Maki Kinashi

Maki is a writer with a background in Japanese language education, specializing in content that helps learners understand how Japanese is actually used. She completed a Japanese language teacher training course and has taught more than 20 beginner-level learners, mainly adults in their 20s and 30s. Using structural (grammar-based) and situational syllabi, she guided them through core sentence patterns and real-life scenarios, such as inviting a friend to hang out or apologizing for getting a book dirty. Through teaching, she learned where beginners commonly struggle and how to explain Japanese clearly and practically, including the nuance behind natural expressions.

As a writer, she specializes in experience-based articles for a regional web media outlet in Japan, covering more than 30 local restaurants and events. Her writing goes beyond the food or event itself, capturing the people behind it, the thoughtfulness of the owners, and the atmosphere and charm of each place. Her articles are designed to support customer outreach and attendance. She also writes about Japanese language education, bringing together her experience in teaching and storytelling.

• October 22, 2026

  How to Speak Japanese for Beginners: Where to Start

  Start speaking Japanese with the words you already know, the sounds that matter most and simple sentence frames, from two native Japanese speakers.