Francis Wong
Co-founder
Francis has lived and worked across Asia, and brings years of experience in international environments and in building meaningful relationships between communities.
Your buddies for all things Japan
Online Japanese lessons with native tutors, translation and interpreting, websites for the Japanese market, and help building a career in Japan. One small team that knows both sides.
Lessons start with a free 15-minute trial.
話 (hana), as in 話す hanasu: to speak.
Who we help
Japanese learners
Beginners to advanced, learning for travel, the JLPT, work, or the love of the language.
Businesses working with Japan
Translation, live interpreting, transcription and websites that read naturally to Japanese customers.
Professionals moving to Japan
Résumés, interviews and job search help for building a career in Japan.
Free book for our Instagram followers
Follow Hanabuddies on Instagram and we’ll give you our book for free. The post explains how to claim your copy.
What we do
Four services from one team. Choose one to see what’s included and how pricing works.
Japanese lessons
One-to-one or small-group lessons online with native Japanese tutors, so you can learn from anywhere. Each lesson is planned around why you’re learning: a trip, the JLPT, your job, or everyday conversation, and moves at your pace.
More about learning with an online Japanese tutor
- A curriculum built around your goals
- Flexible scheduling that fits your week
- Interactive lessons with real-life conversation practice
- A focus on Japanese you can use straight away
- Levels
- Complete beginner to advanced
- Topics
- Everyday conversation, grammar and reading, JLPT preparation, business Japanese
Corporate training
Team lessons for companies working with Japan, planned around what your team needs.
Translation, interpreting and transcription
Japanese and English, in both directions. We keep the meaning, tone and context, so the result reads as if it was written in that language.
Translation
Written content, adapted for the people who will read it.
- Business documents and emails
- Marketing materials and websites
- Personal documents and letters
Transcription
Audio and video turned into accurate text, including recordings with several speakers.
- Interviews and meetings
- Lectures and presentations
- Videos and podcasts
Interpreting
Live interpreting between English and Japanese, online over video or in person in Japan and abroad (travel expenses covered by the client).
- Business meetings and supplier calls
- Tours and private events
- Interviews, appointments and family calls
Website creation
Modern, mobile-friendly websites designed for Japanese customers. You own the site and can update it yourself, so no monthly maintenance fee keeps you tied to us.
- No monthly maintenance fees
- You own your site outright
- Easy-to-use editing tools
- Design and wording localised for Japan
Careers in Japan
Job hunting in Japan has its own rules, from the rirekisho to the interview. We help international candidates prepare for every step.
- Résumé coaching (rirekisho and shokumu keirekisho)
- Interview preparation and mock interviews
- Job search strategy and which platforms to use
- Advice on Japanese workplace culture
Not sure yet? Try it first
Find the right plan in a few quick questions, or take a two-minute taster lesson.
Tell us what you need in the form below and we’ll suggest a plan. Free Consultation
Find your plan
Answer up to three questions and we’ll suggest where to start.
Two-minute taster lesson
Learn four phrases for ordering at a café in Japan, then try a quick quiz.
How it works
Getting started takes one message.
Free consultation
Send us a message about what you need. We’ll get back to you and talk it through, free of charge.
A plan that fits
We suggest lessons, a quote or next steps that suit your goals and budget.
Get started
Your lessons or project begin, and we stay in touch until it’s done.
What our clients say
From first-time learners to companies working with Japan.
Fun and engaging lessons.
Every lesson feels very interactive and enjoyable. Sensei uses real-life examples and small conversation exercises that make learning feel natural instead of stressful.
Very helpful for travel preparation.
I planned a trip to Japan and wanted to learn basic phrases before going. After a few lessons, I was able to order food, ask for directions, and have small conversations with locals.
Fast turnaround and professional quality.
We needed urgent translation for business documents, and the team delivered high-quality work on time. Very reliable service.
Clear explanations and great learning materials.
Sensei provides well-organized notes and simple examples that make grammar much easier to understand.
Insightful guidance for job hunting in Japan.
I received practical advice on resumes, interviews, and Japanese work culture. It made me feel much more confident.
Highly accurate transcription, even with complex audio.
We provided recordings with multiple speakers, and the transcription was very precise. It saved us a lot of time.
Supportive and motivating teacher.
I sometimes struggle with speaking, but Sensei is always encouraging and patient. He gives helpful feedback and celebrates small improvements.
Professional and user-friendly website.
They built a clean and modern website that perfectly represents our brand. Communication was smooth and efficient.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about lessons, pricing and how we work.
Are the lessons online?
Yes. Lessons take place online over video, so you can learn Japanese with a native Japanese tutor from anywhere in the world.
How much do Japanese lessons cost?
Private lessons are 40 an hour and group lessons are 25 an hour per person. Corporate training is priced on request.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. Your first 15 minutes are a free trial, so you can meet your tutor and see how lessons work before you pay anything.
Can lessons fit around my time zone?
Scheduling is flexible. Tell us where you are and when you’re free, and we’ll find lesson times that work for you.
I’m a complete beginner. Can I still start?
Yes. We teach every level, from your first hiragana to advanced and business Japanese.
Can you help me prepare for the JLPT?
Yes. JLPT preparation is one of our core topics. Your tutor builds a plan around the level you’re aiming for and your exam date.
Do you offer group or corporate lessons?
Yes. Small-group lessons are 25 an hour per person, and we run team training for companies working with Japan.
Can you help me find a job in Japan?
Yes. We coach international candidates on the Japanese résumé (rirekisho and shokumu keirekisho), interviews, job search platforms and workplace culture. It starts with a free consultation.
Do you translate between Japanese and English?
Yes, in both directions, and we transcribe Japanese and English audio and video too. Each project is quoted individually.
Do you provide Japanese–English interpreters?
Yes. We provide live interpreting between English and Japanese, online over video or in person, in Japan and abroad. We interpret business meetings, supplier calls, tours, private events, interviews and personal appointments. For in-person work, the client covers travel expenses. Each booking is quoted individually.
Meet the team
A small team of Japan enthusiasts who love language learning and cultural exchange.
Bamba Takekuni
Co-founder
Takekuni is passionate about building bridges between Japan and the world, supporting individuals and businesses through tutoring, translation and more, and turning curiosity about Japan into real connections and opportunities.
Mai Otahara
Chief Culture Officer
Mai is a passionate teacher who loves bringing people and cultures together. Bubbly and warm, she puts learners at ease from the very first hello and turns every lesson into a lively cultural exchange, whether you are taking your first steps in Japanese or getting ready for life in Japan.
Book a free consultation
Tell us what you’d like help with and we’ll get back to you by email.