When I first imagined raising children in Japan, I never realized how deeply the school system would shape not just their lives, but mine too.

Welcome to School and Education in Japan — where I open the door to the world I never imagined I’d have to figure out… a world filled with tiny slippers at the school entrance, unwritten cultural rules, PTA roles that make your heart race, and those beautifully handwritten letters in kanji that you wish you could just read without Google Translate.

But this isn’t just about Japanese schools.

This is about us — the foreign parents who showed up to this journey unprepared but determined, overwhelmed but resilient, confused but committed to giving our children a future filled with both love and belonging.

As a foreign mother in Japan, navigating the education system can feel like walking through a maze with no map. But with every school event, every teacher conference, every tearful drop-off and joyful pick-up, I began to see the heart of Japanese education. It’s structured yet gentle, disciplined yet deeply emotional, and full of traditions that shape not just students, but families.

This space is where I share all of that: the behind-the-scenes stories, the culture shocks, the triumphs and worries, and everything I wish I had known when we first started our school journey in Japan.

What You’ll Find Here

This category is your real-life companion through the beautiful (and sometimes baffling!) world of school and education in Japan. Whether you’re preparing your little one for their first day, figuring out how to communicate with teachers, or trying to help your child balance two cultures, you’ll find heartfelt support and honest guidance here.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Starting School in Japan

Understand the structure of Japanese schooling—from kindergarten to elementary and beyond. Learn what to expect, how to prepare, and what matters most in each stage.

• School Notices & Communication

How to read between the lines of those never-ending school letters, understand unspoken expectations, and build respectful relationships with teachers, even when language is a barrier.

• Cultural Traditions in Schools

Discover the beauty behind entrance ceremonies, sports festivals, school lunches, and the deeply rooted values that shape your child’s everyday school life.

• Raising Bicultural Kids Through School

Reflections and real-life stories on raising children who feel the tug of two worlds—and how to help them embrace both.

As a foreign mother raising two children in Japan, I’ve stumbled, cried, learned, and grown alongside them. This blog is where I gather all those lessons, so you don’t have to walk through this alone like I once did.

• For the anxious parent trying to decode school procedures
• For the newcomer unsure of what to pack for their child’s first school day
• For the dreamer wondering if their kids will thrive in a different system
• For the mother who wants her children to grow up proud of both sides of who they are

I’m here for you.

This page isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present, being curious, and building a bridge between cultures—one school day at a time.

You Are Not Alone

If you’re scared, confused, or overwhelmed by the Japanese school system, I’ve been there. And through this blog, I want to give you the support, clarity, and encouragement I once searched for.

Let’s walk this journey together, from one foreign heart to another.

Start Exploring

Please scroll down to explore my most insightful and heartfelt posts on navigating the Japanese education system as a foreign parent. Each story is filled with lessons I learned the hard way—through real-life experience, cultural misunderstandings, and moments that stretched my heart as a mother.

Whether you’re just starting your parenting journey in Japan or preparing to enroll your little one in hoikuen, yochien, or elementary school, you’ll find real stories, helpful insights, and emotional support right here.

Here’s to guiding our children through a new school system, learning as we go, and growing stronger together—one step, one story, and one school form at a time.