10 Famous Japanese Proverbs

It’s quite likely that you have heard the phrase, “fall down 7 times, get up 8”. But did you know that it originated as a Japanese saying? Nana korobi yaoki (七転び八起き), which translates to “7 falls, 8 rises” is a very well-known kotowaza (ことわざ), or proverb.  Here is our list of 10 more famous Japanese proverbs.

How To Speak Casual Japanese ~7 slang expressions

When you speak casual English to friends, you don’t use perfect grammar and full sentences like you would when writing a paper, correct? Japanese is the same way. When speaking conversational Japanese, people rarely use the exact words and long phrases that you’d find in a textbook. Here is a 5-minute mini lesson to help you speak Casual Japanese.

感謝の言葉 Kansha no kotoba: Appreciation words in Japanese

Japanese Appreciation Words

Have you heard of “Power of appreciation or gratitude”? To receive help from Japanese, showing gratitude in advance works! Let’s learn variety of useful Japanese thank you words! This is YouTube Live lesson on 1 June 2020 – YT Japanese Live Lessons on every Mon & Wed 9am JST. Please turn in if you like 🙂   Here are the words … Read More

The Best Day Trips From Tokyo

nikko bridge autumn

Are you coming to Japan and staying in Tokyo? Thanks to Japan’s convenient public transportation, you can easily make a number of great side trips to nearby rural areas no matter where you stay in Tokyo. Get out of the city for a bit and get lost in the beauty of rural Japan – just for a day or two. … Read More

Stereotypes About Japan That ARE True!

night street in kyoto

When you think about “Japan”, what stereotypes come to mind? There are loads of myths surrounding Japan – about the people, the culture, the trains, and even the food! Many of them are far from accurate, but several common stereotypes are actually spot-on! Read on to find out which stereotypes about Japan are true, and the facts that back them … Read More

Top 10 Things to Do in Japan in November 2019

world character summit

November in Japan is when the leaves reach their peak autumn beauty, and the first cold winds remind you that winter is not far away! November is full with a variety of autumn parades, an international carnival in Okinawa, and even a famous World Character Summit in Saitama! Here are the top 10 things to do in Japan in November … Read More

City Spotlight: Nara, Japan

Nara City Japan

Nara (奈良) is a city with a significant historical importance to Japan, and continues to serve as one of the most beloved tourist spots today. We take a look at how to get there, what to do, and even what it eat in this city spotlight on Nara City!

An Easy Guide to the 8 Regions of Japan

Regions of Japan

Japan is officially divided into 8 major regions, and each one has its own iconic landmarks, unique culture, things they’re famous for, and role in Japanese history. Let’s take a closer look at each region and what makes them stand out from the rest! Do you have a favorite region in Japan?

Why Japanese People Wear Masks

Masks in Japan

In Western countries, if you saw someone walking around wearing a surgical mask, you might be surprised and assume they have some sort of illness or just came from a hospital! But in Japan, and many other countries in Asia, wearing a surgical mask as you go about your daily life is completely normal. Here’s a look into why Japanese … Read More

Top 10 Japan Tips That No One Talks About

If you’re planning a trip to Japan, it’s important to be prepared! It’s easy to find information on what to pack, or which sight-seeing spots to visit, but what about where to get wi-fi, or how to contact police if there’s an emergency? Here are 10 Japan tips that no one really talks about.