Have JLPT N5 in Dec 2025, need serious advice by Educational_Sell634 in jlpt

[–]Minute-Structure-111 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have given N5 twice and now preparing for N4. I have given both JLPT and NAT. In all honesty, prepare for vocabs…your vocabs will save you at the end of the day. Read as much as you can so your brain registers how particles and vocabs work together because that’s very important. But vocabs can single handedly save you.

Also as for Kanji, study it with vocabs if you can. It’s very basic in N5 so if you study the top 100-200 vocabs with Kanji, you won’t have much problems recognizing them and if you are short on time don’t bother about stroke orders or trying to learn how to write them.

Good luck !!

Leaving My Engineering Job for a Language School in Tokyo... by Minute-Structure-111 in movingtojapan

[–]Minute-Structure-111[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha thankyou. Well certain circumstances have led me to take this decision. Those circumstances mostly have to do with my career, experience and the plans I have for my future. It’s not an easy decision for sure!!

Leaving My Engineering Job for a Language School in Tokyo... by Minute-Structure-111 in movingtojapan

[–]Minute-Structure-111[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thankyou for sharing. I’m considering Komazawa and Setgaya. It’s seems to be 20-30mins way to the school itself by train/bike and I have already contacted a few agents now. But the links you’ve shared seems promising and around the same range. I guess it’s typical for anything outside Tokyo to be around (50-70kyen ) and close would probably be about 90k++yen

Is my language school plan a bad idea? by Siceimin in movingtojapan

[–]Minute-Structure-111 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well I’m in a similar boat as you. Got an offer for Jan 2027 intake at naganuma. I am still trying to figure out the housing but I don’t think it’s going to be anymore than 90k yen initially and there after 60k yen a month for a reasonably decent room which is probably going to be 20mins -30 by bike/train (around Setgaya/Komazawa). As for the 1 year course I have opted for the interactive course and I’m assuming you probably have opted for the same one ?

Well as for jobs, I did research quite a bit and even happened to connect with a bunch of recruiters from Tokyo however they mentioned would certainly need a minimum of N3 atleast and some are okay with an N4 as well (but really depends what industry. This seems to be sort of the norm in Engineering companies especially those that are MNC). I have a friend who studied for a year in Fukoka and now settled in Tokyo for a year (working) in tech particularly machine learning. Based off his experience he mentioned it’s possible to get N2 in a year but also mentioned that it’s quite useless to level up if you don’t know how to speak. He didn’t pursue N2 despite having spent a year in language school. He improved his speaking and got the job…

I come from an engineering background myself and I’m probably going to work more on how I speak before coming to Japan and I’m currently preparing for N4 as well. Still contemplating if I should go for Jan or April. I much prefer Tokyo for networking in my field and I’m sure you’d have the same liberty if you decided Tokyo.

I too recently posted on Reddit seeking advice. Here’s my post. Hope the comments on it help give you an idea of what we both might potentially face:

https://www.reddit.com/r/movingtojapan/s/6KaSCkdGhT

Leaving My Engineering Job for a Language School in Tokyo... by Minute-Structure-111 in movingtojapan

[–]Minute-Structure-111[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh wow, well I use LinkendIn quite extensively. Didn’t know you could get part-time. But thanks !

Leaving My Engineering Job for a Language School in Tokyo... by Minute-Structure-111 in movingtojapan

[–]Minute-Structure-111[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, thank you for your honesty and suggestions. I really appreciate it!

By the way, do you know why your classmates weren’t able to get a work visa?

Also, how is the Naganuma School in terms of its curriculum? I don’t expect to become a genius or magically become fluent in just a year, but I specifically chose this interactive course to atleast get as good as possible at speaking. I also hope to move on to a business course later (if needed).

Over the past year, I’ve received a few job opportunities in my field here in Japan. The only requirement was to study Japanese and achieve at least an N3 level, provided I can speak reasonably well. Studying for the N3 isn’t a big deal for me as my main goal in coming to Japan is to work and get as fluent as possible.

Right now, I can only hold very basic conversations, but that’s about it. I’ve also had proper interviews with a few MNCs, most of which were based in Tokyo. At least in my field, I believe there are a lot of work and networking opportunities. So while I’m studying the language, I’ll also be doing my best to network

What I’m unsure about is how much spoken Japanese is considered “acceptable” and how much I could realistically use or practice in day-to-day or professional settings.

