What is a Cram School? Everything You Need to Know!

Cram schools are a massive part of student life in Japan, but if you didn’t grow up there, they can feel a bit mysterious. This is a place where kids and teens go after regular school to study even more, usually to prepare for big entrance exams. Behind that, though, lies a complex story about competition, dreams, family pressure, and the distinct way Japan approaches education.

What is cram school in Japan?

In Japanese, cram schools are referred to as juku. They are private schools that students attend in the late afternoon or evening, on weekends, and during school holidays. Regular schools teach the national curriculum, but juku focus on specific goals, such as improving grades, preparing for junior high, high school, or university entrance exams, and sometimes teaching English or math at a higher level than regular classes.

Classrooms are often small and packed with students bent over workbooks while teachers explain tricks for solving tough questions quickly. Many students finish a full day at school, eat a quick snack, then head straight to juku for two or three more hours of study. After they get home, they may still have homework from both school and cram school. It is intense, but for many families it feels like the safest path toward a promising future.

How did cram schools start?

The roots of these schools date back to the 1960s and 1970s, when Japan’s economy was booming and more families sought to have their children attend top schools and universities. Public schools could not always meet the high expectations for exam success, so private tutoring centers began to emerge. At first, many juku were small, family-run places in apartment rooms or small buildings, where a single teacher coached neighborhood kids.

As entrance exams became more competitive, cram schools turned into a serious business. The phrase juken sensou, or “entrance exam war,” became popular, capturing the feeling that exams were battles students had to win.

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How did cram schools grow and change?

By the 1980s and 1990s, cram schools had spread across Japan and become more specialized. Big chains opened branches in cities and suburbs, offering different courses for elementary, junior high, and high school students. Some chains even developed their own textbooks and nationwide mock exams, so parents could see how their child ranked compared to students in other prefectures. 

Not all schools are the same. Some, like Kumon, focus on self-paced worksheets in math and reading, allowing children to work quietly at their own pace. Others run high-energy lecture-style classes with dozens of students in one room, listening to a star teacher explain complex problems on a whiteboard. Some juku focus mainly on exam prep, while others help students catch up if they are struggling in specific subjects.

What is cram school life like for students?

Daily life at a juku can be surprisingly social, which is part of why many students end up liking it more than outsiders expect. Friends from different schools meet there, share snacks, and complain about homework together. Some cram schools hold special all-night study sessions on New Year’s Eve, where students stay up, study, play short games to stay awake, and then watch the first sunrise of the year together. These events are designed to build discipline and confidence for the upcoming exam season.

Of course, the pressure is real. For many teenagers, juku becomes the center of their social and emotional life. They may see their cram school teachers more often than their relatives, and some even develop strong bonds and memories that last into adulthood.

Why are cram schools so important in Japan?

Japan has a long tradition of using entrance exams to determine who is admitted to which school. A student’s performance at age 12 or 15 can influence which high school they attend, and later which university they enter. Because of this, parents often feel that these schools equals “opportunity.” They enroll their children to avoid falling behind and to keep up with their peers.

For many families, paying cram school fees is seen as an investment, even if it means cutting other expenses. Teachers at regular schools sometimes assume students will pick up extra skills at juku, which deepens the system’s influence. Researchers note that cram schools now operate as a “shadow education system,” supplementing official schooling. 

What are people saying about cram schools today?

Recently, more researchers and educators have begun to ask critical questions. They study whether juku really improve learning, how they affect mental health, and what they mean for fairness, since not all families can afford them. Some argue that the focus on exams and rote learning can reduce creativity and increase stress.

Others note that some students actually enjoy attending cram schools because of the supportive teachers and friendships they form. As Japan’s population shrinks and school competition evolves slowly, some cram schools are also adapting. They now offer classes in communication skills, science projects, or global studies instead of just drilling multiple-choice questions. 

Why are cram schools important in Japan?

They are important because they are a place where students study outside regular school hours, usually to prepare for exams. But the deeper answer is that cram schools are a window into Japanese society itself. They show how seriously education is taken, how strong family hopes can be, and how young people balance pressure with friendship and fun.

For many students, juku is where they learned to push through late nights, share worries with classmates, and celebrate little victories. It is part classroom, part community, and part rite of passage. Whether you view it as intense, inspiring, or a combination of both, understanding what cram schools are helps you grasp a significant aspect of modern life in Japan. Have you done a cram school in your country? Let us know in the comments below! 

Cited Sources

• The Spectator. “Japanese Jukus: The Cramming Lifestyle“.
• The New York Times. “A New Ratio for the Japanese Cram School“.
• Japan Unveiled. “Why Are So Many Japanese Kids Going to Cram School After Hours?“.