HARUNO ONLINE JAPANESE SCHOOL TOKYO

Learning Japanese should be joyful and inspiring.

When learning is fun, it becomes a lifelong journey.
Your journey starts here. Take your first step today!

Book your free trial session!

The Key to Learning a Language is Continuity

The secret to fluency isn't talent. It's consistency.

Every year, millions of people around the world start learning Japanese. But only about 30% continue after the first year. Why? Because life gets busy, motivation fades, and progress feels slow.

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Language isn't learned overnight. It is built day by day.

When you keep going, your brain slowly switches into "Japanese mode." Step by step, you start to:

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Understand natural
conversation effortlessly.

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Recall words automatically.

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Think more and more
in Japanese.

Keep going. Book your first session today!

Start my journey

Our Student Stories

Real students. Real stories. Real progress.
No matter your age or background, you can learn Japanese and enjoy every moment of it.

Joseph avatar

Joseph

(50s)

"I am enjoying my Japanese lessons with Haruno’s online language school. My goal is to be able to speak Japanese on a basic conversational level so th...

Kai avatar

Kai

(20s)

"I was able to improve my Japanese reading & comprehension skills which resulted in me scoring higher on a Japanese proficiency test."

Micah avatar

Micah

(30s)

"I started attending Haruno's Online Japanese School in January of 2025. Before joining the school, I only had limited knowledge of basic Japanese wor...

Violet avatar

Violet

(20s)

"This school helped me pass JLPT N2 in 3 months after struggling for years. The teachers explain everything in a simple and friendly way. Yaeko sensei...

Noah avatar

Noah

(20s)

"My name is Noah Kazuo Morris and I have been a student at Haruno's Japanese School since October of 2024. I'm Half-Japanese and have always had a des...

Nathan avatar

Nathan

20s

"I believe others can attest to this when I say that learning a language is like putting a puzzle together. With the guidance from the patient teacher...

Your Story Could Be Next!

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Why our students don't give up and keep improving

We know that staying consistent is the hardest part of learning any language. That's why we ensure that every step of your journey is fun and exciting.

1
YEAR

Over 70% of Students Continue Beyond a Year

Because we make learning sustainable, not stressful.

1-on-1 Private Lessons

1-on-1 Private Lessons
Designed Just for You

Private, one-on-one lessons tailored entirely to your pace, goals, and speaking style.

70% Speaking, 30% Input

70% Speaking,
30% Learning Input

You speak for about 70% of the lesson, because the fastest progress comes from using Japanese, not just hearing it.

45-Minute Sessions

45-Minute Sessions
Just the Right Length

A focused 45-minute session designed to keep you engaged and learning without feeling rushed.

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Personalized Topics That Keep You Engaged

Love anime, travel, or daily conversation? Your teacher designs each lesson around what excites you. When lessons are fun, motivation lasts.

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Monthly Counseling with Mentors

Get guidance from our senior instructors (or Haruno)
once a month. We help you set goals, track progress,
and overcome plateaus.

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24/7 Chat Support with Your Teacher

Ask questions anytime.
Small steps every day keep you connected to Japanese.

Discover how easy it is to keep going.

Reserve your private session today!

Lesson Plans

You can learn Japanese and enjoy every moment of it!

All plans include 45-minute private sessions, lesson materials, and ongoing support. You can switch or cancel anytime because flexibility keeps learning stress-free.

Onigiri

Perfect for steady learners

$240 per month
  • •1 lesson per week
  • •4 lessons / month
Get Started
Most Popular!

Bento

Most popular plan

$380 per month
  • •2 lessons per week
  • •8 lessons / month
Get Started

Sushi

For fast-track learners

$560 per month
  • •3 lessons per week
  • •12 lessons / month
Get Started
* A one-time enrollment fee of $60 applies to new registrations.

Learn Japanese in a way that becomes a beautiful habit.

Choose a pace that fits your lifestyle and we'll make sure you stay on track.

Book Your First Trial Session

Trial Session: What You'll Experience

Your First Step Toward Fluent, Confident Japanese

Before you join, we want you to feel what it's like to learn with us. That's why we offer a personalized 45-minute counseling & trial session designed to help you see your path clearly.

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Goal-Setting & Level Check

We'll assess your current level and discuss your goals, whether you want to travel, work, or pass the JLPT.

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Sample Lesson with Real Materials

Try our unique mix of Genki, cultural content, and original resources used in actual lessons.

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Personalized Study Roadmap

Get feedback and a mini-plan you can start using immediately after the session.

One session can change how you see Japanese and how you learn forever.

Book Your First Trial Session

Meet Our Teachers

Passionate Teachers Who Make Learning Joyful

Our certified instructors bring years of experience, cultural insight, and genuine enthusiasm to every lesson. Each teacher is dedicated to helping you achieve your Japanese language goals.

Rina sensei - Instructor

Rina sensei

Instructor

Hi! I'm Rina, originally from Japan. I graduated from college with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing. I'm extremely honored to be a part of this school! I can't wait to see you all!

Kyoko sensei - Instructor

Kyoko sensei

Instructor

Hello everyone! I was born and raised in Japan and studied abroad in San Diego. I like traveling and exploring new cities! Let's study Japanese together!

Kanako sensei - Instructor

Kanako sensei

Instructor

Hi, I'm Kana! Learning new languages has always been my passion! With experience in both learning and teaching them, I'm really excited to help support you on this journey. Let's have fun learning Japanese together!

