Using computers for online schools One of the interesting things about teaching and learning Japanese at an online school like Japonin(JOI), is that you end up spending a lot of time in front of the computer. This can be fun and gives you a chance to be more creative in your use of computers, but also can create problems with posture and eyesight. There are many products on sale to relieve the...

in Japan Japan is not a country well-known for its dancing. There are several traditional dances that are popular around the country especially the festival dances and cultural dance performances. But it is rare for ordinary people with no training to engage in dancing as a past time. Recent times have seen an increase in the popularity of modern dances. There are numerous dance schools in...

Japanese children's hobbies In Japanese education, children are often enrolled in various learning schools and children's hobby classes by parents that hope the skills they learn can give them a boost in life. There are many schools and community center classes that offer lessons to children. And although the number of children in Japan is decreasing, these schools are still very popular...

Japan ski resorts Japan is fast becoming a well-known ski destination for avid skiers in Asia and the Pacific. There are many famous ski resorts like Niseko, Hakuba, and Furano in the north of Japan, which offer great facilities, and fun apres-ski entertainment. However, many ski resorts can also be enjoyed during the off-season. There are hiking trails and activities like hot springs which can...

Shohei Ohtani Shohei Ohtani is a professional baseball player who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels in MLB (Major League Baseball). He started his professional career in Japan playing for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in the Pacific League. He has captured the hearts of fans all around the world with his ability to play as both a pitcher and batter and officially recorded the fastest pitch...

Spicy Japanese cuisine Although Japanese cuisine is traditionally not very spicy, there are many dishes that use spices and peppers. Most of them are variants of Chinese cuisine or other imported cooking styles. Nevertheless, there are some really exciting Japanese foods that use spices and if you are in Japan, please try to seek them out and give them a taste. In this blog by Imoto sensei, she...

J League soccer J League soccer is the familiar name for the Japan Professional Football League and is the top professional association football in Japan. The professional association football league, J.League was formed in 1992 and currently consists of a three-tier system with a total of 54 teams (18 teams in J1, 22 teams in J2 and 14 teams in J3). The popularity of the teams varies from place...

Japanese books Japanese literature has a rich tradition with a huge population of writers and readers. There are many fiction writers, from the classical authors like Natsume Souseki to the modern authors like Haruki Murakami. Many Japanese also enjoy non-fiction writings and the sales musings by well-known personalities are often best-sellers. That being said though, there is a sign that the...

Fermented soybeans One of the recurring questions that foreign people get asked by Japanese people is, “Do you like Natto?” And although the question can sound banal at times, it is actually quite an apt one. This is because Nattō, a traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans, is really an acquired taste, due to its powerful smell, strong flavor, and slimy texture. There are many...

in Hokkaido, Japan There are many places where you can go to enjoy nature in Japan. And for those of you looking for outdoor adventures, there are also very good facilities for travelers and tourists to enjoy the local nature. Hokkaido is the northern-most island of Japan and is one of the most blessed places with nature in the country. It offers rivers, lakes and spectacular...