Congratulations on Your Graduation
03/10/2026
Uncategorized
As we begin to feel the arrival of spring, the season of graduation has come once again. To all of our graduates, congratulations on your graduation.This year, the number of graduating students was higher than usual, and preparing for further education was a challenging journey for many of you. There were many things to do—gathering information about schools, choosing the right institution, prepar…
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A Memorable Day in March
03/06/2026
Culture
Student life
Uncategorized
When March arrives, the atmosphere in the classroom begins to change. The academic year is drawing to a close, and graduation season is just around the corner. For me, as a teacher at a Japanese language school, March is a month that always fills my heart with special emotions.
It feels like only yesterday that the students were attending the entrance ceremony with nervous expressions on their …
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Medical professionals
02/27/2026
News
Uncategorized
Recently, I broke a bone in an unexpected accident and was hospitalized in a Japanese hospital. For a while, I was completely unable to move and spent my days confined to bed. I also progressed through rehabilitation by consulting with myself each day, asking myself, "How far can I push myself that day?" There were times when I felt overwhelmed by anxiety and shame that my body wasn't moving the w…
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A Small Birthday Surprise in the Classroom
02/19/2026
Culture
Student life
Uncategorized
Just before class the other day, one of the students said to me,“Sensei, today is Puja-san’s birthday.”
As I looked over at Puja-san, I saw that they were smiling more than usual.
Then Puja-san came up to me and said,“Sensei, today is my birthday. Here—please have some chocolate,”and handed me a piece of chocolate.
At that moment, I was genuinely surprised. In Japan, it feels natural that…
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Nintendo Store open in Fukuoka
02/13/2026
Uncategorized
Do you know the Japanese game company Nintendo? Even people who don't play games might know Super Mario. In November 2025, Nintendo's official store, Nintendo Fukuoka, opened in Fukuoka. Right after opening, tons of Nintendo fans rushed to the store, and you couldn't get in without a numbered ticket. In early February, I heard from a student that you could now enter without a numbered ticket, so I…
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Risshun and Setsubun: How Japan Welcomes a New Season
02/03/2026
Culture
In Japan, the change of seasons is very important. There are many traditional events that help people feel these seasonal changes. Two of the most well-known events are Setsubun and Risshun. Learning about these traditions is a great way to understand how Japanese people think about time and nature.
What Is Risshun?
Risshun means “the start of spring” according to the traditional…
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Aizuchi（あいづち） That Don’t Appear in Textbooks
01/26/2026
Uncategorized
In Japanese, common "aizuchi（あいづち）" include「うん」「うんうん」「へえ」「そうですか」「そうですね」.
“Aizuchi” refers to the short responses or nods people give during a conversation to show they’re listening. In Japanese, we say 「あいづちを打つ」.
Recently, there are some aizuchi that young people use often. Let’s take a look at them together!
1. The Role of Aizuchi
In Japanese conversations, people frequently u…
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We had a health checkup.
01/23/2026
Student life
Yesterday, we conducted a health checkup for the new students who enrolled in October.Although it was their first health checkup, there were not many students, so it went more smoothly than expected.
However, since it was their first time, some students seemed confused. All of them have been in Japan for about three months, so it appeared that understanding the Japanese spoken by the doctors an…
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Japanese New Year – Celebrating the Beginning of a New Year
01/13/2026
Culture
The Japanese New Year, called Shōgatsu, is one of the most important events in Japan. It marks the beginning of a new year and is usually celebrated from January 1st to January 3rd, a period known as Sanganichi. During this time, people spend time with their families and pray for health, happiness, and success in the coming year.
The night of December 31st is called Ōmisoka, the last day of the…
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A Colorful Autumn Experience at NILS
12/11/2025
Culture
Student life
Every autumn, NILS organizes a small cultural outing for students, and one of our regular activities is momijigari, the Japanese tradition of enjoying autumn leaves. This year, we visited the historic Hirata Family Residence in Ogori City. It was a pleasant day where we were able to appreciate the scenery, learn a bit about local history, and enjoy a simple seasonal treat together.
Stepping…
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