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Archive for the 'Living in Japan' Category

Good Resource to Learn Japanese, Check it Out!

I have visited Japan for three times, and each time this country always surprise me with its culture, scenery and people. As a dancer, I have attended many workshop and classes in Tokyo, and met many inspirational people.
Check it out!

However, the biggest problem that came up to me is the language barrier. I have had problem to communicate with people about my ideas, stories. As we all known, communication is the most important thing for a friendship. So I started to look for online lessons, since taking actual classes is not possible for me, and I would rather save the money by finding some low budget online tutorial.

That’s when JapanesePod101 popped up to me. I have used it for a year, and I can’t deny that JapanesePod101 has provided me enormous help with my Japanese learning.

Here are the reason why I chose JapanesePod101, and also why you should too!

Easy Access

In this fast paced society, efficiency is the core to survive. JapanesePod101 gives you the efficiency with high quality content to boost up your language learning process. Language learning becomes much more easier from one click through the website or through your smart phone. With this prestige, you can learn Japanese on the bus, go to school, in the bathroom… WHENEVER and WHEREVER you want. ( Well, but please be safe, don’t want you bump into a car while you learning)


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Down to Earth

One problem about language learning is that those materials you got are so out of date, and you start to sound like an ancient person coming out of the cave. Language changes through time, people creates new slangs, dialect, or even words. So if you want to talk with your Japanese friends and also keep up your coolness, you must try JapanesePod101. They have native instructors to help you sounds like a local. The material is always keep up with current events and society, which offers many down-to-earth information. Want to make your Japanese speaking on fleek? Try JapanesePod101.


Talk like a LOCAL

Systematic Learning

It is hard to start learning a new language. Many people gets really confused when they first start, since they don’t have a guide path to follow. Sometimes you want to learn slangs, the other time you just want to remember kanjis. It’s never going to work without a good guide. Thus language learning needs to be systematic to set up a good path for language learners. That’s why JapanesePod101 provides to its users with lessons focused on different levels, and a community to share your progress. It helps you start from the scratch, and boost you to higher level. You can also find other people’s experience, and make study buddies by simply join the community provided by JapanesePod101.


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One last thing, it’s cheap! You can learn Japanese by just saving money for one meal or one shot from the bar. Everyone loves cheap and good stuff, and you get your value back by rocking on fluent Japanese.


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Writing a Japanese Address on a Postcard

  1. – Postal symbol, preceding postal code
  2. 107-0052 – Postal code, composed of 7 numbers
  3. 東京都 – Prefecture (県, ken), with the exception of Tokyo (都, to), Hokkaido (道, do) and Osaka/Kyoto (府, fu)
  4. 港区 – Municipality, city (市, shi), village (村, mura) or ward (区, ku). Here it is Minato ward.
  5. 赤坂 – Area. Here it is Akasaka.
  6. 3丁目4-4 – City district (丁目, chome), city block (番地, banchi), bldg/house number (号, go)
  7. ジョン シナ – Recipient’s name. In Japan the last name precedes the first name and is often followed by a honorific suffix like San (さん) or Sama (様), corresponding to Mr. or Ms.

Click here to learn how to send out a Japanese postcard with our fun FREE video!


P.S. Win a personal postcard all the way from Japan! Just click the link above and submit your name and email address 🙂 Hurry! Contest ends this Friday, 10/14/2016!

Japan exclusive rarest Pokemon! Pokemon Go finally released!

After having been delayed many times for different reasons, the mobile-gaming sensation, Pokemon Go, is finally released in its home country: Japan! Are you already on your way to be the very best like no ever was? After reading this post you’ll discover the rarest Pokemon in Japan and you’ll learn how to be the ポケモンマスター (“Pokemon Master”) in Japanese!

pokemon go japan exclusive rarest pokemon

From rumoured release to multiple delay, the mythical creature franchise, Nintendo has been keeping us waiting without official launch date for weeks. “When will it finally come out in Japan? Isn’t it Nintendo home country!?”. But after painfully watching Pokemon Go being released all over the world, Japanese residents finally get the chance to be back on track!

Pokemon Go users have taken the streets with their smartphones in order to catch’em all and train their creatures for battles! The mobile game is the perfect excuse to communicate with players you cross paths with. You definitely need to know how to introduce Yourself in Japanese.

Whether you want to challenge them or just share the location of the wild Pikachu you saw behind the station, learning the Most Used Japanese Phrases will help you to face all situations!

No more chat! People in Japan are already crazy about Pokemon Go and play it while having lunch with friends!

一番になりたい ? You want to be the very best? To be a good Pokemon trainer is all about charisma! You should start working on a cool trainer posture! But watch out, you may have a look before on Japanese gestures and their meaning to avoid any embarrassing pose!

Commuting, lunch break, night walk… all perfect opportunities for you to capture Pokemon! But it was while walking to the office, listening to a podcast about Japanese superstitions, that I encountered the rarest Pokemon ever, to be seen in Japan only!

