Interview with the Kurashiki Goodwill Guides Association’s leadership team
We spoke with Kurashiki Goodwill Guides Association Chair Misawa Keiji, Secretary-General and Vice Chair Jono Yumiko, and Japanese Salon Director Ota Manabu about what inspired them to launch the Japanese Salon and what it is like today.
What inspired the Japanese Salon
How did the Japanese Salon get started?
Jono
From what I have found, the activities began around 1990.
It seems they did not yet have a formal structure, but apparently they started by teaching everyday conversation to people from English-speaking countries and university-affiliated people.
As the number of learners grew, I understand they rented Kurashiki City’s “Cultural Exchange Hall” (which is no longer in use). When the hall was unavailable, they continued their activities by moving from one Community Center to another.
Today, we rent an art room at the Kurashiki City Art Museum and hold classes twice a week.
Participants now come from a wide range of backgrounds, including people attending Japanese-language schools, people studying while working, and people who need Japanese in their daily lives.
What kinds of events do you hold?
Jono
Our regular events are the “Summer Party” in summer, the “Year-End Party” in winter, and “Cooking for International Exchange,” held around February. Some years, we also have a cherry blossom viewing around March.
At our events, we not only introduce Japanese culture, but also learn about the cultures of the participants’ home countries. They perform songs, talk about how they celebrate New Year’s and the foods they eat—it is a very enjoyable time.
At a summer event, participants had the chance to try wearing kimono, which was very well received.
At this Japanese Salon session (November 1, 2025), we discussed with the volunteers what activities to hold at the “Year-End Party” planned for the end of the year.
Current participants and Japanese volunteers
What kinds of learners currently participate?
Jono
I became involved in the activities in 1999, and at that time there were many teachers from English-speaking countries—that is, people of European and North American backgrounds who taught English at schools.
Later, there was a period when the number of people from China and Indonesia increased rapidly. More recently, many people from Nepal, Brazil, and Vietnam have joined. Participants now come from a variety of backgrounds, including people who have come to work, people who have come to study, and people who live here after marrying Japanese people.
International students in particular may have limited opportunities to use Japanese, depending on their university research environment. For example, among international students affiliated with Okayama University’s Institute of Plant Science and Resources, some mainly communicate in English once they enter the laboratory.
Many of these people are highly accomplished and excel in their research, and their enthusiasm for learning is impressive.
Technical interns, meanwhile, study beginner-level Japanese before coming to Japan (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test JLPT N4, which indicates the ability to understand basic Japanese) and attend the Japanese Salon because they want to be able to use Japanese in everyday life.
What kinds of people make up the Japanese volunteer group?
Ota
There are currently about 19 Japanese volunteers. Many are seniors who have retired.
Many say they “want to interact with people from other countries and experience cultures beyond Japan,” and seem to join because they feel they may be able to help by using Japanese.
In the past, the group was mainly made up of homemakers with free time, but recently, people from a range of generations have become involved, including dual-income couples and people living on pensions. Few have formal qualifications as Japanese-language teachers, but one distinctive feature is that they draw on their individual experiences and support learners in their own way.
The volunteers share tips such as “listen to the other person until they finish speaking” and “speak slowly and clearly,” and carry out their activities in a relaxed atmosphere.
What they value in their activities and what makes them rewarding
What do you find rewarding or joyful about your work as a member?
Ota
It brings me great joy to see learners who could barely speak Japanese at first gradually gain confidence and become able to hold conversations.
Especially when they express their gratitude in their own words or pass an exam, those are moments when I think, “I’m glad I did this.”
Also, every salon session brings smiles and new discoveries, and those of us providing support enjoy the feeling of “learning together,” rather than “teaching foreigners.”
Please tell us about the importance of continuing these activities.
Ota
The Japanese Salon run by the Kurashiki Goodwill Guides Association has a history of more than 30 years.
What we value most is “understanding different cultures.”
That is the motto of the Japanese Salon.
We believe that what matters most is not just teaching Japanese, but understanding one another’s cultures and ways of thinking.
As learners study Japanese, they may think, “Oh, so this expression has this kind of background,” and in turn, we learn about their home cultures from them. These exchanges, built up over time, lead to genuine exchange.
Language is not just a way to communicate; it also expresses a desire to understand the other person. We want this salon to remain a place where that kind of feeling can grow.
That is the hope of the Kurashiki Goodwill Guides Association.
The weekly salon sessions and events, built up over time, have fostered trust and connections in the community.
What we want to continue valuing is “carrying on these activities for a long time while understanding one another’s cultures.”
To that end, we are considering ways to bring about a generational transition and create a structure that encourages young people to get involved. I think new perspectives and energy will bring a fresh breeze to our activities.
What are your thoughts on creating a community where foreign residents can live with peace of mind?
Misawa
Our activities are about more than simply teaching Japanese.
We want to support people through language so that foreign residents do not become isolated in the community.
We want the Japanese Salon to continue not only as a “place to learn”, but also as a “place to belong.” A place where people from other countries can learn Japanese while talking about their concerns and making friends.
That is the kind of salon we want to be.
People in Kurashiki are truly kind. That is why we want people from other countries to feel the warmth of this city, too.
A message to readers
Please share a message for people considering volunteering.
Misawa
“You don’t need any special qualifications—as long as you have the desire to help, that’s enough.”
That is the foundation of our activities.
As you work together, you learn about other cultures and discover many things yourself. I think that is what makes volunteering rewarding.
Some people may feel unsure about teaching Japanese, but there is no need to overthink it.
What matters is “meeting people and enjoying exchange.”
As long as you have that feeling, anyone can take part in these activities.
Finally, what message would you like to share with foreign residents?
Misawa
Learning Japanese can make life in Japan more enjoyable and fulfilling.
And through language, your connections with people will grow.
If you run into trouble, want to talk, or would like to consult someone, please feel free to come to the salon. We are always happy to welcome you.
We hope to continue walking alongside you so that you can live happily and with peace of mind in Kurashiki.
From the Writer
Seeing the Japanese Salon in action gave me a lot to think about.
I imagine that people from other countries living far from home carry not only hopes of fulfilling their dreams in this foreign land, but also anxieties caused by differences in language and culture.
I was deeply moved by the learners who attend the salon. Each has a different background, and they are studying Japanese as well as Japanese culture and customs, while working hard to gradually adjust to life in Japan.
In this class, volunteer supporters do more than simply teach “language”; they support learners with empathy and warm, considerate words.
If you’d like to experience other cultures or broaden your connections with new worlds, feel free to come and observe a class.
New encounters are surely waiting for you.
Kurashiki Goodwill Guides Association — Japanese Language Salon details
| Name | Kurashiki Goodwill Guides — Japanese Language Salon |
|---|---|
| Dates | Japanese Language Salon dates and times: Every Wednesday and Saturday, 10:00–11:45 a.m. |
| Location | Kurashiki City Art Museum, 3rd-floor Art Room |
| Participation fee (tax included) | Annual membership fee: ¥3,000 *However, the fee is ¥1,000 for those who join between January and March. |
| Website | Kurashiki Goodwill Guides |
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