JapanesePod101.com Blog

Does Japan celebrate Halloween? Absolutely—but in a way that's uniquely its own. What began as a borrowed Western holiday has transformed into a nationwide celebration of creativity, cosplay, and commercial flair. Halloween in Japan is less about trick-or-treating and more about transformation, community, and seasonal spectacle. Table of Contents From Theme Parks to City Streets Shibuya Halloween: Party or Problem? Beyond Tokyo: Japan's Regional Halloween Scene Cosplay and the "Mundane Halloween" Trend Seasonal Spirit and Cultural Touches A Celebration of Expression 1. From Theme Parks to City Streets Japan's Halloween boom began in the late 1990s when Tokyo Disneyland hosted its first seasonal event. Today, Disneyland Japan's... Show more

1. Can 40 Days Really Prepare You for JLPT N4? Many learners hear they need hundreds of hours to pass the JLPT N4. That can feel overwhelming, especially if you're juggling school, work, or other commitments.  But here’s a game-changing insight: you don’t need to cram every single hour to pass. Instead, focus on quality, not just quantity. This 40‑day plan allocates around 80 hours total, about 2 hours daily. That may sound difficult, but it’s structured to target the exact grammar, vocab, kanji, and listening you need, no fluff. 2. How the JLPT N4 40-Day Plan Works A. What It Is The 40-day JLPT N4 study plan is more than just a list of lessons, it’s a full curriculum built to help you succeed. It guides you... Show more

1. Can 75 Minutes a Day Really Get You JLPT N5-Ready? Over 70% of first-time test-takers pass the JLPT N5 with just 100 hours of prep, according to JLPT official statistics. That’s about 3 hours per week over several months. But if you’re short on time or aiming for the next test date, there’s another path: 30 days of focused, consistent study. We have prepared a plan that delivers a daily roadmap to pass the JLPT N5, Japanese Language Proficiency Test’s easiest level. This plan delivers a daily roadmap that will help you pass without burning out or falling off track.. You will use JapanesePod101's pathways to help you pass the JLPT N5. You will find ebooks, practice tools, and proven methods like spaced repetition flashcards.  2.... Show more

What if you could take an actual class from home? With a native teacher and four other learners? A class where you're speaking with a native. You're having fun practicing dialogues. Where the teacher corrects your on the spot, which means you're improving on the spot. And so are the other learners in this small group class, because everyone gets plenty of attention and practice. It's not just a possibility. Group classes are the most fun and engaging way to learn , and you can attend these classes with . Table of Contents What is in a Live Group Class? Why Learn in a Group? What You Get Out of It What Our Students Say Conclusion 1. What is in a Live Group Class? With 's Live Group Class program, you can take a... Show more

As you embark on your journey to learn Japanese, you might wonder: does the Japanese language have tones? In this article, we will discuss the answer to this question. We'll also discuss pitch accent in Japanese and why it's important for effective communication. Table of Contents Does Japanese Have Tones? The Role of Pitch Accent in Japanese Language Examples Why is Understanding Pitch Accent Vital? Conclusion 1. Does Japanese Have Tones? Tonal languages are common the world over, and Asia is no exception. In addition, many words in Japanese use kanji that originally came from Chinese, which is a tonal language itself. Taking that into consideration, "Are there tones in Japanese?" is a sensible question to ask. However, spoken... Show more

Maybe you have heard of the Japanese national anthem on TV from World Cup football championship or commendation ceremonies of Olympic Games, but did you know that the Japanese national anthem “君が代 kimigayo” has first place in two categories? The lyrics of 君が代 kimigayo are the oldest among the world’s national anthems, and it is the shortest in the world!  Originating from the pure art of Japanese ancient poetry, Kimigayo reflects the profound Japanese culture and art, yet it is also deeply related to the Japanese emperor system that has existed for over 1000 years and is an inextricable part of Japan. Embracing such long history and countless unfolding affairs in times, the Japanese national anthem is also cast a dark shadow by the... Show more

If you are taking a Japanese group lesson online, or planning to study as a foreign student in Japan or to teach your language as a teacher in Japan, it’s good to know Japanese classroom phrases well for effective learning and better communication in the class.In this guide, we introduce the most useful Japanese classroom phrases and vocabulary from various aspects, including school vocabulary, classroom greetings and calls, explaining absence and tardiness, teacher’s phrases, student phrases, and school subjects. You will learn not only common Japanese classroom phrases and vocabulary but also the unique features of Japanese schools, such as the school system, school routines, and school supplies. Let’s get ready for your class with... Show more

Sushi, Ramen, Okonomiyaki… Japanese food is gaining fame around the world nowadays, and Japanese food lovers are increasing every year. Japan is known for delicious food, and everyone would be surprised by its variety of restaurants in every aspect when they come to Japan for the first time. Whether you are a tourist or not, knowing the basic Japanese restaurant phrases is not only useful for smooth ordering but also for enjoying your dining time better.  This article introduces the most useful Japanese restaurant phrases as well as tips and handy information about restaurants in Japan that would definitely help you make the most of your dining experience in Japan. Let’s start brushing up on your useful basic phrases in Japanese now!... Show more

Many people wonder how to start a conversation and what to talk about when meeting new people. Good communication skills are often expected and welcomed in society; indeed, it’s a useful and necessary skill to keep a fun conversation going and familiarize yourself with new people or the environment.  Starting a conversation in Japanese, however, is a bit tricky. There are various patterns of speech in Japanese that express different levels of formality, politeness, intimacy, and friendliness. Even for honorific speech in Japanese, 敬語 Keigo, have different levels of politeness, ranging from casually polite to extremely respectful. Using the right choice of speech and how you talk is the key to starting a good conversation in Japanese,... Show more

When meeting someone exotic, most of us are interested in where he/she is from and try to start a conversation related to their  home country. Likewise, when we’re in a foreign country, we often  introduce ourselves by including what country we’re from. Here is the best guide on how to talk about countries and nationalities in Japanese! As an island nation with a monocultural background, Japanese people are especially conscious and interested in the differences between countries and cultures. Talking about your own country and nationality is a good icebreaker when meeting new people in Japan. Some country names and their major cities are different in Japanese than in English, so it’s useful to know how to say them. In this article,... Show more