JLPT N5 Preparation
Learn hiragana, katakana and basic kanji, complete your 150 hours of study and pass JLPT N5.
Next batch starts
- Level
- Beginner — JLPT N5 / NAT-TEST 5Q
- Duration
- 3 months (13 weeks)
- Total hours
- 156 hours — meets the 150-hour visa rule
- Class times
- 2 hours a day, Sunday to Friday
- Study mode
- In person & online
- Class size
- Up to 15 students
About JLPT N5 Preparation
JLPT N5 Preparation takes you from your first hiragana to N5, the first level of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test. Over 13 weeks you learn to read and write hiragana and katakana, pick up around 100 basic kanji, and build the grammar and vocabulary that N5 tests.
The course runs for 156 hours, so it also covers the 150 hours of Japanese study that Japan’s student visa asks for — and you finish with a certificate of your hours for your application.
Classes are small and practical: you read, write, listen and speak in every lesson, and each module ends with a short test. The final week is given to full mock exams under timed conditions.
Who it’s for
- Students applying to a Japanese language school on a student visa
- Anyone who needs 150 hours of Japanese study, or a JLPT N5 or NAT-TEST 5Q result
- Complete beginners who want a structured start in Japanese
- Self-taught learners who want to sit JLPT N5
Before you join
- No Japanese needed — we start with hiragana
- About an hour a day for homework and kana practice
- For online batches: a laptop or phone, headphones and a stable internet connection
Your Path to Studying in Japan
Japanese is your first step towards studying in Japan. Here’s how this course fits into your application.
Meet the student visa language rule
Japan’s student visa asks for basic Japanese: a JLPT N5 or NAT-TEST level 5 result, or proof of 150 hours of study.
Your study hours, documented
Finish the course with a certificate of the hours you studied, ready to include in your visa application.
Arrive ready for language school
Start your language school in Japan already reading hiragana, katakana and everyday kanji.
What the Course Covers
Thirteen weeks, six modules — from your first hiragana to a full mock exam. Each module ends with a short test so you and your instructor can track your progress.
01Weeks 1–3Hiragana and Katakana
- Reading and writing all 46 hiragana, with voiced and combined sounds
- All 46 katakana, and how borrowed words are spelled
- Pronunciation: long vowels, double consonants and rhythm
- Writing your name and simple everyday words
02Weeks 4–5Everyday Japanese
- Greetings and introducing yourself (jikoshōkai)
- Numbers, counting, prices and telling the time
- Days, dates and making plans
- Family, school and work
03Weeks 6–8Core Grammar
- Basic sentence patterns: 〜は〜です
- Particles: は, が, を, に, で, へ, と, も
- Verb forms: ます form, て form and dictionary form
- い- and な-adjectives, likes, wants and invitations
04Weeks 9–10Kanji and Vocabulary
- Around 100 basic kanji for N5
- About 800 essential words, grouped by topic
- Reading kanji in context
- Building words from common kanji
05Weeks 11–12Reading and Listening for N5
- Short texts: notes, notices and simple emails
- Finding key information quickly
- Listening for tasks, main points and quick replies
- Strategies for each question type
06Week 13Mock Tests and Review
- Two full mock tests under exam conditions
- Past N5 questions reviewed together
- Managing your time across the 90-minute test
- Your hours certificate and next steps
What You’ll Be Able to Do
- Read and write all hiragana and katakana
- Recognise around 100 basic kanji
- Introduce yourself and handle everyday situations in simple Japanese
- Use around 800 essential words and the core N5 grammar
- Understand slow, simple conversations about daily life
- Sit JLPT N5 or NAT-TEST 5Q with a clear plan for each section
About the JLPT N5 Exam
The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), run by the Japan Foundation, is the most widely recognised Japanese test. N5 is its first level: basic Japanese used in everyday situations.
| Part | Time |
|---|---|
| Vocabulary | 20 minutes |
| Grammar & Reading | 40 minutes |
| Listening | 30 minutes |
How it’s scored
N5 is scored out of 180: up to 120 for Language Knowledge (vocabulary and grammar) and Reading, and up to 60 for Listening. To pass you need 80 overall, plus at least 38 in Language Knowledge and Reading and 19 in Listening — a low score in one section fails the test even with a high total.
When and where
Held in Nepal twice a year, in July and December, by the Japanese Language Teachers’ Association, Nepal (JALTAN). Applications are made online — we’ll tell you when they open.
Exam fee
NPR 3,000, paid online when you apply. Not included in the course fee.
Upcoming Batches
Morning batch
Sunday to Friday 6:30 – 8:30 AM
Day batch
Sunday to Friday 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Evening batch
Sunday to Friday 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Online evening batch
Sunday to Friday 7:30 – 9:30 PM
Can’t make these times? Call us — we open new batches regularly and can add one when enough students ask. Classes break for Dashain and Tihar.
What’s Included
150-hour completion certificate
A certificate of your study hours, for your Japanese student visa application.
Mock tests
Full practice tests under exam conditions, with your results talked through afterwards.
Study materials
Course books and practice papers for every lesson.
Visa counselling
Guidance from our counsellors on your application and documents once you’re ready to apply.
Speaking practice
Role-plays and conversation practice every week, so you can use the Japanese you learn.
Language school guidance
Help choosing a Japanese language school and intake that suit your goals and budget.
Recorded online classes
Online batches are recorded, so you can catch up on a missed class or revise before the exam.
Meet Your Instructors
Learn from our Japanese language team, who prepare students for the JLPT and for life and study in Japan.
Surya Bahadur Rai
Korean Teacher
Laxman Mission Karki
Korean Teacher
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know any Japanese before joining?
No. We start with hiragana on the first day and assume no Japanese at all. If you already read kana, talk to us — you may be able to join a batch that has already started.
Does this course meet the Japanese student visa language requirement?
Japan’s student visa asks for basic Japanese: a JLPT N5 or NAT-TEST level 5 result, or proof of at least 150 hours of Japanese study. This course is 156 hours, and you get a certificate of your hours when you finish. Some language schools ask for an exam result as well, so we recommend sitting the JLPT or NAT-TEST too.
Can I take the NAT-TEST instead of the JLPT?
Yes. The NAT-TEST follows the same five levels, and its 5Q level matches N5. It is held more often than the JLPT, which runs only in July and December, so it can suit a tight application timeline. This course prepares you for both.
Is the exam fee included in the course fee?
No. The JLPT fee — NPR 3,000 — is paid online when you apply. We’ll tell you when applications open and help you fill in the form.
When should I start if I’m planning to study in Japan?
Start at least six months before your intake. Japanese language schools close applications months in advance, and you’ll want your hours certificate or exam result ready when you apply. Our counsellors can help you plan the timing.
What happens if I miss a class?
Let your instructor know. In-person students can sit in on the same lesson in another batch that week when there’s space, and online classes are recorded so you can watch them later.
Can I pay the course fee in instalments?
Yes. You can pay half when you join and the rest by the end of the first month. Ask at our front desk for details.
Ready to start JLPT N5/N4 Preparation?
Book your seat and our team will call you to confirm your batch, the fees and how to join — or visit us in Chabel, Kathmandu.
- +977 9849999281
- [email protected]
- Chabel, Kathmandu, Nepal