To learn Japanese in Sydney, you can study with a Japanese tutor near you or take advantage of this city's many Japanese study opportunities. New South Wales (NSW) has the largest population of Japanese speakers in Australia, so it's no surprise that you have many options for learning this language and studying Japanese culture.
Where to Learn Japanese in Sydney
- Sydney-area universities: UNSW, Macquarie University, University of Sydney
- A dedicated Japanese language school: Nihongo-Juku, Japanese Sydney and more
- Japanese-Australian organisations: Japan Foundation, Japan-Australia Society
- Social activities: cafe meetups, conventions, informal Japan appreciation groups
Take a Japanese Language Course: Sydney Universities
NSW is rich in higher education opportunities, it's no wonder that Sydney-area universities should be your first stop for Japanese lessons. By comparison, Darwin Japanese learners' selections are few.
High school students thinking about an undergraduate degree in Japanese language studies is spoilt for choice in NSW. Sydney has universities scattered across its urban landscape but not all of them offer linguistic degree programs.
Four Sydney universities offer Japanese degree courses. Enrolment requirements vary from one facility to the next, of course, but they all have certain features in common.
Qualified, experienced instructors are a given. Program extras include Japanese cultural activities, guest speakers, workshops and seminars.
You can choose your school based on the program features that appeal to you the most, and what your learning goals are. Once you know what each school has to offer, you can match your needs and wants to the school that meets them the best. Melbourne-area Japanese learners wish they had the selections Sydneysiders have!
Besides these academic efforts, all four campuses offer Japanese language learners chances to participate in cultural activities. Those include visits to Japanese cultural centres around Sydney as well as initiatives the schools host on campus.
Japanese Sydney
We like to refer to this language learning facility as the Asian language services specialist. Located in Sydney's Central Business District (CBD), this language school offers one-to-one and group Japanese lessons.
They welcome absolute beginners through advanced learners, helping all their students understand Japanese culture and language. Best of all, this school has an outlet for Japanese learning in Brisbane!
🌐 www.japanesesydney.com.au/
📍Suite 305/332-336 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000
📞+614 3272 8790
Japanese Sydney's teachers specialise in helping students prepare for their exams:
Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT): receive coaching from specialised tutors.
Australian Tertiary Admission Ranking (ATAR): coaching for high school students preparing to sit Japanese language exams.
Sydney Community College
Also located in Sydney's CBD, this learning facility offers Japanese classes for beginners and advanced students alike. The school arranges lessons in 20-hour blocks, spread across eight weeks. These courses are targeted at adult learners, though a talented teenager would likely be welcome.
🌐 www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au
📍2A Gordon St, Rozelle NSW 2039
📞+612 8752 7555
The Japan Foundation Sydney
The Japan Foundation is a cultural organisation established by the Japanese government. It offers a range of programs, including Japanese language courses for beginners through advanced levels. The Foundation also proctors the JLPT, and helps students prepare for it.
Like every Adelaide Japanese language beginner, you must develop speaking and listening skills. For that, The Japan Foundation's 10-week Taster Course is perfect. It will set you on your way to build on your conversational, reading and writing skills. You may then move into more advanced classes.
🌐 sydney.jpf.go.jp
📍Level 4, Central Park, 28 Broadway, Chippendale NSW 2008
📞+612 8239 0055
The Centre developed this Japanese language learning platform.
It offers self-directed online lessons for those wanting to study from any location at any time.
It's perfect for students in Sydney who can't commute or have a busy schedule.
Nihongo-Juku
Language is a living thing. Nobody knows that better than the Japanese teachers at Nihongo-Juku. As this clip demonstrates, their focus is on teaching 'living Japanese'. Not from a rules-bound perspective, but from how ordinary people speak.
You can see that Nihongo teachers use visuals and activities to help their students master elements of Japanese culture and explain unique vocabulary. Their dynamic presentations and personal engagement make learning Japanese exciting and rewarding.
🌐 nihongojuku.com.au
📍2b Figtree Dr, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127
📞+614 8022 6621
Juku is the practice of scholars taking in disciples, meaning pupils live with their masters.
