Study in Japan: Guide for Nepalese Students

This guide explains how Nepalese students can study in Japan: study paths, scholarships, visa steps, tuition, living costs, part-time work, and life tips.

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Table of Contents

Why So Many Nepalese Students Choose Japan

Japan has become one of the top study destinations for Nepalese students in just a few years.

According to the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), there were 336,708 international students in Japan in 2024, a record and about 20% more than in 2023.

Study in Japan: Guide for Nepalese Students

Nepal is now one of the biggest source countries:

In 2023 there were 37,878 Nepalese students in Japan, making Nepal the second-largest sending country after China and ahead of Vietnam.
In 2024, growth from Nepal was again a major driver of Japan’s record international enrolment.

Why is Japan so popular for students from Nepal?

High-quality universities and colleges with strong reputations in Asia
Many schools that welcome international students and offer support in English
Tuition often lower than in Western countries
Scholarships such as MEXT and others that can cover or reduce costs
Clear paths from student visas to work visas after graduation

Study in Japan Overview for Nepalese Students

The Japanese education system offers several options for foreign students:

Japanese language schools
Universities (undergraduate)
Graduate schools (master’s and PhD)
Professional training colleges (senmon gakko)
Colleges of technology and junior colleges

The official Study in Japan site run by JASSO gives a complete overview of these school types, entrance exams, scholarships, and student stories.

You can mix and match paths. For example:

Language school → vocational college → job in Japan
Language school → university → master’s → job
Direct master’s degree in English → work in Japan or another country

Later you can compare with Study in Japan: Guide for Bangladeshi Students and Study in Japan: Guide for Indian Students to see different perspectives.

Main Study Paths in Japan for Nepalese Students

Japanese Language School Route

Many Nepalese students first join a Japanese language school for 1–2 years. This is a good choice if:

Your Japanese level is beginner or basic
You want to study in Japanese-taught programs later
You want time to adjust to Japanese life before starting a degree

Language schools help you:

Reach JLPT N3 or N2
Prepare for the EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students)
Understand how to apply to universities and vocational schools
Learn daily-life skills (bank, city hall, hospital, part-time job)

If you choose this path, read Japanese Language Schools in Japan for Nepalese Students.

Undergraduate Study in Japan

If you have completed +2 (Grade 12) or equivalent, you can apply for a bachelor’s degree at a Japanese university.

You can choose between:

Japanese-medium programs (most common)
English-medium programs (especially at international or global faculties)

Typical requirements:

12 years of education (SLC/SEE + Grade 12 or A-level)
Good academic results
For Japanese programs:
- EJU scores (math, science, and Japanese depending on faculty)
- JLPT N2 or similar level for many universities
For English-taught programs:
- IELTS / TOEFL
- Sometimes basic Japanese is recommended but not mandatory

Master’s and PhD Programs

If you already have a bachelor’s or master’s degree, you can apply to Japanese graduate schools:

Master’s programs (usually 2 years)
Doctoral programs (3–5 years)
Research student status (often used by MEXT scholars before formal admission)

Many graduate courses:

Offer English-taught programs, especially in engineering, science, policy, and business
Have strong research labs and links to industry
Welcome MEXT and other scholarship students from Nepal

Professional Training Colleges (Senmon Gakko)

Professional training colleges focus on practical skills and job readiness. Popular areas:

Game design, animation, and illustration
IT, web development, and cybersecurity
Hospitality, hotel management, tourism
Nursing care and healthcare support
Automotive, electronics, and engineering technology

Programs usually last 2–3 years and are mostly taught in Japanese, so you often need JLPT N2–N3 when you enter.

If you want a job-focused route, see Vocational Schools in Japan for Foreign Students.

Short-Term and Exchange Programs

Short-term options include:

6–12 month exchange programs from partner universities in Nepal
Summer or winter schools for language and culture

These are good if you want to try Japan before a full degree.

Study Path Comparison for Nepalese Students

Study Path	Typical Duration	Language Requirement (Entry)	Best For
Japanese language school	1–2 years	Beginner to N5/N4	Building Japanese before degree or work
Undergraduate degree	4 years	N2–N1 or IELTS/TOEFL	Students finishing +2 who want a full degree
Master’s degree	2 years	English and/or Japanese	Bachelor’s graduates needing advanced study
Doctoral degree (PhD)	3–5 years	English and/or Japanese	Research-focused students
Professional training college	2–3 years	Usually N2–N3	Hands-on skills and fast entry to the job market
Short-term / exchange	3–12 months	Varies	Testing Japan without full long-term commitment

Scholarships for Nepalese Students in Japan

Many Nepalese families worry most about money. The good news is that several scholarship programs can reduce or even fully cover fees and living costs.

