Japanese Before Japan

Moving to Japan?
Start learning Japanese before you arrive.

Private online Japanese lessons for international professionals, researchers, and students. Learn practical Japanese for daily life, work, and research — with explanations available in English whenever you need them.

Book a Lesson Free Consultation
Start before arriving in Japan Ask questions in English Private 1-to-1 lessons Beginner-friendly Online · 60 minutes

Lessons are available online from anywhere in the world.

Who it’s for

Japanese for the life you are actually about to live.

You do not need the same Japanese as everyone else. Your lessons can focus on the situations you are most likely to face after arriving in Japan.

01 / PROFESSIONALS

Working in Japan

For international employees and engineers

Practice greetings, asking questions, confirming details, making requests, reporting progress, and communicating naturally with Japanese colleagues.

02 / RESEARCHERS

Researching in Japan

For researchers, postdocs, and graduate students

Build the Japanese you need for laboratories, universities, administrative procedures, daily conversations, and life outside your research.

03 / NEWCOMERS

Starting life in Japan

For beginners moving to Japan

Learn useful Japanese for shopping, transport, restaurants, appointments, everyday questions, introductions, and essential daily interactions.

Private online lessons

Learn in Japanese.
Understand in English.

Japanese-only lessons can be difficult when you are just getting started. If something is unclear, you can ask why in English and receive an explanation before returning to Japanese practice.

  • Complete beginner to intermediate Japanese
  • Conversation and speaking practice
  • Japanese grammar explained in English
  • Daily-life Japanese for living in Japan
  • Workplace and laboratory communication
  • JLPT preparation
  • Lessons using your preferred textbook when appropriate
PRIVATE LESSON

One-to-One Online Japanese Lesson

Each 60-minute lesson is tailored to your level, goals, and situation in Japan. Individual learners can pay securely online before the lesson.

For company or university-sponsored lessons, please contact us for a tailored plan and quotation.

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

Pre-arrival Japanese Program

Use the weeks or months before your move to build the Japanese you are most likely to need first.

Phase 1 — Daily Life Introductions, shopping, transport, restaurants, appointments, and essential questions.
Phase 2 — Work / University Asking, confirming, requesting, reporting, and communicating with colleagues or lab members.
Phase 3 — Your Goals Focus on your job, research environment, conversation needs, or JLPT goals.
Pricing & secure payment

Choose one lesson or a four-lesson package.

Individual lessons are paid in advance by credit or debit card through Stripe. After payment, you will be directed to our scheduling form to submit your preferred dates, time zone, Japanese level, and lesson goals. We will then confirm the final lesson time by email.

FLEXIBLE

Single Lesson

¥4,500 / 60 minutes

Ideal for a first lesson, occasional study, or learners who prefer to book one lesson at a time.

  • Private 1-to-1 online lesson
  • English explanations when needed
  • Content tailored to your goals
Book 1 Lesson — ¥4,500

Secure card payment powered by Stripe.

EASIER FOR REGULAR STUDY

4-Lesson Package

¥18,000 / 4 × 60 minutes

Pay once for four private lessons and schedule the lessons separately as you progress.

  • Four private 60-minute lessons
  • No need to pay before every lesson
  • Lesson focus can change as you progress
Book 4 Lessons — ¥18,000

Secure card payment powered by Stripe.

Payment: Payment is required in advance. Lesson times are arranged after payment.

Rescheduling: You may reschedule free of charge up to 24 hours before the scheduled lesson.

Late changes: Cancellations or rescheduling requests made less than 24 hours before the lesson are charged in full. For a package, that lesson is counted as used.

Time zone: Lesson times will be confirmed in Japan Standard Time (JST) and, where possible, with your local time as well.

Already paid? Submit your preferred lesson times here.

Why start early?

Your first weeks in Japan are easier when Japanese is not completely new.

Even a small amount of practical Japanese can make everyday interactions feel more manageable when everything around you is new.

01

Arrive with a foundation

Learn core phrases and patterns before you are simultaneously dealing with a new home, workplace, university, and routine.

02

Ask “why?” in English

Understand difficult points such as particles, word order, politeness, and verb patterns instead of simply memorizing them.

03

Learn what you will use

Spend lesson time on the Japanese that matches your daily life, job, research, and personal goals.

Instructor

A Japanese teacher who can explain the details in English.

Lessons are taught by a female instructor with experience teaching both group and private Japanese lessons at a Japanese language school, teaching English at a high school, and providing private Japanese lessons online.

  • Japanese grammar can be explained through comparisons with English
  • Suitable for learners who are not yet confident asking questions in Japanese
  • Lesson content can be adjusted as your ability and priorities change
  • Company and university-sponsored learners are also welcome
How it works

Getting started is simple.

STEP 1

Choose & pay

Select a single lesson or four-lesson package and pay securely online by card through Stripe.

STEP 2

Send your preferred times

After payment, use the scheduling form to send your preferred dates, time zone, Japanese level, and lesson goals.

STEP 3

Receive confirmation & start

We confirm the final lesson time and online meeting details by email. Then join your private 60-minute lesson online.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Questions from learners preparing to live, work, or study in Japan.

Can I take lessons if I speak no Japanese at all?

Yes. Complete beginners are welcome. At the beginning, you can use English to ask questions and understand grammar while gradually increasing the amount of Japanese you use.

Can I start Japanese lessons before moving to Japan?

Yes. Because the lessons are online, you can start before you arrive. Scheduling can be arranged with your time zone in mind.

How much is a private online Japanese lesson?

A private 60-minute online lesson is ¥4,500. A four-lesson package is ¥18,000.

How do I pay from outside Japan?

You can pay online by credit or debit card through our secure Stripe checkout. Payment is made in advance before the lesson is scheduled.

What if I need to change my lesson time?

You may reschedule free of charge up to 24 hours before the lesson. Changes made less than 24 hours before the scheduled lesson are charged in full.

Can the lesson be explained in English?

Yes. The lesson still helps you build Japanese ability, but grammar and difficult points can be explained in English when needed.

Can I study Japanese specifically for work or research?

Yes. Lessons can focus on real situations such as asking questions, confirming information, making requests, reporting progress, communicating in a laboratory, or handling daily life in Japan.

Do you offer JLPT preparation?

Yes. JLPT preparation can be included depending on your level and goals.

Can my company or university arrange lessons for me?

Yes. We welcome inquiries from companies and universities, including support for a single employee or researcher.

Not sure what to book?

Talk with us before you decide.

If you have questions about your level, textbooks, time zone, work or research needs, or company-sponsored lessons, you can start with a free 20–30 minute online consultation.

You do not need a consultation before purchasing an individual lesson.

Book a Free Consultation

For companies and universities, please use the consultation form rather than individual checkout.