Japanese learning blog
Practical guides on speaking, grammar, pronunciation, listening, and study planning, written for learners who want to use Japanese in real life.
All articles · Page 138
Dake de Naku: Saying Not Only… But Also in Japanese
Adding a second point is one of the most common moves in conversation. Japanese has a range of ways to do it, from casual to formal.
5 min readValentine's Day and White Day in Japan: Customs and Phrases
In Japan, Valentine's Day traditionally runs in one direction, and a second holiday a month later exists so the gift can come back.
6 min readChristmas in Japan: Customs, Couples and Useful Phrases
Christmas in Japan is everywhere in December and almost gone by the 26th, and the day that matters most for families comes a week later.
6 min readTanabata: The Star Festival and How to Write a Wish
Once a year, bamboo branches across Japan fill with paper strips, and each strip is a wish written with the same small grammar pattern.
6 min readJapanese Superstitions: Numbers, Chopsticks and Night Habits
Most Japanese superstitions are not about fear. They are about avoiding things that echo death or a funeral, and knowing them spares you an awkward moment.
6 min readJapanese Summer Festivals and Fireworks: Stalls, Yukata and Phrases
A Japanese summer festival is mostly short, cheerful exchanges: one yakisoba, a turn at the goldfish game, and a shout when the first firework opens.
5 min readAutumn Leaves in Japan: Momijigari Words and Phrases
Autumn leaf viewing has its own small vocabulary, and most of the conversation turns on one question: are the leaves at their best yet?
6 min readHinamatsuri and Children's Day: Japan's Festivals for Kids
Twice each spring, Japanese homes and shops celebrate children, and each day comes with its own decorations, sweets and greetings.
5 min readJapanese Tea Vocabulary: Sencha, Matcha, Hōjicha and More
In Japan, ocha usually means green tea, and knowing a handful of tea names makes menus, cafés and home visits far easier.
5 min readSumo Vocabulary: Ranks, Techniques and Watching a Tournament
Sumo commentary sounds dense until you know about thirty words, and after that a bout lasting a few seconds becomes easy to follow and talk about.
6 min readJapanese for Cosplay and Anime Events: Photos, Queues and Fans
Anime and cosplay events in Japan run on clear rules and polite requests, and a few set phrases make you a welcome visitor rather than a confused one.
6 min readIrasshaimase Meaning: What Shop Staff Are Saying
Every shop door in Japan opens onto the same word, and the first thing most visitors want to know is what they are supposed to say back. The answer is: almost nothing.
6 min readPractical guides
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