MEXT Scholarship (Embassy and University Routes)

The Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship is the most famous and generous. It offers places for:

Research (master’s and PhD) students
Undergraduate students
College of technology students
Specialized training college students
Teacher training and Japanese studies students

Benefits normally include:

Full tuition coverage
Monthly stipend (living allowance)
Round-trip airfare
Sometimes a preparatory Japanese course

For Nepalese students, applications are handled by the Embassy of Japan in Nepal. The embassy site posts calls for applications each year, with detailed guidelines, forms, and exam dates.

To prepare well, read MEXT Scholarship for Nepalese Students Step by Step and How to Write a Strong Research Plan for MEXT.

JASSO and Other Scholarships

The Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) lists many scholarships for international students and publishes a brochure called “Scholarships for International Students in Japan.”

Scholarship types include:

JASSO “Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship” for privately financed students
University scholarships (entrance scholarships, tuition waivers, merit awards)
Local government and private foundation scholarships (some open to specific nationalities or fields)

Most of these require:

Good grades
Clear study goals
Strong motivation letters and, sometimes, interviews

See Scholarships in Japan for Nepalese Students.

Tuition Fees and Cost of Living

Tuition Fees at Japanese Schools

Study in Japan and JASSO data show average first-year costs (including admission fees and tuition) approximately as:

National universities
- Admission fee: around ¥280,000
- Annual tuition: around ¥535,800–¥820,000
Public (local) universities
- Similar or slightly higher than national universities
Private universities
- Often ¥800,000–¥1,500,000 per year, more for medicine
Professional training colleges
- Around ¥600,000–¥1,000,000 per year

These are average numbers; each school sets its own fees. Some universities cut tuition by 30–100% for international students with good grades or financial need.

Cost of Living for International Students

Recent guides and official data suggest that international students in Japan should budget around ¥120,000–¥150,000 per month, including housing, food, transport, and other expenses.

Study in Japan notes that:

Average monthly rent for students nationwide is about ¥41,000
In Tokyo it rises to around ¥57,000 per month

Sample Monthly Budget for a Nepalese Student

Expense Category	Tokyo / Big City (approx.)	Regional City (approx.)
Rent (dorm / share / small room)	¥50,000–¥70,000	¥30,000–¥50,000
Utilities	¥8,000–¥12,000	¥6,000–¥10,000
Food	¥25,000–¥35,000	¥20,000–¥30,000
Transport	¥5,000–¥10,000	¥3,000–¥8,000
Phone & Internet	¥4,000–¥7,000	¥4,000–¥7,000
Other (books, fun, clothes)	¥10,000–¥20,000	¥8,000–¥15,000
Total Estimate	¥102,000–¥154,000	¥71,000–¥120,000

Your actual costs depend on your lifestyle. Cooking at home, using student dorms, and buying second-hand items can help you stay within budget. See Cost of Living in Japan for International Students and How to Save Money in Japan as a Student for more tips.

Student Visa from Nepal to Japan

To study more than 3 months, you need a Student visa (ryuugaku). The core process is similar for all nationalities and is explained on the Study in Japan and MEXT sites.

Step 1: Get Accepted and Obtain a COE

Apply and receive admission
- Japanese language school, university, graduate school, or vocational school
Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
- Your school applies to the immigration office in Japan for your COE
- The COE confirms you meet the conditions to receive a Student status

JASSO explains that the COE is an important document for visa application and is issued before you go to Japan.

Step 2: Apply for the Student Visa in Nepal

After you receive your COE:

Fill out the visa application form
Prepare your passport, photo, COE, and any extra documents required
Submit your application to the Embassy of Japan in Nepal (Kathmandu) or the official visa centre, following the latest instructions on the embassy site

The embassy’s “Study in Japan” pages also list detailed guidance for MEXT scholarship visas and other student-related applications.

For a neatly organised checklist, use Japan Student Visa Guide for Nepalese Students.

Step 3: Arrival Procedures in Japan

When you land in Japan:

Immigration officers will give you landing permission
At major airports, you receive your Residence Card (zairyu card)
Within 14 days of deciding your address, you must register it at your city or ward office

You will use your Residence Card as your main ID for daily life, banking, and part-time work applications.

Part-Time Work for Nepalese Students

Most international students in Japan do some part-time work to support their living costs.

Legal Rules

To work while holding a Student status, you must get Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted (shikakugai katsudo kyoka).

With this permission:

You may work up to 28 hours per week during school terms
During long vacations, you can work up to 8 hours per day

Never work more hours than permitted, and avoid illegal “cash in hand” jobs. This can cause serious visa trouble.

