Volunteer Experience in Japan — Cleaning Up Along the Homan River
05/15/2026
Culture
Student life
Japan is famous as a “clean country.” When international students actually come to Japan, many of them are surprised by how clean the streets and parks are and how little trash they see in public places. Students at our Japanese language school, NILS, often say, “Japan is really clean!” However, that does not mean there is no trash at all in Japan. Especially near rivers and in grassy areas around…
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Why You Don’t Tip in Japan — And What It Reveals About Japanese Culture
04/13/2026
Culture
Student life
Uncategorized
Vocabulary
If you’re coming to Japan from the United States or Europe, one of the first things that might confuse you is surprisingly simple:
No one tips.
Not at restaurants, not in taxis, not even in hotels.
At first, this can feel uncomfortable. You might find yourself hesitating at the register, wondering if you’re doing something wrong—or worse, being rude. In many Western countries, tipping is …
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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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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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