Online Japanese tutor
Ai
Fun, personalised lessons for long term success
Hourly rate
£30/hr
Online Japanese tutor
Fun, personalised lessons for long term success
About
こんにちは! I was born in Tokyo and graduated from Toyo University in Japan. I taught English for 3 years in Japan and for over 10 years I have been teaching Japanese in the UK.
I have taught students aged 10 to over 60, from absolute beginners to intermediate and advanced levels.
My lessons are friendly, relaxed, and tailored to each student’s goals. Whether you would like to learn Japanese for travel, conversation, work, JLPT preparation, or simply for fun, I will create lessons that suit your pace and interests.
For each student, I maintain a personal shared lesson document for new words, phrases and homework to add new content every lesson for practice and revision.
In addition to textbook based lessons, I have also helped basic travel focussed Japanese, or with university assignments, or prepare presentations or translation for advanced level students.
My main goal is to keep it interesting and interactive for students, that way we make sustainable progress.
Finally, I use Discord to do 1 to 1 lessons and we have a private server so all my students and I can share travel photos, memes and learning tips.
Please feel free to contact me to have a free trial lesson. :)
Subjects & pricing
Languages
- English Fluent
- Japanese Native
Qualifications
Higher education
- BA Regional and International Development · Toyo University · 2009 Toyo University · 2009
Reviews from Tutorperch
No Tutorperch reviews yet. Students can leave a verified review here after a lesson.
Reviews from First Tutors
Imported from Ai's First Tutors profile before the site went dark. Shown separately from Tutorperch reviews — today they don't feed this tutor's Tutorperch rating or ranking.
How we verify these
Each imported review went through admin review. The tutor proved ownership of the First Tutors profile via one of two paths:
- Photo match. The First Tutors avatar matched the tutor's identity-verified Tutorperch photo, confirmed by admin.
- Cryptographic email check. The tutor uploaded an original First Tutors email (.eml). We verified the DKIM signature against First Tutors' signing keys and cross-checked the embedded tutor ID against the claimed profile.
The review text is the original reviewer's own words, quoted as-is. We verified the tutor's ownership of the profile, not the truth of what each individual reviewer wrote.
- Apr 2026 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
Ai has been accommodating and good at helping me improve my speaking and listening. The Discord server is also nice. Whilst I don’t personally use it often, Ai does post in there to encourage engagement or self-learning. Ai is also great when it comes to questions I have about the language and in helping me better understand it.
Ai replied
フィードバックありがとうございます。I think your Japanese is improving every lesson and I look forward to future lessons! :)
- Feb 2026 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
I enjoy working with Ai and find her very helpful in helping me learn.
Ai replied
フィードバックありがとうございます。I look forward to making more progress in the future. よろしくおねがいします。
- Feb 2026 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
My daughter is really enjoying working with Ai and looks forward to the lesson every week. The lessons are always well planned and prompt to start with access to resources. She is making excellent progress.
Ai replied
Thank you very much for your feedback. Certainly making lots of progress and I look forward to seeing more!
- Feb 2026 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
Ai has been tutoring my 13 year old daughter for a few months now. My daughter can be an introvert at best, however Ai makes her feel very comfortable, gives her confidence and praise when relevant. My daughter has been learning Japenese (not an easy task), but is doing so well in such a short space of time thanks to Ai. I would 100% recommend Ai as a tutor for anyone!
Ai replied
Thank you very much for your kind feedback. I look forward to future lessons and making even more progress. :)
- Feb 2026 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
Ai is an amazing tutor! She has helped me grow so much with my Japanese, she tailors each lesson to each person, so you know you are getting the exact help you need. I can't wait to carry on with her! ありがとうございます！
Ai replied
フィードバックありがとうございます。I look forward to the future lessons as well! よろしくお願いします。:)
- Sept 2025 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
As an intermedia**Contact Detail Removed**vel student, I have found my lessons with Ai to be valuable. Whether you wish to practice conversation, or instead to focus more upon grammar or literacy, she is more than willing to adapt the content and structure of the sessions in order to suit your preference. She is, furthermore, happy to field any questions which you might have in relation to the practical use of the language. Homework exercises introduce you to a wide range of content, which serves to broaden both your vocabulary and your appreciation of cultural context.
Ai replied
フィードバックありがとうございます。これからも色んな内容にチャレンジしてみましょう♪
- Aug 2025 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
Ai is an excellent teacher, I'm always looking forward to the lessons.
Ai replied
コメントありがとうございます。I think you're progressing every lesson and I look forward to future lessons. よろしくおねがいします。:)
- Jul 2025 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
Ai is an excellent, very encouraging and patient teacher. She has taught me hiragana in a few months and I couldn't be happier with what she does. I look forward to continuing my japanese language studies with her.