If the legend is true Risamon can be seen time to time on JapanesePod101 YouTube channel for funny lessons. Our advice if you want to optimize your chance to capture it, is to follow the dedicated Risamon Learning Path available here. And at the end of the road you may realize you will able to hold a conversation in Japanese!

For you Japanese learners, here are 3 phrases you’ll need to know today:

  • Gotta Catch ‘Em All!
    全部捕まえてやるぜ!
    Zenbu tsukamaete yaru ze!

  • I wanna be the very best!
    一番になりたい!
    Ichiban ni naritai!

  • My dream is to become the pokemon master.
    私の夢はポケモンマスターになること。
    Watashi no yume wa Pokemon masutā ni naru koto.

    Next week we’ll publish here the Top 20 phrases you must know to be the best Poke Master!

  • Everything you need to know about Cat Cafes!

    Are you traveling in Japan and missing your cat? Maybe you are just looking to cuddle some kawaii felines? Of course you are! The cat cafe, or neko cafe, will be your paradise.

    everything you need to know about cat cafe in japan tokyo

    Adventure with Risa!
    You always dreamt of seeing Risa cuddling some cute cats? Today Risa takes you to a cat cafe and introduces you this trendy concept in Tokyo!

    Start learning Japanese with videos starring Risa!

    Cat cafe, an original concept
    You might be surprised to hear that this concept is not originally from Japan but from Taiwan, where the world’s first cat cafe opened in 1998. After seeing that it attracted many tourists from Japan, a Japanese person decided to bring the concept, which mixes the relaxing and cozy atmosphere of a coffee shop with adorable cats, back to his country. The popularity of cat cafes boomed all over Japan, with more than a hundred shops opening, half being concentrated in Tokyo. Visiting a cat cafe should definitely be on your Top 10 Spots You Must See in Japan list.

    Prepare for your visit to a cat cafe with all the vocabulary you need to order!

    A solution to busy Japanese urban life
    Because of the size of its population, high density, and the price of housing in Tokyo, many Japanese people live in small apartments, which are not convenient for having a pet, or that just don’t allow them. A lot of people would love to have a pet, but they are too busy and would not have time to take care of it. It’s common to see lots of Japanese salarymen relaxing in these cafés. Visiting a neko cafe will allow you to enjoy your guilty pleasure while avoiding any trouble with your rental agreement!

    https://media.giphy.com/media/dFzRNkQ2dXr3y/giphy.gif

    Here are the 5 reasons why you should start learning Japanese!

    Cats, a cup of tea and a lot of love
    In most cat cafes, for approximately 1000 yen per hour, you have access to unlimited drinks, and after replacing your shoes with slippers, you will have the opportunity to play with various kinds of cats: fat cats, black cats, clothed cats… There are cats to suit all tastes. If you try to communicate with them, just forget about “meow,” it’s all about “nyan”! Sounds that animals make in Japanese are very different from what you know. Have a look at the animals onomatopoeia list, and discover what the fox says!

    risa discovers cate cafe in tokyo

    The rise of pet cafes all around the world
    The concept of the cat cafe has spread all over the world: New York City, London, Paris, Toronto, Sydney, Singapore, Seoul, Bangkok… The world can’t resist petting kittens while enjoying a cup of tea!
    In Tokyo, the concept has been applied to other animals so you can now choose whether you’d like to visit a dog cafe, rabbit cafe, owl cafe, snake cafe, hedgehog cafe…or even a goat cafe!

    https://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/456621ScreenShot20160613at162058.png

    Learn how to introduce yourself and interact with other customers at the café!

    This crazy experience is worth trying for all cat lovers or just those who are wanting to take a break in an original place. Are you excited about visiting one of these kitty corners? Don’t forget to sign up for your Free Lifetime Account and learn enough Japanese to enjoy your trip to a cat cafe!

    Must Know Golden Week Vocabulary

    https://cdn.innovativelanguage.com/sns/em/blog/2016/04_April/goldenweek.png

    Click here to listen to the audio pronunciation!

    Golden week is almost here! In few days it will be the beginning of the Golden week, the longest public holiday in Japan.

    It’s an exciting moment for a lot of people as it’s the period for some time off and to fully enjoy Spring. Here is the list of Top Words you need to know for your holidays!

    1. Traffic jam

    渋滞 (じゅうたい)

    https://31.media.tumblr.com/af9a01291c45c522c9ffed6f534633ba/tumblr_inline_o67xz4R4Wq1tqv1ik_540.gif

    2. Warm

    暖かい (あたたかい)

    3. Golden Week holidays

    ゴールデンウィーク

    4. Chimaki

    ちまき

    https://41.media.tumblr.com/c6ce5cef762be5404e1d14eaa055592a/tumblr_inline_o67zqytYGu1tqv1ik_500.jpg

    5. Constitution Day

    憲法記念日 (Constitution Day)

    6. Kashiwamochi

    柏餅 (かしわもち)

    https://36.media.tumblr.com/e762178f32dca92f53d1a5657a35970d/tumblr_inline_o67zu5MEek1tqv1ik_1280.jpg

    7. Greenery Day

    みどりの日 (みどりのひ)

