Cleanliness in Japan Japan as a country is quite well-known for its cleanliness. Many visitors to its cities are impressed by the lack of garbage in the streets. In schools, children have to clean their own classrooms starting from the first grade. And the most efficient methods are learned at an early age by many students. So the roots of this practice may be in the education system. There are...

Christmas in Japan Japan has only really started celebrating Christmas on a wide scale during the last few decades. Being a largely Buddhist country, it is not celebrated as a religious holiday. But as with most nations and cultures in the world, the Japanese also have their own unique take on the holiday with something borrowed and something new. In this language learning blog from Japanese...

Japanese children's songs When learning a new language, one great source of learning can be children's learning materials. Japanese children's songs can help you to learn Japanese vocabulary and also are a great insight into Japanese culture. There are thousands of children's songs that you can use, and many sites online that introduce a number of these. When you find yourself a little stuck in...

Japanese Bento The story of Washoku or Japanese cuisine would not be complete without the Japanese bento or lunchboxes. It is a food culture that everyday people come across daily. Since traditional Japanese food is served individually on many small plates, inside a Japanese bento box you tend to find each food organized separately in holders or cups. You can buy cheap bento at convenience...

Japanese coins There are 6 types of coins currently minted in Japan. The 500 yen coin, the 100 yen coin, the 50 yen coin, the 10 yen coin, the 5 yen coin, and the 1 yen coin. The name 'Yen' actually means 'round object' and the modern version of the monetary system was part of the Meiji government national reforms. In this very interesting blog from Japanese teacher Noriko Yokozuka tells the...

Japanese Calendar The Japanese calendar official dating system has been in use since the late 7th century. The separate eras mark the regin of a particular emperor, but in ancient times, some new eras were named after specific major events. If you live in Japan, it is very useful to remember your birth year using the Japanese Calendar system, because you need to know it for many official...

Japanese fruits You can buy and eat a wide variety of fruits in Japan. Some of these fruits have been introduced from abroad and are recognizable to foreigners while others are native to Japan and not as well known outside of East Asia. In the different seasons, the types of fruits available are varied and some have traditional uses in Japanese cuisine or seasonal events. In this blog for...

The Kansai area in Japan The Kansai area is one of the main cultural and historical centers of Japan. It stretches over an area roughly in the midsection of the country. The main two cities are the cities of Osaka and Kyoto and offer a dazzling array of different cultural experiences. If you are traveling to Japan, a trip to the Kansai region is a must. And what better time to this that during...

Autumn in Japan Japan has four seasons and the Japanese people are very proud of this. Within each season, there are activities which are promoted and well-loved by the general population, but autumn or fall in Japan seems to hold a dear place in people's hearts. There are many activities that are talked about and promoted in autumn including reading books, eating seasonal cuisine and fruits and...

Insects and bugs in Japan In Japan, there are four seasons and the land has a wide variety of nature, including some interesting insects and bugs – some of which are endemic species to Japan. In this blog for Japanese learners, one of the Japanese teachers Sayuri Itaya writes a particularly charming species found in her native Hokkaido. The blog teaches you some new Japanese vocabulary as well...