Japanese teacher Makiko

Makiko

Professional Teacher
Teaches
Japanese
Native
Speaks
English
🌸Awarded Italki Excellent Teacher ('25) 🌸15+yrs EXP 🌸 Goal-Oriented 😊All levels, JLPT, Group
From JapanLiving in Melbourne, Australia (18:54 UTC+11:00)
About Me
italki teacher since Mar 8, 2021
InterestsFoodArtEnvironment & NaturePets & AnimalsFilms & TV Series
Konnichiwa, I'm Makiko😊, a certified Japanese teacher with over 15 years of experience. I offer friendly, supportive lessons tailored to each student’s goals. I grew up surrounded by the beautiful nature of Shizuoka, Japan, and love sharing authentic Japanese language and culture with my students. Before becoming a teacher, I worked as a graphic designer at an advertising agency in Tokyo, which helps me create clear and engaging learning materials. I enjoy art, cooking, world cinema, and dogs. I've travelled to the U.S., Spain, France, Turkey, and more, and also lived in the UK. These experiences enrich my teaching. I look forward to meeting you and helping you enjoy learning Japanese!
5.0
Rating
147
Students
3238
Lessons
100%
Attendance rate
100%
Response rate

Japanese Lessons

Trial Lesson
85 lessons completed
USD 14.00+
GENERAL JAPANESE CLASS 【All levels】★Welcome complete beginners★
A1 -  C2

Language Essentials

2,536 lessons completed
USD 28.50+
Package with 5% off
Conversation class【 Bring a coffee ☕️】
A2 -  C2

Conversation

116 lessons completed
USD 29.00+
Package with 3% off
JLPT N5-N2 preparation class
A1 -  C2

Test Preparation

231 lessons completed
USD 34.00+
Package with 4% off
Group Class 【for 2 to 3 people】
A1 -  C2

Language Essentials

194 lessons completed
USD 48.00+
Package with 5% off
Honours student class [☆Students celebrating their 100th lesson/1h 5 lesson pack]
A1 -  C2

Language Essentials

76 lessons completed
USD 23.00+

Availability

235 Reviews

Student skylar youngblood
skylar youngblood
150 Japanese lessons
Teacher’s pick
Makiko is extremely professional and easy to understand. She explains grammar very clearly, and if something doesn’t click right away, she always has multiple ways to break it down. She adjusts her Japanese to your level, so nothing ever feels overwhelming. She always comes prepared with a plan and remembers exactly where we left off each lesson. We usually start with short stories about our week, which helps me switch into a Japanese style of thinking right away. Her teaching style is very detailed, she goes through the textbooks thoroughly, cover to cover, without skipping important points. I’ve been studying with Makiko for over a year now and have taken more than 100 lessons with her. She’s definitely one of the best Japanese teachers I’ve ever had.
Dec 8, 2025
Nate
492 Japanese lessons
Teacher’s pick
For anyone interested in learning Japanese I highly recommend Makiko-sensei. I had been studying the Genki 1 book on my own for several months but wasn't really sure what kind of progress I was making. I scheduled a trial lesson with Makiko-sensei and feel so lucky and fortunate to have found her as my teacher. Ever since the trial lesson I've been taking classes once a week for a few months now and the hour session is always a highlight of my week that I look forward to. Makiko-sensei is a compassionate and patient teacher that makes learning enjoyable while always ensuring you actually learn the material. I constantly have questions and stumble over previously taught subjects but she always takes the time to review with me with a smile on her face. I'll soon be upping to 2-3 times a week because I enjoy learning from Makiko-sensei so much. I've always had a dream of learning the Japanese language and with the guidance of Makiko-sensei I believe I can make that dream a reality.
Nov 22, 2021
Student Armand Lefebvre
Armand Lefebvre
141 Japanese lessons
Makiko Sensei always hold an engaging and fun class.
Mar 20, 2026
AJ / エージェイ
121 Japanese lessons
Teacher’s pick
Makiko-sensei's lessons are always fun and my Japanese has already improved so much since I started learning with her. She is kind and patient, and provides feedback and corrections without it being overwhelming. Thanks to that I've become a lot more comfortable speaking Japanese. I look forward to improving further with her guidance.
Feb 25, 2025
Timothy Doersam
68 Japanese lessons
I always love my lessons with Makiko. When I have a tough lesson or a difficult time with a grammar point, Makiko is always so kind and patient with me. I highly recommend her and think everyone can benefit from having her as a teacher. She's the best!
Mar 20, 2026
Timothy Doersam
68 Japanese lessons
Makiko is such a fantastic teacher that I think anyone would be able to learn from her. Whether a beginner, intermediate, or advanced, she offers so much to help guide and assist her students in growing! Highly recommended.
Mar 2, 2026