Love Japan? You’ll love these posts all about life in Japan and Japanese culture.
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
April in Japan is one of the most iconic months of the year! With the famous cherry blossom season in full swing, the scenery fully matches that fairytale image of Japan you might have in your head. As well as fun hanami (cherry blossom viewing) picnics and festivals, April brings the start of the school … Read more
March in Japan is a month of transition. Winter is fading, plum blossoms are in full bloom, and cherry blossoms begin to appear in the warmer regions. Schools and companies prepare for graduation ceremonies, and the whole country feels fresh and full of new beginnings! Whether you’re planning a spring trip or exploring Japanese culture … Read more
Most Studio Ghibli movies feel totally magical, and that’s why we love them! But many of the details they show are very real, and we can actually learn a lot about Japanese culture from watching Ghibli movies. Look closely, and you’ll spot everyday Japanese traditions and customs woven into the stories. Shrines, school routines, shared … Read more
Most Studio Ghibli films feel so complete and original that it’s easy to assume they were written purely for the screen! But several of them actually began as novels, manga, or even much older folktales. It’s not always obvious which is which. In some cases the film follows the original closely. In others, Studio Ghibli … Read more
Studio Ghibli movies are often recommended to Japanese learners, but not all of them are equally helpful for language practice! Some feature dramatic speech, unusual vocabulary, or fantasy settings that don’t reflect how people talk in everyday life. If your goal is to improve listening skills and get used to natural Japanese, it helps to … Read more
The Studio Ghibli movies are some of Japan’s most beloved creative works. For many, it’s our first introduction to Japanese culture. Not all Studio Ghibli films are set in Japan. Many take place in imagined worlds or European-inspired settings. But a small group of Ghibli films are unmistakably set in Japan – from post-war countryside … 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