While there is plenty of excitement about moving to Japan, you will eventually need to do your laundry. Now it may seem that the ordinary, often mundane, routines of everyday life in your home country, but do you know what all the buttons mean on the laundry machine? Suddenly, things…
Japan celebrates its own Labor Thanksgiving Day earlier than American Thanksgiving, but if you’re craving an American-style feast, the biggest challenge often comes before the cooking even begins: finding a turkey. This hefty North American bird, roughly three times the size of a typical chicken, isn’t exactly a supermarket regular…
The words rizz, no cap, and slay might be taking over Gen Z lingo in English, but did you know that Japanese Gen Z has its own unique set of slang and phrases? Language is fluid, constantly evolving with each generation, and Japan is no exception. Gen Z has developed…
Tokyo has no shortage of themed experiences for both visitors and locals to enjoy. The city is also home to some of the best bars in the world — in 2025, three Tokyo bars made it onto The World’s 50 Best Bars list. So, what happens when you combine the…
If vocabulary and grammar make up the crux of the Japanese language, Japanese conjunctions are the glue that holds them together. Also called 接続詞 (setsuzokushi), these small but powerful words help you connect ideas, express contrast, show cause and effect, and make your sentences flow naturally. Of course, there are…
As the name suggests, Culture Day is dedicated to all things “culture-related”, namely the arts, science, and academic achievement. First observed in 1948, the holiday commemorates Japan’s Peace Constitution, enacted on November 3, 1946, which enshrined the principles of pacifism, sovereignty, and peace. Today, Culture Day continues to be celebrated…
Apples and oranges. Walking and running. Swiftly and slowly. In English, connecting ideas is usually as simple as inserting the word “and” between two items. But in Japanese, expressing “and” is a bit more nuanced. In fact, the language offers multiple ways to connect words, phrases, and even full sentences.…
It is well-known that the Japanese language is considered one of the hardest languages to learn. According to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), which trains U.S. diplomats and government officials in languages and cultures, Japanese is classified as a “Super-Hard” language. But there’s an important caveat: FSI’s rankings are based…
Anime, for many of us, holds a special place in our hearts, whether it’s because of the moving stories, the characters, or the incredible songs. The music score in anime is a big part of what makes these stories deeply moving. For instance, whenever we think of Ghibli, we inadvertently…
If you’re planning on visiting Japan, you should make the trip twice! Once in the spring to experience the cherry blossoms, and again in autumn to witness the beautiful sight of the tree leaves turning red (momiji)! While cherry blossoms symbolize new life and fresh beginnings, momiji, written as 紅葉,…
