A hidden Mid Wilshire gem. In addition to classes in Japanese, the Foundation hosts a variety of educational, artistic, and meditation programs. Tonight we are here for a coffee themed guitar recital, exhibit and coffee tasting. The venue is clean and modern. The staff are impeccably polite and helpful. There's ample, free street parking on 8th St., but read the signs. read more

The Japan Foundation - Auditorium - Cultural Center Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I took a great class on Miura-ori paper folding. It was difficult, but the instructor and staff were really helpful. It was great to see how many people turned out! Looking forward to more JFLA arts and culture activities. The only challenge was parking (the garage is super expensive) but I'm sure if I come earlier next time I can find more affordable street parking. read more

I took an intensive business Japanese class at the Japan Foundation in 2014 which was rigorous, but it improved my Japanese immensely. The instructor was positive, well organised, used good teaching materials that were very apropos in order to achieve our language goals. Also I've gone to numerous Japanese cultural events including Sushi Making Class, Explanation of Kabuki Theatre, Edo Urban Design, Japanese Movies, Kendama, Japanese Food tastings, etc. Japan Foundation also has an extensive library on Japanese Language & Culture as well as gallery space for visiting art exhibits. Great resource appealing to many varying levels of interest in the language & culture. read more

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The Class: Japanese Sweets class, making mochi. $20 for 1.5 hours class. The class is inside the Japanese Foundation (one of the classrooms). 7 tables set up, 5 students each table. There is no kitchen there, the only kitchen equipment is microwave which is going to use for making the mochi outer white layer. The instructor is very knowledgeable and class pace is manageable. However, the ingredients they have prepared each table is so little. Each student only got to make two mochi (one pinapple strawberry and one strawberry filling). Mochi outer layer and red bean paste are not enough to share among 5 students too. The Parking: Street metered parking (2 hours). Residential free street parking behind the building (2 hours) read more

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I don't know much about the language courses here but the free events are worth checking out. I've tried everything from face yoga to calligraphy. The singing bowl meditation is very relaxing. Everyone is welcoming and they usually offer free tea afterwards. read more

This center offers Japanese classes, language exchange night, Japanese movie screenings, lectures, and other cultural events. Been meaning to come here for like 2 years and finally made it. Really enjoyed the language exchange. It's very organized, it's like being in a cafe. Free snacks at every table, they brought us cold tea, they have tables by language proficiency and you switch 3x in a night. It was a 2 hour event and pretty fun. Easy parking via the map they provide on their site. Am excited to check out other events. Not sure where they get the funding to provide all these cool activities. So happy this org and wonderful staff exist. Worth checking out. read more

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Everyone here is super nice and the place is very organized and I enjoyed their Tea Conversation function. Why 4 stars you ask? Because (not their fault) but you all must know...since parking isn't validated...to park in the building is like $3 for every 12 minutes I believe and maximum is $24! There is meter parking but it is ONLY for 2 hours. Otherwise this place rocks! read more

I give Michi-san and Hiroko-san 100 stars. They are wonderful instructors who have helped me learn a lot! However, there seems to be some unfortunate changes happening at JFLA which they have no control over. For people like myself that are now going into the more advanced categories, we have no place to go anymore to continue learning Japanese. I was already displeased to have to drive all the way to this Mid-Wilshire location after finding JFLA no longer operates in Little Tokyo, but now they only offer three classes and that's it. JFLA wants to focus more on "culture" and "events." What good is that if you have no idea what anything says or what anyone is saying? I think they are making a huge mistake by forgetting about those of us who have invested a lot of time, money and commitment for this new plan. Education teaches culture as well, and even better in my opinion. I cannot say how the new classes will be, but they will not be the same without Hiroko-san and Michi-san. I won't be recommending this place to friends interested in learning Japanese anymore because they clearly don't care about the long term students... Such a shame. read more

Not to long ago I visited Tokyo, this being a review for the Japan Foundation, I won't go into detail about how fantastic Tokyo, Kyoto, Japan in general was, but I will say it left me knowing I would be back. In my youth, I had a strong interest in Japanese culture, language being a strong focus. I don't intend on dating myself but at one point I tried learning Japanese from a CD-Rom. Though it had fun content, I didn't get very far. That interest in the language never fully dissipated. After I came back from Japan, the first thing I did, aside from dealing with the jet lag, was I googled Japanese language courses. To my luck, The Japan Foundation LA was at the top of the search. After looking through their available courses, I called them to get more information. They called me back shortly and elaborated on the beginners course. I signed up immediately after. I am at the closer of my fourth course and not to oversell it, but learning has never been so fun. I don't feel like an adult, but there are things that give away my age, even to myself, and those are my strong like for nice, colourful dress socks, and my voluntary desire for learning. Japanese is not easy, but the wonderful teachers at the Japan Foundation and their endless patience have helped me from faltering along the way. If you have a faint interest in the Japanese language or their culture, check out what the Japan Foundation has to offer, you will not be disappointed. tldr; The Japan Foundation rocks. read more

