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Nice to Meet You!
Hi! I’m Maiko, a registered dietitian and Japanese language teacher from Fukuoka, Japan.
I currently live in North Carolina, USA, and I have been teaching Japanese in the United States since 2020.
I created Oishii Nihongo because I wanted to combine three things I love:
Japanese language
Japanese food
Healthy living
I believe food is one of the best ways to learn about a language and culture.
My Two Careers
Registered Dietitian
Before becoming a Japanese teacher, I worked as a registered dietitian in Japan.
From 2011 to 2020, I worked at a clinic specializing in diabetes and provided nutritional counseling to people with diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and other lifestyle-related conditions.
I spoke with around 10–15 people every day and learned that healthy eating doesn’t look the same for everyone.
I also obtained a qualification as a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist.
Over my career, I have provided more than 10,000 nutritional consultations.
Today, I also provide online nutrition counseling, focusing on practical and easy-to-understand nutrition advice.
My experience as a dietitian taught me that good nutrition isn’t about following a perfect diet.
It’s about finding food and habits that work for your own lifestyle.
My Journey as a Japanese Teacher
I have always loved Japanese language and culture, so while working as a dietitian, I decided to study Japanese language education.
In 2018, I completed 420 hours of Japanese language teacher training and passed the Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test.
After moving to the United States in February 2020, I began teaching private Japanese lessons.
Since then, I have had the opportunity to teach students from many different countries and backgrounds.
As of 2026, I have taught:
200+ students
3,500+ lessons
5-star rating on italki
I also began teaching at the Japan Center at North Carolina State University in 2021.
I mainly teach beginner Japanese using the Genki textbook.
One thing I enjoy most about teaching beginners is helping students understand the parts of Japanese that initially seem confusing.
I try to explain grammar clearly and give students plenty of opportunities to actually use what they learn.
Why Did I Create Oishii Nihongo?
I’ve always loved cooking and Japanese food.
After moving to America, I realized that many people are interested in Japanese food, but they don’t always know how Japanese people actually cook at home.
Japanese cuisine is much more than sushi, ramen, and tempura.
There are so many simple and delicious home-cooked dishes using vegetables, tofu, mushrooms, seaweed, beans, and other ingredients.
I also realized that cooking can be a wonderful way to learn Japanese.
Instead of simply memorizing vocabulary, you can learn words while actually using them in the kitchen.
That’s where the idea for Oishii Nihongo came from.
Japanese Food & Plant-Based Cooking
Japan also has a long history of plant-based cooking.
One example is shojin ryori, a traditional style of Buddhist cuisine that developed in Japan centuries ago.
Shojin ryori avoids animal products and uses ingredients such as vegetables, tofu, mushrooms, beans, and seaweed.
These traditions have influenced Japanese cooking in many ways.
For example, kombu and shiitake mushrooms can be used to make flavorful dashi without fish, while tofu and other soybean products provide delicious alternatives to meat.
At Oishii Nihongo, I want to introduce both traditional Japanese cuisine and the simple Japanese home cooking that many people in Japan eat every day.
What I Want to Share With You
Through Oishii Nihongo, I hope to help people:
Enjoy learning Japanese
Learn how to cook Japanese food
Understand Japanese food culture
Discover delicious plant-based Japanese dishes
Learn practical nutrition information
Connect with people and cultures around the world
I want Japanese language learning to feel useful, enjoyable, and connected to real life.
A Little More About Me
I was born in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.
I moved to the United States in 2020 and now live in North Carolina.
Outside of teaching and cooking, I enjoy:
- Cooking and baking
- Hiking
- Rock climbing
- Snorkeling
- Traveling
- Singing
- Learning English and Spanish
I especially love being outdoors and trying new foods when I travel.
One of my dreams is to travel around the world, explore beautiful places, experience different cultures, and meet people from many different backgrounds.
Someday, I would also love to open a vegan café, cooking school, and Japanese language school.
My Mission
My mission is simple:
I want to connect Japan with people around the world through food and language.
I hope Oishii Nihongo can be a place where you can learn something new, enjoy delicious food, and feel closer to Japan.
Whether you want to learn Japanese, cook Japanese food, or simply learn more about Japanese culture, I’m happy you’re here!
Let’s Learn Together!
If you’re interested in Japanese lessons or cooking lessons, please feel free to contact me.
I’d love to hear about your interests and goals and find a way for us to learn together.
I look forward to seeing you in a lesson!
Maiko