Lately, Japan has increasing number of foreign national residents along with accepting more technical interns and globalization of businesses. In large cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, there are many communities and shops run by foreign nationals, so people who don’t speak Japanese can reside without any major problem. However, Japanese is still dominant language in Japan, so leaning Japanese is nothing bad at all while you live in Japan. If you have come to Japan to work, you may not have much time or money to spare for learning language. In such a case, you may want to try weekly Japanese language classes organized by local volunteers. If you are living in Tokyo, there are plenty of classes every week.
Nihongo MUSUBI
This class is run by volunteer Japanese instructors to provide a place to enjoy relationships between people through learning Japanese. Normally, a group lesson is held every Friday evening for 500 yen per lesson. However, on-site lesson is suspended at the moment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and only ZOOM lesson is open. The online lesson focusing on conversation is for mid-to-advanced level learners. For beginner level learners, they provide chat practice via LINE (free call app). If you are interested, inquire from their website.
Nihongo MUSUBI
Address: 23-21 23-21 Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Open day: Friday (temporary closed), 20:00-21:00 (online lesson via ZOOM)
Fees: ¥500/lesson (Online lesson is free of charge)
Sakura Japanese Circle
This circle is to learn Japanese through casual conversation. Three teachers who learned Japanese teaching method teach in a class on rotation. Topics include traditional Japanese culture, manners, anime, comic books, and more. A lesson is held on every Saturday morning usually, however, there are only 2 lessons per month at the moment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Schedule is announced on their website. Make a booking to join their class beforehand.
Sakura Japanese Circle
Address: Hygeia 11F, 2-44-1 Kabuki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Open day: Saturday 10:00-12:00
Fees: Free
MIFA Japanese Conversation Salon
MIFA Japanese Conversation Salon supports foreign national residents to learn Japanese conversation and have opportunities to meet other people. Presently, they are running online conversation lessons on Wednesday morning and afternoon to avoid face-to-face contact. Your first lesson will be free, then 1,000 yen per year from your second lesson. You need to book each lesson on their website, and enter the room 5 minutes before a lesson starts.
MIFA Japanese Conversation Salon
Address: 2-19-15 Kamimeguro, Meguro-City, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3715-4671
Open day: Wednesday 10:00-11:00/13:30-14:30
Fee: ¥1,000/year
Machiya Japanese Class
Machiya Japanese class in Arakawa-ku gives learners a long-hour lesson from 13:30 to 17:00 every Sunday for only 300 yen/lesson. Each class start with dividing learners into groups based on their levels, followed by conversation practice in a small group, writing, then free chat with snack. You can bring your own text book or material you want to learn, but it is okay if you don’t have any. While many other organizations run just online lessons, this class still run on-site lesson with strict infection prevention. Their venue changes every week, therefore you need to check the location on their website before join the class.
Machiya Japanese Class
Address: 7-20 Arakawa, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo
Open day: Sunday 13:30-17:00 (closed on 5th Sunday)
Fee: ￥300/lesson
JCA Chitosefunabashi
JCA Chitosefunabashi runs 8 classes for people who live in local areas. There are 4 morning classes, one mid-day class, and 3 evening class every week. These classes are held at different locations. The venues can be checked on their website. Booking can be made via website too. Their lessons focus on everyday conversation, including introducing yourself, talking about your country and questions when or what to say in specific situations.
JCA Chitosefunabashi
Address: Lessons are held in different venues every week. Check website.
Open day: Mon-Wed&Fri 10:00-11:30, Thu 14:00-15:30, Wed-Fri 19:00-20:30
Fee: ￥500/month
Talk, talk, talk!
The best advantage of learning Japanese at local Japanese class is that they offer very low fees and accept anyone. Many classes allocate very small group of learners or even one to each instructor to teach them speaking and writing, so that they can learn Japanese focusing on the area they really need to learn. Also, learners can meet other people who learn Japanese together. If you want to learn Japanese on your own pace, why don’t you join one of these local Japanese classes. There are many more classes in Tokyo other than introduced in this column.
