FAQ & Support
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Regular Classes
Parent & Child Class
Flexible Class
Seasonal School
Exhibition
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Changes / leave / return / withdrawal
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Other
If the FAQ doesn't answer your question, feel free to call us at 090-1775-5480 (automated voice guide in Japanese, Tue–Fri 10:00–18:00), or contact us by email.
Regular Classes FAQ
- A: We offer the Parent & Child Class for children aged 2–3 who are not yet in preschool. Please consider this program.
Q: My child isn't in preschool yet — can they join the Preschool Class?
- A: Our early Saturday class (from 8:40) and our Sunday classes are combined preschool–elementary classes, where elementary and preschool children study together. (Availability varies by studio, so please ask.) Children up to the lower elementary grades may also attend the Preschool Class.
Q: My older child is in elementary school and the younger one is preschool age — is there a class they can attend together?
- A: Assignments are tailored to each class.
Even on the same theme, we adjust the tools and level of difficulty to suit each student's age and abilities.
Q: Do the Preschool and Elementary classes cover different content?
- A: Yes, children in the lower elementary grades can.
Q: My child is in elementary school — can they take the Preschool Class?
- A: Please observe the class you have in mind and discuss the best fit for your child with the instructor.
At present, few preschoolers attend the Elementary Class, while many first-graders attend the Preschool Class.
Q: My child is in first grade — which is better, the Preschool or the Elementary Class?
- A: Please observe the class you have in mind and discuss the best fit for your child with the instructor.
At present, few preschoolers attend the Elementary Class, while many first-graders attend the Preschool Class.
Q: My child is in their final preschool year — which is better, the Preschool or the Elementary Class?
- A: This varies by studio, and a class may already be full, so please contact us.
Q: What days and times are classes held?
- A: Please let us know via the “Make-up & Absence online form” on our website. Same-day notices are also accepted online.
Q: Where should I report an absence?
- A: If your child must miss a lesson due to illness or other commitments, we will do our best to arrange a make-up lesson, but this may not be possible if no class is held on the requested day or if the class is full.
Please arrange make-ups within four weeks before or after the missed lesson. Make-ups are available for classes that have space and are taught by two or more instructors.
Arrange make-ups via the “Make-up & Absence online form” on our website. Bookings can be made from 3 to 30 days ahead.
If you know about an absence in advance, you may also take the make-up beforehand.
※ Tuition is non-refundable and cannot be deducted from another month's fee for missed or made-up lessons.
※ Make-up lessons are not available at the Toyosu Megumi Studio.
Q: Do you have a make-up lesson system?
- A: Yes. Your official enrollment date (which becomes your annual renewal date) is set to the first lesson day of the following month. The first month's tuition is the monthly fee divided over 48 lessons a year (24 for biweekly), prorated and multiplied by the number of lessons that first month.
Q: Can I enroll partway through the month?
- A: You can attend a weekly class on a biweekly basis. Your basic lesson days follow the schedule given at enrollment, but you may also move to another week.
Q: Is the biweekly course only on Sundays?
- A: For weekly classes, we can accommodate this as a “make-up.” Please let our head office know your lesson days each month.
Q: I can't come on the 1st and 3rd weeks — I'd like the 2nd and 4th weeks.
- A: The Preschool and Elementary classes do not offer school-exam preparation.
At GAJYUKU we create a wide variety of works, and we hope the experience gained proves valuable. The teen exam class offers preparation for high-school and university entrance exams.
Q: Do you offer exam preparation?
- A: We cannot provide support for elementary or junior-high entrance exams, school summer assignments, or contest submissions. However, you are welcome to submit work made in GAJYUKU lessons for a school summer assignment.
Q: Can my child do their summer homework here?
- A: For very young children we may ask parents to help. Once children have grown a little, however, we ask that you watch over them warmly from a distance.
Q: May a parent help with the work?
- A: We are sorry, but please arrive no more than about 10 minutes early.
Q: There is free time between school and the lesson — may we arrive early?
- A: If there is an unavoidable reason, please let us know and we will accommodate it for that day only. Otherwise, please come for pickup on time.
Q: I may sometimes be late for pickup due to work — is that all right?
