A beginner term of Japanese in Singapore costs $305 to $490, but the real difference is hours: the cheapest schools give you 25-30 hours a term, the dearest 16-20. We read the fees, October to January intakes and offers of eight schools on their own sites, and re-checked every start date on 15 October 2026.
Most Japanese schools in Singapore charge about the same per term, so compare the hours you get, not the sticker.
> Quick view: best value is Hougang JLS at $370 for 30 hours (about $12 an hour); the most start dates are at Japanese Explorer, $350; the catch is that none of these eight takes SkillsFuture Credit for Japanese now.
Founded in 1983, Hougang JLS calls itself Singapore's first Japanese language school, and it is still the cheapest per hour of the schools here.PRICES: Elementary 1, 2 and 3 (JLPT N5 level) cost $370 a term for 30 hours, and the school says the Elementary 1 fee includes the textbook and notes. Intermediate 1-3 (N4) is $380, then N3 $420, N2 $440 and N1 $480. The school says it is not GST-registered, so there is no GST on top; new students pay a $20 registration fee. Kids classes (ages 4-12) are $280 for eight 1.5-hour lessons, and one-to-one lessons are $60 an hour. There is no free trial.NEXT STARTS: Elementary 1 begins at Kovan on Tue 20 Oct (8pm-10pm), Jurong on Sun 1 Nov (9am-12pm) and Tampines on Wed 11 Nov (7pm-10pm), with online classes from 2 Nov and 16 Nov, a one-month weekday online intensive from 30 Nov, and 6 Jan 2027. The October Woodlands classes have already started.OUTLETS: Blk 204 Hougang St 21 #04-113/119 (Kovan, 6282 7590, registration Mon-Fri 1pm-8pm, Sat-Sun 10:30am-3:30pm), Blk 133 Jurong Gateway Rd #03-291 (8202 4268), Blk 247 Tampines St 21 #01-K1 and Blk 894B Woodlands Dr 50 #01-49. Its City Hall classroom at The Adelphi now runs only private and existing classes.BEST FOR: anyone who wants the most hours per dollar at a heartland outlet near home. Not SkillsFuture-claimable.
3-course package on its class page: Elementary 1-3 at $340 a term instead of $370, Intermediate 1-3 at $360 instead of $380, N3 $400, N2 $420, N1 $470, and $40 off three kids terms. Undated offer, still on the class page on 15 Oct 2026.
The Japanese Association's Hello! Nihongo course is open to non-members aged 15 and up, and it is the cheapest term here.PRICES: Basic is $305.20 for ten 2.5-hour lessons (25 hours) at the normal non-member rate, or $283.40 at the early-bird rate, GST included. Members pay $272.50, or $250.70 early bird. Intermediate runs $327-$348.80 for non-members and the advanced levels $370.60-$392.40. The placement test is free.ADDRESS: 120 Adam Road (3rd-floor classrooms), with some levels on Zoom; the front desk is open 9am-7pm daily (6591 8136).TIMING: the school runs four terms a year and takes applications only in a set window before each one. The October-December term closed for registration on 17 September and its beginner classes began on 6 and 11 October, so the next way in is the January-March 2027 term: the association's own 2026 calendar puts early-bird registration at 16 November to 3 December and normal registration at 4-17 December.BEST FOR: budget learners who can plan a term ahead. No kids classes; not SkillsFuture-claimable.
Early bird for the Jan-Mar 2027 term: register 16 Nov-3 Dec 2026 for Basic at $283.40 (non-member) instead of $305.20, or $250.70 for members. Normal registration 4-17 Dec.
Valid till 3 Dec 2026
Bunka has taught Japanese in Singapore since 1985 with native Japanese teachers, and every class is hybrid, so you can attend at the school or online.PRICES: absolute beginners start with Foundation ($270 for six 3-hour lessons), then Elementary 1-3 ($450 for ten 3-hour lessons, 30 hours), Intermediate 1-4 ($500) and Pre-Advanced and Advanced ($550). Textbooks are bought separately at Foundation, Intermediate 1 and Pre-Advanced 1.FINE PRINT: a class needs five paid students to start, fees are non-refundable and students should be 16 or older.GRANTS: Elementary and Intermediate classes are ticked as eligible for the NTUC UTAP training grant, which the other schools here do not claim; SkillsFuture Credit is marked as not available.NEXT STARTS: Foundation on Sun 18 Oct (1:30pm-4:30pm), Thu 29 Oct, Fri 30 Oct, Mon 2 Nov and Wed 4 Nov (all 6:45pm-9:45pm); Elementary 1 on 19 Oct, 24 Oct, 5 Nov, 27 Nov and 6 Dec.ADDRESS: 231 Bain Street #02-39, Bras Basah Complex (9465 8892, course@bunkalang.com).BEST FOR: union members, and total beginners who want native teachers and a gentle first step.
