Survival Japanese Online Course
12 Fun & Practical Zoom Lessons for Travelers and Beginners
Start speaking Japanese with confidence, even if you're a complete beginner.
Perfect for tourists, exchange students, short-term visitors, or professionals new to Japan.
No Japanese is needed, and every class includes English and romaji support.
Survival Japanese Lessons at a Glance
- Recommended Level: Complete beginners to early elementary (CEFR A1)
- Format: 50-minute live Zoom lessons (small groups, max 7 students)
- Materials: Original Japonin(JOI) resources with romaji and English support
- Topics: Everyday survival Japanese (introductions, shopping, transport, dining, hospitals, etc.)
- Focus: Practical Japanese for travel, short stays, or starting life in Japan
- Free Trial: Up to 2 free lessons for first-time students
▶ Table of Contents
Who Is This Course For?
- ✔︎ You’ve just arrived in Japan and want to learn useful Japanese quickly
- ✔︎ You are planning a trip or short stay in Japan and want to learn basic Japanese phrases before you go
- ✔︎ You prefer immersive, small-group online lessons with real conversation practice
- ✔︎ You want to study Japanese from the comfort of your home via Zoom
Popular with Beginners｜Key Features of Our Survival Japanese Lessons
▶ Live Lessons via Zoom (50 minutes)
All classes are live, immersive and interactive online lessons conducted via Zoom.
Each 50-minute lesson focuses on a real-life situation like shopping, taking public transport, or dining out.
▶ Small Group Classes (Max 7 students)
Classes are limited to 7 students (usually 2-3 students per class), giving everyone plenty of opportunities to speak, ask questions and talk to your teacher. Perfect for beginners.
▶ CEFR A1 Level (Beginner)
Designed for complete beginners. You’ll learn how to introduce yourself and use simple, everyday expressions.
▶ Romaji Support
Don’t worry if you cannot read Japanese yet! All materials include romaji (alphabetized Japanese), so you can follow along with the pronunciation easily.
▶ English Explanations Available
Lessons come with English translations and explanations, so you can always understand the meaning of each phrase.
▶ No Textbook Required
All materials are provided by your teacher. Lessons use slides and Zoom screen sharing, so there’s no need to buy a textbook.
Real-Life Topics & Phrases｜What You’ll Learn in Class
12 Practical Topics for Real-Life Situations
Below are the main themes covered in the course, with learning goals and sample phrases you’ll be able to use right away.
※ On smartphones, you can scroll the table horizontally.
| ◆ Topic | Goal | Sample Phrase |
|---|---|---|
| ◆ Self-Introduction | Say your name, country, and job when meeting someone for the first time | Hajimemashite. Tom desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu. |
| ◆ Asking for Locations | Ask where places or objects are located | Toire wa doko desu ka? |
| ◆ Restaurant 1 | Enter a restaurant and respond to common questions | Nan-mei sama desu ka? — San-nin desu. |
| ◆ Restaurant 2 | Order food at a restaurant | Ramen o hitotsu, onegaishimasu. |
| ◆ Transportation | Ask a station worker which train to take | Sumimasen. Kore wa Akihabara ni ikimasu ka? |
| ◆ Shopping 1 | Ask if the store has what you are looking for | Sumimasen. Chizu wa arimasu ka? |
| ◆ Shopping 2 | Request items or ask for alternatives in a store | Mou chotto yasui no, arimasen ka? |
| ◆ Accidents | Ask for help during unexpected trouble | Tasukete kudasai! |
| ◆ Health | Describe basic symptoms at a clinic or pharmacy | Onaka ga itai n desu. |
| ◆ Telephone | Make a hotel reservation over the phone | Ku-gatsu juu-go nichi wa aitemasu ka? |
| ◆ Hotels & Inns | Ask about services at your hotel or ryokan | Chekku auto wa nan-ji desu ka? |
| ◆ Sightseeing | Ask for local information and take photos | Sumimasen. Shashin onegaishimasu. |
These 12 themed lessons are taught in a flexible, modular format, so you can join in any order.
Meet Your Teachers
ISHIBASHI Kaori
Survival Japanese Instructor｜20 Years of Teaching Experience
▶ Learn more about Ishibashi sensei
Qualifications & Background
- Graduated from Meikai University, Department of Japanese Language
- Completed 420+ hour teacher training at Tokyo Central Japanese Language School
- Passed the Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test
- Taught at language schools in Chiba, Kyoto, and Osaka
- Corporate Japanese instructor in Kyoto and Osaka
“This course is designed for learners who want to acquire basic Japanese quickly. It’s perfect for those who have never studied Japanese but plan to travel or work in Japan. It’s also a great way to simply experience Japanese for the first time.”
SUZUKI Ayako
Survival Japanese Instructor｜22 Years of Teaching Experience
▶ Learn more about Suzuki sensei
Qualifications & Background
- Graduated from Tokyo Woman’s Christian University, Department of Language & Culture
- Passed the Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test
“This class focuses on practical communication in real-life situations such as restaurants, department stores, hotels, and train stations. It’s ideal for travelers or new residents just starting life in Japan. Even if you’ve never studied Japanese before, you’re welcome here.”
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
What is "Survival Japanese"?
I’ve never studied Japanese before. Can I still take this online course?
How long does it take to see results?
Which lesson should I start with?
Will English be used in class?
Can I take other classes along with this one?
How much does it cost after the free trial?
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For Corporate Clients
This course can also be used for Corporate Japanese Training programs for your international employees.
Use this course as a Short-term intensive training program before or at the start of employment and to help with your employees' lifestyle support.
For details, please refer to our corporate lesson service information.
