What is the “Obon”?
08/07/2025
Culture
〇Things to do during Obon
In Japan, there is a period called ‘Obon holiday’ in August.
The Obon period is a time to pay respects to one's ancestors.
During Obon, preparations are made to welcome ancestors, including lighting welcoming fires and preparing offerings.
Welcoming fires are lit to guide ancestors home so they do not get lost.
On the evening of the last day of Obon, sendi…
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Not Just ‘Sorry’: Understanding “Sumimasen” and “Gomen Nasai”
07/25/2025
Culture
Tips
Vocabulary
Hello everyone!
Today, I’d like to talk about how Japanese people use the words “sumimasen” and “gomen nasai.” These are two common Japanese expressions often translated as “I’m sorry,” but they can have other meanings depending on the situation.
Have you ever talked with a Japanese friend who’s been living in Japan for a long time?Maybe you’ve thought, “Wow, Japanese people apologize a lot!…
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JLPT Test Day & Tanabata Wishes
07/07/2025
Culture
JLPT
Student life
Yesterday, July 6th, was the day of the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test).
This time, the schedule was a little different from before—N1 and N2 levels were held in the morning, while N3 to N5 were in the afternoon.
For those taking the test for the first time, just getting to the test site can be stressful. So, to help ease their worries, a teacher went along with the students to the…
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Tanabata Festival
07/02/2025
Culture
Student life
Here are some thoughts that NILS students shared about the Tanabata Festival.
🌟 Participating in the Tanabata Festival – A Wonderful Experience at NILS
Today, we participated in the Tanabata Festival held at NILS. Tanabata is one of Japan’s traditional festivals, celebrated annually on July 7th. It is based on a romantic legend about two stars, Orihime (the weaving princess) and Hikoboshi (t…
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Kawachi Fuji Garden: A Breathtaking Spring Destination
05/07/2025
Culture
News
Student life
Located in Yahatahigashi Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Kawachi Fuji Garden is renowned for its enchanting wisteria flowers. From late April to mid-May, the garden is in full bloom, showcasing 22 varieties of wisteria in a stunning array of colors.
Spectacular Wisteria Tunnels and Grand Pergola
The garden's main attractions are its two wisteria tunnels, measuring 80 and 110 meter…
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Koinobori (Carp Streamers)
04/10/2025
Culture
Koinobori are traditional wind streamers displayed at Japanese homes to celebrate Children’s Day on May 5th every year. This day is especially recognized as a celebration of boys' growth, and koinobori are widely cherished as a symbol of this occasion. These carp-shaped streamers carry deep historical and symbolic meanings, making them popular as gifts and commemorative items, often passed down th…
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White Day
03/13/2025
Culture
White Day is a unique Japanese tradition celebrated every year on March 14th, where people who received gifts on Valentine’s Day return the favor. On this day, it is common for men to give gifts to women, especially to express gratitude towards their romantic partners, friends, or colleagues. White Day was introduced in the late 1970s by the confectionery industry with the goal of establishing a c…
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Setsubun
02/14/2025
Culture
Student life
Hello everyone! Today I would like to introduce a traditional Japanese event called Setsubun.
Setsubun (節分) is a traditional Japanese event, mainly to celebrate the coming of spring. Specifically, it is usually held on the day before Risshun, or around February 3. The main purpose of Setsubun is to drive away evil spirits and bring in good fortune. Setsubun has various customs and events depend…
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Starting the New Year with NILS’ New Year’s Shrine Visit and Calligraphy!
01/29/2025
Culture
Student life
Hello everyone! ?✨Today, I’d like to share with you the fun and meaningful New Year’s event we held at NILS — Hatsumode (New Year’s Shrine Visit) and Kakizome (Calligraphy Practice)! This event was a wonderful opportunity for us to experience traditional Japanese customs while having a lot of fun. Let me take you through the details!
What is Hatsumode? Experiencing a Shrine Visit!
First,…
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New Year’s in Japan
01/10/2025
Culture
New Year's in Japan, celebrated from January 1st, is a special period filled with traditions and cultural activities. It is a time for family gatherings and for reflecting on the past year while welcoming the new one. Below is an overview of Japanese New Year's customs and practices.
Overview of Japanese New Year
In Japan, New Year's (called "Oshōgatsu") is one of the most important …
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