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If you want to start soon, Japanese Explorer (run by Learning Explorer Language Centre) has the busiest calendar.PRICES: each level is $350 for eight 2-hour sessions (16 hours), with the coursebook, e-workbook and class recordings included, and you can swap between physical and Zoom classes. The site does not mention GST. Registration is $50, waived if you sign up in the current month. A 2-hour trial class is $45. Private lessons are $1,280 per 16-hour level for one student.NEXT STARTS: 9 Beginner 1 intakes at its City campus between 27 October and 2 December: weekday evenings (27 Oct, 3 Nov, 25 Nov), Sunday afternoons (1 Nov, 15 Nov), Saturday 28 Nov and weekday mornings (5 Nov, 10 Nov, 2 Dec). Tampines starts on 29 Oct and 5 Nov; Jurong's next Beginner 1 is not until 18 January 2027.CAMPUSES: 10 Anson Road #22-07C International Plaza (the only walk-in campus), 135 Jurong Gateway Road Level 4, and Income at Tampines Junction. Hotline 9725 8311, WhatsApp 8823 0950.BEST FOR: people who value flexibility over price, since per hour it costs more than the top three.
$50 registration fee waived when you sign up for a class in the current month. Standing offer on its group-class page, no end date printed (re-checked 15 Oct 2026).
inlingua is a 50-year-old international chain, and its Singapore school at 51 Cuppage Road #10-12 (near Somerset) runs Japanese alongside 20-odd other languages.PRICES: the Japanese Beginner (A0) course is $380 for ten 2-hour sessions (20 hours); materials are extra, from about $15.NEXT STARTS: the October classes are under way, so the next Beginner starts are Wed 4 Nov (7pm, online), Fri 6 Nov (7pm, in class) and Sat 7 Nov (11am, in class), then Wed 2 Dec (7pm, in class) and Thu 3 Dec (7pm, online).CONTACT: open weekdays 8am-9pm and Saturdays 8am-3pm (6737 6666, WhatsApp 9011 5994).FINE PRINT: its FAQ says language courses are not currently SkillsFuture-claimable, and its 15% offer (to 30 November) covers full-time English and Chinese only, not Japanese.BEST FOR: city workers who want an evening or Saturday class near Orchard, ideally with a friend for the 10% discount.
Free registration for new students (saves $20), and 10% off tuition when new students enrol with friends. On its offers page (updated 28 Jul 2026), T&Cs apply, no end date printed.
Taiyo Japanese Language School's old site now redirects to Lingo School of Knowledge, which brands its Japanese courses "Lingo & Taiyo" and has been part of Crystal Learning (the group behind Yi Mandarin and Hana Korean) since June 2024. Classes are capped at eight students and meet once a week for 1.5 hours.PRICES: fees include GST. Basic 1 is $359.70 for 18 hours, Elementary 1-6 (to N5) $392.40 a term, Pre-Intermediate (N4) $425.10, Intermediate (N3) $457.80 and Advanced (N2) $490.50.TEXTBOOK: $59.95 per level, although the same page also calls the fee "inclusive of textbook", so ask before you pay.NEXT START: the only Japanese class open for booking on 15 October is still Comprehensive Japanese Beginner 1: Mastering Kana, online on Tuesdays 7:30pm-9pm from 20 October for 12 weeks, at $359.70. The site advertises a free trial lesson, but no trial was scheduled. Its FAQ says private centres can no longer accept SkillsFuture Credit.ADDRESS: 20 Kramat Lane #05-05 United House, near Dhoby Ghaut and Somerset (6222 0583).BEST FOR: total beginners who want a small online class to learn kana first.
