There is not only one channel to go to Japanese college, vocational school, undergraduate course or graduate school. They could be divided into three channels.

A method: be admitted after studying in language school in Japan
B method: coming to Japan to take entrance examination
C method: take entrance examination outside Japan and obtain permission

Depending on the different channel you choose to study in Japan, the procedures to be completed to get visa are also different. Likewise, the expense to cover study life in Japan is different. Each channel has its own advantage or disadvantage. We put these advantages and disadvantages in order.

No need to study Japanese in homeland
Period of Japanese study is from six month to two years. Basic Japanese ability will be strengthened.
Getting used to Japan’s living through the period of Japanese study.
Obtaining school information easier in Japan comparing with searching school in homeland.

Disadvantage of A method:
It cost long time to graduate from Japanese schools. The total expense of studying in Japan is high.
There are much more limitations living in Japan as language school student.
Some of language schools run bad.
The longest period of studying of Japan could not be over two years. If not admitted by universities or vocational schools, you have to return to your homeland after this two years.

First apply for in homeland and get an admission ticket to entrance examination. Come to Japan during the fixed period to take entrance examination. Then return to homeland to wait for the result. If admitted, return to Japan again.

Disadvantage of B
You have to master Japanese(or English) in homeland.
If applying from abroad is impossible, you have to ask a favor of your friends or relatives in Japan to send your application in stead.
If you have to take both EJU and entrance examination of the school you choose, you maybe have to make a round trip from homeland to Japan several times. The cost of staying long time in Japan or the fee for round trip should be taken into account.

Some of colleges or universities give entrance permission to applicants depending on the result of EJU taken outside Japan. The lists of schools that use result of EJU taken outside Japan are in the homepage below. (unfortunately, EJU cannot be taken in China)

http://www2.jasso.go.jp/eju/baij_e.html

Likewise, some college or universities do not use the result of EJU, instead, they screen candidates by examining their papers. This kind of screening was called ‘Entrance permission before coming to JapanE

Advantage of C
Compared with A, it cost shorter time to graduate and total expense of studying in Japan is also cheaper.
No need to come to Japan to take examination like B. it cost litter time and money.
Major study starts as soon as you come to Japan.
There are many public graduate school give permission to candidates by screening their paper.

Disadvantage of C
Master Japanese (or English) before coming to Japan.
There are few schools to use C Hoshiki. Therefore your choice will be narrowed. (undergraduate course:41. college school:10. graduate school:3. In addition, not all the departments in these schools use C method.)
The information you get in your homeland may be not sufficient. You may find the school are different from what you expected.