- A: Oils require a certain level of foundational skill, so we recommend building skills with media we use such as watercolor. Even when used in the teen class, students supply their own oil-painting materials.
Q: My child wants to try oil painting — can it be included in the lessons?
- A: This means enrolling in two classes. Please contact us about the tuition.
Q: Can my child attend twice a week?
- A: This is only possible at studios where both biweekly Sunday classes (I and II) run. A different instructor teaches each alternate week.
Q: Can my child attend the biweekly Sunday class every week?
- A: This depends on availability. Please contact us to check.
Q: My child was in the Preschool Class and is now in elementary school — can they join the Elementary Class on the same day?
- A: We will do our best to accommodate this in consultation with the instructor. Even for a painting-focused student, we will include some craft assignments — for example, in years when the studio exhibits crafts at our annual exhibition (Gajyuku-ten), or when the child wishes for a change of pace.
Q: I'd like my child to focus on drawing and painting.
- A: Assignments center on drawing and three-dimensional work, while also incorporating the student's own wishes through free creation.
Q: What are the teen classes like?
- A: We provide exam preparation centered on drawing, three-dimensional work and watercolor. As lesson time is limited, however, we recommend also attending an art prep school during summer and just before exams.
Q: Do you prepare students for art high schools and art universities?
- A: We use everyday materials, but at GAJYUKU children create a wide range of works they might never think of on their own. Skill is not what matters. We hope that, through making many things, children discover the joy of drawing and creating — and when it's fun, their hands move naturally.
Q: We're interested, but my child rarely draws and isn't very skilled.
- A: Neither drawing nor making is finished quickly; both require steady, patient effort, which children learn through the creative process. Even if concentration is hard at first, experiencing the joy of completing something over time gradually changes their attitude.
Q: My child has trouble concentrating.
- A: It is said that originality begins with imitation. Children don't yet know how to draw many forms, so copying shapes and building up a personal repertoire is valuable. Our instructors gradually expand what they can draw by offering concrete examples.
Q: My child only copies anime drawings, or struggles to draw realistically.
Regular Classes
Parent & Child Class
Flexible Class
Seasonal School
Exhibition
-
Changes / leave / return / withdrawal
-
Other
If the FAQ doesn't answer your question, feel free to call us at 090-1775-5480 (automated voice guide in Japanese, Tue–Fri 10:00–18:00), or contact us by email.
Parent & Child Class FAQ
- A: Since one instructor teaches the class, this is fine as long as a parent stays with the child. Please note that, due to studio space, there is no room for nursing or changing diapers.
Q: May I bring an infant along?
- A: This is possible subject to availability. If so, please tell us your preferred studio for each session when you apply.
Q: I'd like to attend a different studio for some sessions.
- A: Lessons last one hour, so please judge based on how your child usually does. The parent will likely take on a larger share of the making.
Q: My child isn't yet 2 (e.g. 1 year 10 months) but would like to join.
- A: Yes, up to three people — two parents and one child — may attend.
Q: Can two parents and one child (three people) attend together?
- A: The fee is paid in advance (bank transfer only) and is non-refundable, even in case of absence.
Q: Is the fee refunded if we are absent?
- A: No make-up lessons are available.
Q: Are make-up lessons available for absences?
- A: Subject to availability, you can register for programs up to three months ahead.
Q: Can I book a year's worth of sessions in advance?
Regular Classes
Parent & Child Class
Flexible Class
Seasonal School
Exhibition
-
Changes / leave / return / withdrawal
-
Other
If the FAQ doesn't answer your question, feel free to call us at 090-1775-5480 (automated voice guide in Japanese, Tue–Fri 10:00–18:00), or contact us by email.
Flexible Class FAQ
- A: Assignments differ by class, so after you ask, we will check with the instructor and get back to you. Note that the assignment may change at the last minute depending on the day's number of students, trial lessons and other factors.
Q: I'd like to know the assignment for the day I attend.
- A: Within the Flexible Class period, you may attend on any day that is running and has space, whenever is convenient. The instructor may differ by day.
Q: Are the days fixed?
- A: The Flexible Class is limited to a maximum of 8 sessions over up to 2 months. If you wish to attend more, please consider our ongoing program, the Regular Classes.
Q: I'd like to attend about one month every six months.
