From Spain to Tokyo: Study-in-Japan Roadmap for Spanish Students

Japan and Spain have traded ideas, technology, and culture for more than four centuries. Today that historic bridge is wider than ever: Japanese universities welcome more than 300 Spanish degree‑seeking students each year, and Tokyo now hosts regular Sunday Mass in Spanish. If you are looking for an international degree that blends academic rigor, technological innovation, and deep cultural discovery, this guide is for you.

Why Study in Japan from Spain

Global‑class universities. Japan counts about 810 accredited universities, three of which rank among the world’s top‑200 in the latest Times Higher Education index.

Career‑minded education. 53 % of international graduates found full‑time jobs in Japan in 2022—an all‑time high—thanks to employer‑backed career programs (JASSO Job‑Hunting Guide 2026).

Research funding. Japan invests ≈3.3 % of its GDP in R&D, higher than the EU average, making labs well‑equipped and scholarships plentiful.

Safety & lifestyle. Tokyo and Osaka routinely appear in Numbeo’s top‑10 safest big cities, and well‑managed dorms start around ¥30 000/month.

Quick Facts & Key Numbers

Indicator	Japan	Spain ▶ Japan Flow
Total universities	≈ 810 (Asahi 2024)	Spanish degree students in Japan (2024): 317 Spanish short‑term students: 174 (JASSO Survey 2024)
Universities in world Top‑200	11 (THE 2024)
Avg. research budget / PhD student	¥1.8–3.2 M

Admission System: Spain vs. Japan

Side‑by‑Side Timeline

Step	Spain	Japan
Academic Year Start	Early Sept (UCM Calendar)	Early Apr (main) / Late Sep (some programs)
Entrance Tests	EBAU / “Selectividad” (June)	EJU (Jun & Nov) + uni‑specific exams
Language Proof	Spanish / some English B2‑C1	JLPT N2+ for Japanese‑medium; IELTS 6.0+ for English tracks
Application Window	Feb – May	Oct – Feb of previous year

Scholarships Exclusively for Spain

Note — No purely Spain‑only programs exist; however, Spaniards qualify for broad EU or global schemes plus Japan‑wide awards.

MEXT Scholarship. The flagship Japanese Government award covers full tuition, a ¥119 000 monthly stipend, and airfare. Embassy interviews take place each June in Madrid.

JASSO Honors Scholarship. A merit grant of ¥48 000/month available after arrival.

EU‑Japan “Vulcanus in Japan”. A paid engineering internship that includes a 4‑month language boot camp and 8‑month placement in industry — open to EU citizens (Vulcanus overview).

Cultural Gap & Adaptation Tips for Spaniards

From “¡Olé!” to “お疲れ様です”

Communication Style. Japanese campuses prize indirectness and silence as thinking space. When asking professors for help, open with gratitude (“Thank you for your guidance”) before raising questions.

Time & planning. Trains run on 60‑second punctuality. Arriving even five minutes late for class can lock you out.

Senpai–kōhai hierarchy. First‑year students clean labs and book meeting rooms; seniors coach you in return. Accepting this exchange accelerates your network.

Social life. Clubs (“circles”) replace Spain’s student associations; expect weekly practice plus nomikai socials. Moderate alcohol is socially important, but declining is perfectly acceptable—just add “I’m pacing myself.”

Homesickness hack. Free 90‑minute Spanish language meet‑ups run every Sunday at Instituto Cervantes Tokyo and Osaka.

Religious & Dietary Support for Spaniards

Catholic Mass in Spanish. The Archdiocese of Tokyo lists parishes with Spanish‑language Eucharist every Sunday, e.g., Narita (3rd Sun 13:30) and Tachikawa (2nd Sun 14:00). Details at tokyo.catholic.jp.

Spanish groceries. Seijo Ishii’s 182 stores stock olive oil, jamón, and Rioja (Foods & Wines from Spain directory). Tokyo also hosts dedicated delis such as Spain Club Ginza.

Allergies & vegetarianism. Universities provide English/Japanese allergen charts; learn “niku nashi, onegai shimasu” (no meat, please). Soy‑based protein and imported chickpeas are easy to find in Kaldi Coffee Farm outlets.

Cost of Living: Spain vs. Japan

Item (monthly)	Tokyo (¥)	Osaka (¥)	Madrid (€/¥)
Dorm rent	35 000–55 000	30 000–50 000	€600–800 / ≈¥103 000
Food (self‑cook)	25 000–30 000	23 000–28 000	€250–300 / ≈¥45 000
Public transport pass	¥7 500 (Tokyo Metro)	¥5 000	€54 / ≈¥9 400
Phone + data	¥2 000	¥2 000	€15 / ≈¥2 600
Indicative total	≈¥70 000–95 000	≈¥60 000–85 000	≈€920 / ¥160 000

Data sources: Numbeo cost‑of‑living indices for August 2025 (Tokyo; Osaka; Madrid) and JASSO dorm averages.

Graduate Outcomes for Spaniards

Employment Rate. 53.3 % of all international graduates (2022 cohort) secured jobs in Japan within six months (JASSO).

Industries hiring Spanish talent: automotive (Nissan‑Renault‑Mitsubishi), renewable energy (ACCIONA‑Tokyo partnership), tourism marketing, and language‑tech start‑ups.

Visa pathway. Graduates in humanities or engineering can obtain a 3‑year Engineer/Specialist in Humanities status; language teachers often begin on the Instructor visa and transition later.

Alumni networks. Spain‑Japan Educational Association (SJEA) holds quarterly job fairs in Madrid and Tokyo, streamlining re‑entry into Spanish firms with Japan market units.