To honor Emperor Naruhito’s birthday on February 23 in the current Reiwa period, we take a look at the origins of this holiday, the monarchy, and how Tokyo is involved.

Created as a day to honor and give thanks to the blessings of the mountains, Mountain Day (Yama no Hi) was officially announced in 2014. Here’s what the holiday is about, and how you can celebrate it in Tokyo.

Due to its somewhat controversial origins, National Foundation was abolished following the post-war constitution, but it subsequently bounced back 20 years later. We wonder, does it still hold the same meaning?

Have you ever wanted to learn Japanese, but cannot seem to find the right time? Rest assured, our in-person part-time lessons offer a variety of lessons in the evening for busy individuals that have to balance between work and studying. We offer a wide array of levels from beginner to advanced courses that help students […]

Listening to a language learning podcast is a great way for you to familiarize with how native Japanese pronounce vocabularies and phrases. It’s also a great way for you to know how to express yourselves in a natural and common way, compared to stiff textbook conversations. In Episode 3 of Coto Sounds, we look at […]

If you are interested in learning Japanese but not sure how to work in Japan, the following information may be useful for you. Due to the aging population and low birth rate in Japan, the government has relaxed the requirements for its immigration policy to cover for the labour shortage. Many foreigners have started learning […]

In Japan, whether you are going to have dinner in a restaurant, getting a haircut at a hair salon or staying in a hotel, you can will need to make a reservation. There are plenty of articles online that teach you how to make reservations. However, seldom would people tell you what to say when […]

Working in Japan is a unique experience, and because its so different from “western” business environments  understanding and adapting to Japanese business culture is crucial. In this article, we will be explaining the most fundamental business practices – 報連相( ほうれんそう hourensou).  Hourensou is a method of how you report to your superiors and colleagues in […]

The delivery system in Japan is well-known for its high efficiency and convenience. However, to prevent parcels from getting lost, stolen or damaged, they are usually returned to the post office when the receiver misses it. When this happens, a delivery notice will be posted on the door, the receiver will then use it to […]

Are you thinking of working in a Japanese environment in Japan? Are you currently working in Japan? If you are, these are the necessary skill sets you need in order to do business in Japan. 1.Using Formal Japanese Expression – Keigo Keigo (敬語) is necessary for Japanese communication is a business environment. Using proper keigo is […]