- A: If your child must miss a lesson due to illness or other commitments, we will try to arrange a make-up, but this may not be possible if no class runs on the requested day or the class is full. Please arrange make-ups within four weeks before or after the missed lesson.
Arrange make-ups via the “Make-up & Absence online form” on our website. Bookings can be made from 3 to 30 days ahead.
Q: Are make-up lessons available for the Flexible Class?
- A: Yes. The first session is a Trial Lesson, and the Flexible Class begins from the second session.
Q: Does the Flexible Class session count include the Trial Lesson?
- A: Because of class capacity, please discuss your lesson days with our head office in advance, and we will arrange the schedule.
Q: Do lesson days have to be decided in advance?
- A: Instructors cannot arrange lesson schedules, so please always contact our head office.
Q: Can I ask the class instructor to arrange the schedule?
Regular Classes
Parent & Child Class
Flexible Class
Seasonal School
Exhibition
-
Changes / leave / return / withdrawal
-
Other
If the FAQ doesn't answer your question, feel free to call us at 090-1775-5480 (automated voice guide in Japanese, Tue–Fri 10:00–18:00), or contact us by email.
Seasonal School FAQ
- A: These vary slightly by year. The assignments, along with the schedule, are usually posted about a month and a half before, so please check our website.
Q: What kind of assignments are there?
- A: Seasonal Schools are three-day programs and the fee is paid as a set. For a single day, please consider a Trial Lesson or the Flexible Class, which join a regular class.
Q: I'd like to join for just one day.
- A: No Trial Lesson is required for the Summer or Spring School.
Q: Is a Trial Lesson required for the Seasonal School?
- A: Yes, if the class you want has space. Seasonal School applications vary by studio and can fill up quickly, so if you are considering a trial or visit beforehand, please apply early.
Q: Can I take a Trial Lesson before applying for a Seasonal School?
- A: Summer School registration opens during May for the first term and during June for the second term. We announce the opening on our website and social media.
Q: When does Summer School registration open?
- A: Spring School registration opens during January. We announce the opening on our website and social media.
Q: When does Spring School registration open?
- A: Yes. Some assignments may overlap with those already done in the regular class.
Q: My child attends a regular class — can they also join?
- A: The fee is paid in advance by credit card and is non-refundable, even in case of absence.
Q: Is the fee refunded if we are absent?
- A: No make-up lessons are available.
Q: Are make-up lessons available for absences?
Regular Classes
Parent & Child Class
Flexible Class
Seasonal School
Exhibition
-
Changes / leave / return / withdrawal
-
Other
If the FAQ doesn't answer your question, feel free to call us at 090-1775-5480 (automated voice guide in Japanese, Tue–Fri 10:00–18:00), or contact us by email.
Exhibition FAQ
- A: There are no studio lessons during the Gajyuku-ten exhibition, so we hope you will come to the venue together with family and friends.
Q: Are there studio lessons during the exhibition period?
- A: The exhibition is part of the lesson program, so it is required for all enrolled students. An exhibition fee is collected by bank transfer in the month before the event.
Q: Is exhibiting optional?
- A: One copy per child. If you would like more, we can provide additional copies for a fee — just let us know.
Q: How many exhibition catalogs does each child receive?
- A: We hold the exhibition at a venue that is appropriate for operations, and we ask for your understanding.
Q: The venue is far from our home.
Regular Classes
Parent & Child Class
Flexible Class
Seasonal School
Exhibition
-
Changes / leave / return / withdrawal
-
Other
If the FAQ doesn't answer your question, feel free to call us at 090-1775-5480 (automated voice guide in Japanese, Tue–Fri 10:00–18:00), or contact us by email.
Changes, leave, return & withdrawal FAQ
- A: Because a course change (weekly/biweekly) requires changing the direct-debit amount, please submit the “class change / leave / return / withdrawal form” at least one month before the change.
Q: I'd like to change from weekly to biweekly.
- A: A change of day is possible if the new class has space. Please submit the “class change / leave / return / withdrawal form”.
Q: I'd like to change days.
- A: We accept leaves of absence. For up to two months, no tuition is charged during the leave. For three months or more, tuition at half the monthly fee applies only if you wish to keep your place in the class. Because of direct-debit processing, please submit the “class change / leave / return / withdrawal form” at least one month before the month you wish to start your leave.
