[Taught by a Chinese travel professional with 70 trips to China] Online lesson 'Travel Chinese Class' opens on April 1st to overcome the 'Digital China' barriers of smartphone payments and advance reservations
China Travel .com, operated by Koji Yasuda, has launched 'Travel Chinese Class,' an online lesson service specializing in practical skills and conversational Chinese for travelers. This service addresses the challenges of modern Chinese travel, such as smartphone-only payments and mandatory advance reservations, which cannot be overcome by translation apps alone. It aims to equip individual travelers with the 'survival skills' needed to navigate China independently, achieve their travel goals, and connect with locals.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 2, 2026 at 14:02
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 17, 2026 at 22:22 (368h 19m after Collected)
China Travel .com (Representative: Koji Yasuda), which operates a website providing useful information for traveling in China, launched the online lesson service "Travel Chinese Class" on April 1, 2026. This service leverages the expertise of a "China travel expert" with over 70 trips to China, specializing in "on-site adaptability" and "travel conversation" essential for current Chinese travel.
Beyond what translation apps can handle, this service provides "survival skills" for individual travelers to reach their destinations independently, achieve their goals, and connect with locals, taking into account the latest local conditions such as smartphone payments and advance reservation systems. Additionally, a "Grand Opening Special Rate Campaign" is underway until the end of June 2026.
Click here for details on "Travel Chinese Class"
● Background of the School's Opening: From the Frustration of Not Being Understood to the Joy of Being Understood
Existing Chinese language schools and classes primarily focus on "daily conversation" and "exam preparation," leading to a mismatch in learning content for those who want to use Chinese for travel.
In post-COVID China, smartphone payments have become deeply ingrained in daily life, making it difficult to use cash in many situations. Many famous tourist spots require advance reservations, which has become a barrier for foreign travelers.
Furthermore, in recent years, there has been a growing demand for short stays during "transit in China" (layovers) when traveling to third countries such as Europe and Southeast Asia, not just for travel to mainland China.
Even with the widespread use of translation apps today, real-life problems on the road are endless, such as "difficulty ordering without a menu" or "not being able to understand high-speed rail announcements."
Traveling to China requires "the real situation in modern China" that cannot be fully covered by commercial travel phrasebooks, guidebooks, or learning apps, and "survival skills" are needed to overcome these challenges.
Against this background, we opened this school, which is "completely specialized in travel conversation," with the desire for people to experience "enjoyable travel" where they can connect with locals through "understandable" language.
There are almost no existing schools or classes that specialize in this format.
● Five Features of "Travel Chinese Class" [Strengths]
Feature ①: Overwhelming first-hand information taught by a "China travel professional x language professional" with 70 trips and 35 years of experience.
The instructor is an active traveler who has traveled to approximately 300 locations throughout China, a language professional with VIP interpretation experience, and over 7 years of Chinese language instruction experience. They teach "living language" based on their own real-life trouble experiences and the latest local conditions, which are not found in commercial textbooks.
Feature ②: Breaking through the barriers of smartphone payments and reservation systems. Survival skills to move independently beyond the limits of apps.
Students acquire "techniques for acting independently on-site" that are not found in travel guidebooks, such as "ordering at a restaurant without a menu" or "using complex public transportation," which cannot be handled by translation apps.
Feature ③: No prior preparation required. Thorough pronunciation guidance by a Japanese instructor, ensuring busy professionals don't give up.
For "pronunciation," the most important challenge in Chinese, a Japanese instructor accurately guides students through stumbling blocks that only a Japanese speaker would understand. With a "no prior preparation required" style, we provide an environment where even busy individuals can continue learning.
Feature ④: Using others' perspectives as a "mirror." Group lessons that accelerate improvement through objective insights.
By objectively observing others receiving instruction with the same goal, students can objectively identify "pronunciation habits" and "stumbling blocks" that they might not notice on their own. This is a rational and shortest-path learning environment that eliminates the risk of "not noticing one's own mistakes," which is common in self-study, and connects others' insights to one's own improvement.
