What Is an Insei (Go Apprentice)? How to Become One: Age Limits, Costs, and Strength Explained [Nihon Ki-in / Kansai Ki-in]

Insei are, so to speak, “pros-in-training” who practice at an institution that develops Go professionals.

There are insei systems at two organizations—the Nihon Ki-in and the Kansai Ki-in—and age limits and costs differ by organization.

In this article, based on the official rules and recruitment guidelines of both organizations, we’ll explain the following in order:

• How the insei system works, and where insei programs exist
• The exams and the playing strength needed to become an insei
• From what age to what age you can remain enrolled
• Costs such as enrollment fees and monthly tuition
• How strong insei are, and how classes/rank order work
• Insei life, and what paths are available after quitting

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What Is an Insei in Go? A Training Program for Children Aiming to Become Pros

An insei is a system in which children who aim to become professional players sharpen their skills while receiving specialized instruction at a Go association.

They play games against other insei every weekend, and if their results place them near the top, the path to becoming a pro opens up.

Becoming an insei isn’t the only way to go pro in Go.

Some people take the pro admission exams as non-insei (outside applicants).

However, there are also admission slots limited to insei only, such as the Nihon Ki-in Tokyo Headquarters summer intake.

If you’re aiming to go pro, the advantages of becoming an insei are significant.

From here, we’ll look at the role of insei, where insei programs exist, and the rules you must follow after becoming an insei.

Insei Are the “Pro Eggs” of the Nihon Ki-in and Kansai Ki-in

Insei are, so to speak, “pro eggs.”

In the Nihon Ki-in’s Insei System Regulations, the purpose of the system is defined as “to provide specialized Go instruction to youths aspiring to become professional players and to foster professional players.”

Similarly, the Kansai Ki-in explains insei as “an institution where children who aim to become professional players in the future gather.”

If you achieve the required results, you can become affiliated with the Kansai Ki-in as a professional player.

At the core of insei life are the weekend games between insei (insei matches).

At the Nihon Ki-in, a rank order is determined by monthly results, and promotions/demotions between classes also take place.

Meanwhile, the Kansai Ki-in uses its own kyu/dan-style system, where you are promoted or demoted based on match results.

The flow is: raise your standing, produce results in admission exams, and become a professional player.

In addition to Go, you also learn etiquette and match manners.

The Nihon Ki-in regulations state that insei, in addition to training in Go, should strive to acquire the culture and ethical sense necessary as a professional player and as a member of society.

There Are Four Insei Locations: Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka

There are four places nationwide with an insei system.

Three are run by the Nihon Ki-in, and one by the Kansai Ki-in.

One point to be careful about is that the “Nihon Ki-in Kansai General Headquarters” and the “Kansai Ki-in” are different organizations.

Both are in Osaka, but because they are different organizations, the membership conditions, tuition, and the system for becoming a pro are not the same.

The Nihon Ki-in’s three bases are operated under common Insei System Regulations, in accordance with implementation details specific to each base.

The Kansai Ki-in operates its insei system under its own “Kansai Ki-in Insei Regulations.”

What Benefits/Rules Apply Once You Become an Insei?

Once you become an insei, you must follow rules appropriate to someone aiming to go pro.

Here are some key points from the Nihon Ki-in Insei System Regulations (revised February 4, 2025).

• During the training period, follow the instructions and guidance of the insei instructors (professional players who teach insei)
• Insei (excluding those in compulsory education) serve as recorders and byo-yomi timekeepers for professional games as part of training
• Except when approved in advance, you may not participate in amateur tournaments (including online tournaments)

In particular, pay close attention to the ban on participating in amateur tournaments.

In principle, once you become an insei, you can no longer enter children’s tournaments or local tournaments.

Participation by insei in amateur tournaments is also explicitly prohibited in the Nihon Ki-in recruitment guidelines.

On the other hand, Nihon Ki-in insei receive perks such as discounts at the Nihon Ki-in shop and free access to some parts of the Nihon Ki-in’s online game service.

How Do You Become an Insei in Go? Exams and the Application Process

To become an insei, you must submit an application, undergo screening, and pass test games and an interview.

The rough flow is as follows:

1. Submit an insei application form (some bases also require game records)
2. Undergo document screening and game-record screening
3. Take test games with an insei instructor, and interviews with the applicant and their guardian(s)
4. If you pass, you enroll

The insei application form includes fields for a recommender and a guarantor.

