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
Speaking is the ultimate goal of most language learners. It’s one thing working through textbooks or watching anime in Japanese. But if you ever go to Japan, how will you order your lunch, buy a train ticket or make Japanese friends, if you can’t actually speak Japanese? But speaking can definitely be the most nerve-wracking … Read more
Japanese writing can be one of the scariest aspects of learning Japanese! And there’s no shortcut to success – you simply have to get your Japanese writing practice in. Luckily there are no shortage of tools to help you with this! Whether you are a beginner looking to practise your Japanese handwriting, or an advanced … Read more
Whether you are brand new to Japanese or approaching fluency, writing can be one of the most challenging aspects of the language. And the only way to improve your Japanese writing is to write, write, write! Of course, you can practise your Japanese writing on any old scrap of paper you can get your hands … Read more
Did you know that your pet cat won’t go ‘meow’ in Japanese? Instead, a cat’s meow would be nyaa-nyaa (ニャーニャー)! In Japanese, animal sounds are replicated through onomatopoeia. Each sound differs from the biggest and baddest, to the smallest and fluffiest animals. Some don’t even have an English equivalent, making them very unique to Japan. … Read more
There’s no doubt that the word ‘Japan’ conjures up the image of cherry blossoms or sakura! Each spring, people flock to hanami or cherry blossom viewing spots to witness the blooming curtains of pink and white, making this the most popular flower in Japan! But did you know that although the cherry blossoms are iconic, … Read more
Besides being known for technology and sprawling urban spaces, Japan is also very famous for its lush nature spots! Surely, you’ve seen photos of snow-capped Mount Fuji, huge Lake Biwa, or bamboo forests (or been there in the flesh!). Here are 70 Japanese words for nature to color your vocabulary green (or any color depending … Read more
There are a variety of ways to say ‘okay’ in Japanese. Even in the English language, ‘ok’ can mean different things. For example, one way to say ok as in ‘I understand’ in Japanese is wakarimashita (分かりました). Alternatively, ok meaning ‘it’s alright’ can be daijoubu (大丈夫). Here, you’ll learn the many types of ‘okay’ in … Read more
Do you wish you could spend Christmas in Japan this year? Well, I might not be able to make that happen for you, but here’s the next best thing: a box full of Christmas treats, direct from Japan to your door! If you haven’t heard of the TokyoTreat box, it’s an awesome box packed full … Read more