Have you ever used a phrase from your textbook in conversation, just to receive that awkward cringe from a native speaker? We’ve all been there. While learning via a Japanese textbook is one of the best ways to get started, textbooks are far too formal for daily conversation. That’s exactly why they won’t help you […]
Have you ever used a phrase from your textbook in conversation, just to receive that awkward cringe from a native speaker? We’ve all been there. While learning via a Japanese textbook is one of the best ways to get started, textbooks are far too formal for daily conversation. That’s exactly why they won’t help you […]
Aoi (青い) is a color that can often be said as blue or green, but what is the actual meaning and culture behind the adjective?
Not sure if you should take part-time or intensive Japanese lessons? We break down the differences to help you pick the right fit for your goals.
Learn how many hours of study it will take you to pass each level of the JLPT. This illustrated guide compares how many hours of Japanese study per JLPT level. Did you know that it takes just as long to pass the N2 as it does to become a certified public accountant in the US?
Part of what makes Japan so clean and environmentally friendly is how people throw away garbage, so there are many rules to follow just to get rid of your trash. In fact, Japan takes the environment so seriously that there is even a national holiday, Greenery Day, which celebrates the Earth. Japan reports an 87% […]
If you are a resident in Japan planning to renew your visa or change your status of residence anytime soon, there’s a change coming that’s worth noting. On Tuesday, August 25, 2026, the Japanese government decided to raise fees for foreign nationals who renew or change their status of residence in Japan. The renewal fee […]
If you’ve ever typed your name in katakana into an online form and gotten an error like “must be entered in full-width characters,” don’t panic, it’s not a system error. Japanese websites actually require you to type using full-width katakana (全角, zenkaku) because their backend databases and legacy verification systems are built on fixed-width character […]
As of 2026, Japan has more than 57,000 convenience stores, colloquially called the konbini. Don’t think of them as your regular gas station mini-mart back home. Konbini in Japan play in an entirely different league: you can print documents, get your tax records and proof of residence, pay your bills, and transfer money, all right […]