In the case of the Nihon Ki-in, the recommender is a professional player or the teacher of the class where you receive instruction.

The guarantor can be either parent, etc.

The detailed exam content and recruitment timing differ by base.

Let’s look at them in order.

Insei Exam Contents (Document Screening, Test Games, Interview)

At every base, the insei exam is basically a combination of “screening, test games, and an interview.”

However, there are slight differences by base.

At Tokyo Headquarters, depending on the number of applicants, the test game may be a simultaneous exhibition where the instructor plays multiple people at once.

If you cannot come on the designated test-game day, you will fail, so be careful about scheduling.

Tokyo Headquarters also has a three-month probationary period after passing.

If the instructor judges it difficult for you to continue, you may be asked to withdraw during this period, so be mentally prepared.

Under Kansai Ki-in rules, after a playing-strength assessment by an insei instructor, you are accepted if you achieve at least an even score (same number of wins and losses) over 8 insei matches.

Also, there is a rule that children who belong to the advanced division of the Kansai Ki-in Children’s Go Dojo and reach the specified rank can move up to insei without an exam.

Recruitment Timing and What You Need to Apply

Only Tokyo Headquarters has fixed recruitment periods: four times per year.

The other bases accept applications on a rolling basis.

In any organization, you need one guarantor who can vouch for the applicant’s identity.

Deadlines and document formats may change.

Before applying, check the latest information on the Nihon Ki-in and Kansai Ki-in insei recruitment pages.

The Kansai Ki-in also accepts visits/observations by guardians and the child at any time (advance inquiry required).

Playing Strength (Level) Needed to Join as an Insei

To become an insei, you need very strong playing strength.

For the Nihon Ki-in, the guideline is around 6-dan at age 14.

The Kansai Ki-in’s official overview also gives a guideline of around amateur 6-dan.

However, the formal insei regulations state that for both boys and girls, 10-kyu or stronger is a guideline, and acceptance is determined by an instructor’s strength assessment and results over 8 insei matches (at least an even score).

There are also routes that do not require the usual exam, such as reaching 10-kyu in the advanced division of the children’s Go dojo, or being recognized for exceptional achievements and receiving recommendations from two or more insei instructors.

The Nihon Ki-in Chubu General Headquarters also states that “playing strength appropriate to age is required.”

“6-dan at age 14” is only an example; for younger children, it’s reasonable to assume they are judged by strength appropriate to their age.

Because specific criteria are not publicly disclosed, contact each base if you’re concerned.

From What Age to What Age Can You Be an Insei? Age Limits Explained

Age limits for insei differ greatly between the Nihon Ki-in and the Kansai Ki-in.

The Nihon Ki-in sets both an “age you can apply” and a “deadline for enrollment,” and both are relatively early.

The Kansai Ki-in generally has no entry age limit, and the deadline for enrollment is set later than the Nihon Ki-in.

Here we explain, in order, the Nihon Ki-in application age and enrollment deadline, and the Kansai Ki-in age limits.

From What Age Can You Join the Nihon Ki-in Insei? Eligible Application Age

For Nihon Ki-in insei, there is no fixed minimum age for joining.

At Tokyo Headquarters, about 50 insei—from lower elementary grades up to age 17—are studying.

On the other hand, there is an upper limit on the age you can apply, so be careful.

The Insei System Regulations state, in principle, that at the time of application you must be under 15 years old by April 1 of the following year.

In the recruitment guidelines, it is phrased as “through the school year in which you turn 14 (April 2 to April 1 of the following year).”

In other words, you must apply by the school year of 8th grade (second year of junior high).

Applying after you become a 9th grader is, in principle, difficult.

However, there are exceptions.

Even if you are 15 or older at the time of application, if an insei instructor’s strength assessment deems you especially promising, you may be accepted for the duration of the training period.

Until What Age Can You Remain Enrolled as a Nihon Ki-in Insei?

In principle, Nihon Ki-in insei can remain enrolled through the school year in which they reach age 17.

The Insei System Regulations also state that the training period may be shortened for reasons such as playing strength or age.

An extension mechanism exists at the Chubu General Headquarters and Kansai General Headquarters.

