About Me
Meet the person behind NihongoKnow.
I’m Haruka. I’m the founder and Japanese instructor at NihongoKnow.
I’ve been teaching Japanese for over 10 years, but teaching Japanese has never been just about language for me.
I’m interested in how people learn, how they grow, and what helps them become confident enough to use a language in real life.
Background
Why I Teach
I believe learning works best when it’s designed around the person.
Over the years, I’ve taught learners with different goals, personalities, backgrounds, and ways of learning.
I’ve learned that effective teaching isn’t simply about explaining things well.
It’s about understanding the person in front of you, creating the right environment, and helping them find a way to learn that works for them.
That’s what I try to do in every class
Why I Created NihongoKnow
I wanted to create a different kind of Japanese learning experience.
A place where students don’t simply receive information.
A place where they can practice, experiment, make mistakes, receive feedback, and gradually become confident using Japanese for themselves.
That’s why I created NihongoKnow.
The goal isn’t to create perfect students.
It’s to help people become confident Japanese users.
Want to Know More About My Story?
There’s more behind why I teach the way I do.
From moving from Tokyo to Osaka as a child, to coaching basketball, studying psychology and education, working in different educational settings, and eventually creating NihongoKnow, each experience shaped the way I teach today.
If you’d like to learn more about the experiences that shaped me as a teacher, you can read my full story.
If you’re looking for a Japanese class where you can practice, make mistakes, receive feedback, and grow at your own pace, I’d love to help.