The University that I am going to be studying at in Tokyo doesn't require you to know how to speak or write Japanese before you get there, the classes are taught in English but you are required to take a Japanese language class while there. What level you are put in depends on what level you know when you get there. They suggest that you know some Japanese before you get there but it is not a requirement.

Hey Jnekolove,

I got 2 questions for you:
Did you get there with Monbukagakusho scholarship?
Will you pay extra money for university fairs?

thx:)

really? do you have link of somesort for that unversity? i want to do a bit more research

Yeah I do :D here you go

International Programs : Japan

Hey friends,

I too was new too Tokyo, I just joined with a tokyo university.
I am from India, Actually, your tips & hints, as well as the links here are very helpful to me to get more and more about Tokyo & Japan

Cheers,
JawaharFernas,

you should learn japanese language more if you wanna have an easier life..

Shopping and simple things such as that will be a pain if you don't know Japanese.

How much Japanese would you suggest I know before I go? :-D

Well he said Tokyo, so that's what I let him know. :)

They didn't do it in Okinawa either... I guess it's because people in Tokyo are always in a hurry...

As much as you can! :D

But, seriously, you should be able to ask for and understand directions, know how to ask for help (police, doctor), and enough of the counting system to be able to shop. Also, reading Japanese would be a big big help too, of course!

If you are going to Tokyo, there are bilingual rail maps that give place names in Japanese and romaji. Amazon.com carries the Tokyo City Atlas: A Bilingual Guide (3rd Ed.) by Kodansha International. I don't have it myself but was planning to get it. Check it out, it may be helpful.