Japan is the only country that speaks Japanese natively, so attending Japanese language schools are fairly limited. But, with a little research, you’re sure to find the perfect location to suit your needs, whether you want to balance your language studies and navigating wild city life, exploring ancient traditions, or island-hopping in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Head to Japanese language schools in Tokyo, Japan’s modern-futuristic capital city. Tokyo features a contrast of neon-lit streets and mega-skyscrapers, hole-in-the-wall bars and lantern-lit yakitori (grilled chicken) stands. Japanese language students are never bored with many diverse people, activities, and subcultures to explore. They say Tokyo is the best city for learning Japanese for beginners, as they use the standard dialect, and students will have infinite opportunities to practice at artisan markets or while geisha-watching beneath cherry trees.

If you want to avoid the modern city, but still want an immersive experience, try a Japanese language program in Okinawa. Located in the semitropical Southwest Islands, Japanese language schools here help you discover a side of Japan that is not so well known. Coral-fringed islands, primeval forests, white sand beaches, and crystal blue waters create a Japanese paradise that challenge those found in Hawaii and Southeast Asia. While Okinawa radiates a certain “un-Japanese” culture, language students get a genuine Japanese learning experience by stepping away from the major cities where it can be tempting to slip back into English.

For a city-island combo experience, check out Kyūshū. Language students are often drawn to Japan’s southwestern-most main island for its warmth, beauty, excellent cuisine, and friendly locals. Fukuoka is the island’s biggest city, and history lovers will find themselves in heaven here. It is a combination of two former castle towns and is known for its ancient temples, gorgeous beaches, and modern shopping. Practice with locals at a SoftBank Hawks baseball game, a local art gallery, or over a bowl of Hakata rāmen (egg noodles).

While attending Japanese language schools in Japan will allow you to truly immerse yourself in the language, there are other locations that make studying Japanese possible. Japanese language classes are offered in select schools across the United States, and you can practice your new skills with fellow Japanese students from coast to coast. Get lost among skyscrapers in New York City, take in the view of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, or hit up a hole-in-the-wall karaoke joint in downtown Atlanta.