Hannah Stafford 
Shrines and temples are a huge sightseeing attraction for travelers visiting Japan! In such a fast-paced, high-tech, modern country, shrines and temples are a great way to step back into Japan’s rich history. Many of Japan’s customs which are present today actually stem from Shinto beliefs and Buddhist teachings! Not only are Japanese shrines and … Read more
If you have the chance to experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in Japan, you should definitely partake and see what it’s all about! In this fast-paced, digital age, taking the time out to do something as simple as preparing a cup of tea can be a great way to slow down, re-connect with yourself … Read more
If you are a fan of visiting saunas, steam rooms or jacuzzis as a way to wind down and soothe your body, you should definitely consider visiting an onsen in Japan! Though similar, visiting a Japanese onsen is a rather unique experience and you may be in for quite the culture shock if you do … Read more
When it comes to learning languages, we usually start off with fun and light topics such as greetings, colours or daily conversation. However, there may come a time when you have to express your condolences and offer support to those around you who find themselves going through difficulties, such as bereavement. As we know, Japanese … Read more
In English, we use the word ‘amazing’ to describe a multitude of things, ranging from food to experiences to the weather! The most common way to say amazing in Japanese is sugoi (すごい). Like ‘amazing’, this word can be used in a variety of situations. However, it leans more on the casual side, so depending … Read more
‘Good job’ is one of those phrases of encouragement we all love to hear, especially if it’s in relation to our Japanese skills! In Japanese, there are multiple ways to say ‘good job’, depending on hierarchy, social context and even the effort someone is putting in. Even people who don’t speak Japanese may recognise the … Read more
In an ideal world, we would understand everything in any language! Unfortunately, we are only human and that cannot always be the case. This is why it is important to know how to express our confusion when we didn’t quite get the message! There are two common phrases to say ‘I don’t know’ or ‘I … Read more
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to attend school in Japan? Or maybe you are thinking about attending yourself, or perhaps even teaching in Japan! The Japanese education system is quite unique and you may find it slightly different to your own school experience growing up. In this post we will go … Read more