ISI Language School Kyoto, Japan
- Welcome party.
- Best rated school in Kyoto
- Excellent rating of student apartments4.7
- Top rated social activities4.6
- Top rated school facilities4.7
- Free assistance in applying to college/university programmes by a qualified consultant.
- Do not offer favorable cancellation terms in the case of a student getting a visa rejected.
Location: The school is to the west of the central point of Kyoto. This is typically marked as the area around the Imperial Palace and the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden. It is 15 minutes by bus from the school to these attractions. ISI is in the Nakagyo Ward, a central district in Kyoto, which is home to a number of key features of the city. This includes the Nishiki Market, which is 30 minutes by public transportation from ISI.
Travelling around Kyoto: The Emmachi Train Station is under 10 minutes by foot from ISI. The train line from this station runs through Kyoto and to Sonobe. Bus stops are scattered around the neighbourhood for transportation outside the route of the train line.
Local attractions: Nijo Castle is situated in Nakagyo Ward and is a 12-minute bus ride from the school, or a 20-minute walk. The rest of the attractions are in other areas of the city. The Fushimi Inari Taisha is 45 minutes by train from ISI, whilst the Bamboo Forest is a 25-minute bus ride.
Course structure: There are long term and short term Japanese courses at ISI. These courses are structured around the need for a visa or not. Private lessons in Japanese are taught at the school.
Social activities: ISI has after class sessions to educate students in furthering their career in Japanese. There are guidance sessions for careers and for business as well as a Ritsumeikan University Information Session. Cultural activities include zen meditation experience, maiko experience and Japanese Kite Making session.
Japanese Courses
Japanese Language Course Short-Term
This course tends to sell out quickly!20 lessons per week | 20 students (max)Starts weekly (every Monday)Offer!from¥24,780¥23,541 / week More
| Weeks | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price at school (¥) Our price (¥) | 0 | 49,560 47,082 | 74,340 70,623 | 99,120 94,164 | 106,200 100,890 | 127,440 121,068 | 148,680 141,246 | 155,760 147,972 | 159,300 151,335 | 177,000 168,150 | 354,000 336,300 |
| Price in US$ | 305 | 457 | 609 | 653 | 783 | 914 | 957 | 979 | 1,088 | 2,175 |
- Starting dates
- For all levels except of absolute beginners:Every MondaySee starting dates for absolute beginnersStarting dates for absolute beginners who have not taken a Japanese course before:
08 Jan 2026, 08 Apr 2026, 08 Jul 2026, 07 Oct 2026
Extra compulsory fees
- Facilities and management fees: JPY 2000 per week.
- General course schedule
- 4 daily lessons of 45 minutes will take place within the following possible time slots. The exact schedule will be assigned on the first day of class according to your level:
Morning: 8:50 - 12:00
Afternoon: 13:00 - 16:10 - Possible course durations
- 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20 weeks
- Minimum required student age
- 16 years
- Students per class
- Maximum: 20 / Average: 14
- Lesson duration
- 45 min
Japanese Language Course Long-TermThis course tends to sell out quickly!20 lessons per week | 20 students (max)Starts weekly (every Monday)Offer!from¥17,700¥16,815 / week More
| Weeks | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 20 | 40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price at school (¥) Our price (¥) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 354,000 336,300 | 708,000 672,600 |
| Price in US$ | 2,175 | 4,350 |
- Starting dates
- For all levels except of absolute beginners:Every MondaySee starting dates for absolute beginnersStarting dates for absolute beginners who have not taken a Japanese course before:
08 Jan 2026, 08 Apr 2026, 08 Jul 2026, 07 Oct 2026
Extra compulsory fees
For both 6 months and 1 year courses:
- Visa application: JPY 33000.
- Admission: JPY 77000.
For 6 months (2 terms): - Materials: JPY 22000.
- Facilities and management fees: JPY 40000.
For 1 year (4 terms): - Materials: JPY 44000.
- Facilities and management fees: JPY 80000.
