Two Weeks After Graduation
04/03/2026
Uncategorized
The two weeks between graduation and entrance ceremonies—a crucial preparation period for a new beginning
After graduation, students immediately begin moving towards the "next stage." These approximately two weeks are a special time filled with excitement amidst the busyness. Let's take a peek at what these students are up to this year.
Savoring the Afterglow of Graduation
Even after the …
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Japan’s 100-Yen Shops: A Treasure Hunt
03/18/2026
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Have you ever wondered what you can buy for just 100 yen?You might imagine cheap, low-quality items—but in Japan, get ready to be amazed. You’ll probably find yourself saying, “Wait… this is only 100 yen?!” over and over again.
What Are Japan’s 100-Yen Shops?
Japan’s 100-yen shops are like a dream come true for bargain lovers. Most items cost around 100 yen (though a few are slightly more), …
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Congratulations on Your Graduation
03/10/2026
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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
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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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Aizuchi（あいづち） That Don’t Appear in Textbooks
01/26/2026
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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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❄️ Fukuoka Shines in Winter!
12/05/2025
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A Heartwarming Journey Through the City’s Illuminations
In winter, cities all across Japan are wrapped in beautiful lights.Fukuoka, the largest city in Kyushu, transforms into a magical “City of Lights” during the colder months.Simply walking through the streets fills you with excitement as dazzling illuminations brighten the night.
In this blog, I introduce some of the best winter illuminat…
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Reflecting on Japanese Language Education: After Taking the National Certification Exam
11/06/2025
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Recently, I took the National Certification Exam for Japanese Language Teachers. Although I have been working as a Japanese teacher for several years, preparing for and taking this exam gave me an important opportunity to rethink my approach to teaching. In daily classroom life, it’s easy to get caught up in lesson plans and students’ progress, but this process reminded me to return to a fundament…
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