Exchange Programs have been popular long before the era of anime and manga. Shinto shrines, flickering neon lights in Japanese metropolises, ancient temples, friendly people, and breathtaking landscapes from subtropical Okinawa to cold Hokkaido make the country one of the most popular travel destinations worldwide.
No wonder more and more people want to learn Japanese and visit Japan themselves. The internet is full of stories from travelers who have done “Work & Travel” in the Land of the Rising Sun and spent several months in Japan – but what exactly does this entail, and what are the available options for visiting Japan independently?
If you’re asking yourself these questions and are unsure how to plan a short or long stay in Japan, you’ve come to the right place. On this page, you’ll discover the various possibilities and requirements for spending time in Japan, along with solutions on how we can assist you in planning your stay.
How much time can I actually spend in Japan?
Many Japan enthusiasts have a strong desire to live in Japan for an extended period and perhaps even work there someday. Naturally, this isn’t easy, especially if you’ve never been to Japan and only know the country from stories and video games, not to mention not speaking the language.
To take the first step in the right direction, many people think of “Work & Travel” – working and traveling. In Japan, this type of travel is specifically called a “Working Holiday” – and it’s more about obtaining a visa than an independent journey. A Working Holiday, as the name suggests, involves spending an extended period in a foreign country and supporting yourself with part-time jobs. While it’s generally known that such a stay can last up to a year, this is not always the case.
At Nipponcademy, we differentiate between language stays, which can last from a few weeks up to three months (depending on the visa), and study stays, which allow you to live in Japan for up to two full years, complete with your own accommodation, language courses, and, if needed, a part-time job. Additionally, there are short language trips, which focus on experiencing the Land of the Samurai and Sushi for just two or three weeks.
Language Study Program, Student Visa Program, Language Trips – what exactly do these mean and whats the Difference?
Before we provide you with the information you’re eagerly waiting for, let’s briefly summarize the differences between the terms mentioned above. It is worth mentioning that our programs (an overview of our Japan programs can be found here) always include a Japanese language course at an official language school – unless explicitly stated otherwise in the description.
For a Study Visa Program, you don’t have to be a student – the term comes from the name of the visa. A study stay is facilitated with a student visa. With this visa, you can stay in the country for up to two years and must be under 55 years old at the time of application – there are no other requirements.
Language Study Programs are possible for up to a maximum of three months with a tourist visa.
Language trips are shorter trips of up to three weeks, which also include an activity program in the afternoon after the language course or on weekends. Which of the three categories suits you best depends on your age, the length of your planned stay, and your goals in Japan. The exact differences, possibilities, and requirements of the three options are explained in detail below.
Language Study Program (2 weeks ~ 3 months)
If you want to spend a shorter or longer period in Japan while learning the language, our Language Study Programs are certainly the best choice. These can be as short as a few weeks, or extend up to three months with a tourist visa. During your stay, you will live in your own accommodation, attend Japanese language school during the day, and have the opportunity to experience daily life in Japan up close.
On weekends and holidays, you can practice your Japanese skills with locals, travel with classmates, and explore different facets of Japan. You get to decide how long you want to learn Japanese at a language school. If you wish to immerse yourself fully and take your Japanese seriously, we recommend a course of at least three months, but the final choice is yours.
We handle all the bureaucratic, processing, and planning details of your trip. We support all types of visas suitable for such a stay and help you select the right visa, allowing you to relax and let us take care of the complicated preparation work!
Tourist Visa
Duration: up to 3 months
Work Permit: no
Age Limit: none
Other Requirements: none
If you travel to Japan as a tourist, you will receive a tourist visa stamp in your passport. As an American citizen, you can stay in Japan for up to 90 days without the need for a visa.
Despite the drawback of not being allowed to work with a tourist visa, this visa offers some advantages: For instance, you can travel across Japan with the JR Pass on the Shinkansen and avoid complicated application processes, making a spontaneous Japan trip possible just a few weeks before departure.
And if I want to stay longer?
As you can see, a language stay doesn’t necessarily equate to “Work & Travel.” With a tourist visa, you can stay in Japan for up to 90 days and explore the country while learning Japanese. If you want to stay longer, you need to consider a different option.
If you wish to stay in Japan for more than 90 days, you will need a student visa. This option requires more preparation but allows you to live in Japan for up to two years. In the next section, we will explain the requirements and benefits of the student visa in detail.
Student Visa Program (6 months ~ 2 years)
If you are still reading, you are likely interested in a longer stay in Japan. With a study stay, this is possible for up to two years. Let’s take a closer look at the visa required for this option:
Student Visa
Duration: 6 months – 2 years
Work Permit: yes (max. 28 hours/week)
Age Limit: 55 years
Other Requirements: only in combination with a language course
In addition to the tourist visa, it is also possible to arrange a longer stay in Japan with a student visa. The name of the visa can be a bit misleading – contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be a university student to obtain a student visa. This visa is also available to students of language schools. If you want to learn Japanese during your stay in Japan at one of our partner schools, you meet all the requirements for the so-called student visa.
