The long autumn nights
10/09/2025
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"Akino yonaga"— the long autumn nights — refers to the seasonal mood that follows the autumnal equinox, when daylight hours shorten and the nights come to feel especially long. A cool breeze carries the sounds of insects, and the quiet hours spent under the moonlight have long soothed people's hearts.
In the Heian court (794–1185)
In the Heian court (794–1185), nobles would dim their lamps a…
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“Let’s have lunch near NILS Annex.”
09/29/2025
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Today, I’d like to introduce the Japanese restaurant “Ajidokoro Koyagi,” located near NILS Annex. During lunchtime, you can enjoy their lunch menu, and in the evening, it turns into an izakaya where you can savor delicious drinks.
■ AtmosphereThe restaurant feels like a traditional Japanese home. As a Japanese person, it feels just like my own house.When international students visit, …
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Furin Festival at Nyoirin‑ji, Ogori City
09/12/2025
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Allow me to introduce the Wind Chime Festival held every year at Seieizan Nyoirin‑ji in Ogori City, Fukuoka Prefecture — commonly known as “Kaeru‑dera” (Frog Temple).Nyoirin‑ji is a historic temple of the Shingon Omuro sect, founded by Gyōki in the early Nara period. On the temple grounds you’ll find about ten thousand frog figurines, creating a distinctive atmosphere. The frog motif carries meani…
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My Unforgettable Memory（NILS Speech Contest🎤）
09/04/2025
Student life
Uncategorized
On Friday, August 29, NILS held a Japanese speech contest where 17 outstanding students, each representing their respective classes, competed against one another.Each of the 17 participants had their own unique personality and charm. Although they had only been in Japan for a short time, they worked hard and practiced diligently to sound as native speaker.
Now, I would like to introduce a v…
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What would you like to drink today?
07/14/2025
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We interviewed students of NILS Annex about the school's vending machines.
Question: What do you think about Japanese vending machines?
Answer: When I came to Japan from Nepal, I was very surprised. When I first saw them, I wondered why there were so many vending machines. I also had some trouble figuring out how to use them at first, but now I’m used to them.
Question: What do you fi…
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Japanese folklore
06/13/2025
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In Japan, it is said that it is auspicious for migratory swallows to build nests under the eaves of a house. The other day, I went to a pasta restaurant with my son. After sitting at the table and placing my order on the touch screen, I looked up and caught a glimpse of something black on my right. Looking out the window, I saw a swallow's nest with several swallow chicks. As I stared at the swall…
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Future Paths for International Students After Graduating from Japanese Language Schools
06/10/2025
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Hello! Today, I would like to introduce the future paths available to international students after graduating from Japanese language schools.After studying Japanese at a language school, many students think about their next step in Japan. What options are available? In this blog, I will introduce three of the most popular paths.________________________________________1. Entering a Vocational Schoo…
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Hiking Mount Hōman: Fukuoka’s Spiritual Escape
06/03/2025
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Hey there! Today, let me take you on a journey to Mount Hōman (Hōmanzan), a beloved mountain that stretches across Dazaifu and Chikushino in Fukuoka Prefecture. At 829.6 meters, it’s not the tallest peak out there—but don’t let that fool you. This mountain has been a sacred site for Shugendō (Japanese mountain asceticism) since ancient times, and to this day, it draws hikers and worshippers year-r…
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New students Interview
05/23/2025
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Aidan Joseph Comstock from USA
why did you come to Japan?
-When I was kid, I saw a Japanese movie, and I really, really liked it, and it made me fall in love with everything Japanese. People and culture and food. Why my reason for coming.
How did you find NILS Annex?
-My mother's friend’s friend came to NILS Annex. And recommended that I come here for my Japanese studies, so that's why…
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The Importance of Taking Notes
05/15/2025
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When studying Japanese, you have to learn a lot of vocabulary (new words) and grammar. To do that, writing your own notes is very important. When you write notes, you can remember things better than just looking or listening. Writing helps organize your thoughts. It also makes it clear what you already know and what you still don’t understand. For example, when you write a new word in your noteboo…
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