- General course schedule
- 4 daily lessons of 45 minutes will take place within the following possible time slots. The exact schedule will be assigned on the first day of class according to your level:
Morning: 8:50 - 12:00
Afternoon: 13:00 - 16:10 - Possible course durations
- 20, 40 weeks
- Minimum required student age
- 16 years
- Students per class
- Maximum: 20 / Average: 14
- Lesson duration
- 45 min
Our prices for ISI Language School include
- INCLUDED Organized activities
- INCLUDED Internet access and use of school computers
- INCLUDED Wireless LAN zone at school
- INCLUDED Free certificate of course attendance
- INCLUDED Language level placement test before arrival
- INCLUDED Free consultation about suitable college/university programs by a qualified consultant
- INCLUDED Free assistance in applying to college/university programs by a qualified consultant
Student opinions about ISI Language School, Kyoto
ISI Language School, Kyoto
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Ratings of ISI Language School compared to ratings of all schools in Japan
| ISI Language School Kyoto | Average of all other schools in Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall school rating | ||
| Location of the school | ||
| Facilities | ||
| Social activities | ||
| Organisation | ||
| Quality of teaching | ||
| Value for money | ||
| Homestay | ||
| Shared flat |
ISI Language School (ISI)
“It’s a great environment to study and feel Japanese culture. You’ll see friendly teachers and highly motivated students from all over the world!”
- Accreditations and Quality seals
- ISO29991:2014, Association for the Promotion Japanese Language for Education
- Japanese teacher qualifications
- 100% hold a university degree100% hold a recognised language teaching qualification
- Languages spoken by school staff (cannot be guaranteed by school)
- Student gender mix
- 50% male / 50% female
- Offer for returning students
- You will be refunded/waived the school's administration fee if you already attended previously a course at ISI Language School and you book here.
- Year of school foundation
- 2003
General school facilities
Cafeteria
Snack vending machine
Drink vending machine
Library
Lounge
Balcony / terrace
Student support desk
Free water dispenser
Free WIFI
Non-smoking (all indoor areas, but not all outdoor areas of school)
Career guidance service (free)
Guidance for further higher education (free)
Facilities for islamic students
Available area to pray at the school
Classroom equipment
TV in all classrooms
Air conditioning in all classrooms
Heating in all classrooms
Ample natural light in all classrooms
- Number of classrooms: 26
- Number of public PC workstations: 2
Student Age / Nationality
| Student Nationality | Percentage of students |
|---|---|
| China | 16% |
| USA | 6% |
| Italy | 4% |
| Thailand | 3% |
| Spain | 3% |
| Brazil | 3% |
| France | 3% |
| Germany | 3% |
| Sweden | 2% |
| Vietnam | 2% |
| Turkey | 2% |
| England | 2% |
| Chile | 1% |
| Switzerland | 1% |
| Other nationalities | 49% |
- Average number of students
- Adult courses - In summer: 300Adult courses - Throughout the year: 300Junior courses - In summer: 300Junior courses - Throughout the year: 300
- Minimum age of students
- 16 years
- Average number of levels
- Adult courses In summer: 20Adult courses Throughout the year: 20
- Average age of students
- In summer: 23 yearsThroughout the year: 25 years
Information for all courses offered by ISI Language School
- Lesson duration
- 45 minutes
- School's administrative fee
- ¥20,000
- Course material
- Generally, course material has to be purchased by all students at the school. The costs of course material will be approximately ¥11,000 per course level.
- Comments about courses
Students need to enroll at least 1 month before the starting date of their course.
- Days without class
- In 2026 (including national and regional bank holidays):
01 Jan 2026, 12 Jan 2026, 11 Feb 2026, 23 Feb 2026, 20 Mar 2026, 29 Apr 2026, 03 May 2026, 04 May 2026, 05 May 2026, 06 May 2026, 20 Jul 2026, 11 Aug 2026, 21 Sep 2026, 22 Sep 2026, 23 Sep 2026, 12 Oct 2026, 03 Nov 2026, 23 Nov 2026.School policy regarding bank holidays:Full number of lost classes are made up - Level test
- A test to assess your exact language level takes place before the start of the course via an online form.
