Japanese Blog

Spring (春) Photo Contest 2016! Coto’s Spring Photo Contest is HERE! Win up to  10,000 yen worth of exciting prizes by uploading the best photo you have taken in this Spring! How to Participate? Simply upload your photo and share with us why this photo is so special to you on either of the following social media […]

Eating Sushi is a must when coming to Japan, but can you order Sushi in Japanese? We don’t want you to have that problem during this wonderful experience   Origins of SushiWalking into a Sushi RestaurantAppreciating your SushiTypes of Sushi MealsFrequently Asked Questions regarding eating SushiConclusion  Origins of Sushi Sushi embarked its journey around the […]

Saying 'no' in Japan is a tricky subject. The Japanese will rarely give a direct no to an answer, preferring instead to give an indirect answer that conveys the message of no.

Are you going to live in Japan? Better prepare yourself with a Japanese self-introduction – a jikoshoukai. Having this language knowledge early in your Japanese study will help you establish yourself among Japanese friends and colleagues.  In various contexts in Japan (such as school, work, parties, etc.) you will need to introduce yourself. What should […]

Greeting in the Morning Be the first to say it! Other Morning Greetings In a Working Environment… Greeting in the Morning Ohayou gozaimasu! おはようございます！ Good morning! Having a good command of Japanese greetings is the first step towards building smooth relationships in Japan. Whether you are coming for a short trip or for a few […]

If you have heard san, sama, kun and chan before, then you know that in Japan, you just simply do not call people by their names! Or you would be very rude. Indeed, to address someone or speak about someone, you need to use the “Japanese honorific title”. To navigate Japanese society smoothly, you should […]

Half Spanish and Russian, Marina grew up in a creative and multicultural environment between Switzerland, Spain and Russia. She studied in an Haute Couture School in Paris, focused on Fashion Design. With foreign cultures as a strong inspiration, she particularly admired Japan and she decided to focus her new collection on Japanese culture. What inspires […]

  IntroductionWhat exactly are the “Kira Kira” Names (キラキラネーム)?Why the “Kira Kira” Names?“Kira Kira” Names 2015 Ranking! What Are Japanese Kira Kira Names? Lately, trending Japanese baby names are shifting towards a new unknown level of weirdness. Ever heard of “Kira Kira” names? Literally meaning “sparkly” or “shiny”, those are bizarre names sounding completely different from […]

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Japan? For me, it’s definitely the Japanese hospitality! Oshibori! Imagine if you are really cold right now, what would be the thing you yearn for the most? Warmth! That’s right! Especially when you are cold and hungry, you will naturally head […]

How to Use: お先に失礼します! (Osaki ni Shitsureishimasu!) Ended Work…?Meaning of お先に失礼します(Osaki ni Shitsureishimasu)…Replying to Osaki ni Shitsureishimasu…Leaving for a Short Trip/Errand… Ended Work…? Finally you’re done with your tasks of the day. The clock is ticking the end of your shift. Among the lucky ones, you are working in a good company. You don’t have to […]

  The Japanese Calendar sure can be a wonder for those who enjoy learning about the Japanese culture and traditions. Every month, with the exception of June, has a holiday. and with 20th March just around the corner lies Shunbun no Hi – the Spring Equinox Day, 春分の日. What is 春分の日 (Shunbun no Hi)?Cultural Beliefs What […]

Otsukaresama desu is a key phrase that you will need to master if you plan to work in a Japanese office.