Contact Us

UNITAS Kofu

UNITAS Japanese Language School

  • 〒400-0034
  • 1-20-22 Takara Kofu Yamanashi
  • 7-minute walk from Kofu Station
  • TEL: +81-55-233-3835

UNITAS Kofu is located in Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, a tourist city 1.5 hours from Tokyo by train.

Yamanashi Prefecture is home to rich nature, including Mt. Fuji, and flourishing industries such as wine and jewelry making.
There are also many hot springs and sightseeing spots to visit on holidays.

Kofu City has a low rent and cost of living, allowing students to put all their efforts into their studies.

Messages from the Teachers

  • Akira Kawaguchi
  • Hiroshi Muroya

Messages from Current Students

  • BINGJIE SHEN
  • PHAM QUOC TRUNG
  • ZOE BIANCA GOLDEN
  • DAVID BENJAMIN CASTILLO SOTO

Messages from Alumni

  • ZIGUO LAN
  • TRAN BICH TUYEN
  • DANIIL SUPONITSKIY
  • NANCHAREEYA RATANABHAN

Akira Kawaguchi

Graduated: University of Yamanashi

Current position: UNITAS Japanese Language School, Educational Department, Head Guidance Counselor

What do you have in mind when studying Japanese?

Do you want to advance into higher education or get employed in Japan, enjoy anime and TV dramas in its native language, or are you hoping to meet someone special… I’m sure each person has different reasons to study. The Japanese language is only one tool that may enrich your life.  Depending on how you use that tool, various opportunities will unfold in your life. I believe there is that much strength in learning a language.

Additionally, I believe it is important to speak about yourself, understand your friends and interact with one another using Japanese to develop relationships.

UNITAS Japanese Language School is not only a place to learn Japanese. It is also a place where students from all over the world interact and communicate with one another. There, the teachers will provide support in your Japanese studies according to your wishes and desires.

We look forward to welcoming you to UNITAS.

Hiroshi Muroya

Graduated: Waseda University Graduate Program

Current position: Full time teacher at UNITAS Japanese Language School Kofu

There is no fixed form in language.

The thoughts and feelings of each individual, what you express in your own way, become your own words.

Our job is to help you gain the ability to express yourselves in your own unique way. We will support each of you so you can discover your own way of forming your words, conveying your thoughts, have conversations about what you want to do in Japan, and what you want to achieve through learning Japanese.

In addition, UNITAS Japanese Language School is a place for people to learn together. As teachers, we not only teach everyone Japanese, but we also learn a lot from students. Bringing about an endless variety of cultures, you are also truly our teachers.

At UNITAS Japanese Language School, there are as many minds as there are teachers, and everyone is full of individuality. Please feel free to share your thoughts with us, and we can learn together.

BINGJIE SHEN

China

Current Student at UNITAS Kofu

I came to Japan amidst the coronavirus pandemic. I had just graduated from university in America, and was very worried if I would be successful in Japan, a country with a very different culture. At the time, I couldn’t speak Japanese at all, and only knew a few phrases that anyone who had watched Japanese TV shows and anime were familiar with.

Learning a new language means struggling with new grammar and vocabulary, and I’m sure there are many who would call it boring. I felt the same when I learned English for the first time.

However, learning Japanese at UNITAS Japanese Language School was different. Here, classes weren’t just about gaining knowledge, and we used newly learnt phrases on the spot while each student was also given the opportunity to practice. Day by day I feel improvement in my Japanese. Now, I can speak basic Japanese confidently. I’m glad I was able to study at UNITAS, and I’m excited at the prospect of new experiences with my Japanese abilities.

PHAM QUOC TRUNG

Vietnam

Current Student at UNITAS Kofu

I knew about Japanese life and culture before I came to Japan through the Japanese school dramas I watched in my home country. And Japan is the third largest economy in the world. I wanted to study and work in this country, which is why I decided to go to school in Japan.

I was impressed by the clean city streets, delicious food, and high quality of life. I chose UNITAS Japanese Language School because of its low tuition fees and high reputation among alumni on social networking sites. It is an old school with a long history and offers a very good education. And it doesn’t end there. They are also passionate and helpful when we are at crossroads in our lives. What I like most about UNITAS Kofu is its shiny new school building and extensive resources which allow students to study comfortably. It is also close to the train station and supermarket, and there is even a convenience store next door.

I am currently working part-time at a factory for a supermarket near my home. The work is simple but rewarding, and it is enough to cover the daily costs of living in Japan.

My dream is to become a wonderful caregiver in the future, so after graduating from UNITAS, I would like to proceed to a vocational school in Fukuoka Prefecture to study nursing.

ZOE BIANCA GOLDEN

U.S.A.