Leisure activities
Examples of leisure activities organized by the school
Adults - Free activities
- - Kimono dressing experience
- Maiko experience
- Career guidance
- Japanese kite making
- Ikebana making
- Meditation
- Bowling competition
Adults - Paid activities
- Some activities may need a small price to be paid for the materials, entrance fee or transportation (the teachers will inform the student in this case)
Accommodation
Homestay
In high demand!
2 ratings Single room, Breakfast & 1 meal
Shared bathroom
from
¥43,550/ week Show more
| Weeks | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | Additional Week | One-time fee (charged by school) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price in ¥ | -- | 87100 | 134000 | 180900 | 227800 | 274700 | 321600 | 368500 | 462300 | 556100 | 46900 | 30000 |
| Price in US$ | 564 | 867 | 1,170 | 1,474 | 1,777 | 2,080 | 2,384 | 2,990 | 3,597 | 304 | 195 |
Prices based on accommodation from Sunday to Sunday
Price per person
- Check-in
- Sunday 9:00-20:00
- Check-out
- Sunday
Note: It is important to inform the school if you plan to arrive or leave outside the standard check in/check out times.
- One-time fee
- The school/accommodation provider will charge a non-refundable one-time fee of 30000¥.
- Price extra night
- ¥6,700 (Individual extra nights bookable at indicated extra night price)
- Room Occupancy
- Single room
- Includes
- TV, Phone, Daily cleaning, Bedding/linen, Access to laundry service, Access to Wifi in building (Free WIFI), Heating, Air conditioning, Shared bathroom.
- Meals
- Breakfast & 1 meal.
- Minimum age of students
- 16
- Dates
- High season dates: 23 Dec 2026 - 31 Dec 2026
- High season
- High season supplement per day: 2500 ¥
Student House: Type A
This accommodation tends to sell out quickly!
3 ratings Single room, No meals
Shared bathroom
from
¥25,200/ week Show more
| Weeks | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | Additional Week | One-time fee (charged by school) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price in ¥ | -- | 50400 | 75600 | 100800 | 126000 | 151200 | 176400 | 201600 | 252000 | 302400 | 25200 | 40000 |
| Price in US$ | 326 | 489 | 652 | 815 | 978 | 1,141 | 1,304 | 1,630 | 1,956 | 163 | 259 |
Prices based on accommodation from Sunday to Sunday
Price per person
- Check-in
- Sunday 9:00-20:00
- Check-out
- Sunday
Note: It is important to inform the school if you plan to arrive or leave outside the standard check in/check out times.
- One-time fee
- The school/accommodation provider will charge a non-refundable one-time fee of 40000¥.
- Price extra night
- ¥3,600 (Individual extra nights bookable at indicated extra night price)
- Room Occupancy
- Single room
- Average distance from school
- 10 minutes walking.
- Includes
- Bedding/linen, Weekly cleaning, Access to laundry service, Access to Wifi in building (Free WIFI), Heating, Air conditioning, Shared bathroom.
- Meals
- No meals.
- Minimum age of students
- 18
Student House: Type A - Enmachi
This accommodation tends to sell out quickly!
Twin room, No meals
Shared bathroom
from
¥19,600/ week Show more
| Weeks | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | Additional Week | One-time fee (charged by school) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price in ¥ | -- | 39200 | 58800 | 78400 | 98000 | 117600 | 137200 | 156800 | 196000 | 235200 | 19600 | 20000 |
| Price in US$ | 254 | 381 | 507 | 634 | 761 | 888 | 1,014 | 1,268 | 1,521 | 127 | 130 |
Prices based on accommodation from Sunday to Saturday
Price per person
Airport pick-up: JPY 40000.
This accommodation can also be booked for a full term: JPY 249 000 per term.
- Check-in
- Sunday 9:00-20:00
- Check-out
- Saturday
Note: It is important to inform the school if you plan to arrive or leave outside the standard check in/check out times.
- One-time fee
- The school/accommodation provider will charge a non-refundable one-time fee of 20000¥.
- Price extra night
- ¥2,800 (Individual extra nights bookable at indicated extra night price)
- Room Occupancy
- Twin room
- Average distance from school
- 40 minutes by public transport.
