Learn Japanese in the morning - apply it in the afternoon
The Akita Inaka School is no ordinary language school! On the one hand, it is located in an idyllic setting surrounded by mountains near the former mining town of Kosaka in the north of the country and on the other, it picks up where typical language schools leave off: After the language lessons in the morning, there are excursions and activities almost every day to get to know the beautiful Tohoku region and the culture of Japan.
Set up in a former elementary school, Akita Inaka School creates an authentic and unique learning atmosphere. Courses are set up at different levels and focus on creating conversational and everyday skills. It does not use textbooks, which usually teach an outdated and very formal style of language, but focuses on consolidating Japanese for practical use. The groups are much smaller than in comparable courses in the country’s major cities and can therefore be tailored to the needs of the individual.
As the first language school outside the hectic big cities, Akita Inaka School offers you the unique opportunity to discover authentic Japan off the beaten track. In the quiet, rural region of Akita, you can enjoy the beauty and traditions of the country to the full.
Every season has special highlights in store for you. In spring you will be amazed by the splendor of the cherry blossoms, in summer you can take part in fascinating festivals and traditions, and in winter you will be surrounded by meters of snow, icicles and igloos. The courses at Akita Inaka School are as diverse and unique as the seasons themselves – let yourself be enchanted by this special learning experience in a remote but all the more authentic region of Japan.
The afternoon activities offer an excellent opportunity to get to know the region and culture in greater depth. For example, you can experience the traditional Japanese art of katana swordsmanship, try out kyudo archery, take part in a traditional tea ceremony or discover the art of geisha and be enchanted by maiko. There is also the opportunity to visit the fascinating Kabuki theater not far from the Akita Inaka School and immerse yourself in Japanese tradition and lifestyle. These diverse activities allow you to actively use the language while experiencing the unique atmosphere and special features of the region up close. And all without the crowds and queues, because: Tohoku is a real insider tip!
16.04.2025 – 07.05.2025 – 3 Weeks
14.07.2025 – 25.07.2025 – 2 Weeks
04.08.2025 – 22.08.2025 – 3 Weeks
06.10.2025 – 24.10.2025 – 3 Weeks
09.12.2024 – 20.12.2024 – 2 Weeks
03.02.2025 – 21.02.2025 – 3 Weeks
08.12.2025 – 19.12.2025 – 2 Weeks
As an official partner of the Akita Inaka School, we are able to offer you exclusive discounts and flexible course arrangements. You will also have a Englisch-speaking contact person on site if you book through us. If you are interested, we can put together suitable courses especially for families or groups according to your wishes.
We guide you through the process and support you during your preparation with tips and advice on arrival and entry. And all at no extra cost!
Compared to regular language schools, the Akita Inaka School offers a full-day program.
Family courses on request (individual arrangements can be made with the school)
Course prices exclude flight, meals and transportation costs in Japan
3-Week-Course: 3200$ 2880$ -Opening discount-
Accomodation:
Shared room: 160$ per week
Single room: 250$ per week
2-Week-Course: 2200$ 1980$ -Opening discount-
Accomodation:
Shared room: 150$ per week
Single room: 300$ per week
We offer pick-up and drop-off service as followed (price per way):
Personal pick-up and guidance service from Haneda Airport (HND) (limited availability/price on request)
Odate Noshiro Airport (ONJ) – 5000 JPY
Aomori Airport (AOJ) – 9000 JPY
Shin-Aomori Station (arrival by Shinkansen) – 9000 JPY
The cost of living in rural Japan is manageable compared to the metropolitan areas. An average of 1500JPY per day should be expected. Food in the local supermarket is cheap and of good quality. There is also a local weekly market with fresh food from the region. Lunch (bento box) can be ordered through the school. All kinds of delicious variations are available here for around 600JPY. Large portions in the local ramen restaurants also cost about the same.
Simply contact us through the contact form and ideally provide as much information as possible (desired period, length of stay, location, activities, etc.) so that we can help you as quickly and effectively as possible. However, if you are still undecided or have further questions, we will of course be happy to advise you!
There are application procedures for most schools and courses. But don’t worry! This is mostly about whether there is capacity available and whether the necessary requirements, such as for longer courses with a student visa, are met.
If you are accepted, you will usually have to pay an initial admission fee. This and all further payments are made directly to the relevant school via a secure payment procedure.
As soon as your participation in one of the schools is confirmed, it’s time for you to make your travel arrangements, book your flight and enjoy the anticipation!
We will accompany you and help you with all the necessary steps.
Depending on your nationality there are a lot of different possibilites in terms of aquiring a visa for your stay in Japan.
Some nationalities can enter Japan without applying for a visa as a so called temporary visitor, some can apply for certain programs like the working holiday or the studentvisa. It is very important that you aquire the right visa before you come to Japan, as violations of immigration rules, such as overstaying, are closely monitored and fined.