Great teachers. Fun classes. You really do learn a lot. It's practical stuff that can really help you get around and actually have conversations in Japanese. I highly recommend the JFLA Nihongo classes! おすすめ！　日本語のクラスは　たのしかったですよ！　して　ください！ read more

私はJFNihongoをすきですよ！Need I say more? The Japan Foundation's Japanese language classes are outstanding. The teachers are personable, the materials are thorough and easy to follow, and the class size is small (ranging from 20 students in introductory courses to 6 students in the later courses. Not to mention that at around ~$200 for an 8 week course, it's a real bargain. Anyone who is serious (or even not that serious) about learning Japanese should do themselves a favor and sign up! じゃあね！ read more

If you love Japan or are studying Japanese then you need to come visit this place! The Japan Foundation is one of the best resources for learning about Japanese culture and studying the Japanese language! Their library has shelves upon shelves of books ranging from beginner to advanced study, as well as a huge selection of manga (comics) and other interesting books. The staff is very nice and helpful and they all speak Japanese so you can get your practice on when you talk to them. The Foundation aims to promote mutual understanding between Japan and overseas nations so they put on various events that change every month. This month they are having an event on "bento", the art of making box lunches. They hold most of their events on site since they have an auditorium inside. Definitely a jewel in Miracle Mile! read more

I have taken several JFLA Nihongo classes and love all of them. The courses are well structured to give the student a total learning experience. The classes have different segments (vocabulary, sentence structure, verbal exercises, culture) which keeps everything interesting and class time really flies by; mostly because it is so much fun. My favorite class segment is the role play situations where every student participates in various scenarios. The best asset of the program are the instructors; who make learning fun, rewarding, interesting and challenging. It is such a positive experience that you immediately want to register for the next upcoming class. They assess and encourage each student according to their ability; and also the overall progress of the class. For example, if a particular lesson is difficult to grasp, they will simplify the material. If the class seems to grasp the lesson quickly, then the teacher will make it more challenging. Class assignments are also super fun. Once we had to call the instructor; pretending to make restaurant reservations for a group of students (some had diet restrictions, we had a particular budget, we had to ask questions about set meals, specials, etc..). On my last visit to Japan, I used everything I learned in the class; and it was really nice to have a basic conversation with locals, even though it was just telling them where I was from. read more

Very nice staff & very helpful courses! The comics in the library are so interesting! read more

Learning a new lenguage is not easy. However, if you love Japan, its culture, its people, food, and travel to Japan once in a while: learning Nihongo is very useful! This place is great if you are motivated and serious about enough learning Nihongo since there are not exams or quizzes but lots of homeowork and online resources to keep yourself busy. read more

A really nice place, with an impressive library of Japanese books and spaces for galleries, special events and classes. It's located on the bottom floor of a fancy office complex (but has a direct entrance from the outside). I like that I can stay up-to-date with the Japanese community by coming here, since they are always hosting events & movie nights, and have many useful flyers and pamphlets at the front reception. I'm currently taking a Japanese language course here (Making Friends 1). The class size is small and focused, and Sakamoto-sensei is a fun, engaging and awesome teacher. The subject matter is very organized and you're given many materials, from an organizer/binder to a free tote bag. I'm really glad I discovered the Japan Foundation and its classes! If you are interested in Japanese culture at all, this is a place definitely worth checking out. read more

I highly recommend taking classes at the Japan Foundation! The teacher for my Japanese class was high energy and engaging. The lessons were well paced and we learned tangible, helpful things like introducing ourselves and describing one's interests and background. The other students were motivated, focused and friendly. This was a great investment of my time and money- overall fantastic value. I would highly recommend these classes for anyone looking to gain more experience with speaking and writing Japanese in a friendly environment with high quality teachers. read more

