Japanese Group Classes

Spring 2026 Registration Now Open!

It’s essential for students to register at least 5 days before the class starts to secure their enrollment and prepare for their lessons, so make sure to act fast! If you encounter any issues during registration or have any questions, please email us at language@usajapan.org. If the class you want to sign up is full, please fill out the waiting list form here.

You can also sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of this page and receive the latest updates on our upcoming workshop and more!

Japanese Group Classes

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  • Three terms per year: Spring (January-April), Summer (May-July) and Fall (September-December)
  • 12 week sessions of 2-hour classes, once per week
  • Classes of 5 – 12 students
  • All courses are conducted in Pacific Time.

Important Notice on the Registration Process

  • The language program is for JSNC Members only.
  • Students must be at least 18 years old.
  • Students must register at least 5 days in advance of the class’s starting date.
Learn More About group class policies

Tuition / Fees

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Group ClassNumber of StudentsJapan Society Member
In-person Class
5-12 people$400
*Transaction fee IS included.
*Textbook fee is NOT included.
*12 week sessions of 2-hour classes, once per week $400 ($16.67 per hour!)
Online Class
5-12 people$375
*Transaction fee IS included.
*Textbook fee is NOT included.
*12 week sessions of 2-hour classes, once per week $375 ($15.63 per hour!)

Class Schedule & Locations

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*All classes are conducted in Pacific Time.

Please make sure to purchase the correct textbook for your class!

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Online

*Please note that our online classes will not provide recordings of the lessons. Class participation is necessary.

ClassInstructorDay / Time (Pacific Time)DatesLocationRegistration
Beginning 1Toshi-senseiThurs. 6:30-8:30PM

1/8-3/26Online Via ZoomFULL
Beginning 1Yamagishi-senseiSat. 6:00-8:00PM1/10-3/28Online Via ZoomFULL
Beginning 2Hora-senseiThurs. 6:00-8:00PM1/8-3/26Online via ZoomJapanese Group Classes 1
Beginning 2Minami-senseiTue. 5:50-7:50PM1/13-3/31Online Via ZoomJapanese Group Classes 1
Beginning 3Ryoko-senseiWed. 6:30-8:30PM1/7-3/25Online Via ZoomJapanese Group Classes 1
Beginning 3Tsuno-senseiSun. 4:30-6:30PM1/11-3/29Online Via ZoomJapanese Group Classes 1
Beginning 3Kosaka-senseiTue. 2:00-4:00PM1/13-3/31Online Via ZoomJapanese Group Classes 1
Beginning 4Madoka-senseiThurs. 6:30-8:30PM1/8-3/26Online Via ZoomFULL
Beginning 4Fairchild-senseiWed. 6:00-8:00PM1/14-4/1Online Via ZoomJapanese Group Classes 1
Beginning 4Hisamura (Mari)-senseiWed. 6:00-8:00PM1/14-4/1Online Via ZoomFULL
Pre-Intermediate 1Yamagishi-senseiFri. 6:00-8:00PM1/9-3/27Online Via ZoomJapanese Group Classes 1
Pre-Intermediate 1Madoka-senseiFri. 6:30-8:30PM1/9-3/27Online Via ZoomJapanese Group Classes 1
Pre-Intermediate 2Madoka-senseiTue. 6:30-8:30PM1/6-3/24Online Via ZoomJapanese Group Classes 1
Pre-Intermediate 2Yonezawa-senseiWed. 6:00-8:00PM1/7-3/25Online Via ZoomJapanese Group Classes 1
Pre-Intermediate 3Madoka-senseiMon. 6:45-8:45PM1/5-3/30 (No class on 1/19)Online Via ZoomJapanese Group Classes 1
Pre-Intermediate 3Hora-senseiTue. 6:00-8:00PM1/6-3/24Online Via ZoomJapanese Group Classes 12
Pre-Intermediate 3Kosaka-senseiTue. 6:00-8:00PM1/13-3/31Online Via ZoomJapanese Group Classes 1
Pre-Intermediate 4Iizuka-senseiWed. 6:15-8:15PM1/7-3/25Online Via ZoomJapanese Group Classes 1
Intermediate 1Ikunaga-senseiMon. 6:00-8:00PM1/19-4/6Online Via ZoomFULL
Intermediate 2
*Special Edition		Takagi-senseiTue. 6:00-8:00PM1/6-3/24Online Via ZoomJapanese Group Classes 1
Intermediate 2Hora-senseiWed. 6:00-8:00PM1/7-3/25Online Via ZoomJapanese Group Classes 1
Intermediate 3Iizuka-senseiThurs. 6:15-8:15PM
1/8-3/26Online Via ZoomJapanese Group Classes 1
Pre-Advanced 1Fairchild-senseiTue. 6:00-8:00PM1/13-3/31Online via ZoomJapanese Group Classes 1
Advanced 1Iizuka-senseiMon. 6:15-8:15PM1/5-3/23Online via ZoomJapanese Group Classes 1
Advanced 2Sawaguchi-senseiThurs. 6:00-8:00PM1/8-4/2 (No class on 2/19)Online via ZoomJapanese Group Classes 1
Advanced 5
Vanasupa-senseiThurs. 6:30-8:30PM1/8-3/26Online via ZoomJapanese Group Classes 1
Special Advanced Iizuka-senseiTue. 6:15-8:15PM
1/6-3/24Online via ZoomJapanese Group Classes 1
Special Advanced
Yokoyama-senseiThurs. 6:00-8:00PM1/8-3/26Online via ZoomJapanese Group Classes 1
Special Advanced Ikunaga-senseiWed. 6:00-8:00PM1/21-4/8Online via ZoomJapanese Group Classes 1
Conversation Boot CampMatsui-senseiThurs. 6:00-8:00PM1/15-4/2Online via ZoomFULL

*Please note that our online classes will not provide recordings of the lessons. Class participation is necessary.

