YOKOZUKA Noriko
The Kotatsu Train

Have you ever sat under a Japanese Kotatsu ? It is a very comfortable experience. Now imagine sitting under a Kotatsu, looking out of the window and the world is moving before your eyes. Sound like a fantasy ? No, it is real. Read and listen to this Japanese teachers blog to find out more!

The Kotatsu Train

This Japanese teacher’s blog by YOKOZUKA Noriko sensei is a great way to study natural Japanese expressions. You can read, listen, and learn useful vocabulary from a short essay written in everyday Japanese.


Read Natural Japanese in Context:The Kotatsu Train

こたつ列車

kotatsu

といえば、「こたつみかん」。 寒い冬は、こたつに入ってみかんを食べる。日本の冬の風物詩の一つです。

岩手県沿岸部を走る列車に、「こたつ列車」というものがあります。列車の中にこたつが設置され、こたつに入って列車の旅が楽しめます。 東日本大震災の影響で中止されていましたが、今年12月、こたつ列車が復活したそうです。こたつに入ってみかんを食べながら、列車の旅を楽しむ。一度、経験してみたいなと思っています。

今年もあとわずかとなりました。 皆様、よいお年をお迎えください。そして、来年また、日本語を楽しみましょう!

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こたつ列車れっしゃ

ふゆといえば、 「こたつみかん」。 さむふゆは、こたつにはいってみかんをべる。日本 (にほん)のふゆ風物詩ふうぶつしひとつです。

岩手県いわてけん沿岸部えんがんぶはし列車れっしゃに、「こたつ列車れっしゃ」とい うものがあります。 列車れっしゃなかにこたつが設置せっちされ、こたつにはいって列車 (れっしゃ)のたびたのしめます。 東日本大震災ひがしにほんだいしんさい影響えいきょう中止ちゅうしされていましたが、今年ことし12がつ、こたつ列車れっしゃ復活ふっかつしたそうです。 こたつにはいってみかんをべながら、列車れっしゃたびたのしむ。 一度いちど経験けいけんし てみたいなとおもっています。

今年ことしもあとわずかとなりました。 皆様みなさま、よいおとしをおむかえください。 そして、来年らいねんまた、日本語にほんごたのしみましょう!

English Translation for Understanding

The Kotatsu Train

Talking about winter, the obvious imagery is of course 'Kotatsu' and 'Mikan'. During the cold of winter, we get under a 'Kotatsu' (a covered table with a heat source underneath) and eat 'Mikan' (Mandarin oranges). This is one of the particular things that remind one of the Japanese winter.

In Iwate prefecture, there is a train that runs along the coastline which is called 'Kotatsu Ressha' (a special train equiped with 'Kotatsu'). There are 'Kotatsu' set up in the train carriages, so you can get under a 'Kotatsu' and enjoy the journey. The service was discontinued due to the impact of the Tohoku Earthquake. But this year December, the 'Kotatsu Ressha' has been revived. To enjoy a train journey while sitting under a 'Kotatsu ' and eating 'Mikan' . This is something I would really like to experience at least once .

There is only a little time left of this year. I wish you all a Happy New Year ! And next year, let's enjoy Japanese together !

This Week’s Key Vocabulary

~といえば:Talking about ... (an idea that just came to mind when thinking of a topic)

こたつ:a kotatsu; a low, covered table with a heat source underneath

みかん:a mikan; a mandarin orange

風物詩ふうぶつし:things which remind one of a particular season

岩手県いわてけん:Iwate prefecture (Tohoku area)

沿岸部えんがんぶ:the coast

設置せっちする:set up; form

東日本大震災ひがしにほんだいしんさい:Tohoku earthquake

影響えいきょう:influence; effect; impact

中止ちゅうしする:stop, discontinue; call off

復活ふっかつ:revival,restoration

経験けいけんする:experience

わずか:a few; a little

Meet the Teacher

YOKOZUKA Noriko
YOKOZUKA Noriko
Japanese Language Teacher

After studying abroad in Beijing, I decided to become a Japanese teacher and have since enjoyed spending time with many students in engaging Japanese lessons.
Currently, I teach intermediate and higher levels. My goal is to help students expand their vocabulary and improve their sentence structure to express themselves in Japanese more widely and naturally, which in turn refines their conversational skills.

I aim to guide intermediate learners toward the advanced level and help advanced students move beyond it. I warmly welcome those who enjoy learning Japanese in a fun yet thorough way. Let’s enjoy learning together!

Experience and Qualifications

  • LL.M., Graduate School of Law, Niigata University
  • Completed a Japanese Teacher Training Course while in graduate school
  • Community Japanese language volunteer experience
  • Engaged in Japanese language education (Japanese language schools in Takasaki, Utsunomiya, and Korea, and Japanese language special courses for foreign students)

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