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Cost of a year
What will a year really cost?
From the country guide: tuition, living costs and the visa fee, plus the money you must show. The part you lose if the visa is refused is marked.
In short: a first year in Japan costs about EUR 10,200 to 10,800: tuition, twelve months of living costs and the visa fee.
Last checked: 24 September 2026, against the official sources linked below.
A year in Japan
| In JPY as published | In EUR | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, one year | JPY 535,800 to 642,960 | EUR 3,030 to 3,640 Public university, international student |
| Living costs, twelve months | JPY 1,260,000 | EUR 7,130 |
| Visa or permit feeNot refunded if the visa is refused | JPY 15,000 | EUR 85 |
| First year, all in | EUR 10,240 to 10,850 | |
| Money you must show for the visa | Not published Held in your account before you apply; most of it then pays your living costs | |
If the exchange rate moves. Today 1 JPY = 0.00566 EUR (rate of 13 November 2026). A 10% move either way changes this first year by about EUR 1,050, and a whole three to four-year degree by roughly EUR 3,160 to EUR 4,220. Plan with a margin, and pay large sums when the rate suits you.
Worth knowing. Most degree programmes teach in Japanese, and the 28-hour weekly work cap is enforced and needs prior permission.
The full Japan guide, with every source →
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Japan: what a year costs next to
Tuition, living costs and the visa fee side by side, in your currency.
Leaves out flights, deposits and insurance unless the guide includes them. Currency: Rates by Exchange Rate API, 13 November 2026.
Questions
How much does it cost to study in Japan for a year?
a first year in Japan costs about EUR 10,200 to 10,800: tuition, twelve months of living costs and the visa fee.