News and resources

Navigating “Kōban Katsudō”: A Guide to Police Encounters in Japan

Living in Japan comes with many delights, but for foreigners, unexpected police encounters can be confusing and even anxiety-inducing. 交番活動 Kōban katsudō, or routine police questioning on the street, is a common practice, but knowing your rights and communicating effectively can make the experience much smoother. A Quick Jump To… What Is 交番活動 Kōban katsudō […]

日本語の別れの挨拶といえば、さようなら Sayonara??

みなさんが日本に来て最初に覚えた日本語は何ですか? この記事を英語で読むこんにちは?さようなら? Konnichiwa? Sayonara?そうですね。日本語の別れの挨拶は「さようなら」が定番です。会話本や一般的なテキストにもしっかりと書かれています。しかし日本で生活しはじめた多くの皆さんが気がついているように、日本人は普段の会話でさようならをほとんど使いません。学校などの下校時などに使われているぐらいでしょうか。さて、では日本語で別れの挨拶は「さようなら」でなくどんな表現が使われているのでしょうか。日本語での自然な表現を見てみましょう!●友達と日本語で別れの挨拶じゃあね。じゃあまた!またね!次に会う予定が決まっていれば、また明日!また来週!仕事場での挨拶それでは、失礼します。お先に失礼します。(自分が先に会社をでるとき)●しばらく会わない相手にはじゃあ、元気で(ね)!また連絡する(ね)!また会おう(ね)!ーよく一緒に使う言葉がんばってね。がんばろうね。●目上の方と話すとき今日はありがとうございました。また是非!などのように使います。日常生活に役立つ自然な日本語を身につけたい方はこちら! Coto Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on the creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested […]

A Guide to Eyelash and Eyebrow Salons in Japan

Japan is a haven for beauty enthusiasts; eyelash and eyebrow salons are no exception. With meticulous attention to detail and innovative techniques, these salons can transform your eyes and frame your face for a dramatic or natural look, depending on your preference. However, navigating the world of Japanese beauty salons as a non-Japanese speaker can […]

What is the Best City to Learn Japanese in?

Want to learn Japanese? Discover your ideal city with this guide! Explore Tokyo’s education revolution, Osaka’s dialectic differences, Kyoto’s scholarly heritage, and Fukuoka’s student sanctuary. Read on to find the best city for your language journey! A Quick Jump To… Tokyo: The Definitive Language Learning Hub Tokyo’s vast language learning opportunities cater to everyone from […]

Yuzu: Japan’s Popular Citrus

ゆず Yuzu is a citrus fruit that is native to East Asia and is particularly popular in Japan. The scientific name of the fruit is citrus junos. The yuzu fruit is about the size of a tangerine and has a unique flavor profile that combines lemon, mandarin orange, and grapefruit. It is known for its […]

Dive into the Sweetness: A Guide to Strawberry Picking in Japan

The sun glistens on plump, ruby-red strawberries nestled among lush green leaves. The air hums with the buzz of bees, and the scent of summer hangs heavy. This isn’t your average fruit-picking experience – welcome to the world of Japanese strawberry farms! This blog will tell you where to go strawberry picking in Japan! A […]

How To Use すみません Correctly? A Guide To All Meanings of Sumimasen 

Sorry” in English and “Sumimasen” in Japanese. Both expressions have the same function of apology, but there are cultural differences in the situations in which they are used. Here is an actual example from our Coto teacher. “When the teacher gives the instruction, 「この文を読んでください」Kono bun o yondekudasai (Please read this sentence), some learners often say, […]