Mastering Japanese Business Emails: Key Phrases Every Professional Should Know

For many foreign professionals working in Japan, one of the biggest challenges isn’t meetings, presentations, or small talk—it’s writing Japanese business emails. Even if you can speak conversational Japanese, business writing often feels like a completely different language: formal, indirect, structured, and full of set expressions that are rarely taught in textbooks. But once you understand the patterns, Japanese emails become predictable, clear, and easier to master. This guide covers the essential structure, the must-know phrases, and the professional writing habits you’ll need to communicate confidently in any Japanese workplace. 📩 1. Understanding the Japanese Email Structure Unlike English emails—which allow for a flexible structure—Japanese business emails follow a well-established […]

[Now Enrolling] Group Trial Lessons for All Learners

Have you ever thought: “I started studying Japanese, but I couldn’t keep it up. I attended a Japanese school, but the textbook-based lessons just didn’t fit me.” If you live in the Toranomon area and feel stuck, Toranomon Language School can help. We offer customizable group trial lessons to seriously improve your Japanese. We specialize in lessons for everyone, from business professionals to newcomers of Tokyo, our lessons are built to truly meet your individual needs. Interested? Experience our group trial lessons so you can see what we’re all about! What Makes Our Lessons Unique Starting at only ¥2,000 per lesson, our group trial lessons are not like your typical […]

Three Reasons Parents Choose the Winter Kids Program at Toranomon Language School

Winter break is a precious time when kids can focus on their language skills without being overwhelmed by school homework and daily lessons. Toranomon Language School is making the most of this time by offering the intensive group-style Winter Kids Program to help improve your child’s Japanese skills. Parents who are worried about their child being shy in a group setting do not need to worry. Our lessons are designed to stimulate curiosity and create a comfortable environment for your child to speak Japanese. ❄️ Three Reasons to Choose this Program: 1. A small class environment that fosters concentration: By taking advantage of the winter break to intensively expose your […]

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 class sizes, bilingual teachers, and practical, real-world lessons, TLS ensures that every learner can progress quickly while enjoying the process. 🗣 Survival Kit: Speak Confidently from Lesson One If you’re new to Japan or still finding your footing, the Survival Kit course is your perfect starting point. This 8-lesson program helps you master the essentials […]

🇯🇵 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 School, we’re offering our Winter Kids Intensive Group Lessons (December 8th – January 9th) designed to help children strengthen their Japanese language skills in a fun and supportive environment. Parents who may be concerned about their child being shy in group settings won’t need to worry—our lessons are designed to spark curiosity, encourage participation, and […]

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 Japan often encounter a steep learning curve: navigating transportation systems, handling daily errands, and communicating effectively in the workplace — all while adapting to a unique cultural environment. For embassy employees, mastering these skills is essential not only for personal comfort but also for maintaining effective international collaboration and diplomacy. Our Approach TLS designed a […]

Disaster Prevention Workshop Corporate Training: Toranomon Language School and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines

Japan is a country where natural disasters, particularly earthquakes, are very common. For those living and working here, understanding how to respond in critical moments is not only a matter of safety but also of responsibility to one’s colleagues and community. Disaster preparedness is an essential skill, but for many foreign workers, the language barrier can make learning these procedures overwhelming. At Toranomon Language School, we had the opportunity to support Mitsui O.S.K. Lines by providing corporate training services during a recent Disaster Prevention Workshop. Our role was to act as a bridge between the Japanese collaboration workshop with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Minato-ku Disaster Prevention Division for the company’s […]

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 several ways to say “very,” each carrying different nuances, levels of formality, and emotional tone. Understanding when and how to use them can help make your Japanese sound more natural and expressive. とても is the most standard and widely used way to say “very.” It works in both spoken and written Japanese and is appropriate […]

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 in Japan with confidence. Misunderstanding Social Norms Everyday Life Challenges Dining Etiquette Workplace Misunderstandings Start Confidently with the Right Guidance Avoiding these common mistakes is easier when you have practical language skills and cultural knowledge. Our Survival Kit course helps newcomers navigate daily life and workplace situations with confidence, while our Intensive Course accelerates learning […]

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 tells your listener, “This is what we’re talking about now.” Examples: が = Subject Marker が points out the specific subject that performs an action or is being described. It is often used when introducing new information or when you want to emphasize the subject itself. Examples: Comparing は and が Together A useful way […]