Meet Japan in Kyoto,and the self you have yet to meet
A government-accredited Japanese language school in Kyoto, for students heading to university and for those who want to know Japanese culture.
TRACK RECORD
Top-ranked in Japan
Others before you have already met the self they didn't know yet.
Admission rate to national, public and top private universities and graduate schools2025: 182 of 205 students admitted to universities or graduate schools
Kyoto University
The University of Tokyo
National or Public University
Total admissions to date / Updated 2026.10
40–80people
Many JASSO scholarship recipients
Of the more than 500 award winners from about 800 schools nationwide, 40 to 80 each year are JCL students.
330/ 450
JCL students achieve high average scores in the Japanese component of the EJU exam.
National average: about 260 points out of 450 points, JCL annual average of more than 330 points out of 450 points, about 70 points higher than national average
80+people
Among the Japanese language schools with the most top scorers
80 or more highest scorers in each EJU subject each year
COURSES
Our courses
From first greetings to university lectures.
COURSE 01
University Preparation Course
For students who aim to enter a Japanese university or vocational college. They acquire the Japanese language ability they need in a systematic way. Beyond language, they deepen their understanding of Japanese society and culture, develop independence and an international outlook, and build the foundations for an active life in Japan after graduating.
Start- April
- July
- October
- January
COURSE 02
Japanese Culture and Language Course
Students learn living Japanese by coming into direct contact with Japanese culture while living in Japan. Through continued self-improvement they acquire the language ability needed to become a bridge between Japan and their own country in the future, and deepen their understanding of Japanese society and culture.
Start- April
How far your Japanese will go
CEFR is the international scale that rates language ability in six levels, from A1 to C2. Japan's Reference Framework for Japanese Language Education, used in the eligibility below, uses the same levels.
A1On entry
Greetings and simple self-introductions
A2
Everyday tasks such as shopping and asking for directions
B1
Talk about familiar topics and write connected text
B2Goal at graduation
Follow university lectures and express your own opinions
Classes center on Integrated Japanese, Reading, Listening, Conversation and Writing, combined with guidance for further study and hands-on cultural experience, so that what is learned can be put to use.
Start dates and courses
April2-year course (university prep, or Japanese culture and language)
Apply by (guide) Early August, previous year
July1 year 9 months (university prep)
Apply by (guide) Early December, previous year
October1 year 6 months (university prep)
Apply by (guide) Early February
January1 year 3 months (university prep)
Apply by (guide) Early June, previous year
The guide dates are for applicants coming from abroad. If you already live in Japan there is no residence status examination, so we can accept you much closer to the start date. We may close applications once a course is full.
About class hours
Class days
5 days a week (Monday to Friday)
Class hours
4 unit hours a day (180 minutes); 20 unit hours a week (900 minutes)
Learning environment
A place you'll come to every day.
Our school buildings
Hon-kan Building
Classrooms, student lounge, health center, etc.
Shin-kan Building
Classrooms, study rooms, and college guidance rooms are available.
Chuou-kan Building
Classrooms, teachers' offices, and guidance rooms are available.
Annex Building
Classrooms, multi-purpose classrooms, etc.
Coming to class every day
A good building means nothing if you don't come. JCL students are in class, day after day.
Recorded every day
Teachers take attendance in every class, and homeroom teachers check it and enter it into our system. At the end of each month, the head teacher and the office check it again.
We talk as soon as it slips
When a student's cumulative rate reaches 94% or 92%, a month falls to 80%, or absences without notice continue, the homeroom teacher meets them one-on-one right away.
Together with parents
Parents can check the attendance rate at any time on the JCL Portal. When needed, we contact parents and hold a three-way meeting.
Student evaluation of teaching
2026 academic year, second semester
Agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Disagree
“Overall, my studies this semester were worthwhile.”
96.5%
Positive
72.2%
24.4%
2.4%
1.1%
“%” is the share of students who chose “agree” or “somewhat agree” out of the four options.
September 2026 · All enrolled students
FEES ＆ DORMITORY
Cost at JCL
Before the dreams, an honest word about money.
※ the same for every entry point
Screening fee + Admission fee
¥120,000
Tuition
¥660,000
Facilities + Equipment
¥160,000
Teaching materials + Insurance + Health management
¥21,000
Scholarship
STUDENT LIFE
Life at JCL
Slowly, Kyoto mornings start to feel like yours.
