Reviews of Kyoto JaLS, Kyoto, Japan
NOTE: All reviews are authentic. Only students who booked their course through us can publish evaluations here, and only after the end of their programme. These evaluations then are not manipulated in any way, neither by us nor by the school, and can be trusted as honest opinions about personal experiences with the school.
Average Rating
4.7
Overall rating
Kyoto JaLS, Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto JaLS, Kyoto, Japan
Based on 34 reviews of former students of Kyoto JaLS
School
Location of the school
Facilities
Social activities
Organisation
Course
Quality of teaching
Value for money
Accommodation
Homestay
Shared Flat (apartment)
Overall school rating by student age group
Students < 18 years (0 ratings)
Students 18-30 years (11 ratings)
Students 31-49 years (9 ratings)
Students 50+ years (13 ratings)
Verified reviews only, uncensored. All student opinions from students who booked a course at the school with LanguageCourse.net.
Individual Reviews
Kyoto JaLS
10. Dec. 2025
Maartje (36 years) 
Course: Autumn Course - 4 weeks
Course: Autumn Course - 4 weeksOverall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"Super invested staff, they make an effort to introduce you to people who have similar interests or experiences. The offer of activities is 6 days a week (!) and they are very good value. Transport in included in the price and they make an effort to make a lot of pictures of everyone so you're creating so many nice memories!
I wished I booked the entire autumn course (5 weeks) instead of the 4 that I did.
You can enter at any level and they check in with you to make sure of you feel comfortable with the class level. But they also keep in mind of the energies match so if you are a bit talkative in class and above your level, you might have to tone it down a bit and be a good student to proof your worth ;)
which I actually appreciated a lot because it puts the masses above the individual.
Also. The coffee was good O:"
Negative aspects
"The Fridays were a bit hectic! There is a graduation ceremony on Friday and they appreciate you staying for the other students, but then leaving for the activity leaves almost little room for lunch!
So make sure you maybe have something easy to snack on while you watch the ceremony ;)
And the classrooms are a bit small so they can become stuffy, but you know, that's the downside of the good location probably so I'll take it :)"
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
"Kendo, Ikebana and wagashi making where so much fun! And the hikes! They are very nice and take you a away from the centre often and see places you might not have thought off."
Details of the review
Other comments
"I am a Jals student for life now!"
City/place
"10/10 would travel again.
It's lovely, clean and if you know how to avoid the insane crowds, you find so many lovely spots."
Quality of teaching / language progress
"Highly recommend!"
Accommodation
"Despite the best effort of the staff, cheap living arrangements can attract people who seem to care less.
It was a modern house, easy to clean. instructions everywhere on how to clean, yet I arrived in a absolutely dusty dirty place.
Once I gave it a good cleanse it was very livable however, a bit thin walls maybe, but that comes with the price I guess ;)"
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Shared House
29. Oct. 2025
Charlotta (18 years) 
Course: Standard Course - 4 weeks
Course: Standard Course - 4 weeksOverall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"The school as a whole is simply great. Great teachers, good atmosphere and very nice staff. I would come back any time."
Details of the review
City/place
"Kyoto is a great city that combines traditional and modern Japan. I have been to many cities in Japan, but Kyoto is my favorite."
Quality of teaching / language progress
"Great for a short period of time!"
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Homestay
29. Sep. 2025
Richard (74 years) Singapore Course: Standard Course - 1 week
Overall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"The school has excellent facilities, dedicated staff and a sincere desire to deliver the best for their students."
Negative aspects
"They were disorganized in introducing a new textbook and the mix of students did not work for my class."
Details of the review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
---
Quality of teaching / language progress
4. Jun. 2025
Dietmar (55 years) Course: Culture Course - 2 weeks
Course: Culture Course - 2 weeksOverall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"The staff are very committed and approach the students, which makes contact easier."
Details of the review
City/place
"Super clean, organized and safe.
Incredible amount to see and experience."
Accommodation
"The host mother looked after me like my grandma used to."
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Homestay
25. Mar. 2025
Malin (19 years) Course: Standard Course + Private Lessons - 2 weeks
Course: Standard Course + Private Lessons - 2 weeksOverall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"Great teachers and staff who actively involve and support you! The school has a great location and is the perfect place to meet new people and focus on learning! Highly recommended!"
Negative aspects
"There were none!"
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
"Private lessons and the Ikebana experience!"
Details of the review
Other comments
"I'd love to come back!"
City/place
"Kyoto is very touristy, especially because there's so much to see. A language stay offers a great opportunity to see a lot of the city and get a feel for it!"
Quality of teaching / language progress
"The private lessons were a great decision!"
