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GenkiJACS Kyoto

Dive into the cultural center of Japan - learn Japanese in Kyoto!

GenkiJACS Kyoto offers short-term Japanese courses in the heart of Japan’s historic capital. Our communicative lessons focus on speaking, practical Japanese, and real-life communication, so you can go beyond the surface level and experience Kyoto's rich culture more deeply.

Our school shares a building with Daiichi Gakuin High School, giving you opportunities to meet local students and practice Japanese naturally outside the classroom.

Why GenkiJACS Kyoto?


famous Sightseeing spot in Tokyo
Heart of the city
Entertainment Options in Tokyo
Cradle of culture
Extremely accessible for travel
Surrounded by history

Learn More About Our Core Japanese Course

Whether you're learning Japanese for the first time or already know some of the language, the Core Japanese Course at GenkiJACS will help you use Japanese with confidence in real-life situations. Instead of just memorizing words from a textbook, you'll practice speaking, listening, reading, writing, and grammar so you can communicate naturally every day.

Classes are kept small, with a maximum of eight students, so you'll have lots of chances to ask questions, speak Japanese, and get personal feedback from your teacher. Each weekday includes two grammar lessons and two language skills classes, so you can use what you've learned straight away in fun, interactive activities.

New classes start almost every Monday, and we offer courses for every level, from complete beginners to advanced learners. Whether you're staying in Japan for a few weeks or several months, the Core Japanese Course gives you a clear learning plan, plenty of speaking practice, and the support you need to make real progress while enjoying your time in Japan.

Core Japanese Course FAQs

The Core Japanese Course is GenkiJACS' main Japanese language program, designed to help students build practical communication skills for everyday life in Japan. Lessons focus on speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary, giving you a well-rounded understanding of the language.
Whether you're learning Japanese for travel, work, university, or personal interest, the course is structured to help you make steady progress while using Japanese in real-life situations. Classes are taught by experienced teachers in a supportive, interactive environment that encourages students to speak Japanese from the very beginning.
The Core Japanese Course is suitable for students aged 16 and over who want to learn Japanese in Japan. It welcomes complete beginners with no previous experience, although learning hiragana is required before the course starts!, as well as students who already have Japanese language skills and want to continue improving.
Many students join the course to prepare for university, enhance career opportunities, experience Japanese culture more deeply, or simply gain confidence using Japanese in everyday situations. Classes are grouped by ability, so you'll study alongside students at a similar level.
The Core Japanese Course is available at many levels, typically from complete beginner to intermediate. Before your course begins, you'll complete a placement test so we can assess your current ability and place you in the most suitable class.
This ensures you'll be studying at the right level from your first day, allowing you to learn at a comfortable pace alongside classmates with similar language skills.
Level availability depends on the campus; advanced-level classes are typically not available at this location.
You can study Japanese for as little as two weeks or for more than a year, depending on your goals and visa requirements. Short-term students often join to improve their conversational Japanese while visiting Japan, while longer courses provide the opportunity to build fluency and develop a deeper understanding of the language.
If you're unsure how long to study, our team can help you choose a course length that matches your experience, objectives, and schedule.
Yes. Many GenkiJACS students arrive in Japan with almost no knowledge of Japanese (learning to read and write hiragana is required before the course starts, but that’s all!). The Core Japanese Course is designed to help beginners develop confidence step by step, starting with essential vocabulary, pronunciation, and everyday expressions before progressing to more complex grammar and conversation.
Your teachers will guide you through each stage of learning, helping you build a strong foundation while encouraging you to use Japanese in class and during daily life in Japan. If you’re new to Japanese, you can get started with our Hiragana Quiz to practice reading hiragana and make sure you’re ready for your first class.
The Core Japanese Course develops all four key language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Alongside these, you'll study grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and practical communication to help you use Japanese naturally in everyday situations.
Lessons combine textbook learning with interactive activities, conversations, and real-world practice, helping you build both accuracy and confidence. As your level increases, you'll also explore more complex topics and expressions used in everyday Japanese.
The Core Japanese Course includes 20 lessons each week, with four 50-minute classes a day from Monday to Friday. Two classes focus on building a strong foundation in grammar, while the other two develop your speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills through practical communication. The schedule provides plenty of classroom learning while still giving you time to explore Japan and put your Japanese into practice in everyday situations.


