Japanese language classroom with books and writing materials
San Mateo, California

Your Japanese Journey
Starts With One Lesson

Private, one-on-one Japanese instruction tailored to your goals — whether you're picking up hiragana for the first time or polishing business-level fluency. No group classes, no rush, just real progress at your pace.

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100% Personalized
All Levels Welcome
1-on-1 Private Only
Student practicing Japanese calligraphy at a desk
友 "Friend" — Nakayoshi means friend
About Us

A Name That Says It All

Nakayoshi isn't just a name — it's a philosophy. In Japanese, it means friend. When you learn with us, you're not a student number. You're a partner in the process, and that changes everything about how we teach.

Based in San Mateo, we offer private Japanese lessons that adapt to how you learn, not the other way around. Some students need conversational practice for an upcoming trip. Others are preparing for the JLPT. A few want to reconnect with heritage language they grew up hearing at home. Whatever your reason, we meet you where you are.

Our approach blends structured curriculum with real-world application — kanji that sticks through pattern recognition, not rote memorization; grammar that clicks when you see it in context; speaking practice that builds confidence from day one.

Customized Curriculum Every lesson plan is built around your goals, schedule, and learning style.
Flexible Scheduling Mornings, evenings, weekends — we work around your life, not the other way around.
All Ages & Levels From curious beginners to advanced learners, everyone gets the attention they deserve.
What We Offer

Classes Built Around You

Every program is private, personalized, and paced to fit your life. Choose the path that matches your goals.

Beginner

Hiragana & Katakana Foundations

Master Japan's two phonetic alphabets from scratch. You'll read and write both scripts with confidence, build a solid pronunciation foundation, and learn your first 50+ words before your second lesson.

  • Full alphabet mastery
  • Pronunciation & listening
  • Essential greeting phrases
  • Simple sentence structure
Most Popular
Intermediate

Conversational Japanese

Speak Japanese with real confidence. This program focuses on practical communication — ordering food, making small talk, understanding native speakers, and thinking in Japanese instead of translating in your head.

  • Natural conversation flow
  • Real-world scenarios
  • Grammar in context
  • Listening & comprehension
Advanced

JLPT Preparation

Whether you're targeting JLPT N5 or N1, we build a targeted study plan with past-exam practice, vocabulary building, and the test-taking strategies that make the difference between passing and falling short.

  • Test-specific strategies
  • Past paper practice
  • Vocabulary & kanji drills
  • Timed mock exams
Kids & Teens

Young Learners Program

A fun, engaging introduction to Japanese for kids and teenagers. We use games, stories, and visual materials to keep young learners motivated while building real language skills they can use and enjoy.

  • Interactive & game-based
  • Age-appropriate materials
  • Heritage language support
  • Parent progress updates
Business

Business Japanese

Navigate Japanese business culture with ease. Learn keigo (honorific language), email etiquette, meeting phrases, and the cultural nuances that matter in professional settings.

  • Keigo & polite speech
  • Business email writing
  • Cultural etiquette
  • Industry-specific vocabulary
Custom

Tailored Learning Path

None of the standard packages quite fit? That's fine — most of our students do. Tell us what you need, and we'll design a custom program that covers exactly what you're after, at a pace that works for you.

  • Custom curriculum design
  • Flexible pacing
  • Goal-oriented milestones
  • Adaptable to any need
Our Approach

How We Make Japanese Click

Learning Japanese can feel overwhelming — thousands of kanji, seemingly endless grammar patterns, and a culture of politeness that doesn't always translate literally. We strip away the noise and focus on what actually moves you forward.

Assess & Align

We start with a conversation — your goals, your schedule, your past experience (or lack thereof). Then we build a plan that actually fits your life.

Learn in Context

Grammar isn't taught as isolated rules. You see it, hear it, and use it in sentences that matter — so it sticks instead of fading after the test.

Speak From Day One

Even in your first lesson, you'll be forming sentences and practicing pronunciation. Silence doesn't build fluency — speaking does.

Track & Adjust

Every few sessions, we review progress together. What's working? What needs more time? The plan evolves with you, not against you.

Japanese language lesson in progress with textbooks and notebook
Street scene in Tokyo showing Japanese signage

The best part about learning with Nakayoshi is that every lesson feels like it was made just for me. I went from zero to holding a basic conversation in three months.

Testimonials

What Our Students Say

"I tried group classes before and always felt lost. With private lessons, everything finally clicked. I can now read manga without constantly switching to English subtitles."

M. Tanaka San Mateo · Intermediate Student

"My daughter has been taking lessons for six months and her confidence has skyrocketed. She actually volunteers to practice at home now — something I never thought would happen."

S. Rodriguez Foster City · Parent of Young Learner

"I needed Japanese for a work transfer to Osaka. Within four months of focused lessons, I was handling daily conversations at the office. The business Japanese module was exactly what I needed."

J. Park Palo Alto · Business Japanese Student
Get In Touch

Let's Start Your Japanese Journey

Ready to take the first step? Reach out for a free consultation — we'll discuss your goals, answer your questions, and map out a plan that works for you.

Location 36 41st Ave, San Mateo, CA 94403-5106

Send Us a Message

Tell us a bit about what you're looking for, and we'll get back to you within 24 hours.

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