ENA JUKU SCHOOL MOVES INTO FORMER LES ENFANTS SPACE AT WESTWOOD CENTER II IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Yirasai Sushi, in the Westwood Center II shopping center on Ridgefield Road, is one of the area's best-kept Japanese dining secrets.

Now a second tenant is promising to bring a bit of Japanese culture to the Westbard area of Bethesda.

Education Network Association (ENA), operated by Gakkyusha USA Co., LTD, is opening a Japanese juku school in the space vacated by Les Enfants last year.

What is a Juku School? I know a fair amount about Japanese culture, but had never heard of this concept before yesterday.

It turns out that a juku is somewhat like an afterschool educational program for Japanese children. More than a tutoring session, and certainly not a detention or punishment.

Attendees of a juku not only review and build on material learned during the regular school day, but also study in preparation for rigorous entrance exams to exclusive private high schools and universities.

It is not uncommon for a Japanese student to attend juku school 2 to 3 times a week, for sessions lasting 1 and a half to 3 hours. According to ENA, the schools also administer practice tests just before students take the aforementioned entrance exams.

ENA will operate the school between 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Tuesday-Friday, and from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Saturdays.

This is a positive for nearby businesses in the Westbard area, as parents and students will likely patronize shops, the River Road McDonald's, Yirasai, gas stations, etc., while there.