News and resources

Guide to Japanese Cooking and Recipes Vocabulary

From sushi to ramen to mouth-watering gyoza, Japan has an endless list of delicious foods. This leads many of us back to the kitchen in our own homes wondering how we can recreate those umami flavors. Japanese cooking is not only delicious but once you know what to do, well-balanced, incredibly tasty meals can be […]

Japanese chef cooking in a traditional kitchen filled with steam, using chopsticks and surrounded by cooking tools and ingredients — capturing the essence of authentic Japanese cuisine.

How to Say Happy Birthday in Japanese: Otanjoubi Omedetou

Ever wondered how to celebrate your birthday in Japan and say “happy birthday” in Japanese? In Japan, birthdays are not celebrated the same way they are in Western countries. For many, birthdays are seen as a time of reflection and renewal rather than a time to party. Children’s birthdays are much more elaborate than those […]

A birthday party with balloons and cake!

Why I Took J-TEST Instead of JLPT — And How I Passed

Most of us are familiar with JLPT, which is probably the most famous Japanese language certification test recognized by both education institutions and companies in Japan — but there’s another standardized test,  J-Test, that deserves more attention. Ever heard of it? It might not be as popular as the JLPT, but higher-level Japanese learners recommended […]

TAKING THE J-TEST

Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo

In late March and April, Japan welcomes cherry blossoms, otherwise known as sakura (桜). These soft pink and white flowers are said to be true harbingers of spring, as seeing one in means winter is over. Nowhere is more evident than in the city of Tokyo, as the metropolis is full of places for viewing […]