The short answer is: No, Japanese is not a tonal language. Rather than being a tonal language, Japanese is considered a ‘pitch-accent language’. You might be wondering why. If you’re interested in finding out more, read on for the long answer too! What is a tonal language? Before looking at why Japanese is not a … Read more
Although life in Japan can be pretty hectic at times, tea culture is also a central part of life. That means slowing down and taking time to appreciate the small pleasures of a refreshing drink and an exquisitely made snack. Sakuraco is a monthly subscription box from Japan that aims to bring traditional Japanese snacks … Read more
Craving a bite of Japan? Among the many fantastic things Japan is known for, delicious food is near the top of the list! Even if you can’t get to Japan to sample its delights yourself, there are many subscription boxes that will bring a taste of Japan to you. TokyoTreat is one of the better … Read more
Who’s a good boy? The best feeling in the world is coming to a happy doggo, tail wagging after eagerly awaiting its hooman’s return! Inu (犬 / いぬ) is the word for dog in Japanese, while koinu (子犬 / こいぬ) is the Japanese word for puppy. Japan is home to popular native breeds like the … Read more
Nya-ice to meet you! If you love cats and Japan, you’ve come to the right place! 😻 From Hello Kitty to maneki neko figurines that wave at you nonstop from shop windows, or even cat cafes for ailurophile foodies – there’s something cat people will love. The word for cat in Japanese is neko (猫 / … Read more
Do you have a Japanese boyfriend or girlfriend and want to take it to the next level by calling them by a sweet, cute nickname? If you’re stuck on what to call your lover in Japanese, this is the guide for you! Terms of endearment work uniquely in Japan because of its formal and introverted … Read more
While Japanese is spoken by the majority of people in Japan, it may come as a surprise that it’s not the official language of the country! You’re probably thinking, wait – what? Let us explain! What is an official language? An official language (known as kouyogo/公用語 in Japanese) is a language recognised by law for … Read more
‘Cool’ is a very flexible word in the English language. It can be used to describe someone’s fashion sense, action movie stunts, or a gift you received from a friend. It’s also used as a response in agreement to something or someone: ‘Let’s head to the amusement park.’ ‘Cool!’ The most popular Japanese word for … Read more