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)

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.

• Beginners Class (In-Person Classes)【Weekdays: U-ToC】
• Intermediate Class(Online Classes) 【Weekdays: U-ToC】
• Reading & Writing Class【Weekdays: U-ToC】
• Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji Night Class (Online via Zoom)
• Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji Class (In-person Classes) Hamakita Ward (Hamakita-ku)
• Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji Class (In-person Classes) Minami Ward (Minami-ku)
• Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji Class (In-person Classes) Higashi Ward (Higashi-ku)
• Japanese Language Classes Offered by NPOs

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.

Beginners Class (In-Person Classes)【Weekdays: U-ToC】

Learn introductory to elementary level Japanese for free. You will study for 3 hours on weekdays for 6 months intensively. This course is open to foreigners (“spouses of Japanese nationals”, “permanent residents”, “spouses of permanent residents” and “permanent residents”) who live or work in Hamamatsu City.

Schedule	5 times a week (Total 107 classes per term) ＜First Term＞ Period: April 11th – September 28th Day and time: Mondays – Fridays　9:30 – 12:30 ＜Second Term＞ Period: October 3th – March 23th Day and time: Mondays – Fridays　9:30 – 12:30
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 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	＜First Term＞ April 11th – September 28th　Beginner Textbook , JLPT N4 and PW （Mon – Fri） ＜Second Term＞ October 3th – March 23th Beginner Textbook , JLPT N4 and PW （Mon – Fri）

Intermediate Classes (In-Person Classes)【Weekdays: U-ToC】

Schedule	3 times a week (Total 48 classes per term) ＜First Term＞ Period: April 18th – August 26th Day and time: Mondays , Wednesday and Fridays 13:30 – 15:30 ＜Second Term＞ Period: October 12th – February 20th Day and time: Mondays , Wednesday and Fridays 13:30 – 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 with the following Status of Residence: Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident or Long-Term Resident.
Content	Intermediate Level Classes will be available for those who have finished the beginner’s class (N4). ＜First Term＞ Period: April 18th – August 26th Intermediate textbook (Mon , Wed & Fri） ＜Second Term＞ Period: October 12th – February 20th Intermediate textbook (Mon , Wed & Fri）

Reading & Writing Class【Weekdays: U-ToC】

You can learn hiragana, katakana, kanji, etc. for free. Volunteers are on hand to help with learning. It is also possible to interact with the volunteers through learning to read and write.

Schedule	2 time per week (Total 40 times/Term) ＜First Term＞ Period: April 19th – September 22th Day and time: Tuesdays and Thursdays 13:30 -15:00 ＜Second Term＞ Period: October 11th – March 16th Day and time: Tuesdays and Thursdays 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.
For	Foreign 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	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

Hiragana, Katakana and Daily Use Kanji Online Night Class (Online via Zoom)

This is an intensive hiragana, katakana and daily use kanji online class.

Schedule	Total of 16 Classes – Every Tuesday <First Term> Runs from May 10th(Tuesday) ~ August 30th(Tuesday), 19:00~20:30　Applications are Closed <Second Term> Runs from October 4th(Tuesday) ~ January 31st 2023(Tuesday), 19:00~20:30 ※You may join the class starting with the Kanji Classes, Pleases call U-ToC to arrange this.
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
Content	You can learn about Hiragana, Katakana and Daily Use Kanji online (via Zoom) <First Term>　Applications are Closed Hiragana Classes : May 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st Katakana Classes : June 7th, 14th, 21th and 28th Kanji Classes : July 5th ~ August 30th (Break on August 9th) <Second Term> Hiragana Classes : October 4th, 11th, 18th and 25st Katakana Classes : November 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd Kanji Classes : November 29th ~ January 31st (Break on December 27th and January 3rd)

Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji Class (In-person Classes) Hamakita Ward (Hamakita-ku)

This is an intensive hiragana, katakana and kanji class. Learn hiragana, katakana and kanji in Hamakita-ku for free.

Schedule	Total of 12 Classes – Every Saturday Runs from May 21st(Saturday) ~ August 6th(Saturday) ①13:00 -14:30 　②14:30 -16:00 ※You may join the class starting with the Kanji Classes, Pleases call U-ToC to arrange this.
Where	Hamamatsu Hamana Community Collaboration Center (2789 Komatsu, Hamakita-ku, Hamamatsu-shi)
Enrollment	Applications are Closed 20 people (First come first served) ◆We will check your Japanese levels during reception hours.
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
Content	Learn to read and write Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji.

Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji Class (In-person Classes) Minami Ward (Minami-ku)

This is an intensive hiragana and katakana class. Learn hiragana and katakana in Minami-ku for free, in one month of intensive study.

Schedule	Total of 12 Classes – Every Saturday Runs from August 20th(Saturday) ~ November 5th(Saturday) ①13:00 -14:30 　②14:30 -16:00 ※You may join the class starting with the Kanji Classes, Pleases call U-ToC to arrange this.
Where	Hamamatsu Shirawaki Community Collaboration Center (241 Terawaki-cho, Minami-ku, Hamamatsu-shi)
Enrollment Limit	Applications are Closed 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
Content	Learn to read and write Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji.

Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji Class (In-person Classes) Higashi Ward (Higashi-ku)

This is an intensive hiragana and katakana class. Learn hiragana and katakana in Higashi-ku for free, in one month of intensive study.

Schedule	Total of 12 Classes – Every Saturday Runs from November 12th(Saturday) ~ Februari 11th(Saturday) ①13:00 -14:30 　②14:30 -16:00 ※You may join the class starting with the Kanji Classes, Pleases call U-ToC to arrange this.
Where	Hamamatsu Kaba Community Collaboration Center (309-1 Koyasu-cho, Higashi-ku, Hamamatsu-shi)
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
Content	Learn to read and write Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji.

Japanese Language Classes Offered by NPOs

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