I have a new subscription offering, personalized Japanese language (and cultural, yes) 1-on-1 coaching for English speakers.

You are invited to book a free 50-minute session with me.

I will answer your🔥burning questions🔥

🔥Where do I even start?
🔥Which materials should I use, and what’s the best first step?
🔥How can I stay motivated?
🔥What’s the fastest way to start speaking Japanese?
🔥How can I raise my JLPT score?
🔥Doing this alone is hard. I need real answers.
🔥Should I focus on speaking, reading, or writing first?
🔥What’s the best way to learn Japanese grammar?
🔥Can I learn Japanese on my own?
🔥How do particles like は (wa) and が (ga) actually work?
🔥What should I do if I’m too shy?
🔥How can I find someone to practice speaking with?
🔥What’s the best way to memorize kanji?
🔥Do I really need to learn kanji?
🔥Should I learn hiragana and katakana first?
🔥How do I create a study routine that actually works?
🔥How can I make friends in Japan?
🔥Why do you speak English?

When you give voice to your struggle, solutions can emerge.
“I have no one to talk to in Japanese.”
“I’m scared of making mistakes when I speak.”
“I have no idea where to get started.”

Sometimes just talking is enough to spark action. A conversation with an expert can make all the difference.

For many years, I’ve been helping people through moments just like these.
In our free 50-minute session together, I’ll listen carefully and answer your questions as fully as possible. This is your space to explore, clarify, and take a step forward.

What makes Ayuko’s coaching unique

💞She’ll be there for you.
️ 🛠️Practical help. Expert support. Unflinching accountability.
💡Learning beyond textbooks — insights and up-to-date info you won’t find in blogs or YouTube videos.
💞She’s invested in your success, however you define it.
💫You do you. You be you.

Monthly subscription

$225 monthly. Cancel anytime.
If you’re the kind of person who wants to skip the free session and sign up now, go here.

What you get 01: 50-minute online sessions

Two live 1-on-1 sessions per month — attending at least once a month is key, whether you’ve studied Japanese that week or not.
This is a safe space where you can speak freely in Japanese or English. I won’t judge or flinch.

Here’s a glimpse of what we can do together in a session:
・Review progress since the last session
・Solve any new challenges that have come up
・Discuss your learning plan moving forward
・Learn how to set your iPhone to Japanese
・Practice “ondoku 音読” = reading aloud in Japanese
・Brainstorm ways to meet Japanese-speaking friends
・Role-play things you want to say in Japanese
・Draft Japanese-language profiles for social or professional use
・Plan concrete steps to improve your JLPT score
・Receive feedback on how your Japanese sounds
・Talk about your dreams, work, or personal story in Japanese
・Learn tips to keep your Japanese learning consistent
・Practice kanji with on-the-spot quizzes
・Learn hiragana stroke order together
・Get help with grammar questions
・Talk about topics you enjoy
・Get some work done during the session!

We’re all busy, and life happens. Even if you haven’t studied at all this week, just showing up is the most important step. Not stopping is key.

What you get 02: Progress support via email

Use a simple template to send your progress updates — no need to worry about what to write.
Feedback is concise and actionable, saving your time while keeping you on track.

What you get 03: Ready-to-use conversation templates

Each month, you’ll get a super-short, script-style template you can use in real Japanese conversations.
You can also customize and practice these scripts in our live sessions to make them your own.

Optional paid services: Available only to coaching clients

Certain tasks are available only to coaching clients, for an additional fee. Examples include:
・Researching something online and sending you a summary
・Proofreading an AI-generated Japanese manuscript and sending it back to you
・Reviewing Japanese documents before your next session and explaining the content
・Writing personalized Japan travel recommendations or reviewing travel itineraries
If you’d like to request these services, I’ll be happy to provide a quote.

Note: Using your session time for internet research help in Japanese or reviewing documents together via screen share does not incur extra fees.
And of course, you are always welcome to discuss your upcoming trip to Japan! I’d love to meet you in person over tea.

「I am invested in your success, however you define it。」

Hi, I’m Ayuko. I’m not a PhD in linguistics or a MEXT-trained instructor — and I won’t pretend to be. But I have worked with language learners of all levels for over 30 years, in the United States, Canada, and Japan.

I was born and raised in Japan and received a typical Japanese education before moving to the United States for university. After returning to Japan, I’ve lived here ever since.

As you might guess, there aren’t many opportunities to speak English here — and yet, here I am, talking to you in English and feeling quite comfortable.
You don’t have to live in Japan to start speaking Japanese. In our free session together, we can do exactly that — start speaking Japanese right away.

My very favorite Japanese phrases are:
いってらっしゃい
いってきます
ただいま
おかえりなさい。
I hope to share with you the joy of learning — and invite you to start speaking Japanese today.

today’s special

something new: a new walking route with a great view across the harbor
something read: Laura Kate Dale, “Uncomfortable Labels,” a little bit of