The motivation of people desiring to study in Japan is different, and the objectives of their study, method, length of stay, and educational institution also are different. First of all, taking into your academic ability, financial means, and desired occupation or direction in the future, you should refer to the following contents and create a suited plan:

Types of study in Japan
They are classified into the following three according to objective and period.

a. Language study
Objective: Study the Japanese language
Institution: Japanese language institute or a Japanese program offered by a private university
Period: 6 months to two years

b. Long-term study
Objective: Gaining a specific degree or conducting long-term research
Institution: Graduate school, university, junior college, special training college, college of technology
Period: More than one year

c. Short-term study
Objective: Student exchange, learning and conducting research within one year, without the aim of acquiring credit
Institution: Graduate school, university, junior college (host school in case of student exchange program), summer course of Japan studies program at a Japanese university
Period: Less than one year