Accommodation
"Unfortunately, the kitchen was dirty and the rooms themselves were very cold. Otherwise, the accommodation was great!"
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Shared House
18. Dec. 2024
Benedict (22 years) Course: Standard Course - 5 weeks
Course: Standard Course - 5 weeksOverall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"Very nice teachers, great atmosphere and a good working environment! I improved my Japanese significantly in the 5 weeks!"
Negative aspects
"Sometimes there is still a lot of focus on shadowing and repeating phrases."
Details of the review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Shared House
12. Nov. 2024
Britta (48 years) Germany Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"Everybody was very friendly and helpful. The teachers were very nice. They did not only make me feel comfortable using my somewhat rusty Japanese again, they even gave me great tips for travelling afterwards."
Negative aspects
"Some of the methods used seemed strange to me. Especially that shadowing thing every morning."
Details of the review
Other comments
"Highly recommend, I would sure go there again."
City/place
"Kyoto is the place to go when you are interested in the old Japan, but it is still a modern tow with a famous university, so there are a lot of young people. Sadly, it is a little overrun with tourists by now."
Accommodation
"There were some things not provided that I would definitely expect in an apartment rented out for short term use. There were no cooking utensils, not even a single pot, nor were there any cups or glasses. I had to go and buy my own shower curtain, which was extremely hard to get rid of afterwards, given the Japanese garbage disposal system. I also was expected to clean the room when moving out. No problem as such, but again, there were no cleaning supplies like a vacuum cleaner or even a broom. On the other hand there were things provided that I would expect in a hotel, like shampoo, conditioner an body soap. That was a little random in my opinion."
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Other
12. Nov. 2024
Hans (67 years) Course: Standard Course + Private Lessons - 6 weeks
Course: Standard Course + Private Lessons - 6 weeksOverall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"Small groups, very international. Nice support team that really does its best to connect everyone. (There were also Japanese who study English, who were paired with us, who study the other way).
The private lessons are highly recommended by the way. I didn't find the lessons themselves very interesting (see below), The private lessons were intensive, but they were exactly right. They were also flexible: part of the time it was just about what I had done or what was on my mind.
In the lessons, practically only Japanese was spoken at full speed. That alone, despite the negative points below, was good. Difficult at the beginning, "natural" at the end."
Negative aspects
"The rooms were relatively small. It was also a bit noisy for private lessons. It seems that I can't keep denying, and will have to get a hearing aid at some point :-(
Most likely because of my age (65+), the books used don't really appeal to me. The material is slow, the stories aren't really interesting. The books (Minna no hinongo), are also not really good in terms of layout (messy).
This is more criticism of the method than the school.
JaLS calls "Shadowing" a strong point. For me it was: everyone talks to the tape or the teacher at the same time. That doesn't work for me. I have to listen to the tape (good pronunciation) and to my own pronunciation, but I can't listen to the tape, 6 students who speak bad Japanese, and myself. Regularly arrived too late for the first hour to miss it. It was just annoying and tiring, and in my opinion didn't contribute to the learning process."
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
"Just go for it. Learning a language is like a Japanese proverb: "If you collect dust, it will become a mountain"."
Details of the review
City/place
"I have a bias here: been there many times, is my favorite city in Japan. Lots to do, many beautiful things to see, both in the city and in the immediate surroundings. Food is relatively cheap, apart from fruit. Safe, clean, friendly.
Can't think of anything negative :-)"
Quality of teaching / language progress
"The private lessons add a lot. I actually think you should include this as standard!"
Accommodation
"No meals.
Always ate outside, in places where mainly Japanese people came. That always gave an opportunity to use the language as well"
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Shared House
28. Jun. 2024
Bertram (26 years) Denmark Course: Standard Course - 4 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"The teachers and the staff at the school were incredibly kind and welcoming. I felt very much at home at Kyoto JaLS."
Details of the review
Quality of teaching / language progress
"By not having private lessons, I had more time to attend after-class activities."
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Shared House
17. Jun. 2024
Monika (51 years) 
Course: Standard Course - 4 weeks
Course: Standard Course - 4 weeksOverall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"Very good organisation and level of teaching, very nice, helpful, competent teachers."
Details of the review
Other comments
"Friendly staff, very nice teachers, good quality of teaching"
City/place
"Lovely, friendly, very interesting, beautiful."
Accommodation
"The appearance of the room does not correspond to the one shown in the photos, no window (!) - i.e. directly outside the window wall, no access to daylight, room size 6 m2. Very basic furnishings."