Plus Conversation Module
Module

Add four extra classes each week of conversational Japanese. These extra classes focus on some of the interesting aspects of conversational Japanese such as slang, dialects, specialized vocabulary, and more.

Plus Conversation
Japanese Culture Module
Module

Plus Cultural Activities

Learn about the wonderful culture of Japan while learning the language. You will have 2-3 "cultural experience" lessons every Saturday, giving you the chance to explore Kyoto’s rich history, customs and unique cultural heritage.

Plus Cultural Activities

Example of Activities and Cultural Spots

  • Furoshiki experience
  • Goshuin book making experience
  • Japan Kanji Museum & Library
  • Japanese sweets and matcha making experience
  • Bamboo chopsticks making experience

  • Nishijin Textile hand-weaving experience
  • Manga artist experience
  • Shrine and temple visits
  • Japanese fan painting

Spend Summer in Kyoto

Spend your summer in Kyoto with GenkiJACS! Our Summer Course is designed for students aged 14–19, combining Japanese language lessons with exciting cultural activities, homestay experiences, and Saturday day trips.

Available in 2-week and 4-week programs | July–August 2027

  • 20 japanese lessons per week
  • Cultural activities
  • Saturday day trips
  • Homestay with a Japanese family
  • Airport transfers & support

Our Kyoto Summer Camp is designed for complete beginners. Students follow a personalized Japanese language curriculum created specifically for teenagers, combining engaging language lessons with unique cultural experiences for an immersive and memorable summer in Kyoto.

Location

Our school in Kyoto is located minutes away from Shijo station, the centre of the world-famous Gion Matsuri. Kyoto Station is only 10 minutes away by subway, providing easy access to the rest of the city and beyond. Students can also enjoy a 25-minute walk to the world-famous Kiyomizu-dera Temple, making it easy to experience Kyoto's rich history, culture, and everyday life while studying Japanese in Japan.
Read more about Kyoto here.

Find your way

School Facilities

Our Kyoto campus features 12 modern classrooms and 2 spacious communal lounges where students can relax, study, and connect with classmates from around the world. Large windows create a bright and welcoming atmosphere, while our classrooms are designed to support interactive, communicative Japanese lessons in a comfortable learning environment.

  • Free wireless Internet access
  • Study space
  • A game console with a good selection of games

  • Multimedia projectors in every class
  • Manga/book library
  • Coffee and tea facilities

GenkiJACS Kyoto Introduction Video

click on the below to play the video

Accommodation Options

Host Family

HOMESTAY

You will become a member of a Japanese family. Practise the Japanese you learned in school at your Kansai home. Learn what a real Japanese home is like. Breakfast and dinner included.

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Private residence

PRIVATE RESIDENCE

Private bedroom, shared facilities. Shared with other GenkiJACS students, Japanese residents or students of other schools.

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Private Apartment

Private Apartment

Small studio apartment for one person, with essential furnishings and standard amenities for comfortable independent living.

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Virtual campus tour

Take a peek inside our school and visit our classrooms to get a feel for what being in school will be like. It’s the closest you’ll get without actually coming to Kyoto!
Check it out!

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Meet our Teachers

Get to know the friendly teachers and staff of our Kyoto school.
Come and say hi!

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Access

Wondering where the heck we are in the world, anyway? How to get from the station to our school? Don't worry, we've got you covered!
Find your way

What Our Students Are Saying

Hear from students who studied Japanese with GenkiJACS Kyoto.

Inquire Today

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

Hakataekihigashi 1-16-23, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi 812-0013, Japan
Phone: +81 (0)92 472 0123
Email: [email protected]

Tokyo School

Hanazono Bldg 1BF, Shinjuku 5-17-6, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022, Japan
Phone: +81 (0)3 6457 3554
Email: [email protected]

Okinawa School

Oroku 824-17, Naha 901-0152, Japan
Phone: +81 (0)98-987-7818
Email: [email protected]

Kyoto School

Kinwa Building, 569 Sanno-cho, Shimogyō-ku, Kyoto-shi 600-8424, Japan
Phone: +81 (0)75-353-0003
Email: [email protected]

Nagoya School

Noritake 1-2-2 (4th floor), Nakamura-ku, Nagoya 453-0014, Japan
Phone: +81 (0)52-452-3655
Email: [email protected]