Voices of Our Community
30/10/2025
Childbirth Seminar
Hearing childbirth experiences in the UK gave me reassurance. It was a good opportunity to discuss birth plans with my partner.
15/10/2025
Childbirth Seminar
I knew nothing at all about hypnobirthing, so I was very glad to hear about it. Also, hearing actual experiences from people who had given birth was very educational.
14/10/2025
Childbirth Seminar
I was able to get an image of childbirth by participating, so I'm glad I took part. Also, I would like to participate in baby events and such after giving birth. Thank you very much.
14/10/2025
Childbirth Seminar
I had been feeling vague anxiety about giving birth in the UK, but I was able to learn about the differences from Japan and formed a clear image of childbirth, so I'm glad I participated. I also made friends with someone with a due date close to mine and we were already able to exchange information!
11/10/2025
Childbirth Seminar
It was very good. I was able to get an image of my first overseas childbirth.
11/10/2025
Childbirth Seminar
I had only been here for a month and a half when I found out I was pregnant. This is my first pregnancy and I really didn't know anything and was struggling. I was able to hear precious stories and experiences from pregnant women with due dates close to mine and those about to give birth, ask about things I was worried about, exchange contact details with everyone, and it made me feel very reassured! I'm so glad I participated!
11/10/2025
Childbirth Seminar
I was able to spend precious time meeting people due to give birth in the same month. Thank you. The session proceeded in a friendly atmosphere and I enjoyed it.
18/06/2025
Childbirth Seminar
The explanation was easy to understand, and I was able to have a concrete image of childbirth. Also, it was wonderful to get to know people with similar weeks of pregnancy. Thank you for this lovely opportunity!
16/06/2025
Childbirth Seminar
As my due date was approaching and my anxiety was growing, learning about the breathing techniques and hearing the two instructors' experiences made me feel I could approach childbirth a bit more calmly. I was also happy to meet people with due dates close to mine and to be able to share worries and concerns. Thank you very much.
16/06/2025
Childbirth Seminar
I was able to remove the vague anxiety about childbirth and postpartum childcare. I would like to prepare for childbirth whilst reflecting on what I learnt today. Thank you very much!
16/06/2025
Childbirth Seminar
Whilst gathering information myself, there were slight differences in the process from antenatal checks to childbirth and discharge between Japan and the UK, and as a first-time mother, I was uncertain about what I should research and how far. After attending the course, the important points became clearer, which was very helpful.
15/06/2025
Childbirth Seminar
As this was my first childbirth overseas, I didn't know anything and felt very anxious, but hearing about the realities of childbirth in the UK during this seminar and learning about relaxation methods such as hypnobirthing made me feel excited about giving birth. Also, meeting people with due dates close to mine and Nakayoshikai made me feel like I had found companions I could rely on and support each other with going forward. Thank you very much.
15/06/2025
Childbirth Seminar
What particularly impressed me were the actual childbirth experiences. Even if you absorb knowledge beforehand, you don't know what will happen on the day, and I learnt that it's important to think for yourself first and check what risks there might be before making decisions. (I think it's important to think and act proactively in any situation, especially overseas.) The basic information about childbirth and postpartum in the UK was explained very clearly and was very educational. It was very helpful to be able to talk with other pregnant women with similar due dates. If there are more opportunities like this, I would definitely like to participate. Thank you very much.
15/06/2025
Childbirth Seminar
The experience stories were full of genuine feelings and were very helpful.
15/06/2025
Childbirth Seminar
I was in the dark about childbirth in the UK, but thanks to this seminar, things became much clearer.
15/06/2025
Childbirth Seminar
It was great to be able to interact with other pregnant women with due dates close to mine. The information about recommended childcare products in the handout materials was also very practical and helpful.
14/06/2025
Childbirth Seminar
It was very educational! Thank you very much.
14/06/2025
Childbirth Seminar
The atmosphere was very welcoming and it was a very helpful seminar. Thank you.
22/02/2025
Childbirth Seminar
It was very educational. I would like to continue acquiring knowledge in preparation for childbirth.
10/12/2024
A.
Baby and Toddler Group
Creating a community with Japanese people has been a comfort in the lonely overseas life. It's also helpful to easily ask about parenting.
10/12/2024
はなえ
Baby and Toddler Group
It's great to hear a lot of Japanese and meet children of various ages. For parents, it's wonderful to meet and chat with other Japanese families living in London for various reasons, expanding our world.
