Meiji’s Story

Your Home Away From Home

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Meiji Academy was founded by an international group of former students who thoroughly understand the challenges most Western students face. Since Meiji Academy opened its gates to our awesome students back in 2014, we have successfully served thousands of students over the past two decades. Our highly awarded curriculum focuses on conversational Japanese rather than academic Japanese, enabling you to get started quickly without prior knowledge of Chinese characters. We offer individually focused study plans tailored to your needs, along with small study groups to ensure the best learning outcomes. Rest assured, you won’t face the common hassles of most language schools. Overcrowded classes, rigid curriculums, lack of flexibility, and impersonalized services. Not with us! Find out more details below about what makes us unique from other schools.
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Why Meiji Academy?

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PARTNER UNIVERSITIES
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Small Class Size
3~6 students per class on average means your teacher knows your name and study needs for maximum learning success.* Meiji’s unique teaching philosophy approach has been applied to thousands of students over the past 10 years and has been proven extremely effective. Unlike in other schools, we do not think students are just a number, we believe in personalized learning development.
*During peak seasons some classes might host a maximum of 9 students per class for short periods. This is the exception rather than the norm.
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No Deadline, Full Flexibility
We are well-known for being extremely flexible and easygoing! Courses are open 24/7 All Year Round! Start on any Monday and study as long as you wish. From 1 week to 2 years; study with us for any period and at any time of the year that suits your individual time schedule. Take advantage by fully customizing your course with the variety of modules, courses and packages we offer to meet your needs.
*Classes are guaranteed after test assessment and full payment. First Come, First Serve!!
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All Levels Accepted
Complete Newbie or already a Pokemon Master? - We got ‘em all! Meiji’s classes and levels are personally tailored to meet every student’s needs. When you apply with us we will ask you to fill out our Japanese Online Level Test as well as have a video call interview with us to make sure you get placed as close to your Japanese level as possible.* For complete beginners without any prior knowledge of Hiragana and Katakana, we even offer a total beginner’s class every first Monday of the month.
*During peak seasons some classes might be already full for your requested dates, hence please apply early enough. Especially for the summer and winter seasons.
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Community is our Heart
Meiji is committed to acting as a cultural and social bridge for international students and local Japanese alike. Meet & greet local Japanese students and immerse yourself in the real Japan with social projects and cultural field trips we undertake. Be part of our mission to improve Japan's society by engaging in our voluntary activities periodically offered.
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Fun Cultural Activities
Having fun while learning Japanese is what we are all about. Meiji offers a wide range of recreational, cultural, and social activities all year round. Immerse yourself in Japan’s beautiful culture while enjoying exciting activities and special festivals with classmates and local Japanese students.*
  • Summer Fireworks (Hanabi)
  • Cherry Blossom Viewing (Hanami)
  • Tea Ceremony (Sadō)
  • Taiko Drums Playing
  • Katana Sword Training (Iaido)
  • Kimono Wearing
More Events Here
*Please note, that the school decides on events based on seasonal availability, location, and number of participants.
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Award-Winning Language School
Actions speak louder than words. Meiji Academy is accredited by several government bodies, international educational associations and has received several awards throughout the years. We have partnered with global student agencies, universities, and high schools across Europe and North America.
  • Bildungsurlaub (German Federal States)
  • Weiterbildungszeit (Austrian Government)
  • MEXT (Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)
  • NAFSA Member (Association of International Educators)
Learn More

Meet Our Teachers & Student Support Team

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Tone Sensei
Fukuoka School Principal
Language(s):
Tone-sensei is our head teacher is kind, helpful, and graceful. She ensures that the school has a productive learning environment for the students and you can always count on her if you need help or extra homework!
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Moe
Accommodation Manager
Language(s):
Moemi is highly dependable, energetic, and fun to be around with! She always makes sure that the students are comfortable and happy!
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Robert
Student Advisor Fukuoka
Language(s):
Approachable active and friendly, Robert makes sure that everyone at school enjoys their stay and always likes hanging out with the students either in school or partying after class!
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Philipp
IT Manager
Language(s):
Always ready to help, Philipp keeps all our tech running smoothly, from internal equipment to the public website. A true IT enthusiast, his passion for technology is infectious. Originally a student at Meiji Academy, he now lives in Sapporo and loves tackling new challenges.
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Michael
Creative Director
Language(s):
Michael oversees all marketing materials while also handling operational management and product strategy. Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor activities and exploring local destinations.
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Robin
User Experience Designer
Language(s):
Robin designs our website and works on improving the overall user experience at the school. He’s passionate about sports and the outdoors, and loves discovering Japanese food. He enjoys traveling around Japan, exploring new places and cultures.
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Kubo Sensei
Hokkaido School Principal
Language(s):
Kubo-sensei's goal is to create a better working environment for staff and teachers. She has studied abroad, so she will understand and support you in Japan. She teaches fun lessons using games and music.
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Ebina Sensei
Teacher
Language(s):
Ebina-sensei is always passionate about her work. With a big smile she is showing students Japanese culture and helping them to use Japanese with confidence.
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Kobayashi Sensei
Teacher
Language(s):
Kobayashi-sensei may seem strict at first, but he is actually very friendly and approachable. He incorporates social and cultural elements into his classes to help you learn the language in context.
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Nakamura Sensei
Teacher
Language(s):
Nakamura-sensei is very enthusiastic and will treat each student with kindness and care. He is very knowledgeable about Hokkaido's history and tourism, so you can ask him everything about it!
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Nagao Sensei
Teacher
Language(s):
Learning Japanese is a journey with ups and downs, but you’re never alone! At Meiji Academy, we’re here to cheer you on every step of the way. Whether it’s tricky grammar, complicated kanji or real-life conversations, our teachers make sure you gain confidence—both in class and beyond.
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Tominaga Sensei
Teacher
Language(s):
Tominaga-sensei, also known as Tomi-sensei, is dedicated to helping everyone enjoy both Japanese language learning and cultural experiences.
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Yamasaki Sensei
Teacher
Language(s):
Yamasaki-sensei hopes to help everyone keep learning Japanese with joy and motivation. She believes that understanding Japanese culture and ways of thinking makes studying even more enjoyable. With Fukuoka’s amazing food, rich nature, and lively festivals, let’s have fun learning together!
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Amano Sensei
Teacher
Language(s):
Originally from Osaka, Amano-sensei has lived in different parts of Japan, the U.S., and Europe. She enjoys meeting new people and exploring new ideas. Though learning languages can be challenging, it’s a great way to broaden our horizons. She’s excited to connect with people from around the world!
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Kai
Business Development Manager
Language(s):
Kai wears a lot of hats on our team - from marketing and PR to event planning and community management.. As a former Meiji Academy and Otaru University student with a deep passion for Hokkaido, he is always happy to share & exchange recommendations in Japan.
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Nicole
Marketing & PR Specialist
Language(s):
Nicole is responsible for creating and editing fun social media posts and external communication. She likes water sports and sharing her favourite travel spots with students.
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Alvin
Software-Developer
Language(s):
Alvin is a Software-Developer assisting with technical implementation. Outside of work, he is an avid outdoor enthusiast. You'll often find him in different mountains hiking, camping, and snowboarding. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any technical questions or need an adventure buddy!