The Best Japanese Classes in NYC (2026)

Key takeaways:

• Most NYC language centers run on semester schedules. If your life doesn’t, online tutoring on italki is the more practical fit.
• Price varies more than you’d expect. italki lessons start from $4; in-person group courses typically start from $279–$379 per term.
• If you’re learning Japanese in NYC, private 1-on-1 lessons move faster than group courses; the teacher works around your goals, not the other way around.

Looking for the best Japanese classes in NYC? You have solid options, from long-established language centers and in-person schools to flexible online platforms that let you learn from anywhere in the city.

New York City is home to the largest Japanese community on the East Coast of the United States, with a thriving scene of Japanese restaurants, art galleries, anime conventions, and cultural festivals year-round. Wikipedia. Picking up the language is both a practical skill and a genuine way into one of the most welcoming Japanese communities in the country.

Preparing for the JLPT, brushing up before a trip to Japan, following your love of anime, or trying to get ahead at work: this guide breaks down the five best Japanese language classes in NYC right now so you can find what actually fits your life.

The 5 best Japanese classes in NYC

Best overall	italki
Best for cultural immersion	Japan Society Language Center
Best for multiple Asian languages	Hills Learning
Best for beginners seeking small online group classes	Japademy
Best for corporate and professional Japanese	ABC Languages

Where can I learn Japanese in NYC?

1. italki: best overall

italki is the leading online platform for one-on-one language learning. It connects you directly with native-speaking Japanese teachers for private video lessons you can book around your actual schedule. Over 10 million learners worldwide use it, and with more than 30,000 teachers across 150 languages in over 190 countries, the chances of finding someone who clicks with you are genuinely high. italki

Starting out with hiragana and basic vocabulary, or already conversational and wanting to sharpen your reading and listening skills: there is a teacher on italki for that. Every course of lessons is tailored to your goals, not a fixed syllabus. If you are not sure where to start, this guide on how to learn Japanese fast is worth a read before you get going.

Why it is #1:

• Flexible scheduling. Book lessons early in the morning, late at night, or on a Friday after work. Your schedule drives everything, not the school’s timetable.
• Affordable prices. Lessons start from $4. You can pick from professional teachers or community tutors depending on your budget and what you need.
• Native Japanese speakers. Hundreds of native speakers with real teaching experience, across every level and focus area.
• Individual lessons built around you. Working on conversation? Kanji? JLPT prep? Japanese for work? Your teacher focuses on your Japanese language skills specifically, not what the next chapter of a textbook says.
• No commute. Everything happens online on italki classroom. No subway, no Midtown traffic.
• Trial lessons available. Most teachers offer a trial session so you can see if it suits you before committing to a full course.

How it works:

1. Create a free account on italki.com
2. Find a Japanese teacher in New York. Filter by language, price, availability, and specialization.
3. Book a trial lesson to get a feel for the teacher and discuss goals.
4. Show up to your video lesson and start speaking Japanese from day one.

Best for: Busy professionals, students, JLPT candidates, anime fans, kids, teens, and adults who want individual attention and flexible schedules without a fixed class timetable.

Price: Starting from $4 per lesson. Varies by teacher.

Location: Online. Works from anywhere in NYC or anywhere in the world.

Create a free account and book your firstJapanese lesson today.

2. Japan Society Language Center: best for cultural immersion

The Japan Society Language Center is the premier Japanese language center in New York City, offering 13 comprehensive levels and six semesters each year across 10-week and 5-week course formats. It is one of the most established Japanese language schools in the city.

Pros:

• 13 course levels from complete beginner through advanced
• Six semesters per year across 10-week and 5-week course formats
• Cultural workshops including Shodo and Japan Right Now
• Both in-person and online via Zoom

Cons:

• Classes fill up fast, especially beginner Level 1 courses
• Group course format means less individual feedback than private lessons
• Primarily designed for adult learners

Price: $290 (members) to $330 (non-members) per 10-class course. 

Location: 333 E 47th St, New York, NY 10017. Online courses also available via Zoom.

Best for: Adults who want structured Japanese language courses with Japanese culture and community programs built in.

Want more flexibility than a group course? Book private Japanese language lessons with a native Japanese teacher on italki.

