100+ Basic Japanese Words for Beginners to Learn

Learning Japanese can feel overwhelming at first, but mastering basic greetings and essential vocabulary is a great way to ease into your studies. Whether you’re planning a trip to Japan, interacting with Japanese speakers, or just curious about the language, these words and phrases will help you build a solid foundation. But what are the […]

Miniature school desk and chair placed on scattered flashcards featuring basic Japanese hiragana characters.

What is Japan’s Silver Week? 2025 Calendar & Things to Do

You might have heard of Golden Week, Japan’s highly anticipated holiday period, when a series of often consecutive holidays occurs from the end of April to early May, allowing many Japanese people to take a week off. But have you heard of Silver Week (シルバーウィーク)? Coined in 2009, Silver Week refers to a cluster of […]

silver week japan

Sushi Types and Names in Japanese: Beginner Guide

You can’t visit Japan without trying sushi — and you shouldn’t leave without knowing how to say the different types of sushi in Japanese, either. Unlike the Western-style sushi rolls topped with avocado, mayonnaise, or cream cheese, traditional Japanese sushi is much simpler. If you ever go to an omakase restaurant in Japan, sushi is […]

common sushi names in japanese