21/11/2024
H.S.
After School Club
Since my child spent the first three years in Japan before moving to the UK, my child is very happy to meet people connected to Japan and look forward to it every time. Seeing friends who speak and like Japanese is very stimulating.
21/11/2024
S.
After School Club
It's great to have an opportunity to engage with Japanese more easily than Japanese Saturday school. It's also good that it's held after school on weekdays.
12/11/2024
Y.K.
Morning Activity
We decided to join immediately after the trial! It's fun to do crafts, games, and songs together, which my child wouldn't do alone at home. It's also refreshing for both of us to share the joys and concerns of living in the UK.
11/11/2024
A.C.
Morning Activity
It's great to be able to do various activities in a Japanese environment, learn how to interact with friends, have a weekly routine, expand the community, and consult about parenting concerns. Everything is a plus.
10/11/2024
M.H.
After School Club
Seeing other friends reading and writing hiragana sparks interest. Because they practice hiragana with everyone, they don't resist it. Meeting on the same day, place, and with the same members every week builds friendships and a sense of security. Reading Japanese books, songs, and seasonal events, allowing us to convey Japanese culture. Unlike Saturday classes, parents also participate, making children happy. It's a great opportunity for children of various ages to gather, as siblings of the main children also participate. It's also great to talk and exchange information with Japanese mums every week!
09/11/2024
N.
Morning Activity
It's great to be able to chat and consult with other mothers in Japanese. My child can experience Japanese cultural aspects (annual events and more) and play with children in similar situations.
07/11/2024
M.O.
Morning Activity
Through activities like reading picture books, seasonal crafts, and singing songs, my children and I naturally had opportunities to engage with the Japanese language and culture. My children sing the 'aiueo' song when they see the hiragana chart and say they learned it at Nakayoshikai.
07/11/2024
M.R.
Singing session
My child can interact with other Japanese children.
07/11/2024
K.
After School Club
My child has made friends who speak Japanese and can now enjoy studying, which was difficult to do at home. Although my child hasn't mastered hiragana yet, he is becoming more familiar with it. It's challenging to attend after school when tired, but it's rewarding because we always have a fulfilling time.
07/11/2024
O.
After School Club
My child has been attending after school since the first term. It's been over a year since they started at age five. It's great that they have developed the habit of studying with friends after school. It's also beneficial for them to be taught, praised, and guided by adults other than their parents. I don't have the motivation to manage my two children's studies alone after school, so this has been very helpful! My child looks forward to attending Nakayoshikai's ASC every time. Since the group is small, teaching turn comes around quickly, and we cooperate in setting up and cleaning up the desks and chairs.
07/11/2024
T.A.
Morning Activity
Since my child wasn't attending nursery yet, it was a good opportunity for them to play in a group. When we joined, my child was the youngest, so interacting with older children was beneficial. I was happy to see my child's growth. Most importantly, my child enjoyed participating every time, and I am glad we joined.
06/11/2024
M.
Morning Activity
My child enjoys playing with children of the same age. Even on rainy days, we can go out with a purpose and play indoors, which is very helpful.
06/11/2024
M.M.
Singing session
My child enjoys playing with children of the same age. It's also great for exchanging information.
06/11/2024
M.
Morning Activity
My child has started singing the 'aiueo' song at home and has made Japanese friends. I have also made friends with other mums.
06/11/2024
Y.E.
Morning Activity
At Nakayoshikai MA, we learned many things. Not only Japanese events, nursery rhymes, and the 'aiueo' song, but also how to eat bento and how children interact with each other. These are Japanese customs that you can't understand without experiencing them directly. During the holidays, my child had opportunities to eat bento alone at camp and nursery, and he managed without any problems, thanks to MA. Also, as some parents have mentioned, it was a healing time for parents to share their struggles through casual conversations. There are always new people coming from Japan, so even while living in the UK, we can always be in touch with the latest parenting information from Japan.
05/11/2024
Y.M.
After School Club
My child doesn't practice writing Japanese at home at all (low motivation at home), so I am very grateful for the learning environment. Because they do it with friends of the same age, my child is motivated, and now, a year after starting ASC, they can read and write hiragana, which they couldn't do at all before. The younger sibling who accompanies us has also started singing the 'aiueo' song and the 'dakuon' song since she was one year old, and now at two years old, she has started practicing writing lines, showing a high learning effect for siblings.