Common Student Jobs

Typical part-time jobs include:

Convenience store or supermarket staff
Restaurant, café, or fast-food crew
Hotel, ryokan, or cleaning staff
Factory work for short periods (if allowed under your permission)
Private tutor for English or other subjects

For ideas and safety tips, see Part-Time Jobs in Japan for International Students.

Learning Japanese as a Nepalese Student

You can live in Japan with limited Japanese in some cases, especially in English-taught programs. But if you want:

More part-time job choices
Stronger friendships with local students
A job in Japan after graduation

then learning Japanese well is essential.

JLPT Levels to Aim For

N5–N4: Basic daily conversation and reading
N3: Everyday conversation plus simple academic texts
N2: Needed for many university programs and job hunting
N1: High-level academic and professional use

Simple Study Roadmap

Before leaving Nepal
- Learn hiragana and katakana thoroughly
- Join a local Japanese course or study online
- Aim for JLPT N5 or N4
First year in Japan
- Take classes at your language school or university
- Practise with classmates, part-time job coworkers, and neighbours
- Aim for N3, then N2 if your goal is a Japanese-speaking workplace
Later years
- Use JLPT textbooks and past papers
- Watch Japanese TV, YouTube, and anime with Japanese subtitles
- Write short diaries or blog posts in Japanese to practice writing

Use Learning Japanese for Study and Work in Japan and JLPT Exam Strategy for International Students to structure your progress.

Best Cities in Japan for Nepalese Students

Because Nepal is now one of the top sending countries, you will find Nepalese students in many cities across Japan.

Tokyo and Greater Kanto

Largest number of universities and language schools
Easy to find Nepalese restaurants, shops, and communities
Many part-time job offers but higher rent

Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe (Kansai)

Strong student culture and many universities
Major centre for business, tourism, and culture
Slightly lower living costs than central Tokyo in many cases

Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo and Other Cities

Good mix of universities and vocational colleges
Lower rent and quieter daily life
Fewer English speakers, which helps you improve Japanese faster

To compare options, see Best Cities in Japan for International Students.

Health Insurance, Safety, and Daily Life

National Health Insurance

International students staying longer than three months must join National Health Insurance (NHI).

Monthly cost for students is often around ¥2,000
NHI covers about 70% of most medical expenses, so you pay roughly 30%

This system makes doctor visits, hospital care, and medicine much cheaper than paying full price. Check Japan National Health Insurance Guide for International Students for more detail.

Everyday Setup

In your first few weeks in Japan, you will need to:

Register your address at the city or ward office
Join National Health Insurance
Open a bank account (for scholarships, wages, and rent)
Get a SIM card and a transport IC card (Suica, Pasmo, Icoca, etc.)
Learn local rules about garbage, noise, and bicycles

Step-by-Step Plan: From Nepal to Japan

Here is a simple plan you can adapt to your situation.

Clarify your goals
- Do you want a language year, a bachelor’s, a master’s/PhD, or a vocational program?
- Is your main goal a degree, a career in Japan, or experience abroad?
Check your current profile
- Education: SEE/SLC, +2, bachelor’s, or higher
- English level (IELTS/TOEFL)
- Japanese level (if any)
- Financial capacity and scholarship potential
Choose your study path
- Language school → university
- Direct undergraduate entry (Japanese or English program)
- Graduate study with MEXT or university scholarship
- Professional training college for skills and quick job entry
Research schools and scholarships
- List 5–10 target schools that match your goals
- Check tuition, location, support for international students, and scholarships
Prepare language and exams
- Study for JLPT, IELTS, TOEFL, or EJU as needed
- Make a study timetable and stick to it
Prepare application documents
- Transcripts and graduation certificates
- Recommendation letters
- Personal statement and study plan
- Financial documents and passport copy
Apply to schools and scholarships
- Follow each school’s instructions carefully
- Respect deadlines (Japanese schools are strict about dates)
- Submit MEXT and other scholarship applications where possible
Get acceptance and COE
- Send any extra documents the school requests
- Wait for your Certificate of Eligibility to be issued
Apply for the student visa in Nepal
- Prepare forms, COE, passport, photos, and financial proof
- Apply via the Embassy of Japan in Nepal or its official visa centre, following the latest instructions
Plan your first months in Japan
- Arrange dormitory or temporary housing
- Prepare money for initial costs and an emergency fund
Arrive and settle in
- Get your Residence Card, register your address, join NHI
- Open a bank account and get a SIM card
- Join orientation programs and student groups
Think about life after graduation
- Use career centres and job fairs
- Learn about work visas such as Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
- Decide whether to stay and work in Japan, return to Nepal, or move to another country using your Japanese qualification

Final Thoughts

Studying in Japan as a Nepalese student is no longer just a dream. Every year, tens of thousands of Nepalese students build their futures in Japanese classrooms and laboratories.

Japan offers you: