The NRCSA Center in Kyoto has been teaching the Japanese language to foreigners since its establishment in 1969. Students come to study from all over the world with a variety of goals. Many of them have taken what they have learned, and applied it in areas such as business and research, while many others have gone on to continue their education at colleges, universities, graduate schools and research centers all over Japan.

In keeping with Japan's dedication to education (current literacy rate is 99%), the center offers a library that provides books and cassette tapes for self-study. In addition, it provides a lounge which is used as a communication space for students.

All teaching staff meet the requirements of the Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education, an association aimed at improving the quality of Japanese language institutions by training school personnel and granting approval to those who meet the standards.

The center was recognized as an accredited school by the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Justice in 1981, and as an intermediary for immigration-related procedures in 1987. In 1989, the same year as the establishment of the Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education, Kyoto Center received certification as an educational institution for Japanese language.