How to say thank you in Japanese Japanese is often said to be a difficult language to master. But many people actually find it quite easy to speak but difficult to read or write. But even in spoken Japanese, there are some areas where foreign speakers can make mistakes or be misunderstood. This is why it is best to learn Japanese from a professional teacher rather than merely a native speaker. A...

Popular Japanese idioms Learning Japanese vocabulary and grammar is a great way to start studying Japanese. But sometimes it is useful to know some Japanese idioms as well. Using the right idioms in your conversation will definitely impress your Japanese friends and co-workers and make your Japanese sound more natural too. In this blog for Japanese learners., Miyako Fujinawa, a Japanese teacher...

Japanese hair There are a very large number of hair salons in Japan. Which leads me to think that Japanese people often get their hair cut. Most men tend to keep their hair short, and it is not only schools but also companies that have rules for hairstyles. In this blog for Japanese learners, Japanese teacher Kumiko Yatabe explains the problems she has with her hair and clothes. Please read the...

The Japanese political system The Japanese political system is a democratic system that was originally based on the German Diet system. There are two houses - the lower house or the House of Representatives and the upper house or the House of Councilors. There are a number of general elections held periodically to elect the members. The House of Representatives elections are held every four year...

Autumn in Japan Many people feel that autumn in Japan is the most beautiful season. The leaves change colours in the many parks and mountain forests, and there are many seasonal fruits and vegetables that are very tasty. You can hike up many of the easily accessible trekking routes as well as visit many of the celebrated temples and shrines with breathtaking scenery, and enjoy the joys of J...