Three are on offer right now. Scroll down to learn about each one.
- Japan Trip Prep Course
- Continuing Beginner Japanese
- The Movie Circle
Japan Trip Prep Course
For those contemplating a trip to Japan, or with an itinerary already in hand, this will prepare you for every day in Japan.
This new course is specially tailored for someone who plans to visit Japan in the near future. Learn words/phrases you will actually use during your stay and familiarize yourself with the essential elements of Japanese culture-all without spending too much time or money.
Limited to 2 to 6 participants
The course is divided into 6 – 70-minute sessions.
Curriculum
Session 1: Getting to Know the Japanese
Session 2: Japanese Culture / Holidays. (Learn about events that you may miss otherwise during your stay!)
Sessions 3 & 4: Starting conversations in Japanese with locals
Sessions 5 &6: Useful information for getting around (Numbers/Counting System, Street Signs, Food, etc.)
My mission is to make sure your trip will be as much fun and as comfortable as possible; with this course, you will have an easier time moving through the streets and railways of Japan and may encounter some things only a real local would know about.
Let’s get started, いっしょに はじめましょう！
Particulars of Japan Trip Prep Course
Class size: 2-6 people
Session length: 70 minutes
Duration: 6 Monday sessions (Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26, Nov. 2 & 9)
Session Time: Mondays, 7:10 pm PST.
Format: Zoom, live, interactive
Level: absolute beginner, no experience needed
Pricing: $210 (Full tuition is payable prior to the first session)
Get your name on the list: Contact – Yuko Hardy
EXCERPT from Happy Japan Trip Prep Client Note: We are long overdue in thanking you for arranging a visit to Myoryu-ji! We so enjoyed the temple and all of its architectural wonders and secret stairs…In general, every day was a revelation in Japan, whether it was the food, or a small wayside shrine, or the glory of stepping through the many gates of Fushimi Inari…Your carefully thought-out lessons really prepared us for the culture and the people.
Continuing Beginner Japanese
Hello again‼
ひさしぶりですね！やっぱり、日本語はたのしいからやめられない？！😉 Here we are, in the continuation of Japanese learning. I often remember one of my favorite commercial songs of Kappa Ebisen that I grew up with: “Yamerarenai, tomaranai, Kappa Ebisen! “ 【懐かCMソング】かっぱえびせん【カルビー】
In my humble opinion, learning a foreign language is a long journey with many ups and downs. There are times you find it extremely rewarding, in particular, when you are able to communicate with the people of your target language. However, there will be times when you doubt if you are making any progress. I must admit that I continue taking weekly French lessons religiously even though I am a C2 diploma holder.
In this 8 weeks-long course, I would like to continue guiding you into further exploration of our culture; in other words, the Japanese way of living as well as the uniqueness of the society. While you practice speaking Japanese with your classmates, you start gaining confidence in your pursuit of the language. Currently, I am stuck with this phrase: Never Graduate! How does that sound to you? Language learning is continuous.
Particulars of Continuing Beginner Japanese:
- Class size: 2-4 participants
- Session length: 70 minutes
- Duration: 7 Tuesday sessions (Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, November 10, 17, 24)
- Session Time: Tuesdays, 7:10 pm PST.
- Format: Zoom, live, interactive
- Level: Beginner with Hiragana knowledge and intermediate early japanese learning
- Pricing: $245 (Full tuition is payable prior to the first session)
And a Culture Get Together
📚The Movie Circle
I love movies. I love people. I really enjoy discussing movies after watching them. Someone told me recently that you have not fully watched a movie until you have discussed it with others. You may get a different perspective, or even a deeper insight. Well then, couldn’t we do the same in this case for Japanese movies?
As an extension of my Japanese teaching, I would like to create an opportunity for anyone to whom movies are essential, as well as those who are passionate about Japan. I will pick a Japanese movie every month. Sometimes, you may be the one who chooses! Then in a harmonious group setting, we will reflect on it while practicing Japanese as much as you can handle. You will also deepen your knowledge of Japan by watching Japanese films, both classic and contemporary.
- When: (usually) Last Saturday of the month, on Oct. 24, at 6:00 PM
- Who: Anyone with love for film and Japanese culture
- Length: one hour
- Format: Zoom, interactive
- Fee: No fee for current students
- Film to discuss
October film: Wife of a Spy, 10/24/2026
“A Japanese merchant who leaves his wife behind in order to travel to Manchuria, where he witnesses an act of barbarism. His subsequent actions cause misunderstanding, jealousy and legal problems for his wife.” (From IMDb Pro)
Hoopla (free with library card: Wife of a Spy (2021) Movie | hoopla
Amazon ($3.99: Watch Wife of a Spy | Prime Video)
Previous Films We Watched and Discussed:
September film: Rental Family, 9/26/2026
“An American actor in Tokyo struggling to find purpose lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese “rental family” agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. He rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the beauty of human connection.” (From IMDb Pro)
On Hulu for subscribers
$3.99 rental on Amazon Prime Video Watch Rental Family | Prime Video
August film: Ugetsu, 8/29/2026
“A tale of ambition, family, love, and war set in the midst of the Japanese Civil Wars of the sixteenth century.” (From IMDb Pro) Criterion Channel Ugetsu – Trailer – Ugetsu – The Criterion Channel, HBO Max, Kanopy Ugetsu | Kanopy and for $3.99 rental on Amazon Prime Video Watch Ugetsu (English Subtitled) | Prime Video
July film: The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (please watch the Japanese language version!) Kaguya is a beautiful young woman coveted by five nobles. To try to avoid marrying a stranger she doesn’t love, she sends her suitors on seemingly impossible tasks. But she will have to face her fate and punishment for her choices.” (From IMDb Pro)
$3.99 rental on Amazon Prime Video, make sure you choose the Japanese version. Watch The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (Japanese Language) | Prime Video
Beginner Japanese
I am excited to announce this course for people who are interested in my native country Japan, but who have not yet launched into the exploration. As a foreign language learner myself, (and for a very long time!) I understand it takes courage to take the first step. It is even more challenging when you age, even though we are getting wiser; well, that’s what I hope every day!
Limited to 2 to 6 participants
We start building a solid foundation of the Japanese language in a harmonious environment, getting familiar with our two essential alphabets called Hiragana and Katakana. Once you get to the mastery of these letters, you gain liberation, meaning that you are now set free to read and pronounce correctly. With you and your classmates together, I am pretty sure your initial effort won’t be too difficult.
The fun begins. We will take a close look at various forms of Japanese culture. By the way, you are welcome to request your interest area(s)! You will also be introduced to proverbs and sayings that are the core of who we are, how we live in Japan as well. Overall, this is a cultural exchange, a joyful and meaningful one.
Let’s get started, いっしょに はじめましょう！
Particulars of Beginner Japanese:
- Class size: 2-6 people
- Session length: 70 minutes
- Duration: TBD
- Format: Zoom, live, interactive
- Level: absolute beginner, no experience needed
- Pricing: TBD
- This will be a recurring class. The next start date has not yet been determined.
- Get your name on the list: Contact – Yuko Hardy
Each session weaves in a cultural theme, such as:
- 🍜 Food & dining etiquette
- 🍵 The art of tea
- 🏯 Architecture & history
- 🚄 Trains & travel
- 👘 Fashion & design
- 🏛️ Museums & arts
- 🌏 Regional places & landscapes
- …and more, shaped by the group’s curiosity!