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I want to study abroad, but I’m not sure which course I should join.

Our Japanese instructors place each student in the proper short-term study abroad course based on the student’s conversation abilities.
Please send us an email with the following information (in English or Japanese) to schedule one of our free practical Japanese ability (conversation abilities) tests.
We will respond within two or three days.


  • Name
  • Nationality
  • History of Japanese study (at what institution, for how long, using what textbook, etc.)
  • Target level (holding a normal conversation, working at a Japanese company, reading a Japanese newspaper, etc.)

Are there any requirements for course participation?

  • You must be able to get a visa by yourself to stay in Japan, or you must be eligible to come to Japan without a visa
  • You must have overseas travel insurance and can provide a copy of your insurance certificate.

Are dorm rooms private rooms? Do you have bedding, dishes, etc.?

All rooms are private rooms.
If you are visiting Japan with someone and would like to share a room, it is possible for two people to stay in one room (fees are the same).

Amenities for each room
Room: air conditioner/heater, futon, desk, chair
Kitchen: gas stove, rice cooker, microwave, electric water kettle, pots/pans/dishes/flatware
Living room: TV, vacuum cleaner
Bathroom: toilet paper, cleaning supplies

Consumable items
*Consumable items: Garbage bags, toilet paper, etc., are used by everyone. We charge 1000 yen when entering the dorm and each month thereafter to pay for consumables.

I want to take a course. How can I apply?

  • Please email contact@aq-japanese.com with your name, nationality, and course you would like to take.
  • We will email you an application form.
  • Please email us back your filled-out application form, the page of your passport with your picture on it, and your overseas travel insurance certificate.
  • Once we have finished checking your information, we will send you an email with details for transferring your tuition fee (bank account information).
  • Please pay your tuition fee after confirming the bank transfer details.
  • Once we have confirmed that the tuition fee has been transferred, your application is complete. Our staff will contact you to ask when you will begin staying in the dormitory and where to meet in Kumamoto when you arrive.

Is there transportation near the school and dormitories?

There is a bus stop (Kami-Chikami) and a train station (Heisei Station) nearby for convenient access to both downtown Kumamoto and the Mt. Aso area.
We also rent out bicycles for 500 yen per month. Many students rent bicycles to explore Kumamoto and make trips to nearby supermarkets.

Are there any direct international flights to Kumamoto Airport?

Only from Seoul, South Korea (as of Jan 2014).
Most students arrive in Fukuoka, then come to Kumamoto either by Shinkansen (bullet train) or highway bus.
Please let us know beforehand if you are arriving at Kumamoto Kotsu Center or Kumamoto Station before 6PM so one of our staff can greet you as you arrive. You must contact our staff prior to the final transportation leg of your trip before arriving in Kumamoto to tell us when you are scheduled to arrive. If you do not contact us, we may not be able to pick you up upon arrival.

How do can I get from Fukuoka Airport to Kumamoto?

●Shinkansen (bullet train) (4990 yen from Hakata Station in Fukuoka to Kumamoto Station)
Fukuoka Airport International Terminal -> (free shuttle bus: about 15 min) -> Fukuoka Airport Domestic Terminal -> (subway: about 5 min) -> Hakata (shinkansen: about 50 min) -> Kumamoto Station
*Please wait at the Shinkansen Gate. Our staff will meet you there.

●Highway bus (2000 yen from Fukuoka Airport to Kumamoto Kotsu Center)
Fukuoka Airport International Terminal -> (Take a bus from stop #3 to Kumamoto: about 2 hours) -> Kumamoto Kotsu Center
*Please wait where you get off the bus. Our staff will meet you there.

When should I start my stay in the dorm? Can I stay longer after my course has finished?

You will start staying in the dorm the day before your course begins (level test day).
Normally we do not allow for extended stays. We request that you check out in the morning of the day after your course has completed (after cleaning your room, please remove all sheets from the bed).

What countries do your students come from?

Taiwan, Macau, Hong Kong, Canada,UK

I can’t read hiragana or katakana…

A requirement for the beginner course is being able to read and write hiragana and katakana.
Please let us know if you are unsure of your abilities to write kana. One of our instructors will provide you with exercises to practice with before the course begins.