Reading Japanese can feel impossible, but it doesn't have to.
You're not alone in finding kanji, complex sentences, or large amounts of vocabulary overwhelming.
I help learners work through real texts in English to help you understand what's happening, point out grammar you may easily miss alone, and build your confidence page by page.
ページをめくって、話しまくろう！
Reading Japanese takes a lot of time and effort.
Unfortunately, there's no shortcut around that. However, reading with someone who can guide you can lighten that load.
Even when you study vocabulary and grammar, when you open a real book, it can still feel overwhelming. There are too many kanji, too many unknowns, and it's hard to tell what actually matters.
Not only that, this can feel exponentially worse when you do it alone.
Reading with someone who can guide you can change that.
Instead of guessing your way through a sentence, with detailed English guidance you can start to see what's actually happening.
- • Ask all the questions you're actually thinking and get understandable answers from someone who went through the same troubles
- • Work through difficult sentences step by step
- • Understand why something is confusing and not just what it means
- • Build real understanding, not just memorization
- • Begin building familiarity with vocabulary, grammar, and kanji through repeated exposure, even if you don't remember it right away
Private Lessons
We work through real Japanese texts together, focusing on understanding rather than rushing through material. Some students prefer to translate every sentence or paragraph together, some prefer that I read first, and some prefer to try first. Whatever works best for that student.
My lessons focus on reading and understanding Japanese. Many students choose to combine this with conversation lessons with a native Japanese teacher, so they can build both comprehension and speaking ability.
Most students are around JLPT N4 to N2.
If you're below that and curious about starting to read, or above that but still feel uncomfortable with kanji or longer texts, this approach can still work well.
Students are also welcome to join small JLPT study sessions focused on grammar and JLPT-style reading, if it fits your schedule. These are not traditional lessons. We work through the textbook together as a group and the teacher is there to help if you get stuck. Students must have their own copy of the textbook.
I offer a variety of lesson plans, so there are options for different schedules and budgets.
Pricing
Term Plan — 16 Lessons
16 lessons (approx. 4/month)
¥64,000 per term
Approx. ¥4,000 per lesson
Flexible Plan — 12 Lessons
12 lessons (approx. 3/month)
¥54,000 per term
Approx. ¥4,500 per lesson
Light Plan — 8 Lessons
8 lessons (approx. 2/month)
¥36,000 per term
Approx. ¥4,500 per lesson
Monthly and annual payment options are also available.
Included with Every Lesson
All students get access to the Mekuru Reading Companion — a private tool designed to support your reading outside of lessons.
- • Review words saved during your lessons
- • Save your own words while reading (optional)
- • Track your reading progress over time
- • Study vocabulary in context
- • Prepare readings between lessons
Inside the Mekuru Reading Companion
Track your reading, review vocabulary, and study between lessons.
Interested in trying it on your own? Access may be available to a limited number of people outside of my private lessons — feel free to ask.
Contact: mekuru.ej@gmail.com
About Me
I grew up in Denver, Colorado, and eventually found my way to the countryside of Hokuto in Yamanashi, Japan. I've now been in Japan for over 16 years.
I didn't start learning Japanese when I was young. I came to it later, and for the most part, I had to figure it out on my own.
Because of that, I understand how frustrating it can feel, especially when things don't click the way you expect them to.
Over time, I realized something important:
• Perfection or complete understanding shouldn't be the goal, especially in the early stages.
• A lot of learning comes from sitting in what you don't understand yet and slowly watching it become clearer.
• That process — the unknown becoming known — is where real progress happens. And it's the fun part!
My background is in music, which taught me the importance of consistency and showing up even when things feel difficult. And with my over 16 years of teaching English, I know that while a teacher may have certain things they want to teach, it's essential to approach them differently depending on the student.
That same mindset carries into how I approach reading and teaching Japanese.
Stay connected
There's also a free Facebook group where learners can stay connected, ask questions, and follow what's growing.
Join the Facebook GroupYou don't have to figure this out alone.
If this approach feels right, feel free to reach out!