As you wander through Toyoda, a recently developed area in Hino City, west of Tokyo, you’ll stumble upon a space that feels both fresh and familiar—Momonoki (meaning 'peach tree' in Japanese) and Momojuku (meaning 'peach after-school class' in Japanese). Tucked away on the ground floor of PlanT, a startup hub for local entrepreneurs in Hino City, this unique educational space may only have two years at its current location, but it already feels deeply rooted in the community. The warm wooden furniture, board games from around the world, and a vibrant mural on the entrance glass create an inviting and dynamic environment. It’s hard to believe that Momonoki, an alternative school, only opened in October 2023, with Momojuku starting six months earlier. The space feels like a long-standing home for Momoko and her students, where creativity, curiosity, and a new kind of learning take center stage.
Momonoki is an innovative alternative school that currently serves about 15 students, ranging from first to eighth grade. The school operates from 10 am to 2 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, offering a flexible attendance model where students choose to participate one to three days per week. This flexibility enables students to choose their time balance between Momonoki and traditional schools, or to attend Momonoki exclusively. Each day begins with students checking in on how they feel, using a scale from 1 to 10, and setting at least one personal goal to achieve during school hours. In the mornings, they work at their own pace on Japanese, math, and project-based learning, with a focus on individualized progress. Lunch features thoughtfully prepared meals using pesticide-free rice, fresh vegetables, and miso soup made from additive-free miso, prioritizing both health and sustainability. The afternoons offer free time and a reflection period, where students assess whether they met their morning goals. This daily practice of setting and achieving small goals helps build self-confidence and foster self-efficacy.
Momojuku, the after-school program, serves around 30 first to sixth graders. Unlike traditional after-school programs that focus on boosting test scores, Momojuku emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and social skills. Its curriculum covers nine themes, including Japanese, math, and visionary thinking, which foster logical reasoning. Activities such as project-based learning, group discussions, essay writing, book presentations, block-building communication exercises, and analog games help students develop essential social and collaborative skills. One standout feature of Momojuku’s curriculum is its focus on food education, where students learn how to read labels and understand the ingredients in packaged foods—a skill they often share with their families, encouraging healthy habits at home.
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So how were Momonoki and Momojuku created, with their 45 students and such a deeply rooted philosophy after only a year of operation? The answer lies with Momoko Teramae, the founder and driving force behind these programs. A winner of the PlanT Business Contest in December 2023, Momoko runs both the alternative school and the after-school classes herself. Growing up in a family in Hyogo Prefecture, her father a politician and her mother a teacher, Momoko was raised in an environment filled with visitors—friends, students, and community members alike—who regularly gathered at her home. It was her mother’s influence, particularly after witnessing her vibrant energy while teaching, that inspired Momoko to follow the same path. After four years as a middle school teacher and four more as an elementary school teacher, Momoko began to feel that the conventional system was no longer a fit for her.
Her desire to address the individual needs of her students conflicted with the rigid rules of traditional schooling, and as a mother of three, her priorities shifted even more when her child was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis. Momoko’s calm and humble demeanor belies a strong inner resolve. Once she knew what she wanted—for both her family and her vision for education—she made a leap, quitting her teaching job and launching Momojuku just one month later.
At the heart of Momoko's educational philosophy is the concept of "grounding yourself." When her own child’s health improved through organic food and clothing, Momoko began to see the connection between physical well-being and mental clarity. "If children can learn to follow healthy habits," she thought, "their body and mind will thrive." Many of Momonoki’s students initially struggled with social anxiety and low self-confidence, but through daily encouragement and a nurturing environment, they begin to believe in themselves. Every day, Momoko reminds her students that simply showing up at Momonoki is a success. Her curriculum offers ample opportunities for students to think, speak, and present their ideas, empowering them to take ownership of their learning. In just one year, five students have returned to their local schools after attending Momonoki. “They regained their confidence, knowing they can be themselves in traditional schools,” says Momoko. “And they always have Momonoki as a home.”
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From the author's perspective, the uniqueness of Momonoki and Momojuku as an educational space, comes from how Momoko herself embodies her educational philosophy of "grounding herself" so naturally. This is especially evident in how she has designed her weekly schedule when she became an entrepreneur. Her week starts with weekends spent fully with her family. Mondays are her personal days, while Momonoki and Momojuku are closed. She gradually eases into the week, running Momonoki from Tuesday and adding two Momojuku blocks on Wednesday afternoons. By Thursday and Friday, she is back in full swing, balancing both programs. This thoughtful approach to work-life balance stands in contrast to the overworked image of Japanese teachers, and shows that Momoko knows exactly what she wants out of life.
With time in her hands, her activities are limitless. Besides Momonoki and Momojuku, she now opens Momo Café and Izakaya (meaning "pub" or "bar" in Japanese) Momoko for adults, providing a space for parents to share their concerns and connect. In addition, she occasionally runs Kodomo Shokudo (meaning "children's diner" in Japanese) with her partner, where they provide cooked meals for local children as a charity. Asked where her energy come from, Momoko replied, "I created this school because this is what I needed as a teacher. But that doesn’t mean I’ve given up on the traditional school system. Someday, I hope to bring change to it—maybe even by following in my father’s footsteps and becoming a politician."
Follow Momonoki and Momojuku's Instagram at @momojuku.momonoki
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