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Shared House
28. May. 2024
Jasper (25 years) Course: Standard Course + Private Lessons - 8 weeks
Course: Standard Course + Private Lessons - 8 weeksOverall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"Very organized, great learning spaces, nice teachers, well structured and very personal interaction - great!"
Negative aspects
"There are no refunds for activity costs even if you cancel a week in advance. Has happened several times."
Details of the review
City/place
"Great"
Quality of teaching / language progress
"I was able to use the private lessons very well as a supplement. The teachers even spoke to me personally and were always up to date on my test results, etc."
Accommodation
"Sharehouse, room with stove and balcony"
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Shared House
21. Mar. 2024
Nikkie (55 years) United States Course: 6 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"I love all their after school activities. They were all amazing!"
Negative aspects
"My class room was a bit stuffy. Better ventilation would help."
Details of the review
Other comments
"Great school. I will join again if I have a chance."
City/place
"I love Kyoto and would visit again."
Quality of teaching / language progress
"Perfect!"
Accommodation
"My initial accommodation was a homestay but it did not work out so I arranged to move to a hotel later on. Despite this little hiccups occurred, I was happy being able to join this school."
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Homestay
13. Feb. 2024
Ursula (60 years) Course: Standard Course + Private Lessons - 2 weeks
Course: Standard Course + Private Lessons - 2 weeksOverall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"Good location/transport connections, very good organisation, very friendly staff/teachers"
Negative aspects
"Very small classrooms, unfortunately normal in Japan. The maximum class size should not be eight, but six participants"
Details of the review
Quality of teaching / language progress
"Can be combined very well with each other, recommended"
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
8. Jan. 2024
Luca Fiona (29 years) Course: Standard Course + Private Lessons - 12 weeks
Course: Standard Course + Private Lessons - 12 weeksOverall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"I am so glad that I chose this school! I felt so well looked after and welcome here. Both the teachers and the staff were fully committed to their work every day and I have never had such a great learning environment, learnt so much and had so much fun. The immersive method is used, i.e. everything is in Japanese, but if you really don't understand something, you can of course get by with English. I enjoyed being there every day, as I said I learnt an incredible amount (standard course + private lessons), made great friends and am already planning to come back. I can recommend the school 100 per cent!"
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
"The Japanese Conversation Courses"
Details of the review
City/place
"I love Kyoto! I am so happy to have chosen this city."
Quality of teaching / language progress
"The perfect combination for me. What you have learnt can be deepened and personal learning priorities can be better taken into account."
Accommodation
"I can recommend it to everyone! It's a great way to experience everyday Japanese family life, home-cooked food and everyday language."
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Homestay
24. Oct. 2023
Kevin (67 years) Germany Course: Standard Course + Private Lessons - 3 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"I am very impressed with the dedication and passion of the teachers to be sure that the students would be as successful as possible. School administrators were equally helpful and supportive.
I have the highest regards for JaLS Kyoto."
Negative aspects
"There was nothing that I did not like."
Details of the review
City/place
"I have had a long history with Kyoto. My wife is from Kyoto and I stay with her family on my frequent visits here."
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
30. Sep. 2023
Katrin (31 years) Germany Course: Standard Course - 6 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"Many activities are offered and organized, facilities offer space to study and relax, staff are super kind."
Negative aspects
"Quality of teaching depends on the teacher which switches a lot, struggle to place you in a higher course if needed."
Details of the review
City/place
"Best city in Japan for cultural sight seeing."
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
19. Sep. 2023
Yoojin (54 years) South Korea Course: Standard Course - 4 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"It was nice to be able to speak English and Japanese together with various foreigners."
Negative aspects
"I was a little confused because there was no water purifier facility in the facility.
Wherever you go in Korea, you can freely drink water indoors... but here, you had to buy it from a vending machine."
Details of the review
City/place
"I think it is a place where travel and Language training can go hand in hand."
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
13. Jul. 2023
Tino (37 years) Course: Standard Course - 5 weeks
Course: Standard Course - 5 weeksOverall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"School was great, small classes and the excursions were also very interesting."
Details of the review
Quality of teaching / language progress
"It was great, we progressed bit by bit. Now and then the homework was a bit much, but everything was doable."
Accommodation
"Location was great but unfortunately the room was quite small at 7m², also there was no bed but only futons. The only piece of furniture was a small table, no wardrobe or storage available for clothes. The common room and kitchen were great. Unfortunately after 2 weeks a shower broke down so there was only 1 shower for everyone. There was a replacement shower, but after a week the hot water stopped working, so you could only take a cold shower."
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Shared House
12. Jun. 2023
Donice (66 years) United Kingdom Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"It is very friendly. The building is modern. The teachers are mostly pretty good."
