Home Courses Languages Japanese Courses Japanese Courses CoursesBeauty and Fashion Courses Culture, Society and Environment Courses Dance Courses Handicrafts Courses Languages Arabic Courses Chinese Courses Danish courses Dutch Courses English Courses Estonian Courses Finnish Courses French Courses German Courses Greek Courses Italian Courses Japanese Courses Korean Courses Latin Courses Persian Courses Polish Courses Portuguese Courses Russian Courses Spanish Courses Swedish Courses Thai courses Ukrainian courses Benefits for Members of the Pro Trade Union Media, Computer skills and Photography Music Courses Sports Courses Theatre and Improvisation Visual arts Well-being Courses Written Expression and Communication Open University Studies Benefits for Union Members Tiivistelmä On our Japanese courses at Helsingin aikuisopisto you can learn Japanese from complete beginner to elementary level (level 0–A2.2). In spring 2027 we offer a quick start course for travellers, an intensive beginners’ course, weekly continuation courses at different levels and a speaking and listening course. You learn to speak and understand Japanese in everyday and travel situations and to read and write hiragana, katakana and kanji. Classes are held at our building in Töölö (Runeberginkatu 22–24). The courses start from January 2027 and cost €56–134. Please note that our Japanese courses are taught in Finnish and Japanese. On the beginners’ courses most of the teaching is in Finnish, and the more advanced the course, the more Japanese is used. The language of instruction is always shown in the course details in the registration system. See all our courses taught in English. Courses Frequently asked questions Registration The Japanese language Japanese is the mother tongue of around 128 million people. There are many theories about the origins of Japanese and its relationship to other languages, but according to current understanding it does not belong to any language family. It is a so-called isolate, a language with no relatives. The official Japanese name for Japan is Nippon, but Nihon is more commonly used. The Japanese word for the Japanese language is Nihongo. Learning Japanese For Finnish speakers, learning Japanese pronunciation is usually not difficult, although there are some sounds that do not exist in Finnish. The most complex part of the language is the writing system. Modern Japanese uses three kinds of characters: the native kana syllabaries (hiragana and katakana) and kanji, which were originally borrowed from Chinese. Japanese can also be written in the Latin alphabet, known as romaji, so you do not need to master the characters right at the start. On the beginners’ course you learn the characters gradually alongside everything else. The Japanese politeness system The Japanese politeness system is famously complex, but the language has a polite form that you learn first on the course. This polite style allows natural communication in different situations and between people of different status. It is the style used most widely when talking to people you do not know. Which course is right for you? If you want to…Explorelearn basic phrases before a trip to JapanJapanese for travellersstart Japanese from scratchIntensive Japanese for beginnerscontinue after about one term of studyJapanese beginners’ continuation coursespractise speaking and listening in particularSpeak and listen to Japanese!read texts written entirely in JapaneseJapanese 3, Japanese 4 Btake a step towards intermediate levelRevise and deepen your Japanese Courses in spring 2027 This list is based on the published spring 2027 programme. You can always find up-to-date information, course descriptions and available places in the registration system. All courses are held at Runeberginkatu 22–24. The Finnish course name is shown in brackets. Beginner level (level 0–A1.3) On the beginner-level courses you get to know the Japanese language, practise hiragana, katakana and kanji and gain the confidence to use the language. You practise the vocabulary and structures you need for everyday life and travel in speaking and listening situations and learn about Japanese culture along the way. Japanese for travellers, level 0 (Japanin pika-alkeet matkailijoille): Tue 17.00–19.30, 20 Apr – 25 May 2027, Masayo Hayade, €100. Greetings, introducing yourself and getting by in restaurants, shops and on the move. No previous study needed. Intensive Japanese for beginners, level 0 (Japanin intensiivialkeet): Wed 18.40–20.40, 20 Jan – 17 Mar 2027, Ayumi Laukkanen, €117. No previous study needed. Intensive Japanese for beginners, continuation, A1.1 (Japanin intensiivialkeiden jatko): Wed 18.40–20.40, 31 Mar – 19 May 2027, Ayumi Laukkanen, €117. Follows on from the intensive beginners’ course. Japanese beginners’ continuation A, A1.1 (Japanin alkeiden jatko A): Mon 17.00–18.30, 11 Jan – 12 Apr 2027, Aino Partonen, €134. For learners with about one term of Japanese. Japanese beginners’ continuation B, A1.1 (Japanin alkeiden jatko B): Tue 17.00–18.30, 