Culture Day isn’t dedicated to Japanese culture alone, but whilst we are in Japan, how can we further appreciate the arts here?

The phrases, ittekimasu, itterasshai, tadaima, okaerinasai symbolize so well Japanese spirit that once you grasp the nuance of their meaning you will have a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.

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)! While cherry blossoms symbolize new life and fresh beginnings, momiji, written as 紅葉, marks the start of the […]

Sports and Health Day in Japan is more closely associated with exercise, the community and healthy-eating, but is there anything else we should pay attention to?

Saying “goodbye” can be difficult no matter where you’re from. In Japanese, the word sayonara often carries the weight of a long farewell, hinting that you might not see the person for a long time. But don’t worry: Japanese language has plenty of other ways to say farewell that are lighter, more casual, and full […]

Welcome to the ultimate guide to passing the JLPT N3 exam! The thought of taking the JLPT is stressful, but what about preparing for it? With so many things to learn, it’s easy for anyone to feel completely disorganized. The JLPT N3 exam is a true testament to your progress and dedication to learning Japanese. […]

Far from being a new practice, the foundations of Autumnal Equinox Day were actually laid out centuries ago. But, many moons later, are the origins of this holiday still relevant today?

Japan is the only nation to have a public holiday dedicated to the oceans. So, why is Marine Day important and how can we all celebrate it together?

Many of us grew up playing Japanese video games, some of the most popular including Legend of Zelda, Mario, and Pokémon, but did you ever consider using them to learn Japanese? Generally, people think of anime for learning Japanese, but video games might have some of the same benefits, if not more!  Video games can […]

The values behind Respect-for-the-Aged Day are important reminders for all of us. But why?