Q: I'd like to take a break of a month or more.
- A: If you wish to return to your previous class, you can keep your place by paying half the monthly fee. Without keeping your place, the class may fill up during your leave. Even without a reserved place, you can return to any class that has space.
Q: What happens to my place if I take leave for three months or more?
- A: We are sorry, but leave is only accepted when submitted in advance via the “class change / leave / return / withdrawal form”. Please use make-up lessons for the sessions you missed.
Q: I took a month off — can I apply that month's fee to the next month?
- A: You can return at any time if your desired class has space. Depending on the length of your leave, a renewal fee may apply. Due to direct-debit processing, two months of tuition will be debited together one month after you return. Please submit the “class change / leave / return / withdrawal form”.
Q: I took a long leave and would like to resume.
- A: Please submit the “class change / leave / return / withdrawal form” at least one month before your withdrawal date.
Q: It's become hard to attend — how do I withdraw?
- A: As long as there are no overdue fees, there is no special charge for withdrawing. The first-year enrollment fee and tuition up to withdrawal are charged as usual.
Q: We may move within a year and have to stop — are there any fees for withdrawing in under a year?
Regular Classes
Parent & Child Class
Flexible Class
Seasonal School
Exhibition
-
Changes / leave / return / withdrawal
-
Other
If the FAQ doesn't answer your question, feel free to call us at 090-1775-5480 (automated voice guide in Japanese, Tue–Fri 10:00–18:00), or contact us by email.
Other FAQ
- A: The studios have no dedicated parking or bicycle parking. Please use public transport, or paid coin parking nearby.
None of the studios have dedicated parking, so please use a nearby coin parking lot.
Q: Is there parking or bicycle parking?
- A: Yes. Please tell our head office your preferred colour and size. As the new smock may take some time to arrive, please continue bringing the current one until then.
Q: My child has outgrown their smock (overalls) — can I buy a larger one?
- A: Basic materials (paints, crayons, brushes and brush cases) are sold at the studio, as sets or individually. Please tell the instructor which you need.
Q: Can I replace or buy more paints and crayons?
- A: In principle children are left at the studio to create on their own, but there are chairs for observers, so you may watch during the lesson. You may also come and go during the lesson.
Q: Can parents observe after enrollment (not just the trial)?
- A: The observation space is not very large and the only private room is the restroom, but it is fine as long as a parent stays with the baby.
Q: May I bring a baby when observing?
- A: The studio phone only connects once an instructor is on site, so available times depend on the day's classes. We cannot be reached on days with no lessons. Even on lesson days, depending on staffing, we prioritise teaching.
Q: I can't reach the studio by phone.
- A: Head-office phone hours are generally Tuesday to Friday, 10:00–18:00. However, this may differ when staff are away teaching.
Q: I can't reach the head office by phone.
- A:
For mobile email addresses, please adjust your spam settings to allow mail from “@gajyuku.com” and “@select-type.com.”
Instructions are on each carrier's website.
※ Or check at your carrier's store.
• Docomo spam-filter settings
• au spam-filter settings
• SoftBank spam-filter settings
If you still do not receive our mail after a few days, please contact us by phone.
Q: I'm not receiving reply emails from GAJYUKU.
- A: The X account @gajyuku mainly posts class reports, while @gajyuku_info covers closures, announcements, Seasonal Schools, SnapSnap information and the like.
Q: What's the difference between the X accounts @gajyuku and @gajyuku_info?
- A: We began an email delivery service in May 2019.
If your registered address is a mobile email address, please adjust your spam settings to allow mail from “@gajyuku.com” and “@select-type.com.”
Instructions are on each carrier's website.
※ Or check at your carrier's store.
• Docomo spam-filter settings
• au spam-filter settings
• SoftBank spam-filter settings
Q: I keep missing the printed notices handed out at GAJYUKU — could you email them?
Regular Classes
Parent & Child Class
Flexible Class
Seasonal School
Exhibition
-
Changes / leave / return / withdrawal
-
Other
If the FAQ doesn't answer your question, feel free to call us at 090-1775-5480 (automated voice guide in Japanese, Tue–Fri 10:00–18:00), or contact us by email.
