• Hamamatsu Intercultural Center
  • Hamamatsu Foreign Resident Study Support Center
  • Hamamatsu Foundation for International Communication and Exchange
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Find a Japanese Class

Here we introduce various Japanese language classes in Hamamatsu City. For further information, please contact the school directly.

Japanese Language Education Policy of the Government and Hamamatsu City

Fluency in Japanese for Day to Day Life

The common language of the region is Japanese. However, Japanese is a language that is difficult to learn on your own, as it uses three different scripts – hiragana, katakana and kanji – and honorific expressions depending on the person or situation.

Hamamatsu City provides free Japanese language learning opportunities at introductory to intermediate levels for foreign residents living in Hamamatsu City and those who wish to re-learn Japanese. We believe that it is important for foreign residents to learn Japanese so that they can feel more secure in their lives in Japan.

About the Hamamatsu Foreign Resident Study Support Center (U-ToC)

Hamamatsu City is working to create a city where Japanese and foreigners can live together in peace. In January 2010, Hamamatsu City opened U-ToC, a facility that provides comprehensive learning support for children and adults. U-ToC is the only public facility of its kind where foreign residents can learn Japanese.

At the Center, we provide classes aimed for first-time learner of Japanese that cover everything up until intermediate level. The Center is also putting effort into their reading and writing classes so that it can support foreigners living in Japan from the start.

There are also many volunteers at U-ToC who contribute to classes and exchange events. Learn Japanese at U-ToC and live your best life in Japan.

U-ToC offers the following Japanese classes. There is no tuition fee for any of the classes, but you will need to purchase your own textbook.

A childcare service is also available. This service is available for children from 2 months to 6 years old (before entering elementary school). It must be booked in advance.

<Accepting applications.> Hamamatsu Daily Life Japanese Course (In-person Classes)【Weekdays:U-ToC】

Schedule4 times a week (Total 150 classes)
1 year course

<Apr. start>
Period: 15 / Apr. – 14 / Mar.
Day and time: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:30 – 13:30

<Oct. start>
Period: 17 / Oct. – Sep. 2025 (planned)
Day and time: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:30 – 13:30
Enrollment Limit 20 people (First come first served)
◆We will check your Japanese levels during reception hours.
Students are accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Applications will close when the class limit has been reached.
ForForeign Residents with the following Status of Residence (Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident or Long-Term Resident)
Contents Want to learn Japanese and expand the scope of your daily life? In this course students can learn Japanese for different situations, like when shopping or at work!
Students will also have the opportunity to shop together at shopping malls, visit real Japanese homes, and improve their Japanese language skills through exchanges and practical opportunities.

<Accepting applications.> Level 0 Class (In-person Classes)【Weekdays:U-ToC】

Schedule5 times a week (Total 20 classes / Term)

<First Term>
Period: 3 / Jun. – 28 / Jun.
Day and time: Mondays – Fridays 10:30 – 12:00


<Second Term>
Period: 6 / Jan. – 3 / Feb.
Day and time: Mondays – Fridays 10:30 – 12:00
Enrollment Limit 20 people (First come first served)
◆We will check your Japanese levels during reception hours.
Students are accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Applications will close when the class limit has been reached.
ForForeign Residents with the following Status of Residence (Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident or Long-Term Resident)
Contents Those with no knowledge of Japanese will study hiragana and katakana, whilst also practicing conversation using the “Hamamatsu Yaramaika” textbook. Upon completion, students will move on to the next course.

<Accepting applications.> Reading & Writing Class 【Weekdays:U-ToC】

Schedule2 times a week

<First Term: 40classes/Term>
Period: 7 / May – 26 / Sep.
Day and time: Tuesdays and Thursdays 14:00 -15:30


<Second Term: 30 classes / Term>
Period: 5 / Nov. – 4 / Mar.
Day and time: Tuesdays and Thursdays 14:00 -15:30
Enrollment Limit 20 people (First come first served)
◆We will check your Japanese levels during reception hours.
Students are accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Applications will close when the class limit has been reached.
ForForeign Residents with the following Status of Residence (Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident or Long-Term Resident)
ContentsStudents work in groups to learn how to read and write Japanese.
①Hiragana and Katakana ②Writing in Kana ③Kanji Orientation ④Kanji in Daily Life ⑤Kentei Kanji ⑥Extensive Reading ⑦Reading Comprehension

<Accepting applications.> Situational Japanese Class (In-person Classes)【Weekdays:U-ToC】

Schedule1 time a week (Total 16 classes / Term)

<First Term>
Period: 8 / May – 28 / Aug.
Day and time: Wednesdays 13:30 – 15:00


<Second Term>
Period: 6 / Nov. – 5/ Mar.
Day and time: Wednesdays 13:30 – 15:00
Enrollment Limit 20 people (First come first served)
◆We will check your Japanese levels during reception hours.
Students are accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Applications will close when the class limit has been reached.
ForForeign Residents with the following Status of Residence (Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident or Long-Term Resident)
ContentsStudents will study a variety of situation-specific Japanese phrases, like invitations, apologies, and requests.