I've been going to The Japan Foundation for Japanese classes for the past 3 years and it has been a wonderful learning experience. The price is reasonable and the material is interesting and useful, especially for traveling in Japan. Kitazono Sensei and Hiroko Sensei are the best teachers! They are both very fun, engaging and knowledgeable. I especially like the Japan Foundation classes because it does focus on speaking and conversation. The classes only meet once a week for 8-9 weeks and are not test/quiz/homework heavy, so if you want to see results, you have to self study and be prepared so once you're in class you can take full advantage of speaking with other Japanese learners and of course the teacher. The classes in Little Tokyo are more convenient for me and it's a great place to actually practice what I learned right after class. The location is also a 5 minute walk from the Gold Line Little Tokyo/Arts District stop so I recommend taking the train if it's possible. :) The Miracle Mile location is also great because the library is a great resource for all things Japanese (DVDs, manga, JLPT books, novels). I recommend taking Japanese classes with the Japanese Foundation if you're looking for something conversation focused, fun, casual and well-priced. read more

After coming back from Japan a year and a half ago, I went on an extensive search for affordable Japanese classes geared for advanced students. I checked all the usual suspects including extension courses at my Alma Mater with no success. Even after ruling out affordable, it dawned on me that there just weren't many options for me in the LA area, and I thought that I would have no choice but to continue my studies on my own. However, that had not worked out for me so well before since I had also studied Chinese, and Korean in college, and due to lack of practice, both of these language skills had eroded significantly. By pure chance, while browsing the Japan Foundation's website for information on the JLPT, I saw that they were offering classes for Business Japanese. Even though I had worked in an all-Japanese office and spoke with my colleagues on a daily bases, I never truly felt comfortable using Keigo, among other things, so I thought I'd take a chance and take a course. After all, it was only $240, and I had little to lose at this point. It's been almost a year later and I've taken, and will continue to take, the Business Japanese course several times over. Thanks to Mrs. Kitazono, Mrs. Matsumura, and every JFLA staff member, my Japanese skills as well as my confidence have improved immeasurably. The courses are excellent in every way, teaching valuable skills not often taught in regular college classes, which also certainly came in handy when I took the JLPT last December. It helps that the teachers are deeply invested in the success of their students, and provide continual support even during term breaks. I am part of an excellent study group thanks in no small part to Mrs. Kitazono's encouragement, and I'm excited to see that my skills have actually improved, not deteriorated as would be expected, since leaving Japan. As for financial considerations, the classes are more than affordable, and you can get both an early bird and past student discount. Additionally, they host many wonderful events and workshops that everyone is welcome to attend so you can get a taste of Japanese culture. And last but certainly not least, their library has an amazing collection of Japanese media including DVD's, CD's, and books. To my delight, they also let you check out JLPT study materials, which was great when I was agonizing over which prep books I should buy last year. I can go on and on about how great my experience has been here. I won't but I can assure if you're looking for Japanese courses, you need not look any further. Not only will you not regret it, but you're probably also going to make a great friend or two in the process. read more

The Japan foundation is a great resource! I took the business English class. It was fun, friendly, and affordable. I learned a lot and plan to take it again in the future. The library is also extremely helpful. I highly recommend this place! read more

The Japan Foundation is a real treasure to have in the heart of Los Angeles. It offers an unrivaled wealth of cultural and language learning opportunities. They have everything from Japanese classes, to art and cooking classes, lectures, free films, and an art gallery (with opening receptions!). There's also a fantastic library full of Japanese books on a wide variety of topics, ranging from language learning to history and geography; even manga (which can also be an excellent tool for Japanese practice). The staff is very nice and friendly, and I even made friends with one of the women who work there. Membership allows you to check out books from the library and it's only $2 annually! That's less than a cup of coffee at Starbucks! I encourage everyone to go check out the Japan Foundation's offerings. ジャパンファウンデイションは最高です！ read more

I am currently taking their Making Friends 2 Class with Shimura Sensei and have to say it's awesome. A very well thought out program with a fantastic website that is supplementary to the experience. Classes are small, casual, fun, yet focused. We do a lot of role play. I only wish the class were offered twice a week instead of the once a week! I would unequivocally recommend it to anyone as it's super professional. Will be taking the next course too. JF is SUGOI! read more

i love the japan foundation! i have taken one japanese language class with hiroko sensei in summer 2016. it was so fun and i learned a lot. i enthusiastically signed up for and am now taking the follow-up fall course with michi sensei, and she is also a fantastic teacher. japanese is a difficult language, sure, but the japan foundation makes it fun and i like the method and pace of teaching. also, the japan foundation has a free library full of cool books, dvds, and other materials about japan and japanese culture/language. they hold many free movie screenings and lectures, and they also host tea time (for practicing japanese conversation) and workshops (sushi making, travel tips for japan, origami, on and on). but most of all their staff are really friendly and very helpful. check them out! read more

