September equinox The September equinox is a day in which is also known as the autumnal equinox. It is seen as the end of summer and start of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.There are many cultures and countries that have special celebrations at this time. And in Japan there is a special name for the days and also for the time period. In this blog by a Japanese teacher. Miki Oosawa introduces ...

Japanese Randoseru school bags If you have ever watched a Japanese anime which is set in Elementary school, you may have noticed the unique bags that the children carry. These bags have been a part of Japanese schoolchildren kit for centuries in Japan. The bags are called Japanese Randoseru satchels and are very durable and light. Students often buy them in their first year and use them all thro...

Fireworks in Japan In Japan, fireworks are an integral part of the summer festivities. There are official fireworks festivals held by local cities and municipalities as well as local summer festivals that often conclude with a small fireworks display. In this blog for learners of Japanese, Rie Kinoi a Japanese teacher at Japonin(JOI) introduces some of the different types of handheld fireworks t...

Hokkaido's tourist spots If you are looking to take photographs on your travels, then one of the most photogenic places to visit in Japan is Hokkaido. The flora is incredible in some places, and depending on the season, there many places well known for blooming flowers or seasonal landscapes. But in this blog by a Japanese language teacher who lives in Hokkaido, Itaya sensei, she introduces one ...

Homemade food in Japan Much of Japanese cuisine can be made in the home without many special pieces of cooking equipment. Many Japanese families eat homemade food daily and although the culture of ordering in or pre-cooked meals is well-established, most housewives rely on simple and easy to use ingredients to prepare meals at home. In this blog by Japanese teacher Chie Eguchi, she explains part...