Japan will blow your mind – literally! With its outstanding technologies and culturally rich heritage, Japan makes the perfect place to study and travel! Japan consists of nearly 7,000 small islands, and lies along the Pacific Coast of East Asia. Nearly two-thirds of the country is comprised of forests and mountains, and the metropolitan areas such as Tokyo and Yokohama have extremely high population densities, making Japan one of the most densely populated countries on earth.
The low tuition costs and outstanding cultural experiences continue to attract more and more international students every year.
Here are five of the top reasons to study in Japan…
1. Life-changing cultural experiences…
Japan will open your eyes to a completely different way of life! Japanese culture is famous for combining the old and the new effortlessly together. From the expected to the progressive, visitors are immersed into thousands of years’ worth of culture and history in one extraordinary place. Some of the highlights of Japanese culture include poetry, the Haiku, the amazing technologies such as robotics, and the extensive world of martial arts. Japan also has many festivals year round and each is unique from the other. From the snow and ice festivals in the north to the more ancient and traditional festivals countrywide – the Japanese sure know how to celebrate. Time your trip to participate in a festival during your stay!
2. Outstanding universities ..
An amazing and exciting city, Tokyo is a must-see for anyone visiting or studying in Japan. With close to 780 universities to choose from, low tuition costs, as well as specialized vocational institutions, the academic options for international students are endless. The QS Best Student Cities 2015 ranked Tokyo the 7th best student city in the world. Japan also had three universities make the top 100 universities worldwide in 2015; the University of Tokyo in 20th spot, Koyoto University made the top 50, and Waseda University appeared in the top 100. Japan attracts students from around the globe because of its cutting edge innovation, impressive higher educational system, and high teaching standards that place emphasis on research and development.
3. Catch a Sumo-wrestling match …
You’ve probably heard about it, but have you ever thought about seeing a real, live Sumo Wrestling match? There’s so much more to sumo wrestling than two large men in strange outfits struggling to hurl one another out of a ring – the art of sumo wrestling is an incredibly ceremonial, tactical and traditional Japanese martial art. Japan is the only country in the world where sumo wrestling is practiced professionally, so make it a ‘must see’ while visiting the country. Read up about the rules beforehand so that you can follow the action.
4. Did someone say Food and Beer?
Let’s not forget to mention Japanese cuisine – from ramen and soba to sushi and sashimi, life in Japan is a foodie’s dream come true! There’s a lot to be enthusiastic about Japanese food.
If you are not on a budget, the most sought-after dining experience is the kaiseki meal that consists of several dishes – usually the ingredients and presentations are dependent on the season, and the meal can be quite expensive. If you are looking for something more economical, enjoy the traditional bento box—which is a lunch option that includes portions of of rice, fish or meat, and vegetables. And as you might have seen on the Simpsons, you can try blowfish, known as ‘fugu’, which, if prepared wrong can be fatal, but done correctly is considered a delicious delicacy. Last but not least, make sure you try Japanese beer! Go ahead and do your research before trying any unfamiliar food, but don’t shy away from trying something new.
5. Location, Location, Location!
In Japan you will experience a lot of extremes; it is home to some of the world’s most amazing natural landscapes that can be enjoyed during all seasons of the year.
Each year over 400,000 people travel to Japan to climb Mount Fuji, located just over 60 miles from Tokyo. Mt Fuji is the tallest mountain in the country at 12,355 feet. Scuba divers also flock to the coral reefs off Okinawa during the summer, one of the world’s best diving sites. When winter arrives, the Japanese Alps and the mountains of Tohoku and Hokkaido draw in many skiers. With something for everyone in every season, Japan is an incredible place to spend your university years!
