Practical Japanese Learning
Learn grammar and vocabulary, then practice using them through speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities designed to develop real-world communication skills.
Core Japanese Language Course
Study Japanese in Japan with Genki Japanese and Culture School (GenkiJACS), an award-winning Japanese language school offering practical, communication-focused lessons for international students. The Core Japanese Course is available at our schools in Fukuoka, Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya and Okinawa, with classes for complete beginners and learners at higher levels.
Learn Japanese in small classes of up to 8 students, with 20 lessons per week covering grammar, speaking, listening, reading, and writing. New classes start on most Mondays, and students can choose a course duration to suit their plans, subject to course and visa requirements. Optional modules let you add extra conversation practice or location-specific cultural experiences to your studies.
Why This Course?
Small classes
With a confirmed maximum class size of eight students, learners can take part in conversations, ask questions, and receive feedback from their teachers.
Flexible start dates
Our courses start every Monday, with absolute beginners starting on the first and third Monday of each month. With classes held in the morning and evening, you can plan your daily schedule around your lessons.
Location
You can take the Core Japanese Course at any of our five schools. We have schools in Fukuoka, Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya, and Okinawa.
No matter where you study, you will learn to speak, listen, read, and write Japanese. You will also get the same lessons, the same course plan, and the same support from our teachers.
Each school has its own style. Tokyo is busy and full of things to do. Kyoto is famous for its history and culture. Fukuoka and Nagoya are friendly cities that are easy to live in. Okinawa has warm weather, beaches, and a relaxed island feel. Wherever you choose to study, you'll get the same great Japanese course.
Learn about each campus here.
Make the Most of Your Japanese Studies
| Course/module | Features | Schedule | Location/availability | Core Japanese Course | Build your Japanese skills through grammar, vocabulary, speaking, listening, reading, and writing. | 20 lessons per week, Monday–Friday | Fukuoka, Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya, and Okinawa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chura Green Course | Learn Japanese while exploring sustainability, environmental conservation, and Okinawa's natural environment. | Japanese lessons plus environmental field activities | Okinawa only. 2–4 weeks. Previous Japanese study or JLPT N5 required. |
| Plus Conversation Module | Practice everyday Japanese, including conversation, slang, dialects, and specialized vocabulary. | 4 additional lessons per week | Check availability at your chosen school |
| Plus Cultural Activities Module | Experience Japanese traditions through cultural activities such as tea ceremony, kimono wearing, and traditional arts. | 2–3 experience lessons on Saturdays | Check availability at your chosen school |
| Seasons of Japan: Autumn in Kyoto Module | Discover Kyoto's autumn traditions, seasonal scenery, and culture through activities and a day trip. | 2 cultural activities per week plus 1 day trip | Kyoto only. Two-week seasonal module. |
| Marine and Nature Activities Module | Explore Okinawa's marine environment and natural landscapes through outdoor and water-based experiences. | Additional marine and nature activities | Okinawa only |
| Plus Tourism Module | Explore local attractions and learn about Nagoya's history and culture. | Visits to 3 tourist spots per week | Nagoya only |
School Facilities
Every GenkiJACS school is a great place to learn Japanese. Our classrooms are bright, modern, and easy to study in. There are also student lounges where you can relax, chat with classmates, practice Japanese, and make friends from around the world.
We want every student to feel welcome from their first day. No matter which school you choose, you'll have a friendly place to learn, helpful teachers, and great facilities. Everything is designed to help you improve your Japanese while enjoying your time in Japan.
- Free wireless Internet access
- Study spaces
- Game consoles with a good selection of games
- Multimedia teaching facilities in every class
- Free coffee/tea
Core Japanese Language Course
The Core Japanese Course is the main course at GenkiJACS. Each week, you'll have ten 50-minute grammar lessons and ten 50-minute language skills classes. In these classes, you'll practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing using the grammar you've just learned.
Learning doesn't end when class finishes. We encourage you to use Japanese in everyday situations, so you can become more confident using the language. With small classes, experienced teachers, and fun activities, you'll have lots of chances to practice and improve. As your Japanese gets better, you can add extra modules or optional courses to match your goals. These give you more time to study and help you improve even faster.
