What learning Japanese really costs
Plain answers on JLPT fees, pass marks, the level you need and tutor prices, checked against official sources.
Free tools and databases
- Japanese tutor cost calculatorEnter a tutor's price, lesson length and lessons a month to estimate your monthly and total cost, and compare tutors at the same 50-minute length.
- JLPT fee by country database, with BJT, JFT-Basic and NATSearch 2026 fees and dates for the JLPT, BJT, JFT-Basic and NAT by country. 30 rows show a fee, and every row links to the page we read.
- JLPT score calculatorEnter your JLPT section scores to check them against the overall mark and every section minimum for N1 to N5, and see the CEFR level the chart gives.
- Study in Japan cost databaseSearch 19 rows of language school fees, living costs, worked budgets and MEXT and JASSO scholarships. Every row links to the page we read.
Guides
- Does the JLPT expire?The JLPT certificate never expires, but schools and employers can set their own limits. See real examples, and what a replacement costs if you lost yours.
- EJU exam: fee, dates and subjectsThe EJU costs 12,000 yen for one subject or 23,000 yen for two or three in Japan. See 2026 dates, fees by country, score ranges and how it differs from the JLPT.
- How is the JLPT scored?The JLPT does not add up points per question. It uses scaled scores from answer patterns, so two people can get the same score with different answers.
- How many kanji do you need for the JLPT?The JLPT publishes no kanji list. Third-party guides say about 80 to 103 kanji for N5 and about 2,000 for N1. See the counts and what the test makers do publish.
- J.TEST of Practical Japanese: fee, levels and datesThe J.TEST costs 5,800 yen at public test sites in Japan and runs six times a year. See 2027 dates, score levels, and how it compares with the JLPT.
- Japanese language requirement for a work visaTranslators, interpreters and hotel staff may need B2, such as JLPT N2, under rules from April 2026. See the level for each work status, with official sources.
- How much does Japanese language school cost in Japan?Study in Japan puts first-year language school fees at about 610,000 to 1,900,000 yen. See real fee lists and a worked one-year budget with living costs.
- How much do online Japanese tutors cost?Preply says Japanese lessons average $19, from $4. On italki, 20 listed teachers charged $5 to $48 for a trial. See what we found and how to compare.
- JLPT to CEFR: is N1 equivalent to C2?No. The official JLPT chart stops at C1, and N1 shows B2 or C1 depending on your score. See the score cut-offs and what they mean for your results.
- How much does the JLPT cost?The JLPT costs 7,500 yen including tax in Japan. Overseas fees are set through your local host institution. See 2026 dates, how to pay and who can test in Japan.
- JLPT levels explained: N5 to N1The JLPT has five levels, from N5 (easiest) to N1 (hardest). See what each one tests, its pass mark, test time and CEFR range, and how to choose a level.
- JLPT official practice workbook: what to buy and what is freeOfficial JLPT workbooks cost 700 yen plus tax per level, in two volumes. See what is in them, what the free official samples cover, and how to use both.
- JLPT pass rate by year, 2023 to 2025JLPT pass rates fell from 41.7% in July 2023 to 33.9% in December 2025, while examinees rose 46%. See rates for N1 to N5 over the last six tests.
- JLPT pass rates by levelIn December 2025, 33.9% of JLPT takers passed: 29.8% at N1 and 50.2% at N5. See rates for Japan and overseas, and what they do and do not tell you.
- JLPT passing scores for every levelYou need 100 of 180 to pass JLPT N1, 90 for N2, 95 for N3, 90 for N4 and 80 for N5, plus a minimum in every section. See the official marks and test lengths.
- How to register for the JLPT, by countryYou register with the local host institution for your city. See the steps, 2026 fees and dates for the USA, UK, Philippines and Australia, and key traps.
- When do JLPT results come out?JLPT results come out about two months after the test. See online and mail dates for Japan, the USA and other countries, and where official pages differ.
- JLPT score report explainedYour JLPT score report shows section scores, a total, and reference information: A, B or C grades, a percentile rank overseas, and a CEFR level if you pass.
- JLPT test format: question types by levelThe JLPT has 14 question types at N5, 15 at N4, 17 at N3, 19 at N2 and 18 at N1. See each type by level, the test times, and why no question total is official.
- Which JLPT level do you need for Japan?N1 earns 15 immigration points and N2 earns 10. N2 is a benchmark for universities, and N4 meets the Specified Skilled Worker (i) requirement. See the official list.
- JLPT vs BJT: which test should you take for work?BJT scores 480 and 400 earn the same immigration points as JLPT N1 and N2. Compare format, fees and results, and see when each test makes sense.
- JLPT vs JFT-Basic vs NATJLPT costs 7,500 yen in Japan, NAT 6,000 and JFT-Basic 10,000. JFT runs monthly, JLPT twice a year. Compare format, results and fit for your goal.
- MEXT vs JASSO scholarships: amounts and Japanese requirementsMEXT's Japanese Studies grant paid 117,000 yen a month in 2026. JASSO pays 48,000 or 30,000 yen. Compare amounts, Japanese level rules and how to apply.
- What to bring to the JLPT: test day checklistBring your voucher, valid photo ID, pencils and an eraser, but rules differ by country. See a checklist and a comparison of Japan, USA, UK and Canada.
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