Skip to content
Japanese Dream

What is your Japanese Dream?

Make it come true with Yoshi Takada.

Members at a pub on a night out in Nakasu-Kawabata
Members taking a selfie on a night out in Fukuoka
Members on the beach below Fukuoka Tower at sunset
A packed restaurant at the meetup
A big group selfie at an event in Nakasu-Kawabata
Members together by the bay at dusk
Members laughing over a card game
Members around a table on a café terrace
Members smiling around the table
Members playing card games at a café

Who I work with

Professionals relocating to Japan

Career strategy, resume positioning, and cultural guidance to help you land the right role.

More details

Companies and schools assessing Japanese

A written report on each candidate or student: their JLPT-equivalent level, whether they can work in a Japanese workplace, and how they actually speak.

More details

Anyone serious about learning Japanese

One-on-one lessons with a native speaker. Japanese for English speakers, English for Japanese speakers, from complete beginner to business-level fluency.

More details

Speaking test

Let's find out your Japanese speaking level.

The JLPT doesn't test speaking. This does.

  • Nine questions, 60 seconds each
  • Ratings on four aspects, with notes
  • Quotes from what you actually said
See the speaking test For companies and schools

Reports from people who took it

Results from people who have taken the test, published with their permission. Recordings are not published. Each aspect is rated on a six-step scale from A to F.

Mélissa

MélissaMélissa

View

Graphic designer, starting work in Fukuoka · France

Situation: At work

BGetting the message across
BUse of keigo
APace and pauses
BRange of vocabulary

Mélissa answered every question, from the prepared topics through the interactive scenarios, without breaking off. Speaking speed is steady and responses start quickly, so the listener is rarely kept waiting. She can describe her work and the flow of a day at her previous job in time order, and she has the vocabulary needed for design work. The weaker area is adjusting her language to the listener, where humble forms do not always come out.

View on LinkedIn →

Travis

TravisTravis

View

Engineer, moved from Washington State to Fukuoka · United States

Situation: At work

CGetting the message across
CUse of keigo
CPace and pauses
BRange of vocabulary

Travis can get the main point across when talking about his own work and explaining how work gets done. His explanation of what a new hire should learn first was given in a clear order, and on the opinion question he chose written communication and supported it with a reason. Work vocabulary fits the setting, and connectors such as 例えば and もし〜場合は are used. The weaker area is interaction with another person, where polite forms are not yet stable.

View on LinkedIn →

Daisy Moreira

Daisy MoreiraDaisy

View

Learning & Development, now based in Saitama · France

Situation: At work

BGetting the message across
BUse of keigo
CPace and pauses
BRange of vocabulary

Daisy can convey the content of her work in polite Japanese using short, connected sentences. When explaining a process, she marks the order with first, next and finally, and covers the key points of the job. Answers are short throughout, typically with a single reason or example.

View on LinkedIn →

Want to read a full report? Read a full sample report →/Take it yourself →

FUKUOKA · IN PERSON

In Fukuoka, we actually meet up

The practice app gets you ready. Fukuoka is where you use it. I host the International Dunkman Meetup here: people who moved from all over the world, sitting down with locals who want to meet them.

A restaurant in Hakata, booked out just for us100 yen and one drinkInvite-only
See the meetup Living & learning in Fukuoka
Meetup members together in Fukuoka
Members taking a selfie on a night out
Members together by the bay at dusk in Fukuoka
Members talking around the table
Members laughing over a card game
Members around a table on a café terrace
The group after a meetup in Fukuoka
Members by the bay after an evening yoga session
Members introducing themselves at the meetup
Two members in conversation
Everyone lined up for a group photo

What members say

Travis

United States

“I recently moved to Fukuoka and joined because I wanted to meet people. Yoshi-san is a great host, and I’ve really enjoyed meeting other foreigners and locals learning English. I was worried I wouldn’t find other foreign professionals here, but everyone has been so friendly, and it’s a great chance to practice my Japanese too.”

Mélissa

France

“A friend told me about this meetup, and I contacted Yoshi right away. I was given a very warm welcome, and even though I’ve only recently arrived in Japan, we’ve already taken part in lots of different activities (board games, restaurants, movies, matsuri, etc.). It’s a great way to meet new people, and Yoshi is an excellent organizer!”

Alicia

Spain

“Moving to Fukuoka was challenging at first, so building a strong community became essential. Yoshi-san is a fantastic host who welcomed me from day one and is always planning new activities for the group. The atmosphere is genuinely friendly and uplifting, which makes it the perfect place to meet both foreigners and locals while practicing Japanese and other languages.”

Rieko

Taiwan

“I saw one of Yoshi-san’s posts on Threads, and since I was planning a working holiday, I came along. I could barely speak any English, so I brought a friend with me. I still remember that day so clearly, talking with people from all over. I kept coming back and made friends from abroad. It made me want to talk more, and that’s when I started studying English.”

Roland

Switzerland

“I enjoy meeting people from different backgrounds and hearing how they found their way to Japan and how they’re building their lives here. Even after years in Fukuoka, it still gives me ideas and things I could approach differently, or do better.”

Matthias

South Africa

“The meetups are fun and chilled. I got to meet people from all over the world and I made new friends. It’s always a nice and relaxed atmosphere, so you don’t need to worry about anything. You can join at your own pace.”

Hoang

Vietnam

“I found this club on Threads. It’s easy to go there alone, and everyone is kind and friendly. It’s suitable for all English learners. There are several activities like board games, festivals, and meetups. Yoshi-san is a great host!”

Jake

United States

“Dunkman Yoshi is a great way to interact with Japanese people and foreigners from all around the world. You meet new people every event while exploring Fukuoka together. I definitely recommend it to anyone that’s new to Fukuoka.”

