FREE Websites for Japanese Reading Practice (At Every Level)

Bookshelf filled with two rows of colorful books, mostly with Japanese titles, arranged vertically and tightly packed together.

Want to get better at Japanese? Reading is one of the best ways to improve your language skills. It’s especially important to read a lot when you’re learning a language with a different writing system, like Japanese. Hiragana, katakana and kanji can be overwhelming at first. But with enough reading practice, reading these characters will … Read more

Your Complete Guide to Traditional Japanese Clothing: Kimono, Yukata, Hakama and More 

Three people wear colorful Japanese traditional clothing, featuring kimonos with patterned obi belts. One holds a decorative mask, and another carries a folding fan. Only their torsos are visible.

Japan is a country where tradition and modernity exist and excel simultaneously. Although Japan is renowned for its big bustling cities, cutting edge technology and futuristic robotics, it still manages to hold on to its ancient heritage.  This duality of tradition and novelty can be seen especially through the traditional clothing of Japan. If you … Read more

17+ Blooming Beautiful Japanese Cherry Blossom Words for Spring

During the enchanting cherry blossom season, a Japanese woman in a floral kimono holds a fan and smiles amid the vibrant blooms.

Cherry blossoms, or sakura (桜 / さくら), are more than just pretty flowers in Japan – they are a symbol of new beginnings and beauty. Every spring, these delicate pink blossoms cover the country, inviting people to enjoy hanami (花見 / はなみ), which means ‘flower viewing’. In Japan, cherry blossoms remind us of the start of spring and how … Read more