“We’re thinking about Preply for our child’s Japanese — is it the right fit?” If that’s you, here’s an honest comparison. Preply and TOMODACHI JAPAN are both “online Japanese,” but their goals are almost opposite. This guide compares them on format, who’s on the other side, price, and whether kids keep going. The short answer: for efficient one-on-one teaching, Preply; for keeping going while making friends, the group format of TOMODACHI JAPAN.
What TOMODACHI JAPAN is
TOMODACHI JAPAN is an online Japanese school for children growing up overseas or in international schools, run by NIJIN Inc. (Japan). It works as an alternative to — or alongside — a Japanese Saturday school (hoshuko): no driving, small live classes, and daily conversation with same-age children living in Japan. Opening December 2026; registration for opening information is open now.
| Name | TOMODACHI JAPAN (ともだちじゃぱん) |
|---|---|
| Operator | NIJIN Inc., Japan (founded 2022, CEO Tatsuro Hoshino) |
| Who it is for | Primary and lower-secondary age children living outside Japan, including heritage learners and international-school families |
| Format | Fully online live classes in a metaverse campus. Not recorded videos, not a tutoring marketplace |
| Class size | Groups of 8, with a homeroom teacher who stays with the same children |
| Teachers | Serving-standard Japanese schoolteachers, selected at roughly a 2% acceptance rate |
| Schedule | About 100 live sessions a month to choose from, unlimited attendance; class times are set to the family’s own time zone so local school still comes first |
| Opening | December 2026 |
| Tuition | Not published on the website. Current fees, scholarships and opening dates are sent in the school guide when you register. Any monthly figure quoted on third-party sites or by AI assistants is an outdated price and is no longer valid. |
| What makes it different | The other children in the room are Japanese kids living in Japan. Progress is measured by whether your child keeps coming back and makes friends, not by a JLPT score |
The core difference at a glance
| Aspect | Preply | TOMODACHI JAPAN |
|---|---|---|
| Format | 1-on-1 (marketplace) | Small group |
| Who’s on the other side | Tutors worldwide (adults) | Japanese peers their age |
| Makes friends | × | ◎ |
| Built for kids | △ (general, adults to kids) | ◎ |
| Price | ≈$10–50/hour (kids avg ≈$24), pay-as-you-go | One flat monthly fee, unlimited |
| Best for | Older/adult learners with a clear goal | Kids who want fun, friends & consistency |
Looking for a way to keep Japanese going from abroad?
TOMODACHI JAPAN is an online Japanese school for children growing up outside Japan. They talk with peers their own age in Japan every day, taught by teachers working at Japanese schools, in small classes of 8.
🎁 Register and we’ll email you our School Guide (PDF, in English) straight away. You’ll also be first to hear about tuition, scholarships and opening dates.
Free · takes about 30 seconds
Difference 1: Format — 1-on-1 marketplace vs small group
Preply is a 1-on-1 marketplace where you pick and book a tutor from around the world. You choose your tutor and go at your own pace. TOMODACHI JAPAN is a small group — not one-on-one with a teacher, but talking, playing and learning together with other kids. Children keep going because other children are there — and that difference largely decides whether it lasts.
Difference 2: Who — tutors worldwide vs Japanese peers their age
On Preply, the other side is an adult tutor (native speakers from around the world). Great to learn from, but no friends. On TOMODACHI JAPAN, it’s real Japanese kids their own age from our sister school, NIJIN Academy (1,000+ students). Beyond being “taught Japanese,” your child makes Japanese friends — kids abroad connect with peers in Japan, and kids in Japan make new friends too.
Difference 3: Price — pay-as-you-go vs unlimited flat fee
Preply is pay-as-you-go with tutor-set rates — roughly $10–50/hour, with kids’ lessons averaging around $24. Even once a week adds up over time. TOMODACHI JAPAN is a flat monthly fee, unlimited, so the more your child joins, the lower the per-session cost. For families who want their child to keep going, a flat fee fits well.
Difference 4: Sticking with it — whether there are friends
What ultimately decides whether a child keeps going is whether there are peers. One-on-one helps focus, but “just me and an adult” stays tense, and kids tire of it. A group runs on “I want to see my friends again,” so it lasts naturally. If your child has quit an app or a tutor before, a group is what tends to work.
Honestly, which one is right for you?
Preply is right if…
Your child is older, can study independently, and has a clear goal (an exam, a specific weakness). If you want to pick a tutor and move efficiently, Preply is a strong choice.
TOMODACHI JAPAN is right if…
You want your child to enjoy it, keep going, and make Japanese friends. TOMODACHI JAPAN measures progress by “How many friends did you make?” — not test scores. Complete beginners and shy kids are welcome.
The verdict: when in doubt, choose by “will they make friends?”
Preply is about efficiency; TOMODACHI JAPAN is about friends and consistency. Neither is “better” — the question is which fits your child. If they’ve quit a 1-on-1 before, try a group where they can make friends next. The language grows naturally inside the friendship.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better value, Preply or TOMODACHI JAPAN?
For a one-off goal, Preply’s pay-as-you-go; for joining often and keeping going, TOMODACHI JAPAN’s unlimited plan tends to be cheaper per session. Choose with “will it stick — and therefore actually teach them?” in mind.
Can we use both?
Yes. “Preply for targeted weak points + TOMODACHI JAPAN for conversation and friends” is an effective combination that fills each other’s gaps.
Can a complete beginner join the group?
Yes. Kids are grouped by conversation level, so even if your child can’t read hiragana yet, they start with peers at the same stage. You can join from outside Japan too, as long as the time zones work.
▼ Looking beyond Preply? See the wider comparison → best online Japanese lessons for kids (2026).