3. Hills Learning: best for multiple Asian languages

Hills Learning is an accredited language center near Grand Central in Midtown Manhattan. What makes it stand out is its focus: it only teaches Asian languages. Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Arabic. 

Pros:

• Accredited language center with a solid track record since 2009
• Exclusively Asian languages, so teachers bring specialist skills and knowledge
• Japanese group classes and private lessons across all levels
• Open to children, teens, and adults of all ages

Cons:

• Smaller school, so scheduling options are more limited than larger language centers

Price: Starting from $379 per semester

Location: 551 Fifth Ave, Suite 1225, New York, NY 10176 (also online)

Best for: Learners of all ages who want structured Japanese language classes, especially those interested in other Asian languages too.

Prefer one-on-one attention? Book a trial lesson with a private teacher on italki

4. Japademy: best for beginners seeking small online group classes

Japademy is an online Japanese language school built around small group classes capped at 8 students, certified native teachers with professional teaching qualifications, and 105-minute weekly live sessions via Zoom. 

Pros:

• Free access to 20+ pre-recorded video lessons included with every course so you can study grammar at your own pace 
• Practice app with 1,000+ vocabulary flashcards and spaced repetition included at no extra cost
• All learning materials included: no textbooks to buy separately

Cons:

• Newer school with less of a track record than long-standing NYC institutions
• Fewer advanced levels than bigger language centers

Price: Starting from $279 per 10-week course 

Location: Online 

Best for: Complete beginners and lower intermediate learners who want structured small group classes online with certified native teachers and built-in self study tools.

Looking for a more tailored experience? Find a Japanese instructor who suits your interests on italki.

5. ABC Languages: best for corporate and professional Japanese

ABC Languages has been a fixture in New York City since 1998. If you are learning Japanese for work, or your company needs training for a whole team, this is one of the most experienced schools in the city.

Pros:

• Nearly 30 years in NYC with a strong reputation
• Corporate training programs and cultural workshops for teams and organizations
• In-person and online location options
• Group, private, semi-private, and tailored corporate course formats
• Covers beginner through advanced levels

Cons:

• Group classes can feel mismatched if the pace does not suit you
• Strong conversation focus means dedicated kanji or reading learners may want to supplement elsewhere

Price: Starting from $300

Location: 26 Broadway, Suite 1101, New York, NY 10004 (also online)

Best for: Professionals, business teams, and adults building Japanese language skills for career growth or work travel to Japan.

Prefer a more flexible format? Book a 1-on-1 lesson with a Japanese language tutor on italki.

How to choose the best Japanese class for you

It really comes down to three things: what you want to achieve, when you are free, and how much you want to spend.

If you want lessons built around your goals, schedule, and level, whether you’re a complete beginner or brushing up for work private Japanese lessons on italki let you choose your own teacher, set your own pace, and focus on exactly what matters to you, not what suits a room full of other students.

If you prefer a fixed structure and face-to-face sessions, in-person group courses at local schools can work well — particularly if you want the rhythm of a set semester and regular classroom time.

But if your goals are specific, your schedule is unpredictable, or you just want to move faster than a group class allows, italki gives you more control. Book around your week, switch focus as your needs change, and keep making progress without waiting for the next intake.

For a broader look at your options, this guide on where to learn Japanese lays out the main approaches well.

No matter your level, age, or reason for learning, there is a Japanese teacher on italki ready to support you.

Ready to get fluent? Learn Japanese faster with personal guidance from expert Japanese tutors trusted by over 10 million learners worldwide. Book a trial lesson today and start speaking Japanese with confidence.

FAQ

How long does it take to learn Japanese?

It takes around 2,200 hours of study for English speakers to reach working proficiency. Foreign Service Institute. That sounds like a lot, but consistent private lessons with a good private Japanese tutor get most learners to basic conversation level within a few months.

Can I learn Japanese online instead of going to a class in NYC?

Absolutely, and for most people in New York it is the easier option. You get access to a bigger pool of native teachers, more flexible schedules, and lower prices than most local schools. italki lets you book Japanese language classes around work and life without adding a commute on top of it.

Are there Japanese classes in NYC for kids, teens, and high school students?

italki has teachers who offer Japanese classes for kids and teens, with lessons tailored to their age, pace, and interests. Online lessons tend to suit younger students well since they fit around school schedules without extra travel time.