Hi, I'm Aisha sensei!
I'm a native Japanese speaker and the creator of Japanese Mania. I've been teaching Japanese since 2017, and I've passed the Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test, Japan's qualification exam for Japanese language teachers.
I was born in Nara and spent my childhood there before moving to Chiba and Tokyo in junior high school. I speak standard Tokyo Japanese, and I can manage a bit of Osaka dialect too. I now live in the UAE and teach learners from all over the world. When I'm not working, I enjoy cooking, baking, drinking coffee, reading and ice skating.
I started Japanese Mania to help learners enjoy real Japanese, not just textbook phrases. Through my podcast, YouTube channel and books, I share the language and culture the way Japanese people actually use it.
What my students say
"Aisha is an amazing teacher who is kind, cheerful and listens to her students. Meaning she is able to adapt and personalise her lessons to you as the student. I was able to learn lots of new words and my reading is progressing too! Thankyou!"
"Aisha sensei combines daily conversation, grammar, and speaking practice. Every lesson is well-prepared and highly structured. The topic is always about the student, so you can learn Japanese in a fun and effective way. Aisha sensei also listen to very carefully and correct my pronunciation. I would highly recommend Aisha sensei to anyone who wants to learn Japanese step by step and lay a solid base."
"I have been studying with Aisha-sensei for over a year now, and she is a kind, compassionate and patient teacher. I always look forward to our lessons!"
What you'll find at Japanese Mania
Online courses
The Hiragana & Katakana Master Course is coming in November 2026, with short animated video lessons and printable worksheets.
Start with the free workbook →Podcast
Listen to real Japanese, including news stories explained for learners.
Books
News in Japanese and 100 Japanese Proverbs, written by Aisha Yumi.
Not sure where to begin?
Download the free workbook and start reading Japanese this week.