Compared to the tourist visa, with the student visa you are allowed to work up to 28 hours per week – and considering that you want to enjoy your time in Japan, 28 hours should be more than enough. Additionally, there is no age restriction with the student visa, so it is suitable even if you are over 30 years old.
Can I really stay in Japan for two years?
The duration of your stay with a student visa can be a bit confusing, so let’s clarify it. Although you can stay in Japan for up to two years with a student visa, the exact duration depends on the initial date of your stay. Student visas are aligned with the school year, which always begins in April and ends in March.
Regardless of your initial date, your student visa will only be valid for the full two (school) years if you start your journey in April, as the following table shows:
- Start in April: up to 2 years
- Start in July: up to 1 year and 9 months
- Start in October: up to 1 year and 6 months
- Start in January: up to 1 year and 3 months
Still confused? Let’s illustrate this with an example.
Timo begins his trip to Japan in April 2024 and initially plans to stay for 6 months. After a few months in Japan, he realizes he loves the country and wants to stay longer. He extends his stay three times by 6 months each, until April 2026. He would like to stay even longer, but his maximum stay duration has now been reached. Timo returns home, planning to apply for a university stay in Japan. This requires a new student visa, which is not a problem!
Now, let’s consider Anna. She also wants to stay in Japan for a longer period and signs up for a six-month stay starting in October 2024. Like Timo, she extends her stay every 6 months but can only stay until April 2026, meaning her maximum stay duration is 1 year and 6 months because she missed the first 6 months of the 2024 school year.
Your Benefits with Nipponcademy
If you’ve read this far, you already know quite a bit about the opportunities available to you. Now it’s time to highlight some potential drawbacks and complications. However, we want to emphasize that we take care of all these aspects for you, ensuring your stay in Japan is well-prepared. If you’re already certain about planning your stay in Japan with Nipponcademy, you can skip the following section and go directly to “On-site support”.
Enrollment at a Language School
Many language schools have an English website, but the enrollment process is not as straightforward as it seems. With unclear pricing, prices listed in yen, and questions about how to transfer dollar to yen, the process can be daunting. Who do you contact with questions, and how does the registration process work?
We handle all of this for you. Our partnership with language schools is contractually regulated, and we maintain daily contact with school administrations. You can address all your questions directly to your Japan coordinator in english.
Your Japan coordinator is the person who is available for you before, during, and even after your trip via WhatsApp & co., and helps you to plan your trip. You will receive qualified answers to all your questions as soon as possible.
Organisation of your Accommodation
Arranging an accommodation can be even more complicated. Usually, as an exchange student, you have onlygot two options:
- You can hope for one of the few available student rooms at the language school, or
- You have to rent an overpriced room through one of the countless “Work & Travel” agencies.
As a participant in our Japan program, you simply specify your accommodation preferences during the registration process. Whether you want to stay in a student dormitory, a shared apartment, with a host family, or in your own apartment: we take care of it. Promised.
In cooperation with many partners in Japan, we can organize accommodations and even entire apartments that are otherwise only available to Japanese residents through the local housing market. You only pay the raw rental price, so a private apartment in the middle of Tokyo can sometimes be had for less than $500/month – all-inclusive!
On-site Support
Whatever you need in Japan, we are there to help you! Through the intensive, personal contact with your Japan coordinator, you always have someone to ask about any little detail via WhatsApp. Our team is completely enthusiastic about Japan and enjoys their work, so don’t hesitate to ask if questions arise.
Whether you need an airport transfer, can’t find your train, have issues with your roommate, or simply need a tip for the next weekend trip, you will get a quick and satisfactory answer.
Events and Activities
Are you traveling abroad for the first time and worried about making friends? Let’s dispel that concern because it is completely unfounded. Aside from the fact that you will have many amazing people around you from your first day of school, with whom you will certainly do activities after class, our English-speaking community on-site grows from week to week.
At our monthly events, you will not only meet other English-speaking students but also our Japanese colleagues with whom you can practice your newly acquired Japanese skills. You will notice that your conversational ability improves month by month as the language lessons are very intensive and the learning pace is relatively fast.
Our events offer something for everyone: a Hanami party in Yoyogi Park, a karaoke session in Shinjuku, a trip to the beach, or a sleepover in Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma are just a few examples. You can find an overview of our events here.
How to Proceed?
First of all, let’s say this: You do not need a credit card to register with us. Payment for your stay in Japan is due only a few weeks before departure – until then, you can cancel your registration at any time without giving reasons. It’s up to you whether you register directly for the Exchange program of your choice or contact us first for a consultation.
In personal conversations, you get to know us and prepare your trip to Japan together with us – starting with the application for your passport to essential things like luggage, vaccinations, and much more.
If you are still interested at this point and have questions or want to discuss your personal travel plan with an expert, you can easily contact us.