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Coto's event in February 2016

This is an older post – to see our upcoming monthly events – click here Monthly Events at Coto We are planning the following events in February. Please send your request for participation to [email protected] Lunch Tour in Kagurazaka Thursday, February 4th, 12:30-13:50 Let’s discover the very popular Kagurazaka area, also called the Little Paris, […]
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The Japanese little New Year: koshougatsu

Did you know that in Japan, not so long after the New Year’s celebrations, Japanese people celebrate the festival of the Little New Year? Historically, the “koshougatsu” took place around mid-February, celebrating the first full moon of the year, but nowadays the festival takes place on the 15th of January. The rites and customs are celebrated […]
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The Japanese calendar and the day of nanakusa gayu

You can learn a lot about Japan just by looking at its calendar. Full of surprises and very interesting facts, the Japanese calendar is a door to the traditions and culture of Japan. For example, did you know that the 7th of January is called “nanakusa no sekku”? Written “七草の節句”, nanakusa no sekku means the […]
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Japanese New Year: The lasting traditions

Did you know that until the Meiji era, the Japanese New Year calendar was similar to the Chinese calendar? It was only until 1873 that the Japanese New Year changed for the Gregorian calendar, however, all the traditional customs were maintained.  January is a great time to discover Japan! The Japanese New Year culture is also great occasion […]
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Coto’s events in January 2016

This is an older post – to see our upcoming monthly events – click here Monthly Events at Coto We are going to be holding some really fun events this January, take a look below! Go for Lunch! Kagurazaka area Thursday, January 7th 12:30-13:50 in Kagurazaka Let’s go for lunch together and explore the Iidabashi-Kagurazaka district! We […]
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The Bounenkai Season in Japan

Time passed quickly and here we are, already in December! It’s the perfect time to introduce a Japanese custom called “bounenkai”. Written “忘年会” in kanji, the phrase literally means “to forget the year party”. Composed of the kanji for “to forget (忘), the year (年) and gathering (会), a 忘年会 is a gathering of friends or coworkers, forgetting the unpleasant […]
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Coto’s events in December 2015

This is an older post – to see our upcoming monthly events – click here Monthly Events at Coto Go for Lunch! Kagurazaka area ランチツアー! 神楽坂 Thursday, December 3rd  12:30-13:50 in Kagurazaka Let’s go for lunch together and explore Iidabashi-Kagurazaka district! We will advise you some of the top restaurants of the area. Discover the delicious […]
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The Japanese Language Proficiency Test: JLPT

Are you currently studying Japanese? If so, then you might be interested in knowing more about the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, in short, the JLPT! Launched in 1984 as a biannual testing service by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges & Services, the JLPT is a tool to evaluate and certify the Japanese proficiency of […]
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Japanese Autumn: The Wonders of the 紅葉 (もみじ/Momiji) Season in Japan

Momiji and KouyouWhen do I get to see these?What can I do in Autumn?   If you’re planning on visiting Japan, you should make the trip twice! Once in the spring to experience the cherry blossoms, and again in autumn to witness the beautiful sight of the tree leaves turning red (Momiji)! Momiji and Kouyou […]
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Japanese Slang: Moto Kare (元カレ) and Moto Kano (元カノ)

When you are learning a foreign language, studying slangs is a nice and fun way to widen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society. Let’s learn more about the expression “moto kare“【元カレ】 and “moto […]
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Coto's event in November 2015

This is an older post – to see our upcoming monthly events – click here Monthly Events at Coto Go for Lunch! Kagurazaka area ランチツアー! 神楽坂 Wednesday, November 4th  12:30-13:50 in Kagurazaka Kagurazaka is beloved for its lingering Edo period atmosphere. Each month, there are lunch tours to places in immediate walking distance from Coto. In November, […]
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Japanese slang tame

When you are learning a foreign language, studying slangs is a nice and fun way to widen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will also sound more like a native speaker and surprise your Japanese friends! It also provides an insight into the Japanese culture. Let’s learn the expression “tame”. […]
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