Why We Are Turning an Abandoned School in Hokkaido into a Japanese Language School
By Homma Misato
Co-Founder
Hello everyone,
Today, I want to share something very personal and exciting with you.
We are opening a new Japanese language school in Hokkaido.
But this is not just another language school.
We are rebuilding and reusing an abandoned elementary school in rural Hokkaido and transforming it into a place where people from all over the world can come together to learn Japanese, experience local culture, and connect with the community.
To be honest, when I first started teaching Japanese several years ago, I never imagined I would someday help create a project like this.
I was simply teaching Japanese online and in schools, meeting students from different countries, and doing what I loved. But over time, I began to notice something again and again.
Many students studied Japanese for years, yet still struggled to actually speak it confidently.
I often heard things like:
“I passed the JLPT, but conversation is still difficult.”
“I understand grammar, but I can’t naturally communicate.”
Of course, grammar and exams are important. But language is not only about passing tests. Language exists for communication.
And I think this problem is actually very similar to English education in Japan.
Many Japanese people study English for more than ten years. They memorize vocabulary, study grammar, and take exams. But does getting a high score automatically mean someone can comfortably communicate in English? Not necessarily.
I realized that Japanese education sometimes faces the same issue.
That is why we want to create a school focused on “real Japanese.”
Not only textbook Japanese.
Not only test preparation.
But Japanese that can actually be used in daily life.
We want students to:
Talk with local people naturally
Make friends in Japan
Communicate at restaurants and izakayas
Understand Japanese culture beyond vocabulary and grammar
Build real human connections
Because true communication is not just words. It also includes culture, values, habits, atmosphere, and shared experiences.
This idea became the core concept of our school.
But there is another reason why we decided to create this school specifically in rural Hokkaido.
In this town, more and more schools have been closing due to population decline. Yet many of these school buildings are still beautiful and full of history. Seeing them left empty felt deeply sad to me.
At the same time, there are many passionate local people working hard to revitalize the town through community projects and regional activities. However, opportunities for natural international exchange are still limited.
So we thought:
What if this abandoned school could become a bridge between local Japan and the world?
What if students from overseas could come here not only to study Japanese, but also to become part of the local community?
Hokkaido has so many unique experiences that cannot easily be found elsewhere in Japan — lavender fields, beautiful summers, farms, fresh food, nature, local festivals, and a slower, more connected way of life.
We also understand that making Japanese friends can sometimes feel difficult for foreigners living or studying in Japan.
I experienced something similar myself while studying English. Even when I visited America, building genuine friendships with local people was not always easy.
That is why community interaction will be one of the most important parts of our school.
We want to create opportunities where students can naturally connect with local residents, not just stay inside classrooms.
Because I truly believe:
“The most important Japanese learning happens outside the classroom.”
This project is still only the beginning.
Right now, we are working together with the town to renovate and transform the old school building step by step. We will continue sharing the entire journey on Instagram and social media — from rebuilding the school to creating programs and connecting with the community.
I am honestly nervous sometimes.
But more than anything, I am excited.
I hope this school can become a place where language learning feels real, warm, and deeply human.
And I hope people from around the world will become part of this journey with us.
Thank you so much for reading.
Homma Misato
Co-Founder