Ai replied
ありがとうございます。I can see the progress and I look forward to future lessons. :)
- Apr 2025 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
Ai is a fantastic teacher, professional, patient, and very supportive. She made my Japanese learning journey feel much less daunting. Always clear and well-prepared, she provided all the necessary resources and homework to track progress. Highly recommended!
Ai replied
Thank you very much for your kind comment. I'm pleased to hear my lessons left a positive impression. :)
- Mar 2025 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
Ai-sensei is a teacher who is very adaptive and encouraging. She works well with children as well, as my son is a student of hers. She prepares content in terms that are comprehensive to intermedia**Contact Detail Removed**vel/beginner students, which makes her versatile. Overall, my son thoroughly enjoys her lessons and looks forward to them. - A young student's mother
Ai replied
Thank you very much for our kind comment. I'm very pleased to hear that your son enjoys the lessons. :) I look forward to the future lessons!
- Feb 2025 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
I am so happy with my lessons so far. Ai is very welcoming, friendly and patient. The lessons have been very tailored to my progress and as somebody who works a lot of hours around these lessons, I don't ever feel overwhelmed. I am very excited to continue and improve. Ai is an excellent tutor and I definitely recommend!
Ai replied
フィードバックありがとうございます。 Thank you very much for your kind comment and I'm pleased to hear that you're happy with the lesson. I think you're progressing steadily and I'm looking forward to future lessons. :)
- Jul 2024 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
the lessons are really fun & Ai is very patient and encouraging!
Ai replied
Thank you for your feedback and I'm pleased to hear that you're enjoying the lessons. :)
- Jun 2024 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
Ai san gives very clear explanations that can make very obscure grammar points much easier to grasp. She tailors her lessons and assignments to both give progress in the language and to practice and strengthen those areas where knowledge is lacking.
Ai replied
コメントありがとうございます。I hope you're enjoying the lessons and I look forward to progressing more and more. よろしくお願いします。:)
- Apr 2024 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
Ai-Sensei is an excellent teacher. Every lesson is extremely enjoyable and informative and I feel more and more confident in my Japanese every week. I'm extremely happy with the tutoring I receive and would definitely recommend Ai-Sensei to anyone looking to learn Japanese.
Ai replied
フィードバックありがとうございます。 I think you're a keen learner and I'm pleased to hear that you're enjoying the lessons. :)
- Mar 2024 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
San has been fantastic , I’m continuing my tuition with her and would recommend her 100% Dave
Ai replied
フィードバックありがとうございます。 I hope you’re enjoying the lessons. :)
- Feb 2024 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
Ai is very patient and approachable, adapting her teaching style to my needs and limitations. I’m so glad I found her!
Ai replied
フィードバックありがとうございます。I think you're a very enthusiastic student and improving every lesson. これからもがんばりましょう :)
- Aug 2023 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
Ai-sensei was a brilliant and patient tutor :) She used a broad range of exercises throughout our sessions and they were all very engaging - the materials for the class were dynamic and varied and very well organised, and gave me confidence in my broadening knowledge and handle of the language. I had studied a bit of Japanese in the past, and Ai-sensei very quickly calibrated to my level and we made very useful progress from there. Would highly recommend her!
Ai replied
フィードバックありがとうございます。I hope you were able to use lots of Japanese in Japan and enjoyed the time there. :)
- Jun 2023 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
I feel really happy with my tuition so far! Ai is very warm and friendly, I feel happy with the pacing and Ai is very patient too. Lessons are always on time and engaging; I even feel like they go quickly! I mainly struggle with kanji and I enjoy that the lesson has been adapted to work towards that. Ai is an excellent tutor and I very much recommend her!
Ai replied
フィードバックありがとうございます。日本語がどんどん上手になっていると思いますょ。これからもがんばっていきましょう。:) よろしくおねがいします。
- May 2023 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
Ai Sensei is incredible and patient. Her teaching style really helps you develop quickly and efficiently. She engages you with a smile and explains everything thoroughly and you don't feel silly when you make a mistake. I am 9 lessons in and have enjoyed every single hour spent learning and cant wait to learn more.
Ai replied
フィードバックありがとうございます。I'm pleased to hear that you've been enjoying the lessons. I think you're an enthusiastic student and improving every lesson. I look forward to future lessons. よろしくおねがいします。
- Mar 2023 ·imported from First Tutors
A First Tutors client
Ai sensei is a very understanding and patient teacher. She’s flexible and teaches using a fun mix of exercises, like reading articles or using flash cards. Overall a great teacher, 10/10 would recommend ☺️
Ai replied
フィードバックありがとうございます。I look forward to future lessons and I hope they're enjoyable too! よろしくおねがいします。:)