San Francisco

ClassInstructorDay / Time (Pacific Time)DatesLocationRegistration
Beginning 1 (In Person)Otsuka-senseiTue. 6:30-8:30PM1/13-3/31Digital Garage US, Inc.
*This class will be in person!
Japanese Group Classes 1
Beginning 2 (First & Final class will be in Person )Shimizu-senseiWed. 7:00-9:00PM

**5:50-7:50PM for in person classes on 1/14 & 4/8		1/14-4/8

(No class on 2/? TBA)

*in-person on 1/14 & 4/8 at 5:50PM		Digital Garage US, Inc.

*Students MUST come to class in person for the first & final classes on January 14 & April 8


**The lessons will be online via Zoom, except 1/14 & 4/8.		Japanese Group Classes 26
Beginning 2 (In Person)Otsuka-senseiThurs. 6:30-8:30PM1/15-4/2Digital Garage US, Inc.

*This class will be in person! 		Japanese Group Classes 1
Beginning 3 (In Person)Otsuka-senseiMon. 6:30-8:30PM1/12-4/6 (No class on 2/16)Digital Garage US, Inc.

*This class will be in person! 		Japanese Group Classes 1
Beginning 4 (First & Final class will be in Person )Shimizu-senseiTue. 7:00-9:00PM

**5:50-7:50PM for in person classes on 1/13 & 4/7		1/13-4/7

(No class on 2/? TBA)

*in-person on 1/13 & 4/7 at 5:50PM		Digital Garage US, Inc.

*Students MUST come to class in person for the first & final classes on January 13 & April 7


**The lessons will be online via Zoom, except 1/13 & 4/7.		Japanese Group Classes 26
Pre-Intermediate 2(In Person)Otsuka-senseiWed. 6:30-8:30PM1/14-4/1Digital Garage US, Inc.
*This class will be in person! 		Japanese Group Classes 1

Location *when we resume in-person classes

Japan Society of Northern California at Werqwise [map] 149 New Montgomery St, 4F, San Francisco CA 94105

Digital Garage US, Inc. [map] 717 Market St #100, San Francisco, CA 94103

San Mateo

ClassInstructorDay / Time (Pacific Time)DatesLocationRegistration
Beginning 2Onuma-senseiWed. 6:00-8:00PM1/14-4/1Hero City
**This class will be in person! 		Japanese Group Classes 1
Pre-Advanced 1Vanasupa-senseiFri. 6:30-8:30PM1/9-3/27Hero City


**This class will be in person! 		Japanese Group Classes 1
Special AdvancedVanasupa-senseiWed. 6:30-8:30PM1/7-3/25Hero City

**This class will be in person! Those who can't participate will have the option to join virtually.		Japanese Group Classes 1

Location *when we resume in-person classes

Hero City [map]

Group Class Policies

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Please read carefully before enrolling in the classes:

Registration/Scheduling
  1. The language program is only for Japan Society of Northern California (JSNC) members.
    • Kindly note that we've implemented an auto-renewal system to eliminate issues with class registration when your membership expires. If you'd prefer not to have your membership automatically renewed, be sure to cancel your enrollment before the renewal date.
    • Please be aware that cancellations are immediate and our memberships are non-refundable,
    • If you purchased a Family Membership, you are considered the membership holder and are responsible for registering your family members for classes.
  2. JSNC may give student contact information collected from the registration process to the class instructor for teaching and emergency purposes.
  3. All students attending group classes must be at least 18 years old.
  4. WE WILL RESCHEDULE when JSNC cancels a class due to holidays or teacher emergencies.
  5. Occasionally we are required to replace an instructor, change the schedule, or update the location of a class. While we try to avoid these changes, we reserve the right to make them as needed.
  6. Please keep your receipt of tuition payment when you register online.
  7. Changing a Class:
    • Students may switch levels with their instructor’s approval, so long as the request is submitted three days before the 2nd lesson of each term.
    • Please email the Japan Society Language Class Coordinator at language@usajapan.org to request a change.
Cancellation/Refunds
  1. Language classes will continue as long as at least five students are enrolled. If we cancel a class due to unforeseen circumstances, all registered students will receive a full refund.
  2. If no students are present within the first 20 minutes of a scheduled class, JSNC will cancel the class without rescheduling.
  3. Dropping a Class: 
    • Cancellations made at least ten days before a class starting date will receive a 100% refund.
    • Cancellations made under ten days before a class starting date will receive a 90% refund.
    • Cancellations made after the start of classes, but before the 2nd class, will receive an 80% refund. After the 2nd class, the tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable for any reason.
    • Please email the Japan Society Language Class Coordinator at language@usajapan.org to request tuition refunds.
  4. Membership fees paid at the time of registration are non-refundable.
Certification
  1. Students who wish to have a certificate of completion can request one by emailing language@usajapan.org at the end of each term.
  2. Completing our classes is different from passing the Japan Language Proficiency Test or any other test of Japanese skills. Parties interested in taking a proficiency test should contact the Japan Foundation in Los Angeles for more information.

FAQs

See our Frequently Asked Questions.

Read More

Language Program Supporters

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