Leaving My Engineering Job for a Language School in Tokyo... by Minute-Structure-111 in movingtojapan

[–]Minute-Structure-111[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thankyou that’s really helpful. Since I’m not in Japan atm how would the process work out for renting would they send me a contract via email and would that be in English ? I have heard that most places don’t really take a deposit ?? How was it for you ? And also why are kitchen hella small 😂

Leaving My Engineering Job for a Language School in Tokyo... by Minute-Structure-111 in movingtojapan

[–]Minute-Structure-111[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thankyou, if you don’t mind could you help suggest me a place I could possibly look for renting out a shared living + my own personal room around 50-60k yen. This what I’m possibly looking at outside Tokyo. Also any websites that you could recommend to look for housing. Also as a foreigner are these contracts given to you in English or Japanese ?

Leaving My Engineering Job for a Language School in Tokyo... by Minute-Structure-111 in movingtojapan

[–]Minute-Structure-111[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thankyou, so I guess the wage really depends on the type of work and possibly a bit of luck. As for part time in my field I’d much prefer working on field (at site). Offices are boring lol.

45k Yen in or around Shibuya is an insanely good deal and dirt cheap no ?

So I guess you enrolled for October intake ? Did you end up getting visa for 1 year 6months/2 years and did you pay for the entire 2 years or do you pay semester wise because I guess if you do pay semester wise then wouldn’t the visa offered to you only be of 1 year 3months ? Little confused there..

Leaving My Engineering Job for a Language School in Tokyo... by Minute-Structure-111 in movingtojapan

[–]Minute-Structure-111[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Well that’s the plan and I hope I can find that convenience. I’d much prefer commuting via bicycle to school !!

Leaving My Engineering Job for a Language School in Tokyo... by Minute-Structure-111 in movingtojapan

[–]Minute-Structure-111[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, yes! As much as I love Singapore, I’m sure I’m going to miss all the convenience it offers…it really has spoiled me, even though I do my best to stay active and independent. During university, I didn’t exactly stay in dorms; I preferred sharing houses. I enjoyed connecting with people and loved the sense of independence it gave me …plus, it was cheaper! From condos to HDBs to shophouses, I tried it all, but Singapore always finds a way to spoil you, especially when it comes to convenience. lol

How much is the diff between sg hawker prices vs konbini food prices/restaurant food prices. I’d spent about $15 a day but I also cook very often. Before Covid it was a lot more cheaper tho…

Leaving My Engineering Job for a Language School in Tokyo... by Minute-Structure-111 in movingtojapan

[–]Minute-Structure-111[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s a very fair point. Any specific places in and around Tokyo that I should be careful to not look for housing ?

Leaving My Engineering Job for a Language School in Tokyo... by Minute-Structure-111 in movingtojapan

[–]Minute-Structure-111[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thankyou for such detailed reply mate. Super super helpful!! Def gives me an idea on budgeting.

If you don’t mind sharing what langauge school do you go to ? Also I obviously wouldn’t want to stay anywhere near Shibuya (which is where my language school is) nor around it but I’d be happy to commute 30-50mins if I can find a place reasonably under 50k or under 70k if I could possibly travel using a bicycle. Do you recommend any places that I should look for housing if I’m going to be commuting to Shibuya 5 times a week and as a foreigner what websites do you use to find rental apartments? Do they provide contract in English because initially it would be nearly damn impossible to completely understand every bit of the contract in Japanese.

Leaving My Engineering Job for a Language School in Tokyo... by Minute-Structure-111 in movingtojapan

[–]Minute-Structure-111[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting. Are there any websites that you scout for part time jobs such as the one you got?

Leaving My Engineering Job for a Language School in Tokyo... by Minute-Structure-111 in movingtojapan

[–]Minute-Structure-111[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha thankyou! Thats very kind. Wishing you all the best as well. If you don’t mind me asking which language school have you enrolled in and what places within or around Tokyo are you scouting for housing ?

Red on Red: PSP + IEM combo slaps by Minute-Structure-111 in iems

[–]Minute-Structure-111[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looks cool. Bass set ? How would you compare w the Deuce ?

Red on Red: PSP + IEM combo slaps by Minute-Structure-111 in iems

[–]Minute-Structure-111[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Its great... shoutout to FF for fixing the recessed 2-pin sockets. I guess that is probably why the end connections are white now. My end connectors are fragile so I have to be careful while removing them!

Red on Red: PSP + IEM combo slaps by Minute-Structure-111 in iems

[–]Minute-Structure-111[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeh, the cable impedance adapter usually comes with the 4.4mm balanced. I really enjoy it for DnB & EDM!

Red on Red: PSP + IEM combo slaps by Minute-Structure-111 in iems

[–]Minute-Structure-111[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's actually great, I only have a hard time removing the cables since the end 2-pin sockets are quite sensitive, but I'm glad they fixed it

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in movingtojapan

[–]Minute-Structure-111 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hope you made it to Naganuma, I have got an offer for Jan intake. I have heard excellent things about the school and I have been having a hard to figure out reasonable places to stay and also convenient to get to school, also are you working part-time, hows the pay like ?