News and resources

30 JLPT N2 Grammar to Know

Are you preparing for the JLPT and learning the N2 grammar now? In total, there are around 200 grammar lessons that you need to know in order to pass the JLPT N2, including grammars you have learned from lower levels. This article explains 30 of the must-know grammar points for JLPT N2 that have been featured […]

person studying a jlpt n2 textbook

How To Read Japanese Nutrition & Food Labels

How do you read Japanese food and nutrition labels? Imagine you’re shopping in Japan and suddenly you’re bombarded with food labeling words and information you can’t read. You take out your phone to translate the images, and sometimes it’s right and other times it’s…hardly comprehensible.  It might be scary to navigate the food aisles of […]

Woman trying to read a Japanese food label before deciding to make a purchase

How to Survive Rainy Season in Japan: Tsuyu

Did you know that Japan has a rainy season called tsuyu (梅雨)? Typically lasting from early June to mid-July, this season brings frequent and often unpredictable showers or even rain that lasts all day. During this humid, soggy time, carrying an umbrella becomes an essential part of daily life. While it’s not typhoon season (yet), […]

tsuyu

How Many Hours Does it Take to Pass the JLPT?

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?

Classic black alarm clock next to study books, symbolizing the time and effort needed to prepare for the JLPT exam.

Complete JLPT N4 Vocabulary List

Studying for the JLPT N4 usually means two things: scribbling down flashcards for new kanji and flipping through loads of vocabulary. That is because to pass the N4, you’ll need to put in around 550 to 1,000 study hours and learn about 1,500 vocabulary words, including everything from the N5 level. But what exactly is […]

person writing jlpt n4 kanji

35 Japanese Proverbs & Inspiring Sayings You Need to Know

Japanese proverbs, or ことわざ (kotowaza), are a great way to spice up and improve your language skills with more figurative speech. Exploring outside the typical methods of memorizing kanji and vocabulary, kotowaza can teach you how to use more nuanced phrases.  Plus, they can help you dive deeper into Japanese culture. Kotowaza paint a picture […]

Japanese zen garden, an old tradition capturing the wisdom of Japanese philosophy much like Japanese proverbs