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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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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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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Students Learn About Japanese Traffic Rules
12/01/2025
Culture
News
Student life
Recently, NILS students participated in a special safety workshop to learn about Japanese traffic rules. Since many of our students use bicycles for commuting and daily errands, understanding how to ride safely in Japan is essential. For this workshop, the police borrowed the training course of a nearby driving school and conducted a bicycle safety lesson there.
Police Borrow a Driving School f…
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Higanbana: Japan’s Stunning Spider Lilies
09/18/2025
Culture
As September arrives in Japan, the sweltering heat of summer usually begins to fade, and a hint of autumn creeps into the air. However, this year—as in many other countries—the temperatures are still quite high. Along quiet countryside paths, riverbanks, and temple grounds, a sea of bright red flowers suddenly bursts into bloom. These striking blossoms are Higanbana (彼岸花), also known as Red Spider…
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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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