Why learn Japanese in Kobe?
A language stay in Kobe places you in one of Japan's most outward-looking cities. Its port was among the first opened to foreign trade in the 19th century, and the hillside Kitano district still has the Western-style houses of former merchants. Below, Nankinmachi Chinatown bustles with food stalls, while the Rokko mountains rise just behind the city, ready for weekend hikes.
Kobe suits students who want a calmer base than Osaka while staying close to the big sights of the Kansai region, adults who enjoy walking and good food, and motivated teenagers on supervised programmes. Many of our partner schools offer general and intensive Japanese. A placement test on arrival ensures you start at the right level.
- Accredited partner schools in Kobe
- Homestay or student residence, carefully vetted and easy to reach from class
- Placement test on arrival so every lesson fits your level
- Insurance and airport transfer arranged for you
Your stay at a glance
Kobe highlights
Make the most of your time beyond the classroom: the places worth seeing, and the city at its best.
The events that bring Kobe to life
From major festivals to once-a-year traditions, these are the moments that give the city its own rhythm.
Kobe Luminarie
Late January
Light festival honouring the victims of the 1995 earthquake, with glowing arches in the city centre.
Kobe Festival
May
Kobe's big city festival with parades, samba dancers and stalls along Flower Road.
Kobe Jazz Street
October
Jazz weekend in the Kitano area, with bands playing in clubs, churches and on the street.
Frequently asked questions
Kobe gives you the best of the Kansai region from a pleasant, manageable base. A language stay in Kobe means mountains and sea within minutes, a relaxed international atmosphere and fast trains to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Himeji for weekend discoveries. It's an easy city to settle into when you're new to Japan.
You can start from scratch. Our partner schools in Kobe welcome beginners and teach the Japanese writing systems step by step. Students who already have a foundation take a placement test on arrival, so they join a class where they are challenged without feeling lost.
Yes. Many of our partner schools offer preparation courses for the JLPT, the main Japanese proficiency test, at levels N5 to N1. Longer stays make the biggest difference at higher levels, so tell us your target and we'll suggest a realistic course length.
Yes, accommodation can be part of your programme. A vetted homestay lets you practise Japanese every day and share family meals, while a student residence gives you more independence. We make sure your commute is practical and organise everything from Brussels before you leave.
Kobe has four distinct seasons. Cherry blossoms appear from late March, and autumn, from October to November, is mild and colourful. The rainy season usually falls in June and July, followed by a hot, humid summer. Winter is cool and fairly dry, a good time to soak in the hot springs of Arima.
Kobe is a calm, well-organised city, which can suit motivated teenagers on structured programmes with supervision and homestay accommodation. Many Japanese language schools focus on adults, and minimum ages vary from school to school. Contact us and we'll help you check which options are available for your teenager.