School and Classes

School and Classes

What are the features of OBKG?

Our school was founded in 1985 and has a long history and rich experience in Japanese education. We are an officially approved Japanese language school under the Osaka Prefectural Government (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology), so you can study with confidence.
For more details, please visit our homepage.

When can I enroll?

You can enroll in April, July, and October.

Are there any scholarships?

Yes. There are several scholarships such as JASSO, Excellent Student Scholarship, JLPT Scholarship, and EJU Scholarship.
Please contact us through the inquiry page for more details.

Are the classes taught in Japanese? Are all teachers Japanese?

Yes. All classes are taught in Japanese by qualified, professional Japanese teachers.
Many teachers have been working at our school for a long time, which helps students improve their academic performance.

What do graduates do after graduation?

About 90% of our graduates go on to graduate schools or universities.
Others study at vocational schools in fields such as animation, manga, IT, culinary arts, confectionery, fashion, tourism, and hospitality.
Some students also find employment in Japan after graduation (with certain conditions).
Our school is the only Japanese language school in Kansai where students can get a job immediately after graduation.

What majors can students choose after graduation?

Students go on to study various fields such as management, economics, ICT, biotechnology, robotics, animation, manga, environmental studies, human sciences, welfare, mathematics, applied chemistry, life science, culinary arts, hospitality, and tourism.

When and how should I apply for admission?

Please start preparing your application about six months before your desired admission month.
Prepare and submit the required documents within the designated period.
After screening, we will submit your documents to the Immigration Bureau.
Please see the Application Form Download page for details.

How long are the classes each day?

Classes are 4 hours per day.
Morning class: 9:00 – 12:50, Afternoon class: 13:10 – 16:50

How are classes divided? How many students are in each class?

After enrollment, students take a placement test and are assigned to a class according to their level.
You cannot choose your own class.
Each class has about 15～20 students on average.

What is required to enter a graduate school?

You need JLPT N1 level to enter graduate school.
Most schools also require the Examination for Japanese University Admission (EJU) and a research proposal (about 1000 characters).
Entrance exams usually include an interview about your research plan and a short essay (about 800 characters) on your field.

What is the recommendation entrance system?

Excellent students can apply to partner universities through our recommendation system, which gives an advantage in admission.

I already passed JLPT N1 (or N2). Is it still meaningful to attend a Japanese language school?

Yes. Even with N1, it is difficult to follow university lectures in Japanese and manage reports, schedules, and daily life alone.
Our school supports students with visa management, residence card procedures, health insurance, bank accounts, phone contracts, dormitory life, train use, bicycle rules, garbage sorting, and more.
Japanese language school is not only for learning Japanese, but also for learning how to live in Japan properly as a foreign resident.

How much is the tuition fee per year?

The first-year cost is ¥800,000 in total:
Admission fee: ¥80,000 (only at admission)
Tuition fee: ¥640,000 per year
Educational activity fee: ¥80,000

Life in Osaka

Life in Osaka

How much is the monthly living cost?

It depends on your lifestyle, but the average is about ¥70,000–¥100,000 per month including rent.
Example:
Rent & utilities: ¥35,000–¥45,000
Food: ¥20,000–¥30,000
Phone & transportation: ¥10,000–¥20,000
Personal expenses: ¥10,000–¥20,000

I heard that living in Japan is expensive. Is it difficult to live in Osaka?

Osaka is one of Japan’s major cities, but prices are relatively low.
You can rent a studio apartment with a bath and toilet near school for around ¥30,000–¥40,000.
There are also many inexpensive supermarkets nearby, so you can live comfortably.

Does the school have a dormitory?

Yes. We have single-room dormitories within a 10-minute walk from school.
Each room includes air conditioning, refrigerator, water, gas, and internet (only electricity is paid separately).
Rooms are fully furnished, so you can start living from the day you arrive.
The dormitory is secure with an auto-lock system and a manager on site.
Coin laundry is available.
Only two train stops (or 10 minutes by bicycle) to Umeda, the center of Osaka.

How much is the dormitory fee?

Upon moving in, you pay an entrance fee of ¥90,000 and dormitory rent from ¥126,000 for 3 months.

Are the rooms private?

Yes, all rooms are single rooms.

I want to live in Tokyo. Why is Osaka better?