Feature ⑤: No "bargain sales." A dedicated instruction system that confronts the essence that cannot be conveyed in a single experience.
Language is not magic. We do not offer instruction that can be understood through a "trial," so we intentionally do not offer free trial lessons. Instead, we always conduct a "free level check & learning consultation" before participation. This is a process to fully apply 35 years of accumulated knowledge to the determination of students who genuinely wish to "walk through China with their own words."
● Enjoying "Ordering at a Local Restaurant" with On-site "Survival Skills" (Photographed January 2026)
① You can enter a restaurant even without a menu.
Enjoy the unique pleasure of a local eatery by entering before it gets crowded and carefully choosing what you want to eat.
② Order with a word + gesture.
You can order with just a short Chinese phrase and pointing. No complex conversation is needed.
③ The dish you ordered yourself is exceptional.
A meal ordered with language and ingenuity becomes a strong memory of your trip.
● Differences from Existing Chinese Language Schools (Comparison)
General Chinese language schools primarily focus on "daily conversation" and "exam preparation," leading to a mismatch in content for learners whose goal is travel. "Travel Chinese Class" addresses these issues by designing learning specifically for travel situations.
|
Item |
General Chinese Language Schools |
Travel Chinese Class |
|
Learning Content |
"Daily conversation/exam preparation" that is not functional in travel situations |
Completely specialized in "practical benefits in travel situations" |
|
Teaching Materials |
"Commercial textbooks" that don't know the atmosphere of the field |
"First-hand information" based on the instructor's travel experience |
|
Purpose |
Acquisition of qualifications and general "conversational ability" |
"Survival skills" to reach your destination independently |
|
Learning Style |
"Passive learning" tracing textbook examples |
Practice-based "travel conversation" + "on-site response techniques" |
A major feature is the emphasis on "travel survival skills" to act independently locally, not just the language itself. More detailed comparisons and service content are available on the official "Travel Chinese Class" page.
● Student Voices
During the trial period, we received feedback from students confirming the effectiveness of the learning.
"I was surprised when I used the numbers I learned at a local shop in Shanghai and they understood me! I experienced the joy of being understood in my own words locally." (Male, 30s)
"Thanks to the no-preparation system and the presence of classmates, I've been able to continue for a year without difficulty, even with a busy work schedule." (Male, 40s)
"Because we are all beginners, seeing other students being corrected gives me objective insights that I can apply to my own learning." (Female, 50s)
"I took the course to prepare for in-flight troubles and transit when traveling to Europe and the US via China. The easy-to-understand instruction with illustrations was very convincing." (Female, 40s)
● Places You Can Visit When You Can Speak Chinese (Examples)
We teach not only language but also travel techniques, so mastering both will give you an unbeatable advantage. Traveling to places not listed in guidebooks and realizing your dreams are not impossible.
● Future Business Outlook
Based on the instructor's real-life travel experiences in China and accumulated examples of successful conversations and public transport announcements, we will advance research into educational methods and develop more practical curricula. We also plan to strengthen the production of Chinese language teaching materials for different travel scenarios and enhance information dissemination reflecting local conditions.
● Pricing Plans and Grand Opening Special Rate Campaign
"Travel Chinese Class" offers the following two classes, which can be chosen according to your level, and for the travel conversation class, you can choose your learning style (private lessons/group lessons).
[ Pronunciation Foundation Class] For those new to learning Chinese. For those who want to relearn pronunciation.
[ Travel Conversation Class] For those who have learned the basics of pronunciation. For those who want to learn travel conversation.
*Due to the nature of the Pronunciation Foundation Class, which builds content sequentially, it is difficult to join midway, so it will be offered as "private lessons" (if multiple people apply at the same time, group lessons may be offered).
While we recommend "group lessons" where you can learn with peers who share the same goals, "private lessons" are also available for those who prefer to learn at their own pace.
