Umikaze Academy of Japanese

About the school

Established by the NPO Asia House and opened in October 2006. Located in Nakagawa-nishi, Ikuno-ku, Osaka; 30 minutes to Umeda and Namba. Capacity 120, with small classes of up to 15. All students live in private-room dormitories (5 owned and 7 rented buildings near the school) in a full-residence system, and lunch is free on class days. Courses of 2 years, 1 year 9 months and 1 year 6 months for further study; a class aiming for B2 and events such as excursions and an overnight trip. The principal is Tamiko Jibiki.

Fees

Annual tuition

To be confirmed

Fee basis

First-year cost of ¥1,022,500 (2-year course).

First-year total (as listed by the school)

¥1,022,500

Admission fee

¥50,000From Article 19 of the school regulations (revised 1 April 2027); tax not stated. The ¥20,000 entrance screening fee is separate.

Application / screening fee

¥20,000

Dormitory

Yes

Dormitory & housing

Available (operated by the school; all students live in single rooms, about 12 buildings with 120 rooms). The dormitory fee itself is not stated on the official site; the common service fee is ¥12,000 per month (utilities, internet and fire insurance included). Commute: 30 seconds' walk to 8 minutes by bicycle. Refrigerator, air conditioner, desk and bed provided; kitchen and other facilities are shared. The school aims not to house students from a single country together.

Admission requirements

Intake months

• April24 months(2 yrs)
• July21 months(1 yr 9 mo)
• October18 months(1 yr 6 mo)

Study period

April: 2 years / July: 1 year 9 months / October: 1 year 6 months.

Admission requirements

The school rules (revised 1 April 2027) require 12 or more years of schooling, age 18+, a likely entry permit and a reliable sponsor. The admission guidelines require a study-to-advance goal (not for work purposes), an interview, and no drinking or smoking habits. Living in the dormitory is generally required.

Japanese level requirement

According to the admission guidelines (year unknown): JLPT N5 or above for April and July entry, N4 or above for October entry (J.TEST grade F etc. also accepted). The brochure lists the 1-year 9-month course as N4 or J-TEST grade E or above, which does not match. Interview.

Graduation & further-study support

Advancement-prep classes for all classes, JLPT and EJU exam fees included in tuition, advancement briefings and career consultation, small classes. Students who pass N4 and similar join a Special Advancement class (28 hours per week). Specifics on job support, scholarships and advancement results were not found.

Accreditation

The brochure (year unknown) mentions immigration "appropriate school certification" and membership of the Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education; the history says it is certified by the Association. The 2024 self-inspection form has items on conformity with the notification standards. Preparatory course, Certified Japanese Language Institution and the latest appropriate-school class are not mentioned.

Nepal applicants

Application guidelines are available in Nepali.

Language support

Application guidelines available in Japanese, English, Vietnamese, Sinhala and Nepali. The language of instruction is not stated.