Explore Our Group Courses: Find the Japanese Program That Fits You

Whether you’re new to Japan or aiming to take your Japanese to the next level, Toranomon Language School offers a range of group courses tailored to different goals and learning styles. Each course is designed with one mission in mind — to help you communicate confidently, live comfortably, and connect meaningfully in Japanese. With small […]

🇯🇵 Strengthen Your Child’s Japanese Skills This Winter

Even Shy Kids Will Be Engaged! Information on Toranomon Language School’s “Winter Kids Intensive Group Lessons” Winter break is the perfect opportunity for children to open the door to a new cultural experience. With no homework or daily lessons to worry about, kids can focus on improving the skills that matter most. At Toranomon Language […]

Supporting Embassy Employee Integration: Spanish Embassy Case Study

Relocating to Japan can be both exciting and challenging — especially for professionals who must quickly adapt to new cultural norms, work environments, and daily routines. To support this transition, Toranomon Language School partnered with the Embassy of Spain in Japan to deliver a tailored Japanese Integration Program for newly arrived embassy staff. Newcomers to […]

The Many Ways to Say “Very” in Japanese

If you’ve been studying Japanese for a while, you’ve probably learned the word とても (totemo), one of the most common way to say “very.” But as you listen to real Japanese conversations, you might notice that people often use other words instead, such as: すごく (sugoku), めっちゃ (meccha), or 超 (chou). In Japanese there are […]

Common Mistakes of Newcomers to Japan and How to Avoid Them

Moving to Japan is an exciting experience, but it also comes with challenges that can be easy to overlook. Even simple daily tasks or social interactions can feel complicated without prior knowledge of local customs, etiquette, and language. Learning from the common mistakes of others can help you avoid misunderstandings and start your new life […]

The Difference Between は and が Explained Simply

If you’ve started learning Japanese, chances are you’ve stumbled over は (wa) and が (ga). Even intermediate learners struggle with these two particles, because English doesn’t have a direct equivalent. Let’s break it down in a way that makes sense. は = Topic Marker Think of は as setting the stage of your sentence. It […]

Top 100 Japanese Words Every Beginner Should Master

Learning Japanese can feel like a huge challenge at first, but the good news is that you don’t have to memorize thousands of words right away. Starting with the most common and useful vocabulary will give you the foundation you need to begin speaking and understanding daily conversations. To help you on your journey, we’ve […]

Kanji Radicals Explained: The Building Blocks of Japanese

If you have started learning kanji, you may have noticed that many characters share familiar parts. These repeating elements are called radicals (部首 “bushu”), and they are one of the most powerful tools for understanding and remembering kanji. By learning radicals, you unlock patterns that make kanji study easier, faster, and much less overwhelming. What […]

Nomikai: What to Expect and How to Prepare

For many professionals in Japan, the nomikai (drinking party) is as much a part of the workplace as the office itself. While not officially mandatory, these gatherings are deeply ingrained in Japanese work culture and often provide opportunities to strengthen relationships, build trust, and connect with colleagues in a more relaxed setting. For foreign professionals, […]