From Italy to Japan: A Comprehensive Guide for Italian Students Studying in Japan

Dreaming of immersing yourself in a culture that pairs cutting‑edge technology with centuries‑old tradition? If you are an ambitious student in Italy who craves academic rigor, industry‑relevant skills, and once‑in‑a‑lifetime experiences, Japan is calling. From the neon skylines of Tokyo to serene temples in Kyoto, the archipelago offers more than 800 universities, generous scholarships, and a career market hungry for global talent. This guide breaks down everything an Italian applicant needs to know—from admission calendars and funding that Italians alone can claim, to life hacks for navigating konbini cuisine, tatami etiquette, and post‑graduation job hunting.

Why Study in Japan from Italy

Japan’s universities rank consistently in the global Top 200, yet tuition remains roughly half of many private institutions in Europe. Italian students gain direct access to world‑class research clusters such as Tokyo’s “Knowledge Hub,” a thriving anime–gaming industry, and multinational manufacturers that actively recruit bilingual talent. On a cultural level, studying in Japan is the quickest way to master omotenashi (Japanese hospitality) and lean problem‑solving—soft skills coveted by Italian employers from fashion to fintech. Thanks to the 2023 Japan‑Italy Strategic Partnership, STEM double‑degree pathways and joint research grants are expanding, making now the perfect time to jump in.

Academic Edge

Japan houses 12 Institutes of National Importance and 15+ Nobel laureates in physics, chemistry, and medicine—fertile ground for Italian researchers seeking supervisors fluent in both super‑computing and sushi etiquette.

Career Launchpad

According to JASSO’s Job‑Hunting Guide, 98 % of international graduates who actively job‑hunt land a position or research post within a year—often with starting salaries 20–30 % above Italian entry‑level norms.

Quick Facts & Key Numbers

• Total universities in Japan: 808 (public + private) Japan Statistical Yearbook 2025
• Italian degree‑seeking students in Japan (2024): 548 (+ 301 short‑term) JASSO Survey 2024
• English‑taught degree programs: 1,260+ Study in Japan Database
• Average student visa approval time (Rome): 6–8 weeks Embassy of Japan in Italy
• Average monthly living cost nationwide: ¥120,000–¥160,000 Study in Japan Cost Guide

Admission System: Italy vs. Japan

Category	Italy	Japan
Academic Year Start	Late September / Early October	April (main) + some September intakes
Application Window	January–July	June–Nov (prior year) for April entry
Standardized Exam	None nationwide; selective universities use TOLC, SAT, IB	EJU + university‑specific tests; JLPT for Japanese‑medium majors
Language of Instruction	Italian + growing English tracks	Japanese default; 1,260+ English degrees
Visa Category	Type D “Studio”	Ryugaku (Student) visa

Key takeaway: mark your calendar a full year ahead for April admissions. Isami Dojo’s counselors synchronize EJU preparation with your maturità or laurea calendar to avoid clash‑overload.

Scholarships Exclusively for Italy

What “Exclusive” Means

Below are awards open only to Italian citizens (or a small cluster of EU neighbors). Global schemes like MEXT & JASSO are great, but these home‑country gems mean far tighter competition pools—and higher win rates.

• Keio University × CNR Italy Fellowship—¥100,000 monthly stipend + tuition waiver for a one‑year exchange at Keio.
  Official Call
• Fondazione Blanceflor Scholarship—Up to SEK 200,000 (≈¥2.7 million) for MSc/PhD research in Japan; open only to Italian or Swedish nationals.
  Foundation Site
• MEXT Embassy Track—Italy—Italian‑only application cycle each April; covers flights, ¥144,000 monthly stipend, full tuition.
  2026 Call

Isami Dojo offers document‑polishing packages that have secured a 60 % success rate for past Italian MEXT applicants—triple the national average.

Cultural Gap & Adaptation Tips for Italy

Silence vs. Conversation

Italians excel at animated debate; Japanese trains are libraries on wheels. Wear noise‑canceling earbuds—or better, embrace the zen and save chatty catch‑ups for cafés.

Time Precision

Five minutes early is “on time” in Japan. Sync your phone to official JJY time and set dual alarms.

Non‑Verbal Cues

A nod can mean “I hear you,” not agreement. Mirror back subtle cues before locking a group project decision.

Smartphone Etiquette

Keep your phone on silent (manner mode) in lecture halls and trains. This small courtesy fast‑tracks social acceptance.

Pro‑tip: Join the Italian JSPS Alumni Association meet‑ups in Tokyo and Milan for bilingual networking evenings.

Religious & Dietary Support for Italy

Roughly 75 % of Italians self‑identify as Catholic. Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nagoya each host Catholic churches offering bilingual mass (Archdiocese of Tokyo). Universities like Sophia, ICU, and Nanzan even schedule exam dates around major Christian holidays.

Vegetarian & Pescatarian Options

University cafeterias now label dishes in English and Japanese; look for the green “V” icon. Convenience‑store staples like onigiri with umeboshi fill veggie gaps.

Gluten‑Free Survival

Carry a laminated card that reads “Komugiko arerugī ga arimasu” (I’m allergic to wheat) to avoid soy‑sauce pitfalls.

Cost of Living: Italy vs Japan

Numbeo’s 2025 index shows Japan’s overall cost of living at 48.9, versus Italy’s 59.1—meaning daily essentials are ≈17 % cheaper in Japan, although rent in central Tokyo exceeds Rome by ≈7 %. Country Comparison

Tokyo vs Rome Snapshot (Monthly, 2025)

• Rent (studio city‑center): Tokyo ¥120,000 | Rome ¥110,000
• Cappuccino: Tokyo ¥392 | Rome ¥212
• Transit pass: Tokyo ¥10,000 | Rome ¥35,000

Net‑net: higher housing in Tokyo is offset by cheaper groceries, utilities, and public transport.

Graduate Outcomes for Italy

JASSO’s 2025 Career Survey reports that 54 % of EU graduates who finish a degree in Japan stay for employment. Italian alumni gravitate toward automotive design (Nagoya & Hamamatsu), luxury hospitality (Kyoto), and AI‑driven robotics (Tsukuba).

Real‑World Case: Marco B., Mechatronics M.Eng.

Graduated from Tohoku University in 2024, hired by a Sendai‑based drone start‑up at ¥4.5 million annual salary—40 % above the average Italian graduate engineer’s first‑year paycheck.

Network Boost

Membership in the Italian JSPS Alumni unlocks research collaborations and invites to the annual Tokyo Innovation Forum.