BY ERIC PEREIRA

Are you traveling to Japan but don’t know how to read, write or speak Japanese?

While it may seem daunting, there is no need to worry as we have outlined several tools and pro tips you can use to help prepare to be fully immersed in your journey! 

One thing to remember when you visit Japan: the more you venture out of the big cities, the less likely you are to come across any signage in English. However, locals in Japan are quite helpful in providing directions regardless of a language barrier.

Technology

Most people have a smartphone these days and there are several applications to help with translations when traveling abroad.

• Google Maps. This will help provide all the bus and train routes you need. It will even provide wheelchair accessible routes. 

• Google translate and Japanese dictionaries such as Jisho.org which provides a range of words, plus example sentences and conjugations. *Tip: You can take a picture of kanji/hiragana characters and Google translate will help.

In order to guarantee internet access, you should also invest in a SIM card or portable Wi-Fi. Look for a Japan Travel SIM powered by IIJmio which is sold at airports. 

*Tip: If you want more data, it usually comes in a plan for around 12 or 24 months

*Travel Tip : Japan is a cash-based society so be sure to have cash on you at all times!

Airports and Trains

Fortunately, the major airports and train stations in Japan all provide English signage and are color coded. However, smaller stations might only use Kanji characters. Have no fear, as a staff member at the station should be able to help.

*Etiquette tip: When on a train or bus, it is customary to be quiet. Keep yourself busy with a book or your phone. 

*Travel tip: Double check if your train is Express, Local or Rapid. Express and Rapid will skip some stations!

As you travel throughout Japan, it would be worth investing in a Suica card or Pasmo (different brands with the same purpose), so that you won’t have to know the prices of what you have to pay beforehand. These prepaid smart cards provide access to most public transport (metro, trains, buses, monorail) in Japan. Your card will be charged for every trip or purchase you make when you touch the card to the reader. It can also be used to pay for taxis and lockers at stations.

• You can purchase these cards at a ticket machine outside train stations (same machine where paper tickets are purchased.)

Dining Out

When at a Japanese restaurant or a convenience store (konbini) and you’re facing a menu with no pictures or English translation, here are some good phrases to know: 

• Osusume Wa  = What do you recommend? The more formal version would be “Osusume wa nan desuka”

• In case you need to emphasize you’re a vegetarian, the translation is “Bejitarian”

• Bi-ru=Beer ; Uisuki=Whiskey

Essential Communication

Don’t make sentences long if you’re speaking English with a native. Try to use the key word of the sentence. Also, many Japanese words have the same pronunciation as their English versions (i.e. ka-me-ra = camera; bi-de-o = video; coo-hii = coffee).

When in doubt, say the sentences in English very slowly and pronounce each syllable clearly. 

Useful Words/Phrases to know in Japan: 

Konnichiwa= Hello

Sumimasen= I’m sorry/excuse me

Arigatou= thank you

Wakarimasen= I don’t understand

Doko = where

To-i-re = toilet

Click here for more!

Two Important Symbols:

Know the Kanji for male and female to avoid any awkward encounters.

Male: 男  Female: 女 

Other helpful symbols: 

Exit : 出口

Enter: 入る

South: 南

East :東

West: 西

North: 北

There is so much more we can cover, but this should get you more comfortable with your journey! Don’t be afraid to politely ask the locals for help. Be sure to research etiquette as well as this is a focal point in Japanese culture.

In Japan, you will witness the omotenashi culture, which means to look after guests, and you’re one of them! You can find comfort in knowing that hospitality is rooted in this culture. 

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Written by Eric Pereira, 2020 Come On Out Intern

If you have fallen in love with the Japanese language and culture, why not study there?

Here are a few tips and pointers to consider when applying for an undergraduate degree in Japan as an international student:

Entrance Exams

As exciting as studying abroad may sound, there are usually entry requirements. In Japan, most courses are taught in Japanese, so you need to prove your proficiency in the language before you can apply. This is why most applicants need to take the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students, which is more commonly known as EJU. The EJU examination is designed to test the applicant’s academic abilities in the following subject areas: 

• Japanese as a Foreign Language 

• Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics)

• Mathematics

• Japan and the World

The subject areas you are tested on depend on the course and university you are applying to, so please do check in advance! You can have a quick browse of the schools which require the EJU entrance exam here. To help prepare you for the examination, the Japan Student Services Organization, JASSO, have provided the syllabus for each subject and past paper questions. 

Taking exams can always be a source of stress for many of us, but the best part about the EJU examination is that you can take the test as many times as you like! It is administered twice a year, in June and November, and you can choose which score is submitted with your university application. What’s more, your score remains valid for up to two years, so there is never any rush. However, you should bear in mind that the academic year in Japan starts in April, so you would need to pass the EJU exam in June or November at least one year before you plan to start your studies.

On the other hand, you will probably have to travel abroad in order to sit the EJU exam as the test is not available in the U.S., U.K. or Europe. Naturally, there are abundant test sites in Japan, but you can find plenty of other alternative examination sites around the world! If you are planning on travelling to Japan to sit the EJU examination, you may need a Temporary Visitor Visa, which you can read more about here. 

In these truly strange and uncertain times it’s vital that you plan ahead. If you want to sit the examination in near future, please keep monitoring the status of your examination, as the June 2020 session has already been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

For more information about the EJU examination, check out the JASSO website, where you can find out more about the application process and scan through their FAQs.

As well as proficiency in the Japanese language, universities may require you to be proficient in the English language; qualifications include the TEFL certification. If you are interested in acquiring a TEFL certification, check out our online courses, provided by Come On Out eTEFL. 

