Japanese Learning Blog Japanese Blog

January 22, 2016

Apologizing in Japanese – すみません (Sumimasen), I'm Sorry!

Japanese Study

Do you know how to apologize in Japanese correctly? Apologizing is an important part of the Japanese culture, and it’s something that our students always notice and ask about when they come to Japan. You will often see Japanese people saying sumimasen and bowing repeatedly, and you’ll hear it many times throughout your time […]

January 21, 2016

Coto's event in February 2016

Japanese Culture Japanese Culture

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. Please send your request for participation to [email protected] Lunch Tour in Kagurazaka Thursday, February 4th, 12:30-13:50 Let’s discover the very popular Kagurazaka area, also called the Little Paris, […]

January 20, 2016

Having fun with Japanese Oyaji Gag

Every language has its jokes and word games, delightful and refreshing for the minds. Japanese people are particularly fond of what they call “oyaji gag”, a type of joke very popular in the 80’s, made by combining same or similar sounding words. Literally the father’s gag, “親父ギャグ”, it would be more accurate to translate it […]

January 18, 2016

Winter (冬) Photo Contest 2016!

School News

Winter (冬) Photo Contest 2016! Coto Japanese Academy’s Winter Photo Contest is BACK! All you have to do to take part is to post a picture of your experience during Winter in Japan and you stand a chance to win up to 10,000yen worth of exciting prizes! Contest details Theme: Winter in Japan 2016 Contest […]

January 15, 2016

The Japanese little New Year: koshougatsu

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Did you know that in Japan, not so long after the New Year’s celebrations, Japanese people celebrate the festival of the Little New Year? Historically, the “koshougatsu” took place around mid-February, celebrating the first full moon of the year, but nowadays the festival takes place on the 15th of January. The rites and customs are celebrated […]

January 14, 2016

Japanese Slang: Bibiru (びびる)… Were you Surprised, Scared or Shocked?

Who doesn’t like to learn more about slangs? We believe that when you are learning a foreign language, studying slang is a nice and fun way to widen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Bibiru is a funny word to pronounce, and an interesting point […]

January 6, 2016

The Japanese calendar and the day of nanakusa gayu

You can learn a lot about Japan just by looking at its calendar. Full of surprises and very interesting facts, the Japanese calendar is a door to the traditions and culture of Japan. For example, did you know that the 7th of January is called “nanakusa no sekku”? Written “七草の節句”, nanakusa no sekku means the […]

January 3, 2016

Japanese New Year: The lasting traditions

Did you know that until the Meiji era, the Japanese New Year calendar was similar to the Chinese calendar? It was only until 1873 that the Japanese New Year changed for the Gregorian calendar, however, all the traditional customs were maintained. January is a great time to discover Japan! The Japanese New Year culture is also great occasion […]

December 27, 2015

Japanese New Year Traditional Dishes: Osechi Ryouri (おせち料理)

Learn more about Japanese tradition and culture and discover the wonders of the New Year traditional dishes called "osechi ryouri" (おせち料理).

December 18, 2015

Coto’s events in January 2016

This is an older post – to see our upcoming monthly events – click here Monthly Events at Coto We are going to be holding some really fun events this January, take a look below! Go for Lunch!　Kagurazaka area Thursday, January 7th 12:30-13:50 in Kagurazaka Let’s go for lunch together and explore the Iidabashi-Kagurazaka district! We […]

December 17, 2015

Coto Japanese Academy Year-End party 2015 !

Japanese Culture

How has everyone’s 2015 been? Continuing the tradition from last year, our 2015 year-end party was held at Salt and Soil organic restaurant, only a two minute walk from the school. Over 60 students and teachers had a fun-filled night eating an interesting selection of food and enjoying the nomihodai (all you can drink). We […]

December 16, 2015

2022 New Year in Japan: Japanese New Year Postcards (Nengajo) Tradition

December and January are the busiest times for the Japanese post offices and it all come to one reason: the tradition of New Year‘s postcards (nengajo). And yes, it’s probably the biggest item on the calendar of annual events! New Year wishes postcard: 年賀状年賀状 is composed of year 年, congratulations 賀 and 状, meaning circumstances. With the […]