Learn Japanese your way with a TakeLessons expert

By Kaoru N. - Boston Japanese Teacher

If you’re interested in taking Japanese lessons in Boston, you’re in a great place to learn both the language and the culture. I have lived in the United States for more than 10 years, and I have been in five other cities besides Boston including Nashville, San Antonio, Seattle, New York, and Cleveland. I've met a lot of people in these cities who loved to learn about Japanese culture, and they often pointed out that it was difficult to get in touch with actual Japanese people and Japanese culture. This is not the case in Boston; the city has a strong connection with Japanese culture.

Living in Boston, I have always felt the strong bond between the city and my culture. This relationship continues to grow as new Japanese businesses and establishments continue to develop and thrive. Now, there's even a direct flight to Tokyo from Boston, which makes traveling to Japan much easier!

One of the best parts of learning about any new culture is trying new foods. There are several Japanese restaurants in the Boston area. Many of the ramen (Japanese noodles) restaurants are Japanese owned and operated. Even if you don’t have a car, or live far away from some of these restaurants, they're all easily accessible by public transit.

Gyukaku is a franchised Yakiniku restaurant. Yakiniku is Japanese barbecue. The servers bring out raw meat, and you can grill it yourself at your table. This is a very fun dining experience for families or groups of friends. Even though it’s a franchise, the food is very authentic. The Boston branch is located right by the train stop, so you don’t have to worry about traffic or parking.

Besides the delicious Japanese restaurants, there are several other opportunities to experience Japanese culture in Boston. The Kaji Aso Studio hosts local events, puts on authentic Japanese tea ceremonies, and offers courses on calligraphy, art, and Japanese culture. You can also visit the Michiko Studios, where calligraphy master, Michiko Imai, displays her art and teaches calligraphy classes. To find out more about more local Japanese events, check out the Japan Society of Boston website (http://www.japansocietyboston.org/).

I mentioned authentic food and traditional culture, but now it’s time to talk about the Japanese subculture you will find here in Boston. There are several festivals and events every year. One of the biggest events is Anime Boston (www.animeboston.com), an annual convention devoted to Japanese anime and games. People dress up in costume as their favorite characters, and there are several fun events and contests.

If you’re thinking of taking Japanese lessons in Boston, there are lots of great opportunities to experience the Japanese culture. Now it’s time to get out there and explore everything the city has to offer. Study hard, but don’t forget to have fun!