Juku began in the Heian Period (794 - 1185).
Nihongo-Juku embraces the spirit of that practice, as a modern-day 'cram school', for students needing intensive learning sessions.
BBICollege
This Japanese language school's full name hints at its reach and purpose. Big Bridge International - BBI originally supported native Japanese speakers who wanted to explore life in Australia. Turnabout being fair play, BBI then opened offices across Australia, for citizens to embark on their Japan adventure. Today, BBI offers Japanese lessons in the traditional school term format:
- Japanese trial class
- Trial Japanese
- General Japanese
- Private Japanese lessons
- HSC Japanese exam preparation
- JLPT preparation
BBI hosts workshops to introduce Sydneysiders to Japanese cities. During those sessions, you may explore Kobe's unique flavours, Hokkaido's distinct geography, and the history of Japan's Shogunate. BBI also has a program called Feel Japan, where they guide curious Australians to Japanese shops and cultural events around Sydney.
🌐 japaneselanguage.bbicollege.com
📍Suite 3.03, Level 3/39 Liverpool St, Sydney NSW 2000
📞+612 9264 8803
WEA Sydney
This adult education centre has been around for about as long as Australia has been a country. It opened its door in 1913, and has been helping Sydneysiders develop their wellness, leisure and language abilities ever since.
WEA offers beginner Japanese lessons in eight-week blocks. These are small-group sessions, the better to socialise and network with other Japan lovers. You might focus your studies on Japanese for travel. Or you can get the language's foundations right before signing up for more expansive courses at one of the outlets listed above.
🌐 www.weasydney.com.au
📍72 Bathurst St, Sydney NSW 2000
📞+612 9264 2781
Japan Club of Sydney
Often, the best way to learn a language is to immerse yourself in it. Surrounded with Japanese speakers, beginners and intermediate learners will quickly pick up this language's rhythm and flow.
The Japan Club of Sydney offers Sydneysiders culture workshops, outings, and other social activities. They take particular care of their seniors, promoting events especially for them. Those engaged in Japanese language learning Perth can only dream of such opportunities!
🌐 www.japanclubofsydney.org/english/
📍Chatswood NSW 2057
📞04 2177 6052
Social Events to Learn Japanese Sydney
Across Sydney and throughout NSW, we find lovely reminders of our closeness with Japanese culture. For instance, one might stroll through the Japanese Gardens in Campbelltown, Gosford, Cowra, or Dubbo. Once you've recharged yourself in those peaceful oases, you might find yourself ready for a snack.
Sydney's Japanese Cafés
Remember that NSW has the largest population of Japanese speakers in Australia. Across Sydney, you'll find many cafés, snack shops and eateries with Japan-inspired menus and Japanese art on full display. Among the most popular, we count:
- Café Monaka, in Mona Vale
- Parami Café on Alberta Street, CBD
- Domo 39 Café, in St Peters
- Poketto, in Chippendale
- Rising Sun Workshop, in Newtown
- Sandoitchi Café, in Darlinghurst
- St Kai Café, in Mortdale
- Otogo Café, Ultimo
- Kurumac Café, Marrickville
- Kahii, a café / wine bar in the CBD
As you enjoy your udon or onigiri, you might chat with other Japanese food and culture enthusiasts, and discover that they, too, are taking Japanese language lessons. You might then decide to practise your Japanese speaking skills. Who knows? You might even tempt the restaurant staff to talk with you in Japanese.
Many of these restaurants host Japanese-themed events, such as art exhibitions and performances. They also welcome Japanese Meetups - groups dedicated to exploring all things Japanese. Like events for Japanese language learners Canberra, Sydney gatherings are lively and fun, but targeted to a specific Japanese aspect. These are the most active:
A language learning Meetup with 135 members. It hosts events every week; organizers limit attendance so everyone has a chance to speak. This group meets in cafés across Sydney.
A language exchange Meetup group with 8 000+ members. It hosts weekly events targeted at Japan enthusiasts. This group welcomes Sydney's Japanese community.
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