Study Abroad in Japan

Your study abroad Japan experience will not only take you to the world’s tenth most populated country, but it will also take you to a land that values both deep-rooted traditions and modern-day progressions.

Best Study Abroad Programs in Japan

Japanese Educational System

Japan is a highly technologically advanced nation with a rich culture and fascinating history. Along with a strong sense of preserving Japan’s rich past, the new generation pushes the society towards modern innovations and cutting edge technology that is taking the entire world by storm.

In Japan, speeding bullet trains arrive on time with unbelievable precision, food items on ipads have replaced people, and household toilets have more buttons than your tv remote control. Alongside are geishas, tea ceremonies and Shinto shrines that are all an integral part of the daily life in Japan.

The fact that the Japanese economy is the second largest in the world, the high standards of its industries and the superior standard of its products speaks volumes about its education system. The quality of training and education given in Japanese schools, apart from anything else, should be reason enough for anyone to consider Japan study abroad.

Best Universities in Japan for International Students

The Japanese have always been known for their dedication to educational excellence, so their study abroad programs demonstrate this while also combining hands-on activities in various academic locations.

Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, is home to the University of Tokyo. This university was the first-ever national university in Japan to offer a wide variety of courses to both graduates and undergraduates. Known as one of the leading research universities in the world, it has three campus locations and has drawn over 2,500 international students each semester. It’s also home to the University Museum, which has over 6.4 million items that students can use for their research.

You could study in the third largest island in Japan, Kyūshū, and visit Nagasaki Prefecture, which is home to Nagasaki University. This University is known for its Institute of Tropical Medicine, but it also offers courses in Education, Dentistry, Engineering and Environmental Studies. With three different campus locations and an International Student Center that offers Japanese lessons to visiting students, Nagasaki University is an academic and cultural meeting ground for students that study abroad.

There are also many more highly rated study abroad programs you can join in places Tokyo, Nagasaki and other Japanese cities.

Study in Tokyo

Tokyo, the capital city of Japan is known for its amazing attractions and historical perspectives. When living here there is so much to see and do.

For a more peaceful and relaxing experience, you can visit Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, which is home to over 2,800 plants and animals and features over 20 mountain peaks.

If you prefer a more metropolitan feel you can visit Shinjuku, a bustling location full of skyscrapers, department stores, camera shops, restaurants and hotels.

If you’re into technological gadgets, computers or anime, you can visit Akihabara Electric Town. This major Japanese shopping area has just about anything electronic that you would want to buy. From televisions, phones and kitchen appliances to computers, tablets, you’ll be lost in wonder as you stroll through this fantasy shopping district.

Costs

Japan is a very expensive country to live in. On an estimate, study abroad students should be prepared for a monthly expense ranging between $300 to $500 on school and personal expenses. High school study abroad in Japan is better if you choose a program that includes arrangement of stay with a host family. However, you need to be careful and sensitive to the rules of the Japanese society that has a strong familial foundation and an inherently potent sense of reputation, obligation and responsibility.

Culture

Study abroad in Japan can allow you to integrate into this rich culture where you may experience new ways of greeting the host family, bathing in a manner different from what you have been used to and learning to live in a limited space.

Study abroad programs in Japan will expose you to a healthy mix of ultra modern, high tech living with traditional cultural values, such as thrift and simplicity. A short course to learn in Japanese in Japan is helpful for faster adaptation to local customs. This will also enrich your interactions in school and with the host family.

The Japanese are meticulous to the point of perfection and make sure that there is a designated teacher for foreign students at each school to assist them in the selection of subjects as well as homeroom class. The Japanese school system is rigorous and strict and has well defined rules of dress, hairstyle, shoes, and the length of skirt and use of make up and accessories.

Teachers, rather than students, change classrooms to enable students for high school summer abroad to integrate faster into the class community.

Visa

Entry into Japan requires a tourist or student visa depending on your nationality and the length of stay. For example, if you are from Austria, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, United Kingdom, or Mexico, you may not require any visa if your stay is limited to six months. For many other countries, this provision applies only for a less than a 90-day stay. Getting a students visa, however, is a simple process requiring minimal routine documentation, provided there is no lacunae in your eligibility.

Reasons to Study in Japan

One of the primary appeals that attracts foreign students to Japan is the desire to experience a totally unique society and country with friendly people and really tasty food.

The high level of technological advancement in industries like motor vehicles, electronic equipment, textiles, chemicals, machine tools, and steel is also persuasive to find out how people get into these careers. Some industrial houses even offer study abroad scholarships and the opportunity to work with them on internships in Japan. This can provide valuable experience in a highly disciplined environment that Japan is famous for.

Even on a summer study abroad trip, simply to study Japanese can provide a deep insight into some of the world’s most beautiful poetry, art, and architecture.

Your study abroad experience can include visiting Sensō-ji, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple that features the Kaminarimon Gate, a massive entrance that is decorated with traditional paper lanterns and huge statues of Japanese gods.

If you travel for a summer study program you can walk along the streets of Ginza, a popular Tokyo destination full of shopping, fine food and coffeehouses.

Travel and Free Time

With over 100 million residents, Japan offers many different ways to travel between cities.

The most reliable way to travel is to use the network of railway systems that run through the four largest islands of the country – Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku.

Most of these trains are operated by Japanese Railways, a global train travel system that also offers services as far away as New York and Paris. You can either get a regular train ticket for a one-way travel, or you can get a rail pass which allows you unlimited usage on any of the Japanese Railways trains in the world.

Buses are the second most popular mode of transportation in Japan. Not only are they cheaper than train tickets, but they also offer routes through every major city in Japan. But even though they are more accessible than trains, they may also be more confusing to use because few offer directions and maps in English. You can go to Japan-Guide.com’s How to Use a Bus page here to get directions on properly using the bus system.

Of course you can always rent a car or hail a taxi for your travels in Japan. To rent a car you will need an international driving permit, which needs to be obtained before you leave for your study abroad trip. Once you have that, you can rent a car from a company like Mazda Rentacar or Nissan Rentacar.

Taxis are usually very expensive, so they should only be used as a last resort. You can use them to get to different train and bus stops, but you should never use them to travel long distances.

Finally, bicycles are a great way to get around Japan. Known as jitensha, bikes are used to travel to work, school and most other locations. If you buy or rent a bike, you can use it to ride to a train station if necessary and park it at any of the designated bicycled parking areas located outside of the station. You may even find a garage that is dedicated solely to parking bikes.

Whether you decide to study the ancient history of Japan or see how it has become an international icon for economic growth, your study abroad Japan experience will be unforgettable.