Interview with the Founder of Takutomo, a New Online Study Community for Japan's Takken Real Estate License Exam

Online qualification study and community-based learning have been gaining attention in recent years. Takutomo, launched by Kosuke Mawatari—a certified Takken (Japanese real estate broker license) holder with extensive front-line experience—aims to boost motivation and learning efficiency through an online self-study room where members can spur each other on. We spoke with him about a service designed to deliver real value to a wide range of test takers, from those struggling with self-study to those returning for another attempt.

Interviewee Profile

Kosuke Mawatari Lead Supporter

After handling rentals, sales, and property management at a brokerage in Tokyo, he took on full-commission sales in Chiba Prefecture. He passed the FY2022 Takken exam. Drawing on both his hands-on experience and his journey to certification, he founded Takutomo, an online self-study room that stays close to test takers.

Introduction & Overview (About the Service)

Editorial team (questions in bold from here on): First, could you give us an overall summary of "Takutomo"?

Mawatari (name omitted henceforth): Sure. Takutomo is an online self-study room and community service for people preparing for Japan's Takken (Real Estate Transaction Agent) exam. The two key points are "learning together with peers" and "support from those who have passed the exam." With the free FREE plan, you can view other test takers' progress and exchange information; with the PLUS plan (480 yen per month), you can post your own progress and receive personalized comments from certified supporters for closer support. The design encourages habit-forming by letting you log your daily study activities.

The service's top page. A screenshot of the hero section that conveys the feel of the online self-study room.

Strengths & Differentiators (What Sets It Apart)

In what ways do you think Takutomo differs from other learning services?

The biggest difference is "having someone walking the journey with you." It isn't just a message board or video library—actual Takken-certified supporters comment on your study posts to encourage you and share tips on how to approach your studies. This makes up for the loneliness that often makes self-study hard to keep up. The visibility of progress itself is also a strong source of motivation. By making your study time and the topics you've covered visible and comparing them with others, you gain a clear sense of where you stand, which makes it easier to build an efficient study plan.

The pricing plans screen. A clear summary of the differences between the FREE and PLUS plans.

Motivation & Background (Why We Started)

Why did you decide to launch this initiative?

It comes largely from my own experience of pursuing the Takken license while working on the front lines. There were many times when studying alone made me anxious and my motivation wavered. After passing the exam, I looked around and saw how many people had been saved by a "small word of encouragement" or "a piece of study advice" from someone who had already passed. I started Takutomo wanting to deliver that small power of walking alongside someone in a more systematic way. I wanted to create a cycle where test takers report what they did each day, and certified supporters give back concrete advice.

A Message to Users

Do you have a message for prospective users who are considering signing up?

If you don't feel confident studying on your own, or if you feel like giving up partway through, I encourage you to try it. You don't need to change your textbooks or study methods. Just adding "Takutomo" to your current study habits can dramatically boost both consistency and efficiency. If you're undecided, start by checking out other people's progress on the FREE plan. Just seeing your peers working hard often changes the amount of time you put in the next day.

Looking Ahead

Could you tell us about your plans and goals for the service going forward?

In the short term, we want to increase the number of special online study sessions (both free and paid), regularly hosting things like topic-focused intensive sessions and last-minute exam prep seminars. Over the medium to long term, we want to grow this into a community where people can learn together across regions and generations, and after passing the exam, we'd also like to provide "practical-tie-in" content useful in the field. Eventually, we'd like Takutomo to be a place that supports not just passing the exam but also developing the skills to be ready to perform from day one on the job.

Editor's Note

As online learning becomes more common, how to overcome isolation is a major factor in whether one passes an exam. The "framework for aiming at certification together with peers" that Takutomo provides should be a valuable option, especially for test takers who struggle with motivation. Start by getting a feel for the atmosphere on the free plan, and add PLUS for personal support as needed—that practical approach is what we'd recommend.

For more details, please see the official site.