Rent in Tokyo is about twice as high as in Osaka.
Average rent in Osaka is around ¥30,000, while in Tokyo it’s ¥50,000–¥60,000.
Daily expenses are also higher in Tokyo.
Tokyo is Japan’s capital, and many residents are from other regions, so people may seem less friendly to foreigners.
Osaka has a long history of international exchange, and local people are generally kind and open to foreigners.

Where is the school located in Osaka?

Our school is in a quiet residential area, just a 5-minute walk from JR Temma Station and Subway Ogimachi Station.
Hospitals, post office, banks, and supermarkets are all within walking distance.
A large 2-km shopping street is only 2 minutes away, and Tenmangu Shrine—famous for the Tenjin Festival, one of Japan’s three major festivals—is just 5 minutes away.

Can I work part-time? Does the school introduce jobs?

Students with a student visa can work part-time.
There are many restaurants and shops near school and around the dormitory areas such as Umeda, Tenjinbashi, Nipponbashi, and Namba.
Part-time job information is available at school.

What do I need to work part-time in Japan?

You need a Permission to Engage in Activities Other Than That Permitted by the Status of Residence (work permit).
There are rules for part-time work, so please follow them carefully.

Please tell me in detail about the rules for part-time work.

International students residing in Japan under the “Student” residence status are required to devote themselves primarily to their studies. However, part-time work (activities outside the scope of their residence status) is permitted within certain limits, provided that students strictly comply with the applicable laws, regulations, and school rules described below.

1. Permission to Engage in Activities Outside the Scope of Residence Status

Before starting any part-time job, you must obtain Permission to Engage in Activities Other Than Those Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.

Working without this permission constitutes illegal employment and may result in serious consequences, including deportation.

2. Strict Limits on Working Hours

(Prevention of Violations of Immigration Law)

  • In principle: No more than 28 hours per week.
    This limit applies to the total number of hours worked at all part-time jobs combined. You must not exceed 28 hours in any seven-day period, regardless of which day of the week is used as the starting point.
  • During designated long school vacations: No more than 8 hours per day.
    This exception applies only during long vacation periods, such as summer and winter vacations, as officially designated by the school’s regulations. Periods of absence for personal reasons are not included.

Even exceeding the permitted working hours by one minute may constitute a violation of the law. Such violations may result in the denial of an extension of your period of stay and/or disciplinary action by the school, including dismissal or removal from enrollment.

3. Prohibited Types of Employment

(Prohibition on Employment Related to Adult Entertainment Businesses, etc.)

Students are strictly prohibited from working at establishments related to adult entertainment or other businesses restricted under Japanese law, including hostess clubs, host clubs, certain bars, pachinko parlors, mahjong parlors, game centers/arcades, and love hotels.

This prohibition applies to all types of work at such establishments, including auxiliary duties such as washing dishes, cleaning, or distributing flyers.

Violations may result in immediate penalties and may lead to deportation.

4. Obligation to Report Part-Time Employment to the School

In accordance with guidelines issued by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the school is required to keep track of students’ part-time employment status.

When you start, leave, or change a part-time job, you must promptly report the following information to the school staff responsible for student guidance:

  • Name of the employer/workplace
  • Work location
  • Working hours

5. Maintaining Academic Performance and Penalties for Low Attendance

Part-time work must never interfere with your studies. Tardiness, absence from class, sleeping during class, or poor academic performance due to part-time work will not be accepted.

  • If your monthly attendance rate falls below 80%, you will receive strict guidance for improvement, which may include restrictions on your part-time work.
  • If your monthly attendance rate falls below 50%, the school will, in accordance with applicable guidelines, investigate and record detailed information regarding your activities outside your residence status, including your part-time workplace, and report the information to the Immigration Services Bureau and other relevant authorities.

If no sufficient improvement is observed, you may be dismissed or removed from enrollment in accordance with the school’s regulations.

If I get sick or injured, will the school help me?

Yes. A teacher will take you to a nearby hospital.
If you are not confident in Japanese, staff will assist you.
All students join the National Health Insurance, which covers 70% of medical expenses.

What kinds of school events are there?

We have several events throughout the year — entrance ceremony, welcome party, summer takoyaki & shaved ice party, field trips, rice cake making, bowling tournament, graduation ceremony, and graduation party.
Students also enjoy small group meals with teachers.