Senpai Japanese
Language: やさしい日本語

このモードは じゅんびちゅう です。いまは えいご で みせて います。

New · Handwritten Diary Exchange

Write your diary in Japanese. Get a handwritten reply.

You write one page by hand and send a photo. I read every word, write back to you by hand in Japanese, with gentle corrections, and send you a photo of my reply. Like a pen pal who is also your teacher.

Ken Yamada, the teacher who writes back to you

Who writes back

Ken Yamada, Japanese teacher and JLPT coach. Every reply is written by me, by hand. No AI, no templates.

Try one exchange for $1 See all plans

Sample exchange (made up)

Your diary

きょうは ともだちと ラーメンを たべました。とても おいしかったです。あしたも いきたいです。

My reply

また あした いきたいですね！ わたしも ラーメンが 大好だいすきです。なにラーメンが すきですか？

How it works

  1. Write by hand

    Write one page of diary in Japanese, on any paper or notebook. Hiragana only is fine.

  2. Take a photo and send it

    Take a clear photo of the page and email it to me.

  3. I write back by hand

    I read it, mark gentle corrections, and write you a reply letter in Japanese, at your level.

  4. You get a photo of my reply

    Within 3 days (24 hours on the Daily plan). Want more? Add a handwritten letter from me, sent to your home by airmail.

Why by hand?

  • Writing kanji and kana by hand makes them stick far better than typing.
  • You use the Japanese you know to say what really happened to you.
  • You see how a native speaker would say the same thing, in real handwriting.
  • A letter written to you is something to look forward to. That keeps you going.

What you get in every reply

  • Gentle corrections on your page: wrong words, particles and kanji
  • A more natural way to say one or two of your sentences
  • A reply letter to you, written at your level (furigana when you need it)
  • A short question back, so you know what to write next

Plans and prices

One exchange = you send one diary page, I send back one handwritten reply. All prices are in US dollars.

Recommended add-on · for any plan

Get a handwritten letter from Ken in your mailbox

$15 per envelope

Photos are nice. A real letter from Japan is special.

  • A brand-new letter, written only for you. Not a copy of your replies: a separate letter from me, in Japanese at your level, with furigana.
  • Plus the paper originals of up to 10 of my handwritten replies, in the same envelope.
  • More envelopes, more letters. Daily plan sent in 3 envelopes ($45)? You get 3 different letters from me.
  • Sent from Japan by international airmail, to any country. Add it when you order.
How the letter works

Taxes may be added at checkout. Prices may change; the price when you pay is the price you keep for that plan.

How to start

  1. Fill in the short form

    Press a plan button above. It takes about one minute: your name, email, and a few questions. You get a confirmation email right away.

  2. Pay right away

    Right after the form you go straight to a secure payment page. The link is in your confirmation email too.

  3. Send your first page

    Reply to the same email with a photo of your diary. That’s it!

Questions

I’m a beginner. Can I join?

Yes. If you can write hiragana, you can write a diary. Three short sentences are enough. I write back at your level, with furigana on any kanji you may not know.

How much should I write?

Up to one page per exchange (about A5 to A4 or Letter size). Short is fine. Any paper or notebook works.

What should I write about?

Your day, your food, your favorite anime, a worry, a goal. Anything. If you get stuck, I end every reply with a question you can answer next time.

What if my photo is hard to read?

I’ll ask you for a new photo, and it does not use up an exchange. Tip: take the photo in daylight, from straight above, with the whole page in the frame.

What is the “letter from Ken” add-on?

For $15 per envelope, I write you a brand-new letter by hand and post it to you by airmail from Japan, together with the paper originals of up to 10 of my replies. Daily plan with 30 replies? That is 3 envelopes, with 3 different letters from me. You choose when I send them: as you go, or all together at the end.

What happens if I don’t use all my exchanges in time?

Unused exchanges end when the pack expires (5-pack: 3 months, 10-pack: 5 months, 20-pack: 8 months). Busy month? Email me before it ends and we’ll talk.

Can I get a refund?

If you haven’t sent your first diary yet, email me within 14 days of paying for a full refund. Exchanges already answered can’t be refunded.

Who will read my diary?

Only me, Ken Yamada. I never share your diary or your photos with anyone or post them online without asking you first.

Your first page can be three lines.

Try one exchange for $1 and see what a handwritten reply feels like.

Try one exchange for $1See all plans