Genki Japanese and Culture School
1-16-23 Hakataekihigashi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka 812-0013, Japan
Genki Japanese and Culture School
Study intensively in Japan for a full year! This course allows you to receive a student visa while studying at GenkiJACS' Fukuoka branch.
The course offers 4 start dates per year, in January, April, July-August and October. Because of the Japanese government's deadlines, you must apply roughly 5 months in advance to be able to receive a student visa. So application deadlines would be as follows:
January start: Apply by August 20 of previous year
April start: Apply by November 20 of previous year
July start: Apply by February 20
October start: Apply by May 20
The course has 60 weeks of lessons, scheduled as follows:
Term 1: 10 weeks
Holiday 1: 3 weeks
Term 2: 10 weeks
Holiday 2: 3 weeks
Term 3: 10 weeks
Holiday 3: 3 weeks
Term 4: 10 weeks
Holiday 4: 3 weeks
Term 5: 10 weeks
Holiday 5: 3 weeks
Term 6: 10 weeks
The classes you will attend are the same award-winning small-group Japanese classes GenkiJACS is already famous for. You'll have 20 classes per week, Monday through Friday, with a maximum of 8 students per class, and a focus on Japanese for everyday communication in daily life and work.
After 18 months of study, you'll be at advanced level, equivalent to JLPT N2-1, and ready to work in Japan, or even go on to study at a 2-year college!
The student visa allows you to work for up to 28 hours per week while studying, which helps to reduce the cost of a year in Japan. Our staff are happy to help you find work.
The Japanese student visa has some government restrictions, so we cannot accept requests from all countries - contact us for details. Additionally, applicants must meet these requirements:
- Have graduated high school or equivalent
- Have no criminal record
- Be able to show proof of savings (or family savings) to pay for tuition and living expenses
Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary and Grammar
You can choose from the following class times:
Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.
Average | 4 students |
Maximum | 8 students |
Age range | 16 years old and older |
Average | 25 years old |
Genki Japanese and Culture School (GenkiJACS) is an internationally acclaimed communicational Japanese language school that offers short and long-term study abroad courses, learning the Japanese language and culture in a relaxed and friendly environment. We are located in the heart of Fukuoka City, the biggest city in South Japan.
GenkiJACS was nominated by popular vote as one of the world's top language schools every year from 2009 to 2022, winning the award in 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020! We are one of only two Japanese language schools in the world that are accredited by IALC, the International Association of Language Centres.
We offer courses in a range of areas, including conversational Japanese, pop culture, Japanese culture, and study for exams, all with an emphasis on practical work, inside and outside of the classroom. For students coming from overseas to study abroad at our language school, we can prepare a range of accommodation options including homestays and dorms and arrange various activities for the duration of your stay. We're here to make learning Japanese worthwhile and enjoyable - that's why students return to GenkiJACS again and again!
All of GenkiJACS' teachers are graduates of a 420-hour Japanese teacher training course at a recognized study institution. We hire only the best and perform regular training. Students agree: you won’t find better teachers!
We have 15 permanent classrooms, and a large communal lounge for students to relax. Our classrooms are designed to facilitate learning in a relaxed and comfortable environment.
The following facilities are available at the school for student use:
PCs with broadband Internet access, and office applications
free wireless Internet access
study space
Wii game console with a large selection of games
DVD/TV and a large library of DVDs for free rental
portable DVD/CD players for independent study
big-screen video projector
manga/book library
free coffee/tea/chai
For holidays, GenkiJACS either arranges an alternate event for students for the day it is closed, or refunds tuition for that day.
GenkiJACS has partnerships with the following universities and colleges in Japan. You can gain full or conditional acceptance into one of these institutions.
The nationality and age mix at Genki Japanese and Culture School varies over different time periods, courses and levels. Throughout the year, the average age is 25. In the summer, the average age is 25.
GenkiJACS teaches students from all over the world, including:
GenkiJACS does not hold classes on the holiday dates below. The school does not compensate for these holidays, so make sure to choose your start date accordingly.
GenkiJACS is located in the heart of Fukuoka City, the biggest city in South Japan. The city has a population of 1.4 million people, and its international airport makes it an important hub linking Japan with the rest of Asia and beyond. It's warmer than most of the rest of Japan, and is the only city in mainland Japan with beautiful beaches within city limits, just 10 minutes from school!
The school is in the very center of the city, within walking distance of hundreds of shops, restaurants, karaoke and everything you might need. We're also located right above one of the biggest manga/anime specialty shops in Japan!
Genuinely enjoyed all of the teachers and particularly the conversation classes. The most negative part of my experience was the holiday-themed event lessons, which undermined my goal to take an intensive Japanese language course over winter vacation and instead focused on cultural customs and hands-on crafts. I appreciate the token nod to the holiday, but considering my timeline the two days of “no classes” for New Years were more than enough. I felt study expectations and prior knowledge required were left unclear during orientation and that the placement test is less than accurate. However, I did find Genki a valuable experience and I was impressed by the organized classrooms and consistent material. I wish I could have spent more time actively studying here without interruptions for holidays or holiday lessons. I would certainly recommend this school, particularly in smaller class sizes or private lessons.
Show details » Read more...The classes were small so very great to talk to others and easy to hear the teachers. The teachers were very nice and easy to communicate to. the location was very convenient and easy to get to from the train station, the place i stayed was quiet however a tiny bit boring as i didnt know what to do at weekends.
