Japanese classes · Los Angeles · Since 2006
Japanese Classes in Los Angeles. Konnichiwa.
Private lessons with native-speaking instructors. Matched to your goals, your schedule, and your life. Start any time.
Your instructors
Japanese class instructors
Why Japanese?
Four reasons to take Japanese classes
Unlock Japan's $5T Economy
Japan is the world's third-largest economy with massive demand for bilingual professionals in tech, automotive, and finance. Japanese fluency opens doors that English alone cannot.
Experience Manga & Anime in the Original
Subtitles lose the wordplay, honorifics, and cultural nuance that make Japanese storytelling so rich. Reading manga raw is a completely different experience.
Master a Unique Writing System
Japanese uses three scripts — hiragana, katakana, and kanji — making it one of the most intellectually rewarding languages to learn. Each system reveals a different layer of meaning.
Navigate Japan Like a Local
Outside Tokyo's tourist corridors, English is rare. Speaking Japanese transforms your travel from guided tours to hidden izakayas, rural ryokans, and real conversations.
Since 2006
Japanese in Los Angeles
Japanese is spoken by 125 million people, almost all of them in Japan. It uses three writing systems simultaneously — hiragana, katakana, and kanji — which means reading a single sentence can require switching between scripts mid-word. The language marks politeness structurally: verb endings, pronouns, and even vocabulary shift depending on who you’re talking to and your relationship to them. Japanese word order places the verb at the end of the sentence, which forces English speakers to hold the entire thought before completing it.
Los Angeles has the largest Japanese-American population in the continental United States. Little Tokyo downtown is one of only three remaining Japantowns in the country. Sawtelle Japantown on the Westside draws crowds for its ramen shops and izakayas, but it’s also where you’ll hear Japanese spoken casually on the street. Torrance has a major concentration of Japanese businesses and expat families, with grocery stores, bookshops, and restaurants that operate primarily in Japanese. The anime and gaming communities across LA create another entry point — fans who started with subtitles and decided they wanted the real thing.
Strommen has been teaching Japanese in Los Angeles since 2014. Our tutors are native speakers who build lessons around actual conversation, not textbook drills. Whether you’re preparing for business meetings in Tokyo, studying for the JLPT, or trying to follow along at your favorite ramen counter without pointing at the menu, we match you with a tutor who fits your goals and your schedule. Every lesson happens one-on-one, online or in person.
No public Japanese group classes right now — but we can set up a semi-private class for your family, friends, or company with as few as two people. Get in touch.
Japanese class FAQ
What is the best way to learn Japanese?
Consistent one-on-one conversation with a native speaker. Japanese has layers of politeness and context that textbooks explain but can't teach you to use naturally. Working with a tutor lets you practice real dialogue, get corrected in the moment, and build the instincts that make speech sound fluent rather than translated. Supplement with kanji practice and listening — podcasts, shows, anything that keeps your ear tuned to natural speed.
How long does it take to learn Japanese?
The U.S. State Department classifies Japanese as a Category IV language — the hardest tier for English speakers — and estimates 2,200 class hours to reach professional proficiency. That said, you can hold basic conversations within 3-6 months of regular study. The writing system takes the longest; spoken Japanese grammar is actually quite regular once you get the sentence structure down.
Is Japanese hard for English speakers?
Parts of it are, and parts aren't. Pronunciation is straightforward — five vowels, no tones, and most sounds exist in English. Grammar is logical and consistent, with few irregular verbs. The difficulty is in the writing system (you need around 2,000 kanji for newspaper-level reading) and the social language registers, where choosing the wrong politeness level can change the entire meaning of what you said.
Can I take Japanese classes online?
Yes. All of our Japanese lessons are available online via video call. You get the same native-speaking tutor, the same personalized curriculum, and the same conversational focus. Many students prefer online because it fits more easily into a work schedule, and screen sharing makes it simple to work through reading exercises and kanji practice together.
Are you a Japanese teacher in Los Angeles? Join us →
Since 2006 · Los Angeles
Start Japanese classes this week.
Call 323-638-9787 or fill out our form. We match you with an instructor within 24 hours.
Get Started