Japanese Blog

The National Foundation Day, 建国記念（けんこくきねん）の日（ひ）, is a Japanese national holiday celebrated on February 11. This day marks the founding of the nation and the accession of the first Emperor Jimmu! According to the legend, the Emperor Jimmu is a descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu and Japan’s first ruler. His accession is traditionally dated as 660 […]

Good news everyone! According to the latest update from the Japan Weather Association, the 2017 cherry blossom season is to start on March 25 in Tokyo. We hope you’ll get the chance to visit Japan in time for cherry blossom viewing!   Where and When can I see the Cherry Blossoms? The map shown below indicates […]

Spectating a Sumo Match Sumo Terminologies Sumo Techniques   Spectating a Sumo Match Every year on the first Sunday of February, our students and the Coto Japanese Academy team get the chance to witness the annual Sumo Grand Tournament in Kokugikan, Tokyo’s indoor stadium where 3 out of the six yearly tournaments are held. 相撲（すもう） dates back […]

Spring is in the air! Spring in Japan means cherry blossoms, ohanami, sakura flavoured snacks and festivals. What kind of spring will it be for you? If you’re ready to develop your Japanese skills, our intensive course Spring Special is the right choice for you! Our intensive courses range from basic conversation for everyday use, to business Japanese for making your […]

This is an older post – to see our upcoming monthly events – click here Monthly Events at Coto We are planning the following events in March 2017. Please send your request for participation to [email protected]! Lunch Tour in Kagurazaka Thursday, March 9 Have you ever been to Kagurazaka? It is an enchanting neighborhood located […]

Do you experience setbacks and frustration while learning Japanese? When you forget to see the progress that you’re making and losing motivation, let go of the grammar and the kanji.  Take the time to pick-up a few Japanese phrases here and there. You’ll have a fun understanding their meaning and it’ll give you insight on how Japanese people think. […]

Did you know Niigata prefecture is famous for being the birthplace of skiing in Japan? Very easy to get to from Tokyo, the region is extremely popular for short skiing and snowboarding trips! We can count over 50 resorts in the prefecture, most of them located in Yuzawa and Myoko areas, known to enjoy the heaviest […]

When Nicolas arrived in Japan two years ago, he made a long time dream come true, a dream his wife came to share. He had travelled to Japan before, but became so in love with the culture he desired to have a deeper meaningful experience. “As I was turning 30, it was our last chance to apply for a […]

Mathieu moved to Japan in December 2015 to settle down with his Japanese wife. In France, he ran his own IT company providing customer support services. He chose to leave it all behind and challenge himself by starting over in  Tokyo. I stumbled upon Coto Japanese Academy because of its excellent website. As an IT worker, I can’t commit […]

This is an older post – to see our upcoming monthly events – click here Monthly Events at Coto We are planning the following events in February 2017. Please send your request for participation to [email protected]! Japanese Ink Painting Class Wednesday, February 1 Take a brush and a piece of washi paper and learn how […]

This is an older post – to see our upcoming monthly events – click here Monthly Events at Coto We are planning the following events in January 2017. Please send your request for participation to [email protected]! Lunch Tour in Kagurazaka Thursday, January 12 Have you ever been to Kagurazaka? It is an enchanting neighborhood located […]

Hottarakashi Onsen is a scenic hot spring located less than two hours by train from Tokyo in Yamansashi prefecture.