BORDERLESSOnline Japanese ProgramINTENSIVE · N5 & N4
Learn the Japanese you need for ordinary life. Understand a pattern, bring your own idea, and work out how to say it with Shintaro.
Begin with N5, or put your existing foundations to work in N4. Each has its own lesson structure and weekly rhythm.
COMPLETE BEGINNER · N5
You do not need to arrive with perfect Japanese. Bring an idea — in English, Japanese, a mixture or a few keywords — and build the Japanese for it together.
N5 works with familiar themes such as introductions, routines, food, shopping and plans. Words, particles and simple sentence patterns become ways to communicate something of your own.
INSIDE ONE WEEK OF MATERIAL
The final question brings at least two of the earlier targets into a useful message, reply or short exchange. Earlier language returns naturally as you go.
There is no Day 1–Day 5 split in N5. The material is one continuous sequence for your Saturday lesson.
Read the short questions and save what you would like to say. You may use Japanese, English, mixed language or keywords. Shintaro helps you construct and understand suitable Japanese during class.
Optional English hints explain the language, suggest useful words and show an example on a different idea. Furigana supports reading Japanese words with kanji.
The lesson has 105 minutes of Core teaching and a 15-minute Sprint to revisit what you have worked on. After class, return to teacher-released feedback, Memory Cards and Practice in the app.
ELEMENTARY · N4
N4 is for learners who have basic Japanese and want to use it more confidently. Work with one practical situation across the week, approaching it through different ideas and expressions.
You prepare your own short Japanese answers. In class, those answers become the starting point for conversation, correction and a clearer understanding of why the language works.
INSIDE ONE WEEK OF MATERIAL
Twenty-five different targets connect N4 grammar, vocabulary and expressions to your own Japanese. Each day begins with an accessible question and gradually asks you to think a little further.
One short sentence can be enough. Difficulty grows through meaning and structure, rather than longer answers.
Familiar facts, actions and control of simple forms.
Add a reason, explain a connection or consider another possibility.
Use the language to express what you think and why.
Save your own written Japanese before class. Optional English hints explain the target, offer useful language and show a different example. Furigana supports the authored Japanese questions and material.
The material keeps the same preparation format on all five days. Your saved answers are used in the live discussion; speaking in class builds on that written preparation.
A 60-minute lesson includes 50 minutes of Core learning and a 10-minute Sprint. The teacher reviews and releases feedback, which you can revisit in your lesson record.
N4 lesson questions ask you to create your own answers. Separate Practice activities can include JLPT-style multiple-choice questions, alongside Memory Cards for recalling useful language.
N4 · CHOOSE YOUR WEEK
Both plans provide the full five-day material. The difference is how many live classes you attend and receive in-class feedback for.
N4 · 3 DAYS
Choose any three class days each week to fit your schedule. Your attendance days are not fixed.
Days you do not attend do not include in-class feedback or a lesson record.
N4 · 5 DAYS
Join all five class days and work through the weekly material with Shintaro and the group.
A regular opportunity to use the language as the weekly theme develops.
TUITION & TIMES
All Intensive plans have a three-month minimum, paid monthly. Original materials and the app are included. No enrollment fee or required textbook purchase.
Choose any three class days each week. Three-month minimum.
3 × 60-minute lessons / week
¥27,000tax included / monthFollow all five days of the weekly material. Three-month minimum.
5 × 60-minute lessons / week
¥39,600tax included / monthSaturday, 18:30–20:30 Japan time. Three-month minimum.
1 × 120-minute lesson / week
¥22,000tax included / monthTuesday–Saturday
09:00 / 13:00Monday–Friday
18:30One two-hour class
18:30–20:30All times are Japan time. Your preferred start date, exact class and available place are confirmed before enrollment.
Applications are welcome throughout the year. Choose your preferred start date, and Shintaro will arrange a place in an available class. There are no semesters or fixed cohort start dates.
You can continue if you would like more time, or leave after the initial three-month period. You do not need to wait for a semester to end. Contact Shintaro to arrange your final date and payment. The initial commitment is not a promise to reach a particular JLPT level in three months.
No. Start with at least one response; the remaining questions are optional. The full material is there for you to explore, and the hints support your own thinking. For N5, your idea can be in English, Japanese or a mixture. N4 preparation uses your own Japanese.
Revisit feedback released by the teacher and records of the lessons you attend. Study the language with Memory Cards and try related questions in Practice. The app is available on computer, tablet and phone.
Tuition is paid monthly in advance by bank transfer, PayPal, PayPay or credit card. A missed class may be moved to an equivalent class when one is available. Read the Enrollment Terms for the full payment, absence and cancellation conditions.
Ask Shintaro about a suitable change. Your existing plan is not switched automatically, and a new minimum period is not applied to previous enrollment without agreement. Any new schedule, fee and effective date are confirmed with you.
Already comfortable with N4 foundations?
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A free lesson with Shintaro. Meet the group, try the app, and decide in your own time.
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