Current Student at UNITAS Kofu

I visited Japan for the first time with my family when I was 8 years old and was fascinated by Japanese history. I especially love the Edo, Showa, and Meiji periods. Unable to forget my favorite scenery of Japan with trains running through the rice paddies, I came to study at UNITAS Japanese Language School. I am currently studying for the JLPT N1 in the advanced class and studying practical conversation through group work. I am very satisfied with the good balance of grammar, test preparation, Japanese conversation, etc. in the classes at UNITAS. Because of the multinational nature of the school, I am able to hear many different opinions while doing group work, which allows me to experience a multicultural environment on a daily basis. After class, I work part-time as an English teacher at the UNITAS Foreign Language Academy, which is located in the same building, about three times a week. Teaching English to both adults and children is a lot of fun! After graduating from UNITAS Japanese Language School, my dream is to proceed to a graduate school in Tokyo and find a job in international relations or the translation/interpretation industry in Japan in the future.

DAVID BENJAMIN CASTILLO SOTO

Mexico

Current Student at UNITAS Kofu

My interests in Japan started when I watched anime for the first time as a child. As an engineer, the level of technology and high-quality products in Japan are famous and attractive. I saved up while working in my home country of Mexico and made my dream of studying in Japan come true. What I like about UNITAS Kofu the most is the terrace on the third floor. There is a great view of the mountains in Kofu and the Southern Japanese Alps. Whether it’s enjoying a cup of coffee alone admiring the beautiful scenery, having lunch with friends, or just taking a break, there is nowhere as comfortable as the terrace at UNITAS. I can get fully refreshed before going back to my classes. The other place is the library on the second floor. The principal is an avid reader and it’s his favorite place. It has a load of famous manga that we can borrow and read at home.

My dream is to pass the JLPT N2, get a job in Japan, and be able to speak Japanese as fluently as a native speaker!

ZIGUO LAN

中国

Graduate of UNITAS Kofu

Currently: Tohoku University Graduate School Master’s Degree Program

My application for residency status had been rejected in the past, and other schools that were concerned about the so-called “application success rate” refused my reapplication, but UNITAS welcomed me with open arms. In addition to the necessary procedures, the principal even wrote a letter of recommendation, so I felt the warmth of UNITAS even before coming to Japan. Although I was at UNITAS for only six months, the way the school treats their students with respect, the pleasant classroom atmosphere, and the various cultural experiences were all factors that made me feel for the first time that learning at school was interesting and enjoyable.

Although my studies at UNITAS are not directly related to the fact that I am now a medical student despite having a liberal arts background, I feel that it was those six months that allowed me to maintain a constant passion for study and research. Of course, I may have only gained six months’ worth of knowledge from UNITAS, but my first time studying abroad couldn’t be better, and it encouraged me for further studies abroad.

Even if I look back in decades to come, I am sure that I will not regret my decision to choose UNITAS as my first study abroad destination.

TRAN BICH TUYEN

Vietnam

Graduate of UNITAS Kofu

Currently: Working for an electronics company (Yamanashi, Japan)

UNITAS Kofu Messages from Alumni

 

NANCHAREEYA RATANABHAN (Thailand)

Graduate of UNITAS Kofu

Currently: Overseas Coordinator (Osaka, Japan)

 

I started teaching myself Japanese because I loved Japanese idols. I chose Yamanashi Prefecture because of its beautiful nature and wonderful environment, and because Kofu is quiet but close to Tokyo. After entering UNITAS Kofu, I studied Japanese every day while teaching English conversation as a part-time job at the UNITAS Foreign Language Academy in the same building. What impressed me most about UNITAS was the enthusiasm of the teachers. They always explained concepts in detail when I had any questions during or after class. One time, there was a part of the teacher’s explanation that I did not agree with. The teacher researched the topic, wrote down the details on a B5 size paper and gave it to me the next day. I was very impressed. In addition, he helped me search for a job and practice for the interviews.

Another good thing about attending UNITAS is the generous support provided by the staff. Not only can you consult in Japanese, but there are teachers who can speak English, Thai, Chinese, Korean, and even Vietnamese, so you can consult with them in your own language, not only about your studies, but also about your daily life. When I was not yet able to speak Japanese well, I was relieved to be able to communicate what I wanted to say in English.

I am currently studying English-Japanese interpretation at a vocational school in Niigata, but I still have two dreams: the first is to go to a country where English is not spoken and learn a new language, and the second is to establish a school for cultivating bilingual children in Thailand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DANIIL SUPONITSKIY (Russia)

Graduate of UNITAS Kofu

Currently: Designer (Russia)

 

Since the age of 6, I have been exposed to Japanese anime, loved novels and movies, and have been fascinated by the richness of Japanese culture. I graduated from an art university in Russia, worked as an art teacher and a game design company employee, and enrolled in UNITAS Kofu in 2019. Having lived in an urban city environment until then, I chose Yamanashi Prefecture for its panorama of mountains and amazing scenery.

What impressed me the most during my studies abroad was how the school staff and teachers were very supportive, kind, and always available for consultations. I felt very welcome during the two years, as if I was part of a big family.

Right before I graduated, they entrusted me to design the exterior wall of the annex building, and now my illustration covers a large part of the wall. Knowing that my work will live on at UNITAS even after I return to my home country is such an honor.