Living Facilities｜Student dormitory
JCL owns nine student dormitories. All new students can live in one during their first year (from the second year, depending on availability).
All student dormitories are managed directly by the school. Each dormitory has a dedicated staff member who provides full support to students during their stay in Japan.
Exterior of House C1
All three-bedroom suites in House C1
Entrance to House C1
House C1 is a 1-minute walk from school
Exterior of House D
House D has rooms for two and is a 5-minute walk from school
Exterior of House E
House E has rooms for two and is a 6-minute walk from school.
Entrance to House F
House F has 3-room units and is a 1-minute walk from school
Exterior of House H
House H has rooms for one or two and is a 30-second walk from school
Entrance of the International House
The International House is mainly single rooms with a few rooms for two.
Side view of the International House
Also called K House. It's a 6-minute walk from school.
Exterior of House B
House B is a three-room suite
House B Entrance
House B is a 15-minute walk to the school
Exterior of House A
House A is a 2DK unit and can accommodate up to four people
House A corridor
1-minute walk to school
Environment
JCL is in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto. Stations and supermarkets are close by, so daily life is easy, and the area is quiet enough to focus on your studies. In Kyoto, a city with 1,200 years of history, you can experience Japanese culture between classes.
Public transportation is easy to reach from school, including the Keihan Line, subway, Kintetsu Line, JR and buses. Kyoto Station is only 3 stops (5 minutes) away.
藤森駅
Keihan Railway, 10-minute walk to school
くいな橋駅
Subway, 10-minute walk to school
竹田駅
Kintetsu Railway, 12-minute walk to school
龍谷大学前深草駅
Keihan Railway, 12-minute walk to school
Working part-time
Japan doesn't end at the classroom door.
Once the paperwork is done, you may work part-time within set limits.
the weekly limit
a week in the long holidays
The limits are set by immigration law. Your working hours are recorded each week in the school's weekly report system.
Life support
JCL provides full support for students to ensure that they arrive in Japan smoothly and become accustomed to life as a foreign student in Japan. Parents can also rest assured.
Eligibility
What you need for the first step.
- You will have graduated from high school by the time you enroll, or you expect to graduate
- At the time you apply, your Japanese is at CEFR-J A1 or above (JLPT, NAT, J-TEST or equivalent); A2 or above for the 1 year 3 months (university prep) course
- You have a clearly identified sponsor who can cover your costs while you study
- You intend to go on to a university in Japan (for the university preparation course only)
ADMISSION STEPS
How admission works
From application to arrival, one step at a time.
Apply
- Send us the pre-application questionnaire
- Interview — online over Zoom, or in person
- Submit your application documents
Screening & COE
- We review them; you pay the screening fee (35,000 yen) and admission fee (85,000 yen)
- The Immigration Services Agency examines your residence status (we apply on your behalf)
- The Certificate of Eligibility is issued (we receive it)
Fees & visa
- You pay tuition and dormitory fees
- We send you the Certificate of Eligibility and issue your letter of acceptance
- You apply for a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country
Arrival
- Once the visa is issued, you book your flight
- You arrive in Japan and start school
The Certificate of Eligibility takes time to be examined. Please start about eight months before your intended start date (around August of the previous year for April).
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Settle your worries before you come.
What do I need to apply? Do I need to speak Japanese already?
You can apply if: ・You will have graduated from high school by the time you enroll, or you expect to graduate ・At the time you apply, your Japanese is at CEFR-J A1 or above (JLPT, NAT, J-TEST or equivalent); A2 or above for the 1 year 3 months (university prep) course ・You have a clearly identified sponsor who can cover your costs while you study ・You intend to go on to a university in Japan (for the university preparation course only)
Can I apply if I already live in Japan?
Yes. If you already hold a residence status, there is no residence status examination, so we can accept you closer to the start date than applicants from abroad.
How do I start my application?
Send the online questionnaire first. No documents and no payment at this stage. It takes about ten minutes. An interview (on Zoom or in person) follows.
Go to the questionnaireNow it's your turn.
Start with the questionnaire
No documents and no payment at this stage. It takes about ten minutes.
認定番号
20252260085
JCL Foreign Language School
〒612-0029 6-4 Fukakusa Nishiura-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto
TEL：+81-75-644-1717
MAIL：info@group-jcl.com
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