05/11/2024
M.
Morning Activity
My child enjoys being able to converse in Japanese with children of the same age. The activities are packed with 30 years of knowledge, and as a parent, I learn a lot from the crafts and games that borrow the wisdom of past participants.
05/11/2024
M.L.
Singing session
My child has learned to sing Japanese songs. The participating families range from newborns to older siblings before reception, allowing for interaction with children of different ages and learning communication skills.
29/10/2024
Childbirth Seminar
I appreciated that the tables were grouped by those with close due dates, making it easy to exchange contact information.
05/10/2024
Childbirth Seminar
It was a meaningful session. My anxiety about before and after childbirth, and childcare was somewhat eased.
05/10/2024
Childbirth Seminar
Thank you very much.
04/07/2024
Childbirth Seminar
For a first-time birth, it is very helpful to have a place where you can consult in Japanese.
04/07/2024
Childbirth Seminar
I gained new knowledge and made friends, so I am glad I participated. Thank you very much.
04/07/2024
Childbirth Seminar
I was anxious about childbirth and parenting, but the session covered everything, which eased my worries. It was a very meaningful meeting.
01/06/2024
Childbirth Seminar
The perspectives on childbirth in the UK and the various ways people choose maternity hospitals were very informative.
01/06/2024
Childbirth Seminar
Even though this is my second child, it is my first time giving birth in the UK, so I learnt many new things, such as leaving the umbilical cord attached when discharged, not bathing the baby for 10 days, and generally not performing episiotomies. I was also surprised to see more fathers participating than I expected.
01/03/2024
Childbirth Seminar
As this is my first childbirth and it will be in London, I had many anxieties, but listening to the stories from Nakayoshikai members and the midwife eased my worries and made me look forward to it! Thank you very much. I will be having lunch next week with someone from the same table!
29/02/2024
Childbirth Seminar
This was my first time participating in a Nakayoshikai event, and having such a support network made me feel reassured. I appreciated that this event was held on a Saturday. I was able to hear experiences from others at the same table and make connections. I would like to participate in playgroups and other activities after childbirth. Thank you very much.
29/02/2024
Childbirth Seminar
In the two-hour session, I was able to hear a series of stories from childbirth preparation to actual childbirth and postpartum, making it a very meaningful time. I received practical information on mental and physical preparation before childbirth, so I plan to prepare myself thoroughly before the birth.
28/02/2024
Childbirth Seminar
Thank you for holding the event! Just being able to gather with other families expecting childbirth in London made me feel like I would be alright. I realised the importance of valuing connections with people to avoid isolation in child-rearing. I was unsure about my birth plan, but I decided to listen to my body and aim for a natural birth.
05/11/2023
Childbirth Seminar
Thank you very much for the other day. I had no acquaintances in London who were pregnant or had given birth, and I could only gather information from the internet, which left me with vague anxieties. Listening to everyone's experiences and learning about childbirth in London was very educational.
29/10/2023
Childbirth Seminar
At first, I had no image of childbirth at all, but listening to actual childbirth experiences during the seminar helped me gradually form an image, and it was very educational. Thank you very much.
25/10/2023
Childbirth Seminar
I was very glad I participated in this seminar because the content was more extensive than I imagined! Since deciding to give birth in the UK, almost all my information sources were from the internet, and I had no opportunity to hear detailed stories directly from people. I felt that my perspective had narrowed, and I wasn't facing the childbirth I wanted. It was very significant for us as a couple to have the opportunity to rethink childbirth. I was also very grateful to be introduced to Nakayoshikai nanny as my first child cannot go to hospital during my labour. If my friends get pregnant, I would highly recommend this seminar.
23/10/2023
Childbirth Seminar
I had no clear image and could only research through books and the internet, but I realized that listening to experiences is the best way to learn. Thank you for providing this valuable opportunity!
23/10/2023
Childbirth Seminar
Everything was informative, but especially the real experiences and the Q&A session where we could ask detailed questions were very helpful. Thank you very much.
21/10/2023
Childbirth Seminar
It was very reassuring to hear about childbirth in the UK in Japanese and to know that there are many other Japanese expectant mothers. It was also helpful to hear what women expect from their husbands. I am glad I participated in this event. Thank you very much.