The new location for the Japan Foundation is bright, clean and welcoming. I have a attended a few of the recent public offerings including a free film screening and a sushi-making class (incredibly fun! I can't believe we made real sushi and learned Japanese phrases related to eating at sushi restaurants). The staff is extremely friendly, helpful and enthusiastic about their mission. The library is a fantastic resource for those learning Japanese language or with an interest in Japanese culture. They have manga, DVDs and lots of books in English as well as in Japanese. Check the website for course offerings and other public events. I have been trying to learn Japanese for years and this is the best resource I have come across! read more

My wife and I decided to learn Japanese. Luckily, the Japan Foundation's Mid-Wilshire offices are close to my work and we signed up for their Mastering Kana (i.e. beginner) class. It's been great! Our teacher, Hiroko-san, is terrific. The course is laid out very well, with an emphasis on conversation and learning Hiragana. Keep in mind, you'll be expected to WORK! The class is 2 hours once a week, but there's plenty of homework involving writing, listening to sound files, and reviewing grammar and vocabulary. And honestly, Japanese is a complex language -- if you don't put in the effort, it'll be tough to progress. But if you do, by the end of the 8-week course, you'll be able to have some basic conversations in Japanese! The Foundation itself is provides a wealth of resources, with a library, film screenings, and social events. We're looking forward to taking the next level. read more

My husband and I have taken one term of Japan Foundation Nihongo courses, and we are both already signed up for the next term. We have loved learning from native speakers and making friends in the courses who are just as interested in Japan as we are. There are two locations, so you can choose the most convenient place for your classes. The course fee is also fair and appropriate, and the books are great resources compared to another Japanese course I've taken. Other events we've attended at the Japan Foundation have been just as enjoyable! read more

Getting to this place might be a little difficult, but they have a GREAT selection of new materials to learn Japanese. I really enjoy going and everyone is very kind. read more

Took a language class to learn Nihongo. (Japanese), at The Japan Foundation near Mid Wilshire. The class was taught by Hiroko, she's an excellent teacher and very friendly! The class had a lot of group activities and made learning Japanese fun. I highly recommend taking her class, and will return to master Japanese. read more

brilliantly curated in our opinion. thank you japan foundation.

I don't know exactly what else they do here but I enjoy their Nihongo Library. They have an extensive collection of Japanese study material and interesting books read more

We have enjoyed several excellent Japanese movies and lectures on Japanese culture at the Japan Foundation, all free!

I had taken several Japanese language courses before I signed up for one through The Japan Foundation. What a difference! I loved the teacher, the course material and process, and my classmates. I learned more in one course than I had in several courses at other schools. I can't rave enough! read more

Really great experience. I went to a free seminar at The Japan Foundation and learned so much in just an hour and a half. The instructors were smart, engaging & nice. I plan on signing up for classes in the near future. read more

An essential resource for anyone who wants to start learning Japanese and about Japanese culture. The Japanese language courses offered are easy and gradual so you're not overwhelmed. The teachers are very nice and will answer all of your questions. I was trying to teach myself Japanese and became stuck on Te-Form. Taking classes at JFLA cleared up my confusion. The course fees are very reasonable and returning students get a discount. I highly recommend it. がんばって　皆さん！ read more

I knew Japanese previously but I needed a refresher and the first course was wonderful. Hiroko Sensei is amazing and genki! She really care about teaching and her students. I would love to take more classes in the future. read more

This is probably the greatest resource for Japanese language learning in the US. And it's free. Anyone can become a member of the library. It's also a nice place to relax and study. read more

Horrible refund policy. Once you sign up for a paid event, you are locked into it. I had taken a course before and was happy with it. I took another one but found it just did not suit me. The students' Japanese proficiency was all jumbled so the course was toned down to the lowest level. Also, lots of English was used. This was supposed to be a business level Japanese class. I did not drive through rush hour LA traffic so I could improve my English. After the second class I asked for a refund. No way was their response. If the Japan Foundation's mission is to promote goodwill, they fail miserably. Their whole stance was, "You signed up for it, it's your fault." You are not allowed to audit or preview the course so how do you know what you are getting into before you commit? All told the class was around $200. Yet they held so tightfistedly onto this money it may as well been a million. I also tried to seek a compromise by asking for a prorated refund. They still obstinately stood behind their principles. They kept referring back to the contract I signed. A contract is often used and moreover enforced between people who distrust each other. Most reputable businesses will overlook contracts when a customer is unhappy with service. It used to be integrity trumped profit. Contracts are also written often in favor of one party over another so that they (the Japan Foundation) can indemnify themselves of any wrongdoing, or in this case, poor service. Maybe Apple sound take lessons from you when the construct their next User Agreement. In short, this customer was not happy with the course. I liked other events they held and their facility was a nice place to use for studying. Yet, I will never set foot in their building again. I believe they place profit before customer satisfaction. read more