Yaeko sensei - Instructor

Yaeko sensei

Instructor

Haruno's mom. Ten years of teaching experience at a Japanese language school in Tokyo. Let's practice Japanese together!

Mai sensei - Instructor

Mai sensei

Instructor

Hi! My name is Mai. I'm from Okayama Prefecture in Japan. I like traveling and drawing. Let's study Japanese together!

Kaori sensei - Instructor

Kaori sensei

Instructor

Hi! My name is Kaori. I've been teaching Japanese for over nine years, and I enjoy friendly, fun conversations with learners. I can also explain grammar clearly in English when needed.

We use the following books for all our lessons

Genki II Textbook
N5 Grammar Speed Master
Handy Japanese Conversations
Nihongo Fun & Easy

See What Our Lessons Look Like

Let's talk soon!

Book Your First Trial Session

Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about learning with us.

Yes. A large portion of our students are in their 40s–60s, and many return to Japanese after years (or even decades) away from studying. Our program is designed specifically for adult learners who want meaningful progress without stress. We understand busy schedules, changing motivation, and different learning speeds, and we support you every step of the way.
Both, depending on what helps you stay consistent. Our philosophy is simple: learning is joyful when lessons feel personal and relevant. We design each session individually, balancing natural conversation with clear structure so you feel progress every week without being overwhelmed.
Most sessions begin with warm-up conversation to help you "switch into Japanese mode." Then we use personalized materials based on your interests, such as travel, work, culture, daily life, even anime. You speak about 70% of the time, while we guide, support, and expand your skills naturally. Students often say it feels like talking with someone who truly understands their pace and goals.
We adjust to your learning style. Typically, we correct gently during the conversation when it helps you speak more naturally. Deeper explanations and notes are provided at the end of class or in your summary. This keeps your speaking flow relaxed and confident while still building accuracy.
Absolutely! Our entire school is built on the idea that relevance creates consistency. We use topics that excite you, such as Japanese culture, travel, work situations, history, food, anime, or daily conversation, and introduce grammar only when it supports what you want to express.
We prepare topic ideas based on your goals, past conversations, and interests. Because lessons are customized, you never face awkward silence or pressure. Our teachers guide the conversation, ask meaningful questions, and create a supportive space where using Japanese feels natural and satisfying.
Either one, or a mix. Many students enjoy choosing topics related to their real life, while others prefer us to prepare themes each week. Our goal is to keep your motivation strong, so we always adapt to what helps you enjoy learning the most.
Yes. After each lesson, we upload a personalized summary to your Google Drive lesson folder, which includes: • Useful vocabulary • Corrected phrases • Natural expressions • Recommendations for next time • Links or materials used during the lesson All lesson materials and homework are organized in the same shared folder, so you always know where everything is and can track your progress easily. This system helps you stay consistent and connected to Japanese between lessons.
Yes. If a connection issue happens on either side, we reschedule the remaining time or provide a fair adjustment. We always act in the student's best interest.
You can reschedule or cancel up to 24 hours before your lesson. Because our teachers prepare individually for each student, late cancellations are charged, but we are flexible in emergencies.
Your lesson period and your lesson credits are valid for two months. This gives you enough flexibility to manage your schedule while still maintaining a healthy, steady learning pace. The two-month window ensures that even during busy periods, you can continue your studies consistently and keep making progress. If you ever need additional flexibility due to travel, work, or family events, we're happy to discuss an adjusted plan.
Our teachers are based in Japan and abroad, giving us coverage across multiple time zones. We offer morning, afternoon, and evening slots that work well for both U.S. and European learners.
We ask students to turn on video for smoother, more natural conversation. Seeing facial expressions and gestures helps both communication and learning, especially in a language like Japanese. However, audio-only lessons are completely okay if you need a quieter or more relaxed setup due to your environment. We always prioritize your comfort.
Yes. We work with many professionals, parents, and frequent travelers. Our plans are flexible, and you can switch plans anytime to match your lifestyle and energy.
Definitely! We believe that meaningful conversation about culture, tradition, daily life, personal interests, and your experiences makes Japanese come alive and keeps you engaged.
To maintain a comfortable learning environment, we avoid topics that could feel overly sensitive (politics, extreme social issues, or deeply personal matters) unless you request them and feel safe discussing them.
Not at all! Small talk is part of connection, and connection is part of learning. We love starting with warm, natural conversation that helps you relax and enjoy the session.

About our Founder

Haruno Nakagawa, Founder of Haruno Online Japanese School TOKYO

🌸 Haruno Nakagawa

Founder of Haruno Online Japanese School TOKYO

Started sharing content about Japan in May 2022. Drawing from her own study-abroad experience and content creation, she became fascinated by the nonverbal aspects of Japanese communication and the unique ways of Japanese thinking. Motivated by a desire to help people enrich their lives by understanding Japanese culture and philosophy through language, she launched an online Japanese school for learners living in the U.S. and Europe.

Over time, she realized that the biggest challenge for learners is not grammar or vocabulary, it's continuing. Learning a new language should be enjoyable and deeply engaging, yet many give up because the experience feels rigid or impersonal.

That insight inspired the creation of Haruno Online Japanese School TOKYO, a private online learning space where each lesson is personalized and meaningful. Instead of group lessons that may be more profitable but less engaging, Haruno chose to focus on one-on-one lessons, because true learning happens when the lesson fits the individual.

A small step is enough to begin.

Our monthly program is flexible, simple, and designed to fit even a busy week.
If you’re curious how it would work for you, we can walk you through it.

Reserve a Spot