Only if all insei instructors agree that an insei is exceptionally outstanding in both skill and character, enrollment can be extended through the school year in which they reach age 19.

Even if your insei eligibility period ends, it does not mean the path to becoming a pro is completely closed.

Under the Nihon Ki-in Professional Player Admission Regulations, the age for being admitted as a pro is under 23 at the time of admission for both men and women.

Even after graduating from insei, if you meet the conditions, you may be able to challenge the pro admission exam as an outside applicant.

However, there are conditions such as age, nationality, and game-record screening, and whether outside applicants are accepted can vary by base and year, so it’s best to check the latest information on the official organization websites.

Kansai Ki-in Insei Have More Flexible Age Limits

For Kansai Ki-in insei, in principle there is no age limit for joining.

You lose insei eligibility on your 18th birthday for boys, and on your 20th birthday for girls.

Under Kansai Ki-in rules, if you are absent due to illness or an accident, you can submit a doctor’s note and be granted up to one year of leave.

Your age limit is pushed back by that period.

Costs to Become an Insei in Go

Once you become an insei, you pay an enrollment fee and monthly tuition.

The Nihon Ki-in is 29,800 yen per month, and the Kansai Ki-in is 22,000 yen per month (tax included).

In addition, you’ll need money to take the exam and transportation costs to attend.

Here we整理 the costs by organization and the expenses beyond tuition.

Nihon Ki-in Insei Costs (Enrollment Fee, Tuition, Test-Game Fee)

For Nihon Ki-in insei, all three bases charge an enrollment fee of 33,000 yen and monthly tuition of 29,800 yen.

If you take a leave from training, you pay half the monthly tuition.

Leave is allowed for up to 6 months.

At the Chubu General Headquarters and Kansai General Headquarters, even if you withdraw as an insei, tuition already paid is not refunded.

On an annual basis, tuition alone comes to 357,600 yen (29,800 yen × 12 months).

At the Chubu General Headquarters, additional camp fees may apply if summer or winter training camps are held.

Check the latest information on each official organization’s website.

Kansai Ki-in Insei Costs

For Kansai Ki-in insei, the costs are monthly tuition of 22,000 yen (tax included), a deposit of 50,000 yen, and an exam fee of 22,000 yen (tax included).

The deposit is refunded when you become a professional player (are admitted as a pro).

According to the Kansai Ki-in insei regulations, it is not refunded if you withdraw.

Compared to the Nihon Ki-in, monthly tuition is 7,800 yen cheaper.

On the other hand, you need the 50,000 yen deposit upfront.

Transportation and Other Costs Beyond Tuition

An easy-to-overlook cost besides tuition is transportation every weekend.

Because insei training is held every Saturday and Sunday, you’ll be commuting around 8 times per month.

Insei locations exist only in three cities: Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka.

If you commute from far away, you may also need to pay Shinkansen fares and lodging.

For younger children, a guardian may need to accompany them, so factor in that transportation cost as well.

When considering insei, it’s reassuring to calculate the total monthly amount once by adding transportation costs to tuition.

How Strong Are Insei? How Classes and Rank Order Work

Insei are a group of children who already have high amateur-dan-level strength at the time they enter.

Within that, there are further class divisions, and a rank order (standing) is determined by monthly results.

This standing is an important number directly tied to pro admission.

Here we explain insei strength, how class divisions work, and the relationship between standing and pro admission.

How Strong Are Insei? Compared to Amateur Dan Ranks

Insei strength is generally said to be around amateur 6-dan at the time of entry.

The Nihon Ki-in gives “6-dan at age 14” as a guideline, and the Kansai Ki-in’s official overview gives “around amateur 6-dan.”

In other words, by the time you become an insei, you’re already expected to be close to a high-level amateur.

From there, because you receive weekly instruction from professional players and play serious games against other insei, you become even stronger during enrollment.

Insei in the top classes are the strong contenders competing to pass the pro admission exams.

Winning your way through the insei ranks itself can be said to be close to the final exam for becoming a pro.

Insei Class Divisions (A–D Classes)

At the Nihon Ki-in Tokyo Headquarters, insei are divided into four classes: A through D.

Classes A and B have 10 people each, and the number of people in classes C and D depends on the total number of insei at the time.

If you take leave, you return after dropping in class.

Even an A-class insei must restart from the bottom of C class after a break.

