Basic Japanese Etiquette Indoors
- 01-15-2018
A lot of rules regarding indoor manners in Japan are related to footwear. A clear line is traditionally drawn between inside and outside, and outdoor shoes and indoor slippers are handled accordingly. These rules not only apply to most Japanese homes, but also to many traditional ryokan, some restau... READ MORE
Moving in Japan
- 01-08-2018
Moving house is a stressful enough activity wherever you are. But in a country as fond of red tape as Japan, and - for most English-speakers living here - in a language as difficult to read as Japanese, especially in its official form, that stress is only exacerbated.
Let's look at the steps invo... READ MORE
Reasons to Study in Japan
- 01-01-2018
While sushi, karaoke and bullet trains may be among the first things that come to mind when you think about Japan, there’s a long list of other reasons why this culturally rich and technologically advanced nation is a desirable destination for international students. Read on to learn five reasons wh... READ MORE
What’s Happening Now in Fukuoka & Japan in December 2017
- 12-27-2017
No. of births in Japan to hit record low in 2017 Nationwide
The number of births in Japan this year has fallen to is lowest since records began more than a century ago with about 941,000 new babies, the health ministry said on Friday, proof if any were needed that it faces an ageing and shrinking p... READ MORE
Learning Hiragana and Katakana
- 12-19-2017
Three Japanese Alphabets
First things first, Japanese uses three main scripts (or alphabets): hiragana, katakana and kanji.
Kanji (漢字) are adopted Chinese characters used in modern Japanese writing. Most Japanese words (nouns, adjectives and verbs) are written in kanji. There are no spaces in ... READ MORE
Basic Japanese Etiquette [Onsen]
- 12-12-2017
What’s an Onsen?
An onsen 温泉is a natural hot spring bath, and thanks to its plentiful volcanic activity Japan has lots of them.
Onsen water is geothermally heated beneath the ground and rises to the surface bubbling hot. The prerequisites of an official onsen are that the water must contain at l... READ MORE
Learning Japanese Through Kids’ Cartoon
- 12-05-2017
The Benefits of Learning from Japanese Cartoons for Kids
Learn Japanese language and culture like a child would
What are kids like when they learn about the world around them, or tackle on a new subject in school for the first time? They are often described as little sponges, naturally absorbing a... READ MORE
What’s Happening Now in Fukuoka & Japan in November 2017
- 11-28-2017
Visitor numbers climb at hillside shrine – Fukuoka
More and more people are visiting Ukiha-Inarijinja shrine in Ukiha, Fukuoka Prefecture, drawn by its striking red gates and scenic views.
The shrine is located on a hillside about 130 meters high in the Minou mountain area, from which visitors can... READ MORE
Learning Japanese with the News
- 11-17-2017
A great way to study Japanese is by watching, listening to or reading ニュース, the news. The news helps you learn important vocabulary and improve your listening and comprehension. Another advantage is that you can know what the heck is going on. All of the studying I did with the news came in really h... READ MORE
What’s Happening Now in Fukuoka & Japan in October 2017
- 11-10-2017
Hakata Inn lets you stay for less than Y2,000 a night – Fukuoka
Over the years, we’ve scoured the country to find the best value accommodation deals, trying everything from compact capsule hotels to amazing Internet cafe rooms, all offering great value overnight stays for the budget traveller.
N... READ MORE
