Hotto Salon (ほっとサロン) is a Japanese exchange group for foreign parents who are raising children. The Kumamoto International Foundation (熊本市国際交流振興事業団, KIF) runs it once a month at the Kumamoto City International Center (熊本市国際交流会館) in Kumamoto City. KIF’s English flyer calls it the Parent-Child Japanese Language Exchange Group.
1. What happens there
Parents chat over drinks, study Japanese, and talk about raising children and everyday life. The flyer says there are sometimes picture-book readings and music-and-movement activities, and you can also talk about any worries you have as a parent.
Parents come with their children, and KIF says babies are welcome.
2. Can I join?
Yes, if you are a mother or father with a child aged 0 to 6. The group is meant for foreign parents, and the flyer says Japanese parents can join too. Each session takes up to 10 families.
3. What language is it in?
The group is a place to use Japanese, but the flyer says it is fine if you do not speak Japanese yet. The flyer itself is in Japanese and English. KIF does not say whether anyone can help in English during the session; ask them before you go if this matters to you.
4. How to sign up
- Check the date. The group meets once a month on a Thursday morning, and KIF’s monthly calendar marks each session. Key facts has the day and time.
- Book with the online form linked on KIF’s class page. KIF asks everyone to book before they take part, and the flyer says booking opens on the 1st of each month.
- Come to the Kumamoto City International Center with your child on the day. There is a small fee for each session.
5. Good to know
The flyer linked from the class page is from the 2025 fiscal year. The class page itself was updated in September 2026 and shows the same day and fee.
KIF does not list anything to bring. If you have questions, contact KIF by phone or email; Key facts has the details.