After receiving a job offer from a game design company in Moscow, I’ve left Japan, but I really enjoyed studying there for two years and I will always miss Japan. My dream today is to have my manga published in Japan.

To all of you who are planning to go to UNITAS, I’m sure you will not only learn but have an amazing experience!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ZIGUO LAN (China)

Graduate of UNITAS Kofu

Currently: Tohoku University Graduate School Master’s Degree Program

 

My application for residency status had been rejected in the past, and other schools that were concerned about the so-called “application success rate” refused my reapplication, but UNITAS welcomed me with open arms. In addition to the necessary procedures, the principal even wrote a letter of recommendation, so I felt the warmth of UNITAS even before coming to Japan. Although I was at UNITAS for only six months, the way the school treats their students with respect, the pleasant classroom atmosphere, and the various cultural experiences were all factors that made me feel for the first time that learning at school was interesting and enjoyable.

Although my studies at UNITAS are not directly related to the fact that I am now a medical student despite having a liberal arts background, I feel that it was those six months that allowed me to maintain a constant passion for study and research. Of course, I may have only gained six months’ worth of knowledge from UNITAS, but my first time studying abroad couldn’t be better, and it encouraged me for further studies abroad.

Even if I look back in decades to come, I am sure that I will not regret my decision to choose UNITAS as my first study abroad destination.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRAN BICH TUYEN (Vietnam)

Graduate of UNITAS Kofu

Currently: Working for an electronics company (Yamanashi, Japan)

 

My dream of sightseeing throughout Japan brought me to this country, yearning for its beautiful seasonal scenery and fresh air. My journey started in Yamanashi, a place with Mt. Fuji and abundant nature, yet with easy access to Tokyo.

For someone like me who has no relatives in Japan, UNITAS Kofu is like a second home.

Thanks to the videos shown by teachers during class, I learned not only the Japanese language but also gained knowledge about Japanese life, culture, and society.

The school library has a wide variety of books, and it was my daily routine during my stay at the school to borrow books, especially my favorite manga “Detective Conan.”

At the open study space, “UNI-CAFÉ,” in the annex building, there are many events where you can interact and converse with Japanese people and people from other countries in both English and Japanese.

Thanks to the enthusiastic guidance of my teachers in addition to my own efforts, I have obtained the JLPT N1 and am now working for a long-established electronics company in Yamanashi Prefecture. Everyone at the company is fun and friendly, the company treats me well, and I am really happy with my life now.

I hope you all experience and learn a lot of new things at UNITAS!

DANIIL SUPONITSKIY

Russia

Graduate of UNITAS Kofu

Currently: Designer (Russia)

Since the age of 6, I have been exposed to Japanese anime, loved novels and movies, and have been fascinated by the richness of Japanese culture. I graduated from an art university in Russia, worked as an art teacher and a game design company employee, and enrolled in UNITAS Kofu in 2019. Having lived in an urban city environment until then, I chose Yamanashi Prefecture for its panorama of mountains and amazing scenery.

What impressed me the most during my studies abroad was how the school staff and teachers were very supportive, kind, and always available for consultations. I felt very welcome during the two years, as if I was part of a big family.

Right before I graduated, they entrusted me to design the exterior wall of the annex building, and now my illustration covers a large part of the wall. Knowing that my work will live on at UNITAS even after I return to my home country is such an honor.

After receiving a job offer from a game design company in Moscow, I’ve left Japan, but I really enjoyed studying there for two years and I will always miss Japan. My dream today is to have my manga published in Japan.

To all of you who are planning to go to UNITAS, I’m sure you will not only learn but have an amazing experience!

NANCHAREEYA RATANABHAN

タイ

Graduate of UNITAS Kofu

Currently: Overseas Coordinator (Osaka, Japan)

I started teaching myself Japanese because I loved Japanese idols. I chose Yamanashi Prefecture because of its beautiful nature and wonderful environment, and because Kofu is quiet but close to Tokyo. After entering UNITAS Kofu, I studied Japanese every day while teaching English conversation as a part-time job at the UNITAS Foreign Language Academy in the same building. What impressed me most about UNITAS was the enthusiasm of the teachers. They always explained concepts in detail when I had any questions during or after class. One time, there was a part of the teacher’s explanation that I did not agree with. The teacher researched the topic, wrote down the details on a B5 size paper and gave it to me the next day. I was very impressed. In addition, he helped me search for a job and practice for the interviews.

Another good thing about attending UNITAS is the generous support provided by the staff. Not only can you consult in Japanese, but there are teachers who can speak English, Thai, Chinese, Korean, and even Vietnamese, so you can consult with them in your own language, not only about your studies, but also about your daily life. When I was not yet able to speak Japanese well, I was relieved to be able to communicate what I wanted to say in English.

I am currently studying English-Japanese interpretation at a vocational school in Niigata, but I still have two dreams: the first is to go to a country where English is not spoken and learn a new language, and the second is to establish a school for cultivating bilingual children in Thailand.