The complex first person in Japanese
If you talk about yourself in English, you only need to use one letter: “I.” However, there are various first person pronouns in Japanese. When translating into a foreign language, …
Knowledge
How to Predict the Gender of the Coming Baby: Old Wives’ Tales in Japan.
For most moms/dads-to-be, guessing the gender of the coming baby is very exciting. Of course, you will know it by a particular medical check up like a blood test or …
Spine-Chilling Stories in Japan
Do you believe in ghosts or paranormal activity? Let’s take a look at some examples of paranormal stories from Japan that you may or may not know about. Premodern I’m …
Some tips in Japan
Let me show you some tips for when you visit Japan! We have convenience stores and ￥100 shops, also known as hyakkin, here and there in Japan. So, if you …
“Daruma” – A Familiar Item To Japanese People
Do you know what this is? It is called “daruma.” Daruma looks scary, but this red doll is very familiar to Japanese people, from little children to adults. Why is …
Let’s Enjoy the Cool Air ~Stay Cool in Japan’s Humid Summer~
Japanese people have lived with the heat in summer since the old days. Our ancestors have always thought about how to live close to nature, and in the summer, that …
How To Call Japanese Rain
How many rain expressions do you imagine in Japanese? It is said that there are more than 100 words related to rain in Japanese. Those expressions can be seen not …
How to understand hannarism in Kyoto
What is “hannari”? Have you heard the word, hannari (はんなり)? Hannari describes people’s impression of the Kyoto dialect. It is used to describe a person who is graceful, natural, and …
The Japanese Guide to Gift-Giving
Just like in western countries, Japan also has a gift-giving culture. However, there are some complex customs and points of caution which I would like to introduce to you. Other …
3 most common helpful Japanese words ~For super beginners in Japanese~
Today most foreign tourists in Japan usually have a cell phone, so it seems to be easy to get various kinds of information such as famous sightseeing spots and restaurants. …