Online Japanese lessons · Ages 5+
Your favorite game becomes a Japanese classroom.
Play Minecraft or Fortnite with a teacher — in Japanese. Once a week, 60 minutes, from ¥8,800 a month.
LESSON / Minecraft● REC
Teacher
いっしょに いえを たてよう！
Let's build a house together!
You
うん！ きが いるね。
OK! We need wood.
Teacher
あそこに きが あるよ。ついてきて！
There are trees over there. Follow me!
You
いま いく！
I'm coming!
ABOUT
What is Pikopiko Japanese?
An online class where you play Minecraft or Fortnite with a teacher, in Japanese. “Let's build a house.” “There's a tree over there.” You use Japanese on the spot to get things done in the game.
Never studied Japanese? That's fine. You start by listening to your teacher and moving in the game.
from¥8,800/ month (tax incl.)
See all prices ▶STATUS
- WHO
- Ages 5 and up (adults welcome)
- LESSONS
- Once a week · 60 min
- WHERE
- Online (Zoom)
- GAMES
- Minecraft · Fortnite · Steam
- YOU NEED
- A device with Zoom, plus your game console or PC and the game
- HOURS
- 9:00–22:30 Japan time (JST)
▶ Try one lesson first
Trial lesson¥1,500(tax incl.)
45-minute lesson + 15-minute consultation. Quit anytime — we refund any overpayment.
Sound familiar?
never seem to stick.
to speak Japanese.
of gaming.
Let's turn that game time into Japanese time.
3 things that make Pikopiko different
POINT 1
Play your favorite game with a teacher, in Japanese
The lesson material is the game you already love. Your teacher joins the game and talks with you in Japanese as you play. Want to play something else? Just ask.
CHECKOnce a week × 60 min
Minecraft
Build a house, gather materials, explore caves — and decide what to make, in Japanese. The best place to start.
Fortnite
Call out orders and report back in short, quick Japanese.
Steam
Other games are fine too — just ask.
POINT 2
If you're not understood, the game stops
Playing as a team means saying where things are, asking for tools and deciding what to do next. Unlike a textbook example, if your teammate doesn't understand, you have to say it again — right there.
Rephrasing to be understood, again and again, is what turns learners into speakers.
CHECKSay it again, right away
You: き… ちょうだい？
Wood… give?
Teacher: 「きを ください」かな？
Do you mean "Can I have some wood?"
You: きを ください！
Can I have some wood?
Teacher: はい、どうぞ！▼
Sure! Here you go.
POINT 3
Teachers who speak English too
Our teachers grew up or live outside Japan and speak both Japanese and English. When you get stuck, they can explain in English — then it's straight back to Japanese.
CHECKJapanese × English
Yuki Ito
Grew up in Singapore — speaks Japanese and English
Tatsuro Sakamoto
Speaks Japanese, English and German; lives in Germany
Try the word game,
right here.
Look at the picture on the sign and pick the Japanese word to jump ahead. Our students play this game for homework — here's a Japanese version for you to try.
- Hand-drawn
- A picture for every word
- Never stuck
- Miss one? See the answer and keep running
- Romaji too
- Every answer shows how to read it
Textbook Japanese vs. Pikopiko
Textbook
Pikopiko
You use
Example sentences
The games you love
You speak
To answer the teacher's questions
Because the game won't move unless you're understood
Stuck?
Look it up in a dictionary
Ask your teacher in English
▶ Try one lesson first
Trial lesson¥1,500(tax incl.)
45-minute lesson + 15-minute consultation. Quit anytime — we refund any overpayment.
SHOP
Courses & prices
All prices are monthly, in Japanese yen (JPY), tax included. Ask us about twice-a-week plans.
1-on-1 Course
Play 1-on-1 with your teacher
¥11,800/ month
- ▶Once a week (60 min)
- ▶Just you and your teacher
- ▶Paced to your level and personality
- ▶Minecraft, Fortnite and Steam games
With-Friends Course
Join with friends and play as a team
¥8,800/ month
- ▶Once a week (60 min)
- ▶Take lessons together with friends
- ▶Teamwork makes the phrases come naturally
- ▶Minecraft, Fortnite and Steam games
Start with a trial lesson
¥1,500(tax incl.)
A 45-minute lesson and a 15-minute consultation. We'll ask about your Japanese and your favorite games, then suggest the right course.
Living outside Japan?
Lessons run between 9:00 and 22:30 Japan time (JST). Tell us your time zone when you apply, and we'll find a time that works for you.
Meet your play partners
Teacher
Yuki Ito伊藤 悠希
- Graduated from International Christian University (ICU); M.A., Tokyo University of the Arts
- Grew up in Singapore — speaks Japanese and English
- 5 years of teaching experience
Support
Tatsuro Sakamoto坂本 達郎
- Graduated from International Christian University (ICU)
- Speaks Japanese, English and German; lives in Germany
- Knows what it takes to learn a language — rebuilt his English from scratch in high school
FAQ
QWho can join?
AAnyone aged 5 and up.
▶More
There is no upper age limit — adults are welcome too.
QI've never studied Japanese. Is that OK?
AYes.
▶More
Your teacher adjusts to your level while you play. At first, it's enough to listen to the teacher and move in the game — not being able to speak yet is no problem.
QWhich games do you use?
AMainly Minecraft and Fortnite.
▶More
We also support Steam games in general. Tell us if there's a game you'd like to play, or we can suggest one.
QWhat do I need?
AA device that runs Zoom, plus your game console or PC and the game.
QWhen are lessons held?
ABetween 9:00 and 22:30 Japan time (JST).
▶More
We're closed during Obon (mid-August) and the New Year holidays. Tell us your time zone and we'll find a time that works for you.
QAre lessons 1-on-1?
AWe have a 1-on-1 course and a with-friends course.
▶More
If you'd like to join with friends, we run the lesson as a group.
QCan my child join alone?
AYes.
▶More
We ask a parent to join the first lesson or the trial lesson.
QCan I cancel a lesson?
ATell us 24 hours ahead and we'll reschedule.
▶More
If your child is sick on the day, we offer a make-up lesson too.
QHow do I quit?
AYou can quit anytime.
▶More
We refund any overpayment.
QWhat currency are the prices in?
AJapanese yen (JPY), tax included.
QCan you really learn Japanese by playing games?
ARephrasing to be understood is what builds speaking skills.
▶More
To play as a team, you have to give directions, say where things are, ask for tools and explain what's happening. Unlike textbook examples, the game won't move unless you're understood — so you rephrase on the spot. How often you do that is what makes the difference.
Let's play together —
just once, to start.
STEP 1
Apply
Fill in the form with your name, email, time zone and the times that suit you.
STEP 2
We email you
We'll reply by email to set a date for your trial lesson.
STEP 3
Trial lesson
A 45-minute lesson and a 15-minute consultation. For children, a parent joins the first time.
Questions? pikopiko@kiaienglish.com