A special campaign is currently underway for those who apply between April and June 2026, offering a 1,100 yen discount per private lesson session from the regular fee.
[Private Lessons] (Special Campaign Rates)
2 lessons/month plan: Regular price 19,800 yen/month → Special price 17,600 yen/month (2,200 yen discount)
4 lessons/month plan: Regular price 39,600 yen/month → Special price 35,200 yen/month (4,400 yen discount)
[Group Lessons] (Regular Rates)
2 lessons/month plan: 15,400 yen/month
4 lessons/month plan: 29,800 yen/month
*All prices include tax.
*Both plans include "pronunciation correction" to supplement basic skills and "composition correction" to cultivate applied skills.
● Official Page of "Travel Chinese Class"
https://travelers-china.com/travel-chinese-school
● Free Level Check & Learning Consultation
For those serious about mastering travel Chinese, we offer an online assessment of your current level and propose a learning plan. If you are considering enrolling, please use the following form.
https://travelers-china.com/travel-chinese-school/contact
● Service Overview
Name: Travel Chinese Class
Operated by: China Travel .com (https://travelers-china.com/ )
Representative: Koji Yasuda (also serves as instructor)
*Sole proprietorship (trade name: China Travel .com)
Established: April 1, 2026
Business: Online lessons / in-person lessons specializing in travel Chinese + travel techniques
Target audience: Chinese beginners (first-timers) / elementary learners
Courses: Pronunciation Foundation Course / Travel Conversation Course
Format: Private lessons / Group lessons
● Instructor Profile
~ A dual expert in "China Travel" and "Travel Chinese" with 35 years of experience ~
Koji Yasuda
Career and Achievements
Began disseminating China travel information online in 1997. An active traveler who has made over 70 trips to approximately 300 locations throughout China over 35 years. Voluntarily retired from a long-serving public servant position and opened "Travel Chinese Class" on April 1, 2026.
Expertise in "Survival Chinese"
A language professional with VIP interpretation, inspection escort experience, and over 7 years of Chinese language instruction experience. Established a unique teaching method specializing in "short phrases omitting subjects" and "minimal vocabulary" to immediately convey meaning in travel situations, rather than grammatically perfect "beautiful language." Also focuses on pronunciation guidance.
Unique Position
Beyond language instruction, as a China travel expert, he advocates "travel techniques" (survival skills) for navigating "post-COVID China," where smartphone payments and complete reservation systems have become widespread and increased the difficulty of independent travel.
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Detailed profile as a "traveler": https://travelers-china.com/profile
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Q&A with the "instructor": https://travelers-china.com/travel-chinese-school/profile
《Related Release》
[April Dream 2026] Stop the "decline in Chinese travel" among Japanese! Create a society where everyone can travel freely in China with "survival skills" that break through language and system barriers.
Distributed April 1, 2026 https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000002.000180032.html
● Inquiries for Interviews and Project Collaborations
For inquiries regarding interviews, requests for comments on programs/articles/projects, and requests for image materials related to this matter, please use the form below. We will review the content and get back to you.
[Media Inquiry Form]
[Examples of themes available for media coverage]
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Explanation of the real situation of post-COVID China travel
(Penetration of smartphone payment apps among Chinese, reservation systems for tourist spots, etc.) -
"Survival skills" not found in guidebooks
(How to order at local restaurants without menus, how to use complex high-speed rail, communication methods using "a word + gesture," etc.)
[Available interview formats]
Online interviews, in-person interviews in Tokyo (at your company's office or studio, etc.), and photography are available.
*Depending on the article theme and project content, we can provide local photo materials (e.g., local restaurants, public transportation photographed in January 2026, as well as photos from other periods) and specific examples of problem-solving. Please contact us individually for details.
*If a photo of the instructor's face is required for a program or article project, it can be provided separately.
*The direct contact information (email address) for media professionals is listed in the "Information for Media Professionals Only" section at the bottom of this release.