The additional benefit of getting this certificate to prove your English language abilities is that you can use it to teach English while you are studying! Private English teachers are in demand in Japan, so you can earn a decent pay – this is particularly important for privately-financed students – and have a flexible working schedule. On top of that, you get the added bonus to meeting new people, making friends and networking; so, the question is: why not?

Scholarships

Generally speaking, tuition fees for undergraduate degrees are much more affordable than in the U.S. and U.K. At national universities, fees are 535,800 yen, which is approximately 5,055 USD (3,900 GBP). There is also an admission fee of 282,000 yen, which is around 2,660 USD (2,057 GBP), in addition to maintenance fees, living costs and accommodation. As such, being a student in Japan can get pretty expensive.

To overcome these costs, most international students apply for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, MEXT, scholarship. The 2021 MEXT scholarship covers all education fees, including tuition, admission and the cost of your entrance exam! On top of that, you are given an allowance of at least 117,000 yen per month, which amounts to more than 1100 USD. MEXT will also provide you with a ticket to Japan for your first arrival and another after your final year of study, when you decide to leave Japan.

Although the MEXT scholarship is extremely rewarding, it can be rather difficult to qualify for it. Here is a checklist of the main eligibility criteria for the scholarship:  

Nationality

• You must be from a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan 

• You cannot have a Japanese nationality; if you carry a dual citizenship you must be willing to give up your Japanese nationality before arrival 

Previous study

• You must have completed at least 12 years of study in your own country

Japanese Language 

• You must be proficient in Japanese or be willing to undergo a one-year preparatory education in the language before you go to university (excluding undergraduate courses which to not require Japanese language proficiency) 

Age

• You must be between the ages of 17 to 25 to apply for the undergraduate scholarship

You must also apply for a student visa and include health documents for your application to be approved. Unfortunately, applications for the 2021 MEXT scholarship have now closed, but keep your eyes peeled as the 2022 applications are set to open in April 2021! 

If you do not meet the criteria for the MEXT scholarship, there are still plenty of alternatives for international students! Here are a few scholarships to get you started: 

• Scholarships for International Students in Japan – JASSO 

• Scholarships for Students Studying in Japan – Japanese Embassy (U.K)

• The Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately-Financed International Students – JASSO

• Bridging Scholarships for Year Abroad – American Association of Teacher of Japanese

Overall, there are quite a few factors to consider when applying to study in Japan – and abroad in general – so definitely do your research! It is important that you have a good reason for why you want to study in Japan and how it will benefit you. 

Good luck on your applications!

Let Come On Out – Japan help you as you embark on your exploration of undergraduate degrees in Japan. To hear some of our Global English Camp interns’ opinions on how to prepare for life in Japan, click here!

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Written by Sara Nouri, 2020 Come On Out Intern

Much of Japan’s allure lies in its incredible diversity contained within a relatively small landmass. Thanks to our rotating schedules as Global English Camp interns, we had the good fortune to explore much of Japan’s unique geography, from sleepless cities to quiet countrysides.

As enthusiastic social media users, we often relied on Instagram for recommendations and tips on living in Japan, as well as staying connected to the country long after leaving. Here are some of our favorite Instagram accounts to remind us of Japan even when we can’t be there in person!

1. @japanbyfood

This account features traditional Japanese food like wagashi and ramen, as well as Japanese food trends like Studio Ghibli-themed cream puffs. Many of the accounts’ captions highlight the history and traditions associated with popular Japanese dishes, so it serves as a great educational tool for anyone looking to learn more about Japanese food.

Content from @japanbyfood

2. @her.atlas

Caitlin Atlas is an American influencer living with her husband and dog in Iwakuni, a tiny Japanese town in the western prefecture of Yamaguchi. Originally from San Diego, she now teaches part-time at an American school and chronicles every detail of her life in Japan, from her modern home to her grocery store trips. She is also active on YouTube, TikTok, and her own blog (heratlas.com).

Content from @her.atlas

3. @hirozzzz

Photographer Hiroaki Fukuda’s Instagram account strikes a perfect balance between the natural and man-made beauty that comprise Japan’s distinct aesthetic. Between the sakura, torii gates, and Tokyo streets, you might even spot a celebrity or two that Fukuda has photographed during their visit to the country. 

Content from @hirozzzz

4. @twinleaves

All of the photos on this page follow the same formula with strikingly different results each time: perfectly-square captures of exterior walls across Japan. The variety this photographer produces is captivating; some portraits are stunningly simple, while others are so elaborate they could be studied for hours.

Content from @twinleaves

5. @blossomtheproject

This account uses Instagram-friendly infographics to explain “social issues and mental health” in a Japanese context. Most of the posts are available in both Japanese and English. For anyone who has spent time in Japan or wishes to better understand contemporary Japanese society, this page is a great start.

Content from @blossomtheproject

6. @coco_pinkprincess

Coco is a nine year-old fashion icon from Harajuku, the colorful, fashion-forward neighborhood in Tokyo. On her account, you can find her fiercely posing in everything from full monochrome looks to balloon pants. For anyone interested in Japanese fashion and street style, this account is a fun one to follow.

Content from @coco_pinkprincess

Whether you are visiting Japan or sitting on your couch daydreaming of a trip there, these accounts will help you connect with Japanese culture regardless of your location. While these are a few of our favorites, there are plenty of Japanese content creators and we are always looking for more to follow. Do you follow any Japanese Instagram accounts?

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Written by Emily Coplan and Isa Ananya Spoerry, 2019 Global English Camp Interns