I just came across an old post from January 11, 2016—the very first time I ever mentioned Japan Language Factory. And to my surprise, I had completely forgotten how it all started!
Back then, Japan Language Factory wasn’t even about teaching the Japanese language. Instead, it was a cultural experience—Japanese calligraphy lessons and cooking classes. I wasn’t a language teacher at all! It’s funny how memory works because I had no recollection of this until I saw that old post. Now, looking back, I can’t believe it has been almost nine years.
Then, I found another post from July 22, 2016. At that time, I was living in Greece and organizing Japanese calligraphy workshops. I suddenly remembered how much I loved calligraphy as a child. I started learning it when I was eight years old, and while I hated studying and school, calligraphy was the one thing I truly enjoyed. I was even a top student in it and took private lessons in Japan.
Moving forward, I found a post from August 2016, and it brought back so many memories. I remember this room—my kitchen—where I taught my very first Japanese lessons. I didn’t know how to teach Japanese properly back then, so I used the GENKI book as my guide. I was living in Greece, barely speaking English or Greek, and needed to find a way to survive. Teaching Japanese in Japanese was the only thing I could do.
At the time, Japan Language Factory didn’t even have its current name. I had started with something like “Japanese Lessons in Heraklion, Greece”, not knowing where this journey would take me.
Now, nine years later, looking back at my beginnings, I feel so grateful for how far I’ve come.
My Journey to Greece: How It All Began
In July 2015, at 28 years old, I arrived in Greece as a single woman with a challenge—I couldn’t speak English or Greek. I could only speak Japanese, yet I felt that staying in Japan would be too easy, too stagnant. I’ve always hated a life without progress, so I knew I had to push myself and start something new. That’s why I made the bold decision to move to Greece alone.
Living in a foreign country was incredibly tough, especially since I didn’t understand the language. But in hindsight, that struggle was exactly what helped me develop my language training program.
When I first started Japan Language Factory, I couldn’t speak any language except Japanese. At the time, I had no idea that teaching Japanese would shape my life for the next decade. But now, Japan Language Factory has grown into an international, worldwide brand—we’re even helping Amazon employees and Netflix actors learn Japanese.
I never imagined it would become this big. But deep down, I always dreamed of creating an amazing life, and looking back, I’m so grateful that I pushed myself to take that leap.
Japan Language Factory: japanlanguagefactory.com