Location of Sendai

Sendai is located at the heart of the Tohoku region and is the largest city in the area.
It takes about 1.5 hours to reach Tokyo by Shinkansen, making Sendai a key hub where many companies establish their branch offices for the Tohoku region.
While not as large as Tokyo, Sendai has the highest population in Tohoku, with approximately 1.1 million residents.
Among them, about 14,000 are foreign nationals, and around 5,000 are international students.
The majority of the foreign population consists of Chinese nationals, followed by Nepalese, Koreans, and Vietnamese. In recent years, there has been an increase in residents from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and other countries.
Climate of Sendai
Compared to Tokyo, Sendai has cooler summers and slightly colder winters.
While Tokyo rarely experiences snowfall, Sendai receives snow about two to three times a year, accumulating around 5–10 cm each time.
Cherry blossoms bloom across Sendai in April, and the city is known for its beautiful autumn foliage.
With distinct seasonal changes, Sendai offers a clear sense of Japan’s four seasons.
About Part-time Jobs
In principle, international students are not allowed to work part-time. However, if they obtain a special work permit from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, they are allowed to work up to 28 hours per week (or 8 hours per day during long vacations).
In Sendai, many part-time jobs offer hourly wages ranging from 973 to 1,000 yen, with students typically earning an average monthly salary of about 110,000 yen.
For late-night shifts between 10 PM and 5 AM, wages increase by 25%. However, due to the physical strain, we do not recommend working during these hours.
Additionally, there are restrictions on the types of jobs international students can take. Jobs at pachinko parlors, bars, love hotels, and similar establishments are strictly prohibited. If you are unsure whether a job is allowed, please consult with the school staff beforehand. For more details, visit the Immigration Services Agency website.
[Special Work Permit for Foreign Nationals (Immigration Services Agency of Japan)]
Our school does not provide part-time job placements. We encourage students to find work through recommendations from their senior classmates.
Example of Monthly Living Expenses
収入 INCOME
Approx. 120,000 yen
Working at a food manufacturing company near Sendai (night shift)
Hourly wage: 975 yen
Weekly working hours: 25 hours
支出 EXPENSES
Dormitory rent | 25,000 yen |
Utilities | 10,000 yen |
Food | 30,000 yen |
Mobile phone bill | 5,000 yen |
Other expenses (clothing, entertainment, daily necessities, etc.) | 20,000 yen |
Savings (for tuition and other expenses) | 30,000 yen |
Example of Tuition and Other Payments
収入 INCOME
From savings | 293,000 yen |
Remittance from financial sponsor | 600,000 yen |
支出 EXPENSES
Tuition and other fees: 893,000 yen | 893,000 JPY |