The GRE General Test costs US$249 in Japan, the standard fee for every country except China, and Japan isn't on ETS's list of places where tax is added at checkout. You can test at a centre in Japan or at home, and either way you book through your ETS account; Prometric Japan, which lists the GRE in its exam list, also sends candidates to ETS to schedule.
GRE fee in Japan for 2026
ETS's fee table has only two General Test prices: US$237.86 for China and US$249 for all other areas of the world, effective 1 August 2026. Japan falls into the second group. ETS's Japanese-language fee page still shows the older $220 in its table, next to a note that the General Test fee rises to US$249 for registrations made from 1 August 2026. If you're registering now, US$249 is the figure that applies.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| GRE General Test (test centre or at home) | US$249 |
| Four score reports chosen on test day | Included |
| Rescheduling | US$55 |
| Changing test centre | US$55 |
| Additional Score Report, per recipient | US$40 |
| Score Review for Analytical Writing | US$60 |
| Score Reinstatement | US$50 |
Tax. ETS says its fees include any sales, value-added or similar taxes, except in a listed group of places where tax is added when you order: Australia, Canada, Colombia, the EU, Nigeria, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Turkey, the US and Vietnam. Japan is not on that list. On top of the listed fee, the Bulletin says the final charge includes a non-refundable 4% online service fee.
To compare Japan with other countries, see our GRE fee by country table, and for a full breakdown of what one attempt can cost, how much the GRE costs.
Paying in yen
ETS prices the GRE in US dollars and its fee pages don't give a yen figure. When you register online, the Bulletin says you may be offered the choice to pay in the local currency supported by your card issuer or in USD, so the yen amount depends on your card's exchange rate.
- Cards accepted online: American Express, Diners Club International, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, RuPay Global, UnionPay and Visa, plus PayPal.
- Card security checks: if your bank asks for a 3-D Secure code and it isn't entered correctly, the payment is rejected.
- Not accepted: cash, cheques and money orders.
GRE test centres in Japan
ETS runs the GRE at more than 1,000 test centres in 160+ countries. In Japan, Prometric includes the GRE in its exam list with ETS named as the test sponsor, and its GRE page tells first-time candidates to create an ETS account to schedule. Booking, payment and support all go through ETS.
Neither page gives a fixed list of GRE centres in Japan. To see which centres near you have open seats, use the search on ETS's scheduling page: choose the GRE General Test, enter your city or postal code, and it shows locations and dates.
GRE test dates in Japan
ETS says that in most regions the test is available on a continuous basis throughout the year. The only places it names as having fewer centre dates (up to three a month) are mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea. Japan isn't one of them, so in practice your choice of date depends on which seats are open at centres near you.
- Booking deadline: register online at least two calendar days before the date you want.
- Retakes: you can take the General Test once every 21 days, up to five times in any rolling 12 months.
- Scores: your official score report arrives 8–10 days after your test.
If you're working back from an application deadline, our GRE test dates guide shows how to leave room for a retake.
Taking the GRE at home in Japan
The at-home GRE is offered everywhere the test is normally available, based on the country of your account address, so it's open to test takers in Japan. ETS says it runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the fee is the same US$249.
- A desktop or laptop: Windows (version 11 or later recommended) or macOS 11 or later; no tablets, Chromebooks or Surface Pro devices.
- A movable webcam, a speaker and microphone (no headsets), and the Chrome browser.
- A smartphone or tablet with a camera to act as a second camera during the test.
- ID verification in ETS's IDVaaS app at least 72 hours before your test.
Our guide to the GRE at home covers room rules and what happens on the day.
ID for the GRE in Japan
Select Japan on ETS's ID requirements page and it lists, for Japanese citizens testing in Japan, a passport, national ID, government-issued driver's licence (mobile driver's licences are not accepted), state or province ID card, or military ID, each with your name, photograph and signature. A military ID can't be used for the at-home test.
- Not a Japanese citizen? If you're testing outside your country of citizenship, you need a valid passport. If it isn't in English-language letters, bring a supplemental ID in English with your name and photo.
- Names must match. Your registered first and last names must match your ID exactly (excluding accents).
More detail is in our GRE ID requirements guide.
How to register, reschedule or cancel from Japan
- Create an ETS account; you need one to register online.
- Choose a test centre or at home, and pick a date on the ETS scheduling page.
- Pay US$249 by card or PayPal and check the final total.
- On test day, choose up to four free score recipients.
Phone help. ETS's regional support list gives a Japan number for the GRE Program: 81 3 6364 1334. The Bulletin says test-centre registration is possible by phone in most locations through Regional Customer Support.
Changes. Reschedule no later than four days before your test or you lose the fee; rescheduling costs US$55. Cancel at least four days ahead and you get a refund of half the test fee. See our GRE cancellation policy guide for the details.
Sending GRE scores to universities
Your fee covers sending scores to up to four institutions on test day; extra reports later cost US$40 each. ETS keeps a searchable list of approved score recipients that you can filter by country, so if you're applying to a programme in Japan, search for Japan to see whether it's listed and find its code. Our guide to sending GRE scores with ScoreSelect explains the options.
Before you book, try a free GRE practice test to see where you stand, and check what a good GRE score is for the programmes you're targeting.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the GRE in Japan?
US$249 for the General Test, the standard fee for every country except China. ETS doesn't add tax in Japan, but the final charge includes a 4% online service fee.
Can I pay the GRE fee in yen?
ETS charges in US dollars, but when you pay online your card issuer may let you pay in local currency or USD. JCB cards are accepted.
Where can I take the GRE in Japan?
At a test centre or at home. ETS doesn't publish a fixed list of Japanese centres; find centres and open dates with the search on ETS's scheduling page. Prometric Japan also lists the GRE and sends candidates to ETS to book.
Can I take the GRE at home in Japan?
Yes. ETS offers the at-home test everywhere the test is normally available, 24/7, at the same fee as a test centre.
How often is the GRE offered in Japan?
ETS says the test is available on a continuous basis throughout the year in most regions; Japan isn't among the places it lists with limited dates.
Next steps
Link to this guide
Using these figures on your site or in class? You're welcome to quote them with a link back:
<a href="https://www.keiko.study/blog/gre-in-japan">GRE in Japan 2026: Fee, Test Dates and Test Centres</a>
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Sources
Every source below was accessed on the listed date. Pages — especially department admissions pages — change without notice; the links go to the live versions.
- GRE General Test Fees — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- GRE General Test Fees (ETS Japan) — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- GRE Information Bulletin 2026–27 (PDF) — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- Your At Home Testing — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- GRE General Test Testing Locations — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- Schedule Your GRE General Test — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- Identification Requirements for the GRE General Test — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- Japan acceptable primary ID documents (shown when Japan is selected on the ID page) — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- Sending Your GRE General Test Scores — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- Approved GRE Score Recipients — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- GRE Regional Registration and Support Contacts — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- GRE (test information) — Prometric Japan. Accessed 2026-10-01.
Related guides
Sources and corrections
Sources last checked 2026-10-01Every source cited on this page was checked on the date shown, and we update the page when a source changes. If something looks wrong, tell us and we'll recheck it.