<Accepting applications.> Japanese for Child-rearing Class (In-person Classes)【Weekdays:U-ToC】

Schedule1 time a week (Total 12 classes / Term)

<First Term>
Period: 3 / Jul. – 25 / Sep.
Day and time: Wednesdays 10:00 – 11:30


<Second Term>
Period: 4 / Dec. – 5 / Mar.
Day and time: Wednesdays 10:00 – 11:30
Enrollment Limit 20 people (First come first served)
◆We will check your Japanese levels during reception hours.
Students are accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Applications will close when the class limit has been reached.
ForForeign Residents with the following Status of Residence (Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident or Long-Term Resident)
ContentsStudents will learn about child-rearing and education in Japan.
Students will be provided with information about raising children in Japan, from pregnancy and childbirth to health management, childcare facilities, and school enrollment.

Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji Class【Weekends:Hamamatsu Minami】

Schedule1 time a week (Total 12 classes)

Period: 18 / May. – 10 / Aug.
Day and time: Saturdays 13:30 – 15:30
ForForeign residents living or working in Hamamatsu who have one of the following statuses of residence: Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, or Long Term Resident
Enrollment Limit 20 people (First come first served)
◆We will check your Japanese levels during reception hours.
Students are accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Applications will close when the class limit has been reached.
ContentsYou can learn about Hiragana, Katakana and Daily Use Kanji
※You may join the class starting with the Kanji classes. Please call U-ToC to arrange this.

Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji Class【Weekends:Hamamatsu Higashi】

Schedule1 time a week (Total 12 classes)

Period: 24 / Aug. – 9 / Nov.
Day and time: Saturdays 13:00 – 15:00
ForForeign residents living or working in Hamamatsu who have one of the following statuses of residence: Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, or Long Term Resident
Enrollment Limit 20 people (First come first served)
◆We will check your Japanese levels during reception hours.
Students are accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Applications will close when the class limit has been reached.
ContentsYou can learn about Hiragana, Katakana and Daily Use Kanji
※You may join the class starting with the Kanji classes. Please call U-ToC to arrange this.

<Accepting applications.>Reading & Writing Class【Weekends: Hamana Ward】

Schedule 1 time per week (10 times)

Period: 30 / Nov. – 15 / Feb.
Day and time: Saturdays 10:00 -11:30
Enrollment Limit 20 people (First come first served)
◆We will check your Japanese levels during reception hours.
Students are accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Applications will close when the class limit has been reached.
ForForeign Residents with the following Status of Residence (Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident or Long-Term Resident)
ContentsWe will divide into groups to study hiragana, katakana, everyday kanji, JLPT N5~N3 kanji, extensive reading, and reading comprehension.

<Accepting applications.> After-School Japanese Class【Tuesdays & Thursdays:Hamamatsu Science Museum】

Schedule 2 time per week

Period: May 9, 2024 – March 18, 2025
Day and time: Tuesdays and Thursdays,16:30~18:00
PlaceHamamatsu Science Museum (Chuo-ku, kitaterajima-cho 256-3)
ForElementary School 5th Years – Junior-High School 3rd Years
ContentsTextbook kanji and vocabulary, compositions, and reading aloud

Japanese Language Classes for Accompanying Family Members【Tuesdays & Thursdays : Hamamatsu Chamber of Commerce and Industry】

Schedule2 times a week (Total 24 Classes)
Period:October 1 (Tue)-December 19 (Thur), 2024 
Day and Time:Every Tuesday and Thursday 9:30~11:10
PlaceHamamatsu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 1st Floor, Room 101
2-7-1 Higashiiba, Chūō-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka
ForAccompanying families (16 years and above) of foreign personnel hired by a company in Hamamatsu
ContentsLearn basic (A1 level) Japanese in this class.
The aim of this class is to alleviate the worries of accompaniying familiy members who have just arrived in Hamamatsu and to support the integration of foreign personnel.

Children’s Summer Japanese Class【Weekdays:Hamamatsu Chuo Library】

SchedulePeriod: July 29 (Mon)-August 2(Fri)
Day and time: Monday ~ Friday, 9:30~11:30(2Hours)
PlaceHamamatsu Municipal Chūō Library
Hamamatsu, Chuo Ward, Matsushirocho, 214-21
ForChildren attending elementary or middle school in Hamamatsu City with foreign roots. (Approx. 30 participants)
Contents1. Library Tour
2. Let`s read lots of books!
3. Chat with senior students
4. Summer homework

Japanese Language Classes Offered by NPOs

In addition to the above, various NPOs offer Japanese language classes in Hamamatsu City.