Frequently Asked
Questions

Yes, any time. The best way to decide is to see the real classroom atmosphere and whether your child can concentrate. Please contact us through our official LINE account or by phone with the classroom and the date you would like.

Soroban: from October of the final year of kindergarten (age 5–6). Calligraphy: from January of the final year of kindergarten. (Your child needs to be able to sit quietly during the lesson.)

Lessons are 60 minutes long, so we decide together with you, looking at whether your child can concentrate for that time and how your child is doing. Please feel free to ask us.

Our goal is not only to teach skills (visible skills). What matters most to us is that, while learning these skills, children collect many “I did it!” moments of success and grow self-esteem — the feeling that “if I try, I can do it” (invisible strengths).

Please don’t worry. Almost all children start as beginners. We teach the basic “forms” carefully, at each child’s own pace: how to hold the soroban, how to use the fingers, how to hold the brush, good posture, and so on.

Yes, of course. Many older elementary and junior high school students come to build their calculation skills and concentration, while also doing club activities and other lessons.

[Soroban] writing supplies and a soroban (23 rods recommended) / [Calligraphy] writing supplies and a calligraphy set

You can also buy a soroban or a calligraphy set at the classroom.

One 60-minute lesson a week. This makes it easy to combine with other activities. We believe it is important for children to have many different experiences.

Children come at any time within the set lesson hours (a “free-time” system), and teaching is done individually. The teacher knows each child’s progress, gives each child their own tasks, and teaches and marks their work one by one.

Our teachers share our school’s philosophy. Beyond teaching skills, their first priority is to grow children’s self-esteem. They never miss a child’s small “I did it!” and always help children grow through praise.

To keep the load on families light, there is basically no homework. However, just before a grade exam, we may ask you to have your child practice at home to improve their chances of passing.

Yes. Our school is an official exam venue. Every three months — in March, June, September and December (four times a year) — your child can take the exam in their usual classroom and feel relaxed.

The exams held at our school are certified by the “Association for the Promotion of Traditional Education in Local Communities” (a general incorporated association). Children who pass receive a certificate from the association.

We do not hold regular parent meetings, but you can talk with the teacher or the head office at any time — before or after the lesson, or through our official LINE account.

Enrollment fee: ¥4,800 / Tuition (once a week): elementary school ¥4,600 / month, junior high school ¥5,500 / month / Facility fee: ¥1,100 / month (including insurance and more).

Please also see Lesson Times, Fees & How to Enroll.

We ask you to pay the monthly tuition by bank account direct debit or by credit card.

*For direct debit, until the setup is complete (about 1–2 months), please pay with a postal payment slip.

Yes. When brothers and sisters attend, there is no enrollment fee from the second child.

The deadline is the 10th of each month.

(Example) You tell us by October 10 → your child leaves at the end of October
(Example) You tell us on October 11 → your child leaves at the end of November

Please contact the head office through the official LINE account or by phone, and then hand in a withdrawal form to your classroom teacher.

Yes. If you tell us by the 10th of the month, your child can take a break from the following month (up to 3 months).

(Example) You tell us by October 10 → the break starts on November 1

No enrollment fee is needed when your child returns, but if the classroom is full, you may need to wait for a place.

We are sorry, but because the number of lessons is fixed at once a week, 42 lessons a year, as a rule we do not offer make-up lessons. Thank you for your understanding.

Basically, no. If your child has to stay in hospital for a long time because of an injury or illness, please contact the head office.

We are sorry, but because it can disturb the other students’ concentration, as a rule we ask parents not to watch during lessons. We want to protect the time when children focus and “face themselves.” Thank you for your understanding.

It depends on the classroom. Please check each classroom’s page.

Everyone has times when they don’t feel like it. Please don’t force your child — first, talk to our head office. After hearing the reasons, we will think together with you about the best way forward, respecting your child’s own sense of self, including the option of taking a break.