, business services, hospitality management) and the employer is a small-to-medium Japanese company, JLPT N2 (CEFR B2) or above will be mandatory when applying for a work visa.