About
An independent Japanese soroban school in Greater Vancouver — and online.
We help children and adults build concentration, visual memory, and quiet confidence through personalized mental abacus training.
Who We Are
Ikoma Abacus is independently operated. It is not a franchise. That means instruction is not locked to a fixed manual. Each student is taught according to their pace, personality, and the way they learn.
Classes are offered in person across Greater Vancouver and online for families anywhere.
Your Instructor
Ikoma Abacus is led by an instructor with the highest level of Japanese abacus certification and more than 25 years of teaching experience.
• Japanese Soroban 9th Dan (highest rank)
• Over 25 years of teaching experience
• Extensive parenting experience
• A close understanding of how children learn — including the patterns in their mistakes
Some children thrive with gentle encouragement. Others respond better to clear structure and challenge. Instruction is adjusted so students can stand back up on their own, recognize their progress, and believe in themselves.
What We Value
Confidence Beyond Calculation
True confidence comes from understanding a mistake and overcoming it independently — not from speed or comparison.
Learning Through Mistakes
Errors are learning tools. Children are guided to notice what happened, adjust their thinking, and try again without fear.
Children Supporting Each Other
Students who progress quickly help others. Explaining a concept deepens their own understanding and builds empathy.
Why This Method
Japanese soroban training develops more than calculation. Students first move real beads, then learn to visualize the same frame in their mind. This mental practice strengthens concentration and photographic memory, and supports healthy brain development.
The work is visual, structured, and calm. Children receive clear feedback they can trust, so they can see their own progress.
Our Story
Ikoma Abacus Learning opened its first class in Vancouver, BC in 2004, bringing Japanese soroban teaching to families in Canada. The school remains independent, with the same focus: personalized instruction, respect for each child’s pace, and skills that last beyond math class.