Negative aspects
"The only downside is that in 2 weeks I had more than 5 different teachers!! They were all following the same general plan but I think it interfered with the learning process."
Details of the review
City/place
"It is a quiet city with lots of cultural activities and sights."
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
29. May. 2023
Christa (67 years) Course: Standard Course - 8 weeks
Course: Standard Course - 8 weeksOverall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"Very sympathetic, very good teachers with high motivational potential"
Negative aspects
"Inflexible"
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
"Activities are a lot of fun"
Details of the review
Other comments
"Very pleasant"
City/place
"Very beautiful"
Quality of teaching / language progress
"Very good course; I actually wanted another one with more conversation/less strictness"
Accommodation
"Hostess very pleasant, charming, informed, helpful, even beyond the call of duty."
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Homestay
23. May. 2023
Dana (32 years) Course: Standard Course - 7 weeks
Course: Standard Course - 7 weeksOverall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"The teachers were so nice and motivating. The size of the class is absolutely brilliant!"
Details of the review
City/place
"Very traditional, quiet and varied. The locals are rather reserved and quiet."
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Homestay
15. May. 2023
Lilian Cristina (52 years) Course: Standard Course - 1 week
Course: Standard Course - 1 weekOverall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"I like the school very much. I would like to go back to Kyoto or another JaLS location for a week or two next year!"
Negative aspects
"Everything was good!"
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
"Sights in the city (especially the world heritage sites)"
Details of the review
Other comments
"Very good concept"
City/place
"One of the most beautiful and interesting cities in Japan"
Quality of teaching / language progress
"Small group, excellent teacher"
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
2. May. 2023
Kevin (67 years) United States Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"I was very impressed with everyone at the school. They are a class act. Staff will be checking constantly to see how you are doing and staff visiting from other JaLS schools also walked around just to introduce themselves and to see how you are doing. I have only the highest regards for all staff and all sensei. I plan to return to Kyoto JaLS later this year."
Negative aspects
"There are absolutely no weaknesses in my opinion."
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
"I wish I had booked private lessons too. I would suggest that to to others and will add private lessons the next time I enroll."
Details of the review
Other comments
"They are the best. I miss the school already."
City/place
"I have an existing connection with Kyoto as my wife and family live here. I have been to Kyoto many times in the last and love this place."
Quality of teaching / language progress
"I was very pleased with my placement."
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
2. Aug. 2019
Shi Ngai (46 years) Hong Kong Course: Standard Course - 8 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"Nice lounge where students, teachers, and staff can meet."
Details of the review
City/place
"Kyoto, the most beautiful city ever visited."
Quality of teaching / language progress
"I definitely recommend JaLS Kyoto for anyone interested for Japanese Language lessons."
Accommodation
"Accommodation arranged by myself, but same shared-house arranged by JaLS for other students."
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Shared House
17. Feb. 2019
지연 (47 years) South Korea Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Positive aspects of school
"I really liked the studying environment of the school. Teachers were switched a lot so that I could experience different types of teaching which I loved it. They provide many courses that you have lots of course choices in your level.
The lounge was perfect place to making friends."
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
"The text book they used in class was 'minna no nihongo'. If you have this book already, you should not buy new one."
Details of the review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
21. Oct. 2019
Hedeline (54 years) 
Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
Course: Standard Course - 2 weeksOverall rating
Value for money
Details of the review
Other comments
"Small flat, small classrooms without windows"
City/place
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Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Homestay
11. Feb. 2026
Youngsuk (65 years) South Korea Course: Standard Course - 3 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Details of the review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
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Quality of teaching / language progress
31. Oct. 2023
Yen Chi Hong Kong Course: Standard Course - 6 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
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Details of the review
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18. Jul. 2023
Jeanne France Course: Standard Course - 4 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Details of the review
City/place
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Shared House
16. Sep. 2019
Stephen (32 years) Australia Course: Standard Course - 8 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Details of the review
City/place
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Facilities (library, classrooms)
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Accommodation
Shared House
16. Sep. 2019
Lisa (19 years) Germany Course: Standard Course - 4 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Details of the review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
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Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Homestay
12. Aug. 2019
Gerard (23 years) Spain Course: Standard Course + Private Lessons - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
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Details of the review
City/place
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Social activities
---
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Accommodation
Homestay
8. Apr. 2019
Gomes Gushiken (23 years) Japan Course: Standard Course - 5 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Details of the review
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5. Mar. 2019
Mateus (19 years) Brazil Course: Standard Course - 4 weeks
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Value for money
Details of the review
City/place
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Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Shared House
