Your Ultimate Guide to Mastering the JLPT

~1 month to 1 year long plan with textbook recommendations~ Calling all aspiring Japanese language enthusiasts! The other day, there was another JLPT exam. To everyone who studied hard for this day, how did it go? Did you manage well? Did it feel more challenging than expected? There must be various thoughts and impressions. While the results are still pending, those who are confident of passing are likely excited about leveling up to the next stage. For those who are unsure, don’t worry! The next test is in December, so there are still five months to go! This blog post is intended to provide useful information for those planning to […]

How to prepare for an earthquake in Japan

Living in or visiting Japan means you are in an area that is prone to earthquakes and most likely you know the best ways to stay prepared. As a tourist, you may be less aware of how to stay safe in these situations. Let us walk you through some ways to ensure your safety. Before an earthquake Make sure you are always aware of evacuation routes of the places you or your loved ones spend the most time. This could be your home, office building, or even your child’s school. Check with your local community, school or office manager. Making sure you are aware of the best way to escape […]

Follow along with us as we continue our “Walk and Learns”

Today, we continued with our “Walk and Learn” program at Toranomon Language School by taking the kids to the Police Museum here in Tokyo where they learned how the Tokyo Metropolitan Police keep them safe! The museum was followed by a trip to the 7-11 where the kids got treats of their choice. These “Walk and Learns” are offered through our Summer courses where classes are held Monday-Thursday from 9:30-12:30 with the “Walk and Learn” field trips on Fridays. Our programs are designed to make learning fun where we focus on reading, writing, listening and speaking. These summer courses allow for engaging learning where the kids are taken beyond the […]

Most effective ways to learn Japanese as an English speaker.

Working on improving your Japanese skills? Learning any new language is difficult and it can feel like stepping into a whole new world. The path to fluency is a challenging journey that requires dedication and passion. Many strategic learning methods make this process much easier and enjoyable, so implement these tips into your routine and see results! Take the time to focus on learning the pillars of Japanese and the basics of the language, making sure to establish a regular routine. Learn the alphabet Imagine someone learning to speak English without knowing the alphabet?OK, let’s become realistic. Learn the Japanese alphabet first for the fast lane. But why does the […]

Nominication: TLS x Courrier Japan

“How to chase away the rainy day blues?” “What are the pros and cons of AI in daily tasks?” On the 27th of June, we had the opportunity to host an exciting connection event at WeWork Shinigawa with Courrier Japan. With their help we were able to execute our “Nominication” event, combining drinking “nomi” with communication! This event is a great opportunity for native Japanese speakers to practice their english with likeminded people. Our first prompt “how to chase away the rainy day blues?” was answered and shared between each table, a fun answer from an attendee was simply hanging out with friends and embracing the rainy day, as she […]

The plentitude of summer flowers in Japan and where to see them

Japan is renowned for its distinct four seasons. In the summer, Japan bursts to life with an array of visually appealing and splendidly fragrant flowers. From the start of the season, Japan’s landscapes are decorated with vibrant blooms, making it an ideal time to explore the country’s natural beauty. “https://jw-webmagazine.com/7-must-visit-flower-festivals-around-tokyo-in-summer-9430bd427a72/ Best places to see lotus flowers (Hasunohana) Flourishing in ponds and marshy areas, lotus flowers “hasu”, are associated with purity and enlightenment in Japanese culture. Mostly in shades of white and pink, lotus flowers can also be blue, purple or yellow. Shinobazu Pond at Ueno Park in Taito City, Tokyo is a large, natural pond separated into three sections. To […]

Nail the JLPT N5: Top Tips to Conquer Your Exam with Practice

みなさん、こんにちは。虎ノ門(とらのもん)ランゲージスクールです。   JLPT日本語能力試験(にほんごのうりょくしけん)が もうすぐですね! きょうのブログは、 N5レベルのもんだいです。 7月7日に N5をうける みなさんにも、N4~N1を うける みなさんの ふくしゅうにも べんりな れんしゅうです。   さあ、トライしましょう! もんだい1:   ( )に 何(なに) が入りますか?いちばん いいものを 一つ えらんで ください。   1、なつ休(やす)みに りょこうに( )たいです。  1 行(い)き、2 行く、3 行か、4 行け   2、そのえいがは( )見(み)ました。  1 など、2 だけ、3 から、4 もう   3、田中(たなか)さんは どこ( )すんでいますか。  1 で、2 を、3 に、4 は   4、駅(えき)の 入(い)り口(ぐち)が どこ( )わかりません。  1 で、2 に、3 が、4 か   5、弟(おとうと)は 今(いま)( )。 1 ねます、2 ねません、3 ねています、4 ねるでしょう   6、日本(にほん)は 7月から( )なります。 1 あつ、2 あつに、3 あつい、4 あつく   7、すみません、このくつ( )ください。 1 に、2 を、3 の、4 へ   8、 A「ここで しゃしんを(  )ください。」 B「あっ、すみませんでした。」 1 とる、2 とらない、3 とらないで、4 とって、   9、9時(じ)に なりましたが、( )しごとが おわりません。 1 まで、2 まだ、3 だけ、4 もう   10、ぎゅうにくは 高(たか)かった( )、買(か)いませんでした。 1 くらい、2 しか、3 まで、4 から、   11、はさみ( )つくえの 上(うえ)に あります。 1 の、2 […]

Experience Japan’s vibrant culture through summer festivals

Experience Japan’s vibrant culture through summer festivals  “https://japanrailtimes.japanrailcafe.com.sg/web/filebox/6.Summer%20Festival%20-.jpeg?_t=1690815970″   ” https://tokyocheapo.com/entertainment/japanese-culture-and-tradition/japanese-summer-festival/“ Here in Japan we are known for our rich cultural heritage and vibrant traditions. We offer a dazzling array of festivals during the summer months, specifically July through September. For first time visitors, prepare to immerse yourself in a spectacular showcasing of colors, sounds and rituals that capture what Japanese culture is truly about. Gion Matsuri One of Japan’s most famous festivals, kicks off in July in Kyoto. This event dates back to thousands of years ago and is a celebration of Japan’s ancient capital. Occurring over the entire month of July, but the main events and processions usually occur on […]

First “Walk and Learn” – Immersive Learning at Science Museum in Tokyo

Kids Japanese Course 2024 Has Started! -Join Now! Here at Toranomon we get out of the traditional classroom setting and immerse our students in real world experiences and Japanese culture where they can apply their learnings. Today, the students were taken on a field trip to the Minato Science Museum and later on to the 7-11 convenience store. The Minato Science Museum is run by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Currently, it is the rainy season in Japan and this museum offers exhibits that allow the kids to learn and understand where rain comes from and how it is formed. At the museum the kids played with interactive exhibits where they […]

Make New Memories in Tokyo: Learn Japanese as a Family and Create Unforgettable Experiences at Toranomon!

Hello to everyone living in Japan!   Exciting news from Toranomon Language School! We’re thrilled to introduce our new parent-child program, “Walk and Learn”, exclusively on Fridays as part of our fun and engaging summer course lineup. Let me tell you more about it. For Kids: Japanese Summer Course Our program is designed to make learning Japanese fun, focusing on reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Our bilingual Japanese teachers can communicate in English when needed, ensuring thorough understanding. Plus, with enjoyable activities integrated into the lessons, your child will be encouraged to speak Japanese confidently. Every Friday, we have a special “Walk and Learn” activity, where kids explore the area […]