Mario

Spain

“I’m very grateful to have been part of such a great group. The atmosphere is fantastic, and everyone is genuinely kind and friendly. It’s a great way to meet people from different countries, make new friends and share experiences. Yoshi-san is a great host and is always looking for new and interesting activities for everyone to enjoy.”

Swanand

India

“I saw Yoshi-san’s post on LinkedIn and contacted him right away to ask about the meetup. I love talking with people from different backgrounds, so I joined. There’s a wide variety of people from different countries at the meetup, so it gives me a chance to practice English, since I don’t get many chances to speak it.”

Miki

South Korea

“What I’ve enjoyed most is connecting with people from different parts of the world through language. I love discovering how differently we express ourselves, and then finding the little things we have in common. For me, IDM is not just a place to practice languages. It’s a place where I meet different people, share cultures and values, and keep expanding my own world.”

Kazu

Japan

“IDM (International Dunkman Meetup) is more than just language exchange for me. Talking with people from diverse backgrounds really opened up my mindset. Come join us and let’s be friends!”

Park

South Korea

“I joined this meetup because I wanted to make friends after coming to Japan. I was a little worried at first because I’m quite introverted, but everyone was so friendly and started conversations with me. Thanks to this meetup I’ve made great friends, practiced Japanese, and shared languages and experiences with people from different backgrounds.”

Junya

Japan

“Yoshi, who hosts the community, is super warm and welcoming, which naturally draws in so many interesting people from all over the world. I’m Japanese, but since I only recently moved to Fukuoka, I’m really happy to be part of the IDM community and connect with everyone here!”

Voices from Fukuoka

I sit down with people from abroad who have built a life here, and write up what they say. Why Fukuoka, and what it has actually been like. This city, told by the people who moved to it.

More about Fukuoka
Mélissa

"If you want to live in Japan, go live in Japan": a French graphic designer's first weeks in Fukuoka

Mélissa is from France. Starting in October, she will work in Fukuoka as a graphic designer.

Aditi

"Fake it till you make it": an APU graduate's first year inside a Japanese company

Aditi is from Mumbai, the city of dreams as she calls it. She now lives in Fukuoka and works in international sales for a Japanese company that makes construction equipment.

Travis

"I thought I would just pick it up": an American engineer in Fukuoka

Travis from Washington State chose Fukuoka as his new home and workplace as an engineer. He shares his experiences with cultural differences, work environment, and the challenges of language acquisition.

Alicia

“Fukuoka is top tier”: a Madrid makeup artist, now teaching in Fukuoka

Alicia came from Madrid, where she worked as a makeup artist on jobs that included CHANEL. Her company sent her to Fukuoka, and it worked out. She talks about two beauty standards, teaching a language that is not her own, and why Spain is full of sunglasses and Japan is full of umbrellas.

Nick

"Many people view Japan as a location to reinvent themselves, myself included.": what an Oregon founder saw about Japan only after leaving it

Nick is from Oregon. He now lives in Fukuoka, where he runs Japan Remotely, a company that helps people work out how to move to Japan.

Miki

Miki's 8 Years in Fukuoka, from Korea

Eight years in Fukuoka. Korean grammar is close enough to Japanese that the way in feels easy, and close enough to be a trap. Miki on Korean-style Japanese, on jeong, and on why Japan's coolness turned out to suit her.

Roland

"If you don't fit in, you will be the foreigner forever": a Swiss life in Tagawa

Roland from Switzerland built his home in Tagawa, Fukuoka, where he now lives. He shares his experiences living in a different culture, discussing community, language, work culture, and cost of living, while emphasizing the crucial lesson for living in Japan: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

Rieko

"I'm Japanese, from Taiwan": growing up with two first languages

Rieko is from Tainan, in the south of Taiwan.

Not sure where to start?

Tell me where you are, and we'll work out the next step together.

DM meBook a strategy session

Start today, at your own pace

Speak, measure, read. Each one is free to try.

Live practiceSpeak out loudTry 3 minutes for freeLevel testSee where you standJLPT-style and timedHiragana and katakanaStart with the charactersFree, no account needed
Live conversation with your AI partner
Live practice

Speak out loud

Interviews, work, and everyday talk, with an AI partner that answers in real time.

Try 3 minutes for free
Practice English instead
A question in the level test
Level test

See where you stand

JLPT-style and timed, with an explanation for every question.

Take the level test
Free sampleEnglish test
Hiragana stroke order
Hiragana and katakana

Start with the characters

Stroke by stroke. Free, and no account needed.

Start with hiragana
See the whole path

More ways to work with me

Beyond career and language, a few other places you’ll find me.

The Jump Project by Dunkman Yoshi

From rock bottom, one step at a time. A 5'8" dunk project. Follow the training and the story, and join the program.

LinkedIn Coaching

Get your Japanese LinkedIn profile and posts reviewed by a native speaker who’ll make them land.

Yoshi Takada hanging from the rim after a dunk
FOR BUSINESSES

Partner with Dunkman Yoshi

Reaching people every day on YouTube, on LinkedIn, and at the meetup in Fukuoka. Mentions in videos and posts, meetup sponsorships, and features marked PR.

130K+
social media followers
100K+
YouTube subscribers
9,000+
LinkedIn followers
90+
people in the meetup LINE group
(as of Sep 10, 2026)
See ways to partner
Or get in touch
Join the team

Looking for people to work with

Running the meetup · Overseas customer support · Social media · Site and articles

Apply
For businessesPartner with Dunkman YoshiYouTube, LinkedIn and the Fukuoka meetupJoin the teamLooking for people to work withRunning the meetup · Overseas customer support · Social media · Site and articles

Not sure where to start?

Tell me where you are, and we'll work out the next step together.

DM meBook a strategy session