How much does it cost to live in Japan?
Living cost varies depending on where you live in Japan. According to the study by JASSO, the average monthly expenses of international students range from JPY 75,000 to JPY 109,000 (As of June 2023, 1 USD is approximately JPY 140). Aside from the tuition fee, the biggest expenditure will be the rent. On average, international students spend around JPY 35,000 per month for rent. To find out more on living cost in Japan and monthly expenses of international students, please check here.
If a student has a full scholarship, he/she can cover his/her living cost with the scholarship. There are also a number of students who study in Japan with a tuition fee exemption and a partial scholarship.
Finding an accommodation
Monthly accommodation expenses also depend on where you live in Japan as well as types of accommodations you choose. According to the study by JASSO, the average housing expenses range from JPY 24,000 to JPY 45,000, and around 1/3 of expenditures of international students are spent on the rent. The rent of student dormitories is less expensive than that of private accommodations such as apartments, even though the number of available rooms are limited. In some universities, international students are given priorities to rent a room in a dorm for the first couple of months to a year. Many universities have a department (student office) that assists international students in finding an apartment. Once you get a letter of acceptance from a school, contact the student office to find out more about different accommodation options.
Part-time job
According to the study by JASSO, around 76% of privately-finance international students in Japan are working part time. While it is not possible to sustain your living and academic fees by working part time only, a part-time job up to 28 hours per week (and up to 8 hours a day during long school holidays) is allowed if you apply for “permission to engage in activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted” at the immigration office. For more information about part time work, please check here.
Please note that a student visa (whose resident status states "Student") does not allow you to work, and you need to get a permission mentioned above. If you are receiving a scholarship, please make sure you double check with the organisation that is providing you with the scholarships, as some do not allow for a part-time job.
Student life
What is it like to live and study in Japan? Let's watch videos and see how current African students live and study in Japan.
Content from Youtube can't be displayed due to your current cookie settings. To show this content, please click "Consent & Show" to confirm that necessary data will be transferred to Youtube to enable this service. Further information can be found in our Privacy Policy. Changed your mind? You can revoke your consent at any time via your cookie settings.
Day in the life of a student in Japan
Mr Collins Nimako
PhD student at Hokkaido University
Content from Youtube can't be displayed due to your current cookie settings. To show this content, please click "Consent & Show" to confirm that necessary data will be transferred to Youtube to enable this service. Further information can be found in our Privacy Policy. Changed your mind? You can revoke your consent at any time via your cookie settings.
Day in the life of a student in Japan
Ms Amara Onuh
PhD student at Hokkaido University
Content from Youtube can't be displayed due to your current cookie settings. To show this content, please click "Consent & Show" to confirm that necessary data will be transferred to Youtube to enable this service. Further information can be found in our Privacy Policy. Changed your mind? You can revoke your consent at any time via your cookie settings.
A day with Temi
Mr Temilolu Awofeso
Undergraduate student at Ritsumeikan Asia-Pacific University (APU)
Content from Youtube can't be displayed due to your current cookie settings. To show this content, please click "Consent & Show" to confirm that necessary data will be transferred to Youtube to enable this service. Further information can be found in our Privacy Policy. Changed your mind? You can revoke your consent at any time via your cookie settings.
A day with Celine
Ms Celine Uwineza
Undergraduate student at Ritsumeikan Asia-Pacific University (APU)