Enjoy Spring in Fukuoka! Celebrate Together at the Hakata Dontaku Festival
04/30/2026
Uncategorized
In Japan, there is a long holiday period from spring to early summer known as “Golden Week.” During this time, many people travel, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy special events.
One of the biggest events in Fukuoka during Golden Week is the Hakata Dontaku Festival. Held every year on May 3rd and 4th, it attracts several million visitors over just two days, making it one of the la…
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How to dispose of garbage in Japan
04/24/2026
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One thing that surprises foreigners living in Japan for the first time is how detailed the rules for garbage disposal are. Today, I’ll explain how to dispose of garbage in Japan.
〇 Putting Out Garbage
In Japan, household garbage must be placed at designated locations for collection. The rules for putting out garbage vary by municipality. If you don’t follow the rules, your garbage won’t be c…
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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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Cherry blossoms in Ogori
04/08/2026
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The graduation ceremony has finished, and now it is NILS’s spring break. The school is quiet, but even so, we can feel that the new semester is approaching.Why is that? Around the NILS Ogori campus, various flowers have started to bloom. Among them, when cherry blossoms bloom, we feel that “spring has come.” This is because, in Japanese culture, cherry blossoms have long been considered a symbol o…
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Two Weeks After Graduation
04/03/2026
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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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