A nonprofit organization Japanese Language and Culture School in San Francisco, CA
2031 Bush St, San Francisco CA 94115 | (415) 567-4383
Meet Our Teachers
Education Director
Dr. Masahiko Minami
Masahiko Minami, a Harvard-educated professor at San Francisco State University, specializes in Japanese language and cross-cultural studies. Dr. Minami, who currently serves as the President of the Northern California Japanese Teachers’ Association(NCJTA), is dedicated to preserving Kinmon Gakuen’s historic legacy in Japantown. He was selected as the California Japanese Teacher of the Year in 2025.
Teacher
Hiroko Helmer
Ms. Helmer has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for 25 years and enjoys helping children and youth gain self-confidence through Kinmon Gakuen's programs.
Teacher
Ako Yang
Ms. Yang first visited San Francisco from Tokyo in 1995. She found that San Francisco was a fascinating city with diverse cultures and people. At Kinmon Gakuen, she would like to share her knowledge of Japanese culture along with the Japanese language.
Teacher
Anthony Tamaoki
Mr. Tamaoki majored in Japanese at San Francisco State University. He has been a Teacher’s Assistant and Teacher at Kinmon Gakuen for over 9 years. Mr. Tamaoki loves helping students to grow and develop.
Teacher
Kyoko Tanaka
Ms. Kyoko moved from Tokyo to San Francisco with her family in 2026. Since arriving, she has been absolutely loving the vibrant culture and diversity of the city. As both a parent and an educator, Ms. Kyoko is passionate about helping children discover the joy of Japanese language and culture. She strives to create a fun, safe, and engaging environment where students can naturally spark their curiosity and connect with Japan.
Former Teachers
Teacher
Kyoko Inoue
She joined Kinmon Gakuen in 2013 and dedicated herself to helping children and youth build confidence and a sense of community through the school’s programs. She retired in April 2026. We sincerely thank her for her many years of dedication.
Teacher
Najah Kimiko Bey
Ms. Bey grew up on the island of Kyushu. She works in a pre-school during the week. During her three years at Kinmon Gakuen, she enjoyed sharing Japanese language and culture with the students. She retired from Kinmon Gakuen in May 2026.
Office Staff
Yuka Katayose