Show details » Read more...My daughter, 14 years, was very disappointed. She chose Pop culture because she likes manga and anime. The course description made it sound like that all Japanese teaching would be based on actice learning through pop culture. Hovever, all lessens were just ordinary japanese. The pop culture element constituted of a saturday activity that were traditional culture, not pop. The school was very nice to us and tried to compensate incl refunding. But, still, my daughter had great expectations of a three-weeks exposion to japanese pop culture which did not came true. The host family was wonderful and Fukuoka an amazing city. Cecilia from Stockholm
Show details » Read more...The only negative about my course at GENKI JACS, Fukuoka, was that I couldn’t stay longer. I was there for 2 weeks while most people in my class were there for 2-3 months, or longer. The teachers were all extremely personable, knowledgeable and excellent in their teaching methods.
The private apartment I rented was within an easy walking distance to the school and perfect for my needs. Even though I arrived on a Saturday night the check in instructions I received were precise and accurate.
Being a senior citizen, I did not participate in the extra-curricular activities organized by the school, yet I never felt out of place and actually went places and did things with other class members.
I would not hesitate to take classes again at GENKI JACS.
First, Genki School's staff were really great. All of them were nice and helpful. They were all eager to help you in case of difficulty or questions.
The activities they offered were really interesting. I had a great time in Pop Lessons, for example.
The staff even helped me to find a Kyûdô school. I was able a to see a practice session and that was an amazing experience!
I like the teaching methods.
My first week was a bit hard because I arrived in the middle of a level and my classmates were in Japan for few weeks (even months) before. But after a week, it was all perfect again!
I learned a lot even if I stayed for only 3 weeks.
The teachers were all so nice, fun and serious at the same time, that the lessons were a real pleasure!
All in all, I had a great time there.
But, I have to say that I stayed in Japan in March. I heard that, at some periods of the year, the school is much more crowded. I didn't experience that.
The school in Fukuoka is great
The location is not so far from a big station with buses, trains, subway. There were shops with pretty much everything, post office, ATM,arcades. It was also close to convenience store and cheap restaurants for lunch, just perfect
The school it self is not so big ( at least it's bigger than the one in Tokyo) but you will feel at ease and helped all the way no matter what I guess ( I asked them a lot and they've done as much as they could to help me with my requests)
The lessons were fun and we've change teacher every day which actually help us to practice and progress.
I've done cultural activities and it was fun, I don't have any regrets about choosing it I've learn so much about Fukuoka and Japan itself exactly what I was hoping for. I now want even more studying Japanese and its culture.
I've stayed at two different home-stay because I was alone the first two weeks and then I asked my family to come for the last two weeks so I had to change to a more spacious room (yes we manage to be in the same house).
I had a great time at my home-stay, an experience that I won't ever forget and I still talk to them and practice my Japanese.
I want to see them again. If I have the chance I would do it again for sure since I enjoyed my stay in Fukuoka so much. Everyone were great, the teachers were good and make you understand everything, as for the reception workers I owe them so much.
I loved everything there which includes the activities, facilities, teachers and location.
There's nothing that I didn't like.
I feel as though the culture classes could use more variation, especially the pop culture. However, the teachers could also be more consistent because each of them have their own personal teaching style. Otherwise, everything else was good.
Show details » Read more...The teachers are passionate and patient in teaching. These made learning enjoyable and interesting. When we encountered something unclear, the teachers were patient and cheerful in explaining to us. The staff there were very helpful; they provided information for our daily life, e.g. where to shop, swim, or see a doctor. Studying there was so warm and happy. One area for improvement though would be the class size; maybe if it could be limited to under 6 persons, it would be the best. The cleanliness of the dormitory I stayed is so-so; two cockroaches visited me.
Show details » Read more...The school, classes and teachers were all wonderful. I had a great time and the atmosphere was friendly and not overly formal. The facilities and location were good. My host family was a little far away but I did not mind this too much. Overall it was a valuable experience.
Show details » Read more...Thank you for the review! We do our best to meet the needs of students, so we're very glad you enjoyed your time with us.
Homestays are carefully selected and offer students the opportunity to learn more about the local culture in a comfortable setting while studying Japanese in Fukuoka. These homes are often between 40 - 90 minutes away from the school by public transport. Families usually offer affordable meal plans that allow you to sample the local cuisine. If you have special requests or diet restrictions (because of religion or health reasons), please let us know in advance. Your housing starts on the Sunday before your first day of class and ends on the Saturday after your last day of class, unless otherwise noted. Learn more about homestay housing
Student residences are more suitable for an independent student, who is looking for clean, basic accommodation at an economic price. All students must be 18+. Your housing starts on the Sunday before your first day of class and ends on the Saturday after your last day of class, unless otherwise noted. Student residences often do not include any meal plan. Learn more about student residence accommodation
It is possible to live in a rented apartment during your study in Fukuoka, but this tends to be more expensive. GenkiJACS provides some assistance with apartment rentals or you can rent an apartment on your own. Learn more about apartment housing
We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.
Your letter of acceptance will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you. If you wish to receive your paperwork by express mail, you will be charged ¥ 6,500 when you register.
Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to Fukuoka based on your budget, schedule and preferences.
Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.
Have questions? Get answers from Genki Japanese and Culture School staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.
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