12 Jan – 6 Apr 2027, Masayo Hayade, €134. For learners with about one term of Japanese. Japanese 2 A, A1.2 (Japanin jatko 2 A): Tue 18.40–20.10, 12 Jan – 6 Apr 2027, Masayo Hayade, €134. For learners with about one and a half years of Japanese. Japanese 2 B, A1.2 (Japanin jatko 2 B): Wed 17.00–18.30, 13 Jan – 7 Apr 2027, Ayumi Laukkanen, €134. For learners with about one and a half years of Japanese. Japanese 3 A, A1.3 (Japanin jatko 3 A): Mon 18.40–20.10, 11 Jan – 12 Apr 2027, Aino Partonen, €134. Texts written entirely in Japanese and conversation practice. For learners with about two and a half years of Japanese. Japanese 3 B, A1.3 (Japanin jatko 3 B): Thu 17.00–18.30, 14 Jan – 8 Apr 2027, Makiko Oba, €134. Texts written entirely in Japanese and conversation practice. For learners with about two and a half years of Japanese. Speak and listen to Japanese!, A1.3 (Puhu ja kuuntele japania!): Wed 17.00–18.30, 28 Apr – 26 May 2027, Ayumi Laukkanen, €56. Phrases and speaking practice for typical travel situations in pairs and small groups. For learners with two to three years of Japanese. Elementary level (A2.1–A2.2) On the elementary-level courses you develop your reading and writing skills and practise speaking and listening more and more. You also learn more about Japanese etiquette, especially in communication. Japanese 4 B, A2.1 (Japanin jatko 4 B): Thu 18.40–20.10, 14 Jan – 8 Apr 2027, Makiko Oba, €134. For learners with about three and a half years of Japanese who can read kana and some kanji. Revise and deepen your Japanese, A2.2 (Japania kerraten ja syventäen): Wed 17.00–18.30, 13 Jan – 7 Apr 2027, Masayo Hayade, €134. A bridge towards intermediate level with conversation and listening practice. For learners with four to five years of Japanese or who have studied the Michi II textbook and can read kana and kanji. See also Language courses: all the languages we teach. Korean courses: from intensive beginners to elementary level. Chinese courses: another East Asian language from beginner level. Ikebana courses: the Japanese art of flower arranging. Jolana wanted credits for her Japanese language courses: a student’s experience. Finns are interested in the Japanese language: an article about learning Japanese. Good to know Location: Runeberginkatu 22–24, Helsinki. How to find us Language of instruction: On the beginners’ courses teaching is mainly in Finnish with some Japanese. The more advanced the course, the more Japanese is used. Levels: The course levels follow the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (level 0, A1, A2). Read more about language levels Textbooks: Textbooks are not included in the course fee unless the course details say otherwise. We recommend that you buy the textbook right after the first class. You can buy textbooks from bookshops, online bookshops and publishers’ websites. We do not supply textbooks. Payment: Language courses cannot be paid for with Edenred or Epassi culture and sport benefits. If your employer offers a tax-free culture benefit (up to €400 a year) that you would like to use for language studies, we can make a separate agreement with your employer. You choose the course, and we invoice the full fee or the part your employer covers directly to your employer. Please contact our study guidance or office for more information. Certificate: You can request a certificate from our office once the course has ended. Frequently asked questions Are the Japanese courses taught in English? No. The courses are taught in Finnish and Japanese. Can I start Japanese from scratch in spring? Yes. Intensive Japanese for beginners (level 0) starts in January, and no previous study is needed. If you are travelling to Japan, Japanese for travellers starts in April. Do I need to know the Japanese characters before the course? No. Japanese can also be written in the Latin alphabet, and on the beginners’ course you learn hiragana and katakana gradually. At higher levels you need to be able to read the characters, and this is mentioned in the course details. How do I find the right level? Each course lists how much previous study it requires. You can also read about language levels or ask our study guidance for advice. Can I join a course that has already started? Yes, on most courses. Register for the course but do not pay, and email toimisto@helao.fi to tell us when you will start. We will send you a payment link with an adjusted price. You can see the conditions for each course in the registration system. Can I pay with Edenred or Epassi? No. Language courses cannot be paid for with culture and sport benefits. You can, however, use a tax-free culture benefit from your employer through a separate agreement. Please contact our office for more information. Registration Browse all our Japanese courses and register online. Our study guidance can help you choose a course and answer questions about your studies. For more information about our Japanese courses, please contact Niina Kerppola, Head of Foreign Languages, at niina.kerppola@helao.fi.
