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Coto Japanese Academy to Open Fifth Location in Shinjuku in April 2026

coto japanese academy shinjuku

Coto Japanese Academy, one of Tokyo’s leading Japanese-language schools, is opening of its fifth physical campus in Shinjuku, scheduled for April 2026. This expansion strengthens Coto Academy’s position as a premier destination for Japanese-language learning for both residents and short-term visitors in Japan, while making high-quality Japanese education even more accessible to those living and working in central and western Tokyo.

Construction of the new campus is currently underway, and Coto Academy is now accepting student applications for the Shinjuku location.

History of Coto Academy

Coto Japanese Academy began in 2000 as a small group of four volunteers led by Yukiko Watanabe, who offered affordable Japanese lessons in a one-bedroom apartment in Iidabashi.

While Japanese language schools were already plentiful at the time, Watanabe-san and her team identified a clear gap: most programs focused heavily on theory, with limited emphasis on practical Japanese for everyday life and work. The team developed a curriculum that treats Japanese not as an end in itself but as a practical tool to help residents in Japan thrive in their daily lives.

From these beginnings in Iidabashi, Coto opened its first official campus — then called Iidabashi Japanese Language School — in 2014. Operating under the name Coto World, the academy later expanded to offer online Japanese lessons and additional physical campuses in Yokohama, Shibuya, and Minato.

Why Shinjuku?

For over 25 years, despite continuous growth and expansion, all Coto Academy schools have operated under the same grassroots mission: to make learning Japanese accessible and to bring international residents — our “global citizens” — closer to Japan, serving as a bridge toward their next personal or professional goal.

The opening of the Shinjuku campus reflects our commitment to expanding and strengthening our community. Coto Academy Shinjuku continues this mission, serving residents, professionals, and expats living and working in Shinjuku and the surrounding western Tokyo areas.

About Coto Academy Coto Academy Shinjuku

Coto Academy Shinjuku is scheduled to officially begin operations in April 2026. The school will be located on the west side of Shinjuku. The campus will be a 5-minute walk from Shinjuku Station via the Keio Line, a 6-minute walk via the Odakyu Line, and a 7-minute walk via the JR Lines

Address: 5F, Nishi-Shinjuku Takagi Building, 1-20-3 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Contact us to inquire about Coto Academy Shinjuku.

Key Points Coto Japanese Academy Shinjuku

1. Focused on beginner-level Japanese

Initially, Coto Academy Shinjuku will primarily offer beginner-level Japanese courses, though there are plans to expand course offerings in the future. Students can choose from our popular intensive Japanese programs held five days a week — designed to mirror traditional full-time language schools — as well as more flexible part-time classes available in the morning or evening.

2. Strategic location

Dynamic and vibrant Shinjuku offers everything from major corporate headquarters and iconic skyscrapers to lively nightlife and local izakayas where Japanese communities unwind.

Step out of the classroom and into the city itself. Whether you’re dining at a local restaurant or browsing a manga store, Shinjuku becomes your real-world classroom.

Studying in Shinjuku also gives you easy access to all parts of Tokyo. Shinjuku Station, one of the largest and most complex train stations in the world, is a major transportation hub connecting central, eastern, and western Tokyo. It is served by approximately 12 railway lines, including JR East, Keio, Odakyu, Toei Subway, and Tokyo Metro.

3. Focus on practical Japanese

We remain committed to our original values: that the Japanese you learn should be the Japanese you use. At Coto Academy, we design a practical-focused curriculum to help students develop real-life Japanese skills from day one. How do we achieve this? By keeping class sizes small — just 8 students per class — everyone has ample time to speak, ask questions, and practice conversation.

Study Japanese at Coto Academy Shinjuku!

Interested in joining our newest campus? Fill out our inquiry form to learn more about courses, schedules, and enrollment for the Shinjuku campus.

Learn more about Coto Japanese Academy Shinjuku.

 

Interested in learning more about Japanese culture? Get in touch to hear about our courses!

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