You can add any of our exciting modules or addons on top of this course for an even more intensive Japanese learning experience!
Please note that Hiragana Alphabet knowledge is compulsory for any level of course.
20 lessons/week
Held on weekdays (Monday-Friday)
Starts every Monday, all year long*
Available to all levels
Possible to add modules/add-ons
*Complete beginners start on the first Monday of the month (or the 1st & 3rd Mondays of June, July & August)
Add-on Modules
Plus Conversation
Add four extra classes each week of conversational Japanese. These extra classes focus on some of the most interesting aspects of conversational Japanese such as slang, dialects, specialized vocabulary, and more.
Plus Cultural Activities
Learn about the wonderful culture of Japan while furthering your language studies. Cultural experiences are based on the city you study in, so they’ll be unique to your experience! You will have 2-3 "cultural experience" lessons every Saturday.
Plus Marine Activities
Enjoy all the stunning marine experiences Okinawa has to offer while furthering your language studies. You will have 2-3 "marine experiences" per week, including activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and flyboarding!
Apply Now
Class System
The Core Japanese Course combines structured grammar lessons with practical language skills classes. Each week, students take 10 grammar lessons and 10 lessons focused on applying their knowledge through speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
For example, after learning new grammar and vocabulary, students can practice using them in conversations and everyday situations. This approach helps learners build a foundation in Japanese while developing the confidence to communicate outside the classroom.
Classes are organized according to students' Japanese proficiency and progress, so new students are placed in a suitable class when they join.
Sit in on an Example Lesson
Online lessons
If you cannot travel for the moment, you might be interested in our Japanese online lessons.
View our online Japanese lessonsCourse FAQs
If you take our Standard Japanese Course, you will have 20 class hours per week, 4 classes per day. 2 classes will focus on grammar and 2 classes will focus on the application of the 4 key skills – speaking, listening, writing, and reading.
Each class is 50 minutes long.
You can read more about our teaching method here.
Note: you will have two lessons on your first day of school. These will take place after the school orientation session and a quick chat and/or a test with our teachers.
We have courses starting almost every Monday of the year!
If you have not studied Japanese previously, then our complete beginner courses start every 1st Monday of the month and every 1st and 3rd Monday during the summer months.
If Monday happens to be a national holiday, then your first day of school will be on Tuesday.
We do work somewhat like a university in that, depending on the class you get placed in, you may have morning classes on some days and afternoon classes on some other days. It's impossible to tell what time you will be having classes at this stage, as the schedule for each week only gets released the week before once you have started your course.
Morning classes are from 9:30-13:10. Afternoon classes are from 11:25-15:50 or 14:05-17:45.
You can read more about how our schedule works here.
It really depends on you as a student. We will provide you with our passion for teaching and our expertise, and open the door for you! It is up to you to go through it! 😊
You can see a reference for the general (average) speed it takes to move through the levels here.
Daily set activities are not included in this course, but schools will arrange outings or events for students in place of classes on Japanese national holidays. We also have a number of free and paid for extracurrirular activities that you may join outside of your class hours; each school arranges these, so when you apply, please ask the school staff what’s offered at that location!
Begin the journey of a lifetime. Speak Japanese, live Japan.
About Us
Accredited and award-winning Japanese school in Tokyo, Kyoto, Okinawa, Fukuoka, and Nagoya. Learn real-world, communicative Japanese in small, intimate classes. Kickstart the journey of a lifetime in Japan, or bring your existing skills to new levels.
Useful Pages
Fukuoka School
Phone: +81 (0)92 472 0123
Email: [email protected]
Tokyo School
Phone: +81 (0)3 6457 3554
Email: [email protected]
Okinawa School
Phone: +81 (0)98-987-7818
Email: [email protected]
Kyoto School
Phone: +81 (0)75-353-0003
Email: [email protected]
Nagoya School
Phone: +81 (0)52-452-3655
Email: [email protected]