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Tomo teaches in person only, at Singapore Shopping Centre (190 Clemenceau Avenue, levels 2 and 3, near Dhoby Ghaut).PRICES: a term is ten 2-hour lessons (20 hours) at $450 plus 9% GST, which is $490.50, the dearest per hour here. There is no registration or membership fee, the Nihongo Shokyu Daichi textbook is $35 at the school, joining mid-term is pro-rated, and missed lessons get a free 30-minute make-up. The placement test and consultation are free; refunds are not given.NEXT STARTS: the timetable (updated 8 October) shows Basic Part 1 starting Mon 19 Oct (7:30pm), Sun 25 Oct (1:30pm), Tue 1 Dec (7:30pm) and Sat 5 Dec (10am), and the Beginner course for total newcomers on Fri 27 Nov (7:30pm) and Sun 29 Nov (10am).CONTACT: by the form on its website only.BEST FOR: learners who want native teachers in a real classroom and one weekly slot they can keep as they move up levels.
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The Japanese Cultural Society's school is built for people who want a full year of structure.PRICES: the Elementary course is 100 hours over one year, once a week for 2.5 hours, at $1,254 ($654 for Term 1 and $600 for Term 2), or about $12.50 an hour.NEXT INTAKE: beginners can only enrol in May and November, and the school now says registration opens on 19 November 2026, by email to registration@jcss.org.sg. The January 2027 classes start Sat 9 Jan (1:30pm-4:10pm), Mon 11 Jan and Thu 14 Jan (both 7pm-9:40pm). Higher levels need a qualifying test (8 and 9 December, 7pm) or a JLPT certificate.EXTRAS: students also get free cultural activities, from yukata and kimono wearing, tea ceremony, Japanese drums, dance and choir to a conversation corner with Japanese residents.ADDRESS: Midland House, 112 Middle Road #05-00 (6338 3428; office Mon-Thu 10am-8pm, Sat 10am-2pm).BEST FOR: committed learners who want a structured year and the cultural side of Japan.
Get Deal| School | Beginner term | Hours | Per hour | Next beginner start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hougang JLS | $370 (no GST) | 30 | $12.33 | 20 Oct (Kovan) |
| Japanese Association | $305.20 non-member | 25 | $12.21 | Jan 2027 term (early bird 16 Nov-3 Dec) |
| Bunka | $450 | 30 | $15.00 | Foundation 18 Oct |
| Japanese Explorer | $350 | 16 | $21.88 | 27 Oct (City) |
| inlingua | $380 | 20 | $19.00 | 4 Nov (online) |
| Lingo & Taiyo | $359.70 (GST incl) | 18 | $19.98 | 20 Oct (online) |
| Tomo | $490.50 (GST incl) | 20 | $24.53 | 19 Oct (Basic 1) |
| JCS | $1,254 a year | 100 | $12.54 | 9 Jan 2027 (register from 19 Nov) |
We read every fee, intake date and offer on the schools' own websites and timetables on 1 October 2026, and re-checked every start date on 15 October 2026. Where a site does not say whether its fee includes GST (Bunka, Japanese Explorer, inlingua, JCS), we quote the fee as printed. Hougang JLS says it is not GST-registered. We left out IKOMA Language School at Shaw House (Basic part-time terms from $490) only because it publishes no photo large enough for a card; its fees and dates are on ikoma.com.sg.
A beginner term costs about $305 to $490 at the schools we checked on 15 October 2026: the Japanese Association's Basic is $305.20 for 25 hours (non-members), Hougang JLS $370 for 30 hours, inlingua $380 for 20 hours, Japanese Explorer $350 for 16 hours, Bunka $450 for 30 hours and Tomo $490.50 with GST for 20 hours. Per hour, that is about $12 to $25.
Not at the eight schools here as of 15 October 2026. inlingua and Lingo say their language courses are no longer SkillsFuture-claimable, and Bunka marks SkillsFuture Credit as unavailable on every class. Bunka's Elementary and Intermediate classes are eligible for NTUC's UTAP grant for union members.
Per term, the Japanese Association Singapore's Hello! Nihongo Basic at $305.20 for 25 hours (non-members; $283.40 early bird). Per hour, Hougang JLS and the Japanese Association are level at about $12.20-$12.33, with Hougang's $370 term covering 30 hours, the textbook and no GST.
Several schools still start beginners in late October 2026: Bunka's Foundation from 18 Oct, Hougang JLS at Kovan on 20 Oct, Lingo's online kana course on 20 Oct and Japanese Explorer from 27 Oct. inlingua's next Beginner classes start on 4 Nov and Tomo's Beginner course on 27 Nov. The Japanese Association and JCS take beginners for January 2027, with registration from 16 November and 19 November respectively.
