Yes, we accept students of all levels. If you’re completely new to Japanese, you will be arranged to join our Basic Japanese courses, in which teachers will go through the fundamental knowledge, such as Hiragana and Katakana.

However, to make the most of your journey, we strongly recommend our students to at least get familiar with Hiragana and Katakana before school starts.

The learning intensity varies according to your purpose of study. Generally speaking, as long as you maintain a good attendance rate and try your best to learn, you will pass. But for most students, passing the course is not their ultimate goal. If you’re looking to pursue higher education or employment in Japan, you need to do better than passing.

In conclusion, Meko’s learning intensity gives you the flexibility to learn at your own pace or to meet higher expectations.

We have many students who work part-time while attending school. Most students are able to keep up, because our teachers only give out homework occasionally. As long as you pay full attention during class, you will be able to pass our courses.

We award a Japanese Language Learning Diploma to students who have successfully completed a long-term course (with a minimum enrollment of 1 year) at Meko. Additionally, we are pleased to offer proof of study or certificates to students enrolled in short-term courses upon request.

You may enroll mid-term if you have already studied Japanese, and it is determined that you can sufficiently comprehend class content. Please contact the school for details.

While most of our language teachers are proficient in English, not all of them are completely fluent. As a result, classes are primarily conducted in Japanese to foster an authentic local atmosphere in the learning environment.

Rest assured that we always have English-speaking staff on campus, ensuring that you won't encounter any communication issues.

The cost of living in Tokyo (rent, food, utilities and other general expenses) ranges from approximately 85,000 to 200,000 JPY per month. The cost really depends on your lifestyle. Buying seasonal ingredients and making your own meal is much cheaper than eating out. Generally speaking, if you get a part-time job with a fair hourly wage and steady hours, you will be able to afford most of the general expenses with your part-time income. It is important to do your research or let us know about your budget. Our consultant will be able to give you the best advice based on your financial situation.

This will depend on the location of your accommodation. Generally speaking, if you live in the Shinjuku area, your transportation fees can range from 5,000 to 13,000 JPY. However, if you end up living far from the campus, you can apply for MEKO’s Student Transit Assistance Program, which will cover a portion of your transportation fees as compensation. *Please keep in mind that this program is only be available to a limited number of students. The qualifications vary depending on individual circumstances.

Yes, all of our student residents have access to laundry facilities within the building. Depending on the type of apartment, many suites also feature private laundry rooms.

Yes, always! We have English-speaking staff available to assist you whenever needed. Our support includes, but is not limited to, applying for a bank card, setting up transit cards, and finding part-time jobs. Additionally, we have dedicated student support staff who regularly collect feedback from our students to ensure their well-being both inside and outside of class.

Some essentials include cash, an emergency credit card, all-season clothing, your favorite books in your native language, a power adapter if needed, extra chargers and a lightweight backpack for school. We also recommend you bring at least one pair of comfortable shoes, as you’ll likely be walking between locations frequently.

Keep in mind that you won’t be able to apply for a Japanese credit card until after 6 months of living in Japan, so please bring enough cash with you. If you’re planning on using an international credit card, make sure you will be able to top up your credit card balance wirelessly in Japan.

We also suggest you bring clothing according to your intended purpose in Japan. If you’re looking to work, whether it's part-time or full-time, it's a social norm to wear semi-formal clothing. You don’t have to wear suits, but shorts and tank tops are definitely considered inappropriate for the workplace. And no hats in class please.

We recommend that you bring at least 200,000 yen, including the train fee upon arrival, the purchase of household items for a week, and food expenses.

The simplest method is, prior to your departure, create an account at a bank that has a branch in Japan, such as Citibank. You can withdraw cash at a Japanese branch or ATM.

Passing through Japanese customs is a standard procedure in general. However, there's one important aspect to prepare for if you intend to work part-time with a student visa.

During the customs process, you'll have the opportunity to complete the work permit application. This application is officially known as the “Application for permission to engage in activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted”. It's an essential step if you intend to engage in part-time work while studying in Japan.

You also have the option to complete the form before arriving in Japan. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Click here to download the form

It is not mandatory but we highly recommend you to learn at least Hiragana and Katakana, This is the foundation of Japanese and will help you to make the most out of your classes and daily encounters.

Not everyone in Japan understands and is able to communicate in English. Although most people are patient and try their best to help foreigners, the language barrier is definitely something to be prepared for.

DO’S

- Keep to the left side when walking, driving, riding a bike or standing on the escalator.
- Smoke in designated areas ONLY.
- Hang on to your rubbish.
- Keep your volume as low as possible on public transportation.
- Take off your shoes when required.

DON’TS

- Don’t tip.
- Don’t walk while eating.
- Don’t take up priority seats on public transport if you don’t need them.
- Don’t stick chopsticks in rice.
- Don’t snap photos of strangers without their permission.
- Try not to blow your nose in public.