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.
- New【2025】Hamamatsu Daily Life Japanese Course (Sakura Classes)【Weekdays：U-ToC】
- 【Classes in progress】【2024】Hamamatsu Daily Life Japanese Course (Momiji Classes)【Weekdays：U-ToC】
- New【2025】Reading & Writing Class 【Weekdays：U-ToC】
- New【2025】After-School Japanese Class【Tuesdays & Thursdays：Hamamatsu Science Museum】
- New【2025】Weekend Reading & Writing Class【Saturdays：Hamana Ward】
- New【2025】Weekend Reading & Writing Class【Saturdays：Hamamatsu Minami】
- New【2025】Weekend Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji Class【Saturdays：Hamamatsu Higashi】
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.
New【2025】Hamamatsu Daily Life Japanese Course (Sakura Classes)【Weekdays：U-ToC】
◆Reception starts from March 24. Please call before coming to the classroom. The number is 053-592-1117
| Schedule | 4 times a week (Total 150 classes) 1 year course ＜Sakura Class＞ Period: 21 / Apr. 2025 – 13 / Mar. 2026 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. |
| For | Foreign 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, will be processed first. |
| 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! In the second half, students will develop the ability to express their opinions, engage in discussions, and improve their Japanese language skills through exchanges and practical opportunities. |
Classes in progress【2024】Hamamatsu Daily Life Japanese Course (Momiji Classes)【Weekdays：U-ToC】
◆Reception starts from March 24. Please call before coming to the classroom. The number is 053-592-1117
| Schedule | 4 times a week (Total 150 classes) 1 year course ＜Momiji Class＞ Period: – 11 / Sep. 2025 Day and time: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:30 – 13:30 Starting from B1 level |
| 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. |
| For | Foreign 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, will be processed first. |
| 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! In the second half, students will develop the ability to express their opinions, engage in discussions, and improve their Japanese language skills through exchanges and practical opportunities. |
New【2025】Reading & Writing Class 【Weekdays：U-ToC】
◆Reception starts from March 24. Please call before coming to the classroom. The number is 053-592-1117
| Schedule | 2 times a week (Total 40 classes) ＜First Term＞ Period: 8 / May – 2 / Oct. Day and time: Tuesdays and Thursdays 14:00 -15:30 ＜Second Term＞ Period: 21 / Nov. – 12 / 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. |
| For | Foreign 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, will be processed first. |
| Contents | Students 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 |
New【2025】After-School Japanese Class【Tuesdays & Thursdays：Hamamatsu Science Museum】
◆Reception starts from April 1st. Please call before coming to the classroom. The number is 053-592-1117
| Schedule | 2 time per week Period: April 22, 2025 – March 17, 2026 Day and time: Tuesdays and Thursdays,16:30～18:00 |
| Place | Hamamatsu Science Museum (Chuo-ku, kitaterajima-cho 256-3) |
| For | Elementary School 5th Years – Junior-High School 3rd Years |
| Contents | Textbook kanji and vocabulary, compositions, and reading aloud |
New【2025】Weekend Reading & Writing Class【Saturdays: Hamana Ward】
◆Reception starts from April 1st. Please call before coming to the classroom. The number is 053-592-1117
| Schedule | 1 time per week (15 classes / Term) Period: 31 / May – 27 / Sep. / 25 / Oct. – 21 / 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. |
| For | Foreign 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, will be processed first. |
| Contents | We will divide into groups to study hiragana, katakana, everyday kanji, JLPT N5~N3 kanji, extensive reading, and reading comprehension. |
New【2025】Weekend Reading & Writing Class【Saturdays: Hamamatsu Minami】
◆Reception starts from October 6th. Please call before coming to the classroom. The number is 053-592-1117
| Schedule | 1 time per week (10 classes / Term) Period: 6 / Dec. – 21 / Feb Day and time: Saturdays 10:00 -11:30 |
| For | Foreign 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, will be processed first. |
| 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. |
| Contents | We will divide into groups to study hiragana, katakana, everyday kanji, JLPT N5~N3 kanji, extensive reading, and reading comprehension. |
New 【2025】Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji Class【Saturdays：Hamamatsu Higashi】
◆Reception starts from May 7th. Please call before coming to the classroom. The number is 053-592-1117
| Schedule | 1 time a week (Total 12 classes) Period: 5 / Jul. – 4 / Oct. Day and time: Saturdays 13:30 – 15:30 |
| For | Foreign 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, will be processed first. |
| 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. |
| Contents | You 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. |
Japanese Language Classes Offered by NPOs
In addition to the above, various NPOs offer Japanese language classes in Hamamatsu City.