Related information can be found on the website of the ministry of foreign affairs.
You can also check here if your country is eligable for entering Japan on the temporary visitor status.
In the process of taking you to Japan as easily as possible, we will check, explain and guide you through necessary visa procedures.
Every season has its advantages in Japan. There is no such thing as the best season.
As Japan stretches across its length, each region offers a different climate.
The north (Tohoku and Hokkaido) offers high snowfall in winter and the best conditions for winter sports, while the summer is usually not too hot.
The south (Kyushu and Okinawa) has a subtropical to tropical climate.
Throughout Japan, you can admire the cherry blossoms and water-filled rice fields in spring, while the foliage on the forested mountain slopes is a delight in autumn.
In summary, Japan is very safe for travelers! The crime rate is low and locals are often very friendly and extremely helpful.
The Japanese are prepared for natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons. If you follow the safety instructions and do not act against them, you have little to fear.
English is a compulsory subject in Japan, but as many Japanese people do not have to use English in their everyday lives, the average level is moderate. You can imagine it as if you had had to learn Chinese since elementary school but never used it outside of school.
In the metropolitan areas and cities, there are more and more descriptions in English (e.g. restaurant menus or ATM menus), but outside of these areas, you will hardly be understood with English alone.
Translation apps can often help. However, if you want to get the most out of your stay in Japan, you should learn the basics and some expressions to make a good impression. You can find the basics and the most important expressions in our blog!
If you have no knowledge of Japanese at all, we can recommend the Akita Inaka School. If you book with us, you can get to know the culture of Japan, learn the basics for your further journey and at the same time always have a German or English-speaking contact person on site who can translate for you in case of doubt.
You definitly need to take out suitable international health insurance for your stay in Japan!
The Japanese healthcare system is very good and you shouldn’t worry about the quality of treatment, but the costs can be high. You should take out insurance for the duration of your stay that covers Japan as a travel destination and covers the costs of inpatient or outpatient treatment up to and including (medical) repatriation to your home country in the event of an emergency.
In the case of a work and travel or student visa, you must either provide proof that you have taken out international health insurance for the entire period when applying for the visa or you must become a member of the Japanese national health insurance fund for the duration of your stay. However, this only covers 70% of the treatment costs, which is why it is all the more advisable to take out international health insurance.
This depends entirely on your financial means and your preferences. In general, the public transportation network is well developed, easy to use and known worldwide for its punctuality.
For longer distances and as an experience in itself, a ride on the “Shinkansen”, Japan’s bullet train, is the way to go. The fastest of these, the Hayabusa, travels between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori at up to 320km/h. Temporary visitors have the option of purchasing the JR Railpass, a kind of weekly ticket.
Local train connections are inexpensive, punctual and offer the opportunity to enjoy the surroundings while traveling from A to B. Some sections of the route pass through particularly idyllic landscapes.
Bus travel is perhaps the best option in Japan for traveling long distances at a reasonable price. A trip from Tokyo to Osaka takes about twice as long as the Shinkansen, but costs less than half as much, while the journey is comfortable and always offers plenty of stops at clean rest areas.
Tourists from Germany and Switzerland can have their driver’s license translated by the JAF and use this translation to rent and drive a vehicle in Japan according to their license category. Tourists from Austria need an international driver’s license and should carry it along with a Japanese translation.
With a credit card you are usually on the safe side! In most places, there are convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, Family Mart or Lawson where you can withdraw cash with a credit card for a small fee (around 200 yen). Although more and more stores and restaurants are offering cashless payment options, you are always on the safe side with cash, especially in rural Japan.
EC and debit cards may work under certain circumstances. If in doubt, ask your bank or switch directly to a credit card.
Most modern devices now offer two SIM card slots and work in both the European and Japanese networks. For short stays, you can buy a prepaid data-only SIM card directly at the airport after arriving in Japan and be back online with mobile data within a very short time, e.g. to use navigation apps. There are various local providers and conditions, but the process is usually quite simple. In the meantime, this option is usually sufficient to remain reachable via internet telephony and messenger for contacts in Europe. However, phone calls or text messages are not possible.
As the holder of a long-term visa (student visa, work and travel), you have the option of taking out a mobile phone contract for the duration of your stay. Here, too, there are of course various providers and options, such as data-only contracts or contracts with a Japanese phone number. Especially if you are planning a longer stay, it is a good idea to have a Japanese phone number so that you can be reached by friends or superiors.
In any case, you should configure your local SIM card so that data roaming is suppressed. Otherwise you may incur horrendous prices. In the same way, you should of course not make any normal calls from Japan to Germany, but always use the call function of the well-known messengers.