- Includes
- Bedding/linen, Weekly cleaning, Access to laundry service, Access to Wifi in building (Free WIFI), Heating, Air conditioning, Shared bathroom.
- Meals
- No meals.
- Minimum age of students
- 18
Student House: Type B - Enmachi Single room, No meals
Shared bathroom
from
¥23,800/ week Show more
| Weeks | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | Additional Week | One-time fee (charged by school) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price in ¥ | -- | 47600 | 71400 | 95200 | 119000 | 142800 | 166600 | 190400 | 238000 | 285600 | 23800 | 40000 |
| Price in US$ | 308 | 462 | 616 | 770 | 924 | 1,078 | 1,232 | 1,540 | 1,847 | 154 | 259 |
Prices based on accommodation from Sunday to Saturday
Price per person
Airport pick-up (car): JPY 40000.
This accommodation can also be booked for a full term: JPY 291 000 per term.
- Check-in
- Sunday 9:00-20:00
- Check-out
- Saturday
Note: It is important to inform the school if you plan to arrive or leave outside the standard check in/check out times.
- One-time fee
- The school/accommodation provider will charge a non-refundable one-time fee of 40000¥.
- Price extra night
- ¥3,400 (Individual extra nights bookable at indicated extra night price)
- Room Occupancy
- Single room
- Average distance from school
- 10 minutes walking.
- Includes
- Bedding/linen, Weekly cleaning, Access to laundry service, Access to Wifi in building (Free WIFI), Heating, Air conditioning, Shared bathroom.
- Meals
- No meals.
- Minimum age of students
- 18
Student House: Type B - Saga Arashiyama Twin room, No meals
Shared bathroom
from
¥18,200/ week Show more
| Weeks | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | Additional Week | One-time fee (charged by school) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price in ¥ | -- | 36400 | 54600 | 72800 | 91000 | 109200 | 127400 | 145600 | 182000 | 218400 | 18200 | 20000 |
| Price in US$ | 236 | 354 | 471 | 589 | 707 | 824 | 942 | 1,177 | 1,413 | 118 | 130 |
Prices based on accommodation from Sunday to Saturday
Price per person
Airport pick-up: JPY 40000.
This accommodation can also be booked for 1 full term: JPY 237 000 per person and term.
- Check-in
- Sunday 9:00-20:00
- Check-out
- Saturday
Note: It is important to inform the school if you plan to arrive or leave outside the standard check in/check out times.
- One-time fee
- The school/accommodation provider will charge a non-refundable one-time fee of 20000¥.
- Price extra night
- ¥2,600 (Individual extra nights bookable at indicated extra night price)
- Room Occupancy
- Twin room
- Average distance from school
- 40 minutes by public transport.
- Includes
- Bedding/linen, Weekly cleaning, Access to laundry service, Access to Wifi in building (Free WIFI), Heating, Air conditioning, Shared bathroom.
- Meals
- No meals.
- Minimum age of students
- 18
FAQ about ISI Language School, Kyoto
I saw in the description that there are a lot of guesthouses in Japan. What does a guesthouse mean in Japan?
Do you offer a course that lasts for 3 months and the visa support service?
This means, the client should arrange the visa, (tourist visa for instance) to enter Japan and join our school.
We don’t support any visa other than a student visa (to study more than 6 months).”
Does the school issue ERFS for the Working Holiday Visa Application?
Are the courses offered by the ISI Language School in Kyoto suitable for a person that has no speaking or reading experience in Japanese?
”
ISI Language School offers courses for which ages?
Terms of ISI Language School
- First day of course
- Students should arrive at 8:40
- Payment methods accepted for payments made directly to the school

- Legal name/parent company
- ISI Inc. | Tax registration ID: 4011101027191
Visa Documents
- School fee for issuing the visa documents:
- 33000 ¥
- Full payment of all fees required before school dispatches documents required for visa application
- Yes
- Express shipment fee (via courier)
- 12000 ¥







For those who are already in Japan and will not need a student visa.