At the Chubu General Headquarters, league play is held by class, with promotions/demotions and rankings determined by results.

The Kansai Ki-in expresses strength using insei-specific kyu ranks.

The range is from “shodan-level” to 10-kyu for boys, and from 3-kyu to 10-kyu for girls.

There are A class (4-kyu and above) and B class; in A class you are promoted with a 12–4 record, and in B class with a 9–3 record.

The Relationship Between Insei Standing and Pro Admission

Insei standing is the dividing line for whether you can become a professional player.

In the Nihon Ki-in Tokyo Headquarters summer intake, the insei who finishes 1st in overall results across April, May, and June training is admitted as a pro.

The Nihon Ki-in’s main admission routes are as follows (Nihon Ki-in Professional Player Admission Regulations, revised February 4, 2025):

• Tokyo Headquarters summer intake: insei only. Admit the #1 overall performer in April–June training
• Tokyo Headquarters winter admission exam: insei plus non-insei applicants (outside applicants) can participate
• Kansai General Headquarters / Chubu General Headquarters admission exams: admission via base-specific exams or a combined exam for both bases

The Chubu General Headquarters recruitment guidelines state that insei league standings determine eligibility for preliminary rounds and seeding into the main tournament of the admission exam.

Raising your monthly standing even a little is the shortest path to going pro.

The number of people admitted is not large.

For FY2027, the normal admission slots total 6: 5 regular professional players and 1 women’s special-admission professional player.

In addition, there are a few special-admission slots based on Nihon Ki-in regulations.

For FY2028–FY2031, the plan is to admit 4 people per year in total across regular professional players and women’s special-admission professional players.

At the Kansai Ki-in, the system is that if, in insei matches, boys achieve 12 wins and 4 losses or better at shodan-level, and girls achieve 12 wins and 4 losses or better at 4-kyu, then after screening their entry as a pro is decided.

The Nihon Ki-in posts monthly standing lists for Tokyo Headquarters, Chubu General Headquarters, and Kansai General Headquarters on its official site, and the Kansai Ki-in also publishes a PDF of insei standings.

Insei Life in Go: Weekend Training While Balancing School

The basic insei lifestyle is school on weekdays and training at the Go association on weekends.

Because many insei are elementary, junior high, or high school students, they aim to go pro while balancing school life and Go.

Since weekends are almost entirely filled with training, you also need to coordinate family outings and school events.

Here we introduce what training days look like and what paths are available if you don’t become a pro.

Every Saturday and Sunday Are Training Days (Insei Matches)

At every base, insei training days are every Saturday and Sunday.

At the Nihon Ki-in Tokyo Headquarters there are 8 sessions per month, and at the Chubu General Headquarters there are 96 sessions per year.

In training, insei play games against each other (insei matches) and receive instruction from insei instructors.

Because each game’s result affects your standing, weekend games are serious, all-out competition.

On weekdays you attend school, and in your free time you study with tsumego and replaying pro game records.

Paths After Quitting Insei / If You Don’t Become a Pro

Not everyone who becomes an insei can become a professional player.

Paths after quitting insei vary from person to person.

• Continue Go as an amateur and participate in tournaments and events
• Work in Go-related jobs such as being an instructor
• Step away from Go and focus on advancing to high school or university

The experience of dedicating yourself as an insei won’t be wasted no matter which path you take.

The time you spent continuing to work toward a goal should also carry over into study and work.

Before becoming an insei, it can be reassuring to discuss as a parent and child what you’ll do if you don’t become a pro.

Summary

Insei are a system in which children aiming to become professional players receive training on weekends.

They exist at four locations: the Nihon Ki-in’s Tokyo Headquarters, Chubu General Headquarters, and Kansai General Headquarters, plus the Kansai Ki-in.

Because the Nihon Ki-in’s application age closes relatively early, if you’re unsure, it’s important to act sooner rather than later.

First, check the latest guidelines on the insei recruitment page for the base you can attend, and start by making an inquiry or applying for a visit.

【References】

・Recruiting Pro Player Applicants | Players | Nihon Ki-in (Japan Go Association) https://www.nihonkiin.or.jp/player/saiyou/

・Insei System | Kansai Ki-in (General Incorporated Foundation) https://kansaikiin.jp/subpage/insei.html