    8. Children’s Day

    子供の日 (こどものひ)

    https://31.media.tumblr.com/3f237aaed401f2ebcf4c97197e385a7d/tumblr_inline_o67xc0ZtXy1tqv1ik_500.gif

    9. Trip abroad

    海外旅行 (かいがいりょこう)

    10. Doll for the Boys’ Festival in May

    五月人形 (ごがつ にんぎょう)

    https://41.media.tumblr.com/90d511651d12472b06f3258a2f81f496/tumblr_inline_o67zviv2TI1tqv1ik_1280.jpg

    11. Traveling

    旅行 (りょこう)

    12. Koinobori

    鯉のぼり(こいのぼり)

    https://33.media.tumblr.com/62a5ac2c19d13cfd1b2375f0a1857ecd/tumblr_inline_o67x7ssEXm1tqv1ik_500.gif

    Click here to access this lesson for FREE!

    Here are some handy ways you can master the quotes with this lesson:

  • Press the sound icon to hear each word and read along
  • Review all words in a slideshow by pressing “View Slideshow”
  • Listen to all the words in one lesson with “Play Audio”
  • Add the words to your Word Bank or Flashcards
  • Print the entire list out for your personal review
  • Leave us a comment and put these quotes to use
  • Speak and master even more Japanese with our fun audio and video lessons made by real teachers. Click on “Browse Lessons” in the top menu to access our massive library. Then, start speaking minutes into your lesson.

    Click Here to Learn Golden Week words with FREE Audio Pronunciation!

    The Top 10 Japanese Words & Phrases For Going On A Date

    The Top 10 Words You'll Need For A Date!

    Hey Listeners!

    Summer is here and love is in the air! But are you going to be able to go on that date with that special someone… who only speaks Japanese?!

    Step up your game with our Top 10 Japanese words and phrases for going on a date! And don’t forget to sign up for a FREE (Yes, it’s a FREE account) lifetime account at JapanesePod101.com to further your skills even more!

    Start Learning Japanese Today!

    1. I love you.
    あなたの事を愛しています。(Anata no koto o aishite imasu.)

    2. You’re so beautiful.
    君はとても美しいよ。(Kimi wa totemo utsukushii yo.)

    3. To be dumped (v)
    振られる (furareru)

    Click Here To Sign Up For A FREE Lifetime Account & Start Learning Japanese In Minutes!

    4. To get excited romantically (v)
    キュンキュンする (kyunkyun suru)

    5. I think of you as more than a friend.
    私は、友達以上としてあなたのことを考えている。(Watashi wa, tomodachi ijō to shite anata no koto o kangaete iru.)

    Click Here To Learn Japanese!

    6. To go out with (v)
    付き合う (tsukiau)

    7. I’ve got a crush on you.
    私はあなたに一目惚れした。(Watashi wa anata ni hitomebore shita.)

    8. To feel jumpy (v)
    そわそわする (sowasowa suru)

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    Start Studying Japanese Now!

    9. To tell someone your feelings (v)
    告白する (kokuhaku suru)

    10. We were meant to be together.
    私たちは一緒になる運命だったんだ。(Watashi-tachi wa issho ni naru unmei datta n da.)

    Still Want More? You’ll Find It All On Our Site! Sign Up For A FREE Lifetime Account Here! Yes. FREE, FREE, FREE!

    P.S. If you are in a really lovey dovey mood, check out some of these related word lists!
    1. The Must-Know Words For Falling In Love
    2. 15 Love Phrases for Valentine’s Day
    3. Must-Know Valentine’s Day Vocabulary
    4. Must-Know Words For White Day In Japan
    5. The Top 10 Conversational Phrases In Japanese

    8 Extreme places to visit in Japan

    Click here to discover 30 travel phrases you should know!

    If you are looking for exceptional and exciting places in Japan, here is a list of spots not to miss. Some places on the list are difficult to access, or even forbidden.

    1. 青ヶ島。- Aogashima.

    https://41.media.tumblr.com/6a455108f7bd6d09482bc445c527f006/tumblr_inline_o5lrgwE6uU1tqv1ik_1280.jpg

    The island is located 358 kilometers to the south of Tokyo. It is the smallest village in Japan. It is a volcanic island 3.5 km in length and 2.5 km in width that was formed from the remains of several calderas. The island is one of the most mysterious islands and has a beautiful natural environment. It is worth visiting at least once in a lifetime!

    2. 軍艦島。- Gunkanjima.

    https://41.media.tumblr.com/80a7060ce9db67a91d425b065df0909b/tumblr_inline_o5lrtf9cJS1tqv1ik_1280.png

    Once the most densely populated place in the world, the small island of Hashima, commonly known as Gunkanjima (or “Battleship Island”), is now a ghost island. The island floats off the coast of Nagasaki in Japan. It has become a tourist attraction with trips around the island on offer, but has also been a backdrop for many films.

    3. ドリームランド。- Dreamland.

    https://40.media.tumblr.com/afa886b3a3aff4c85f009ef6f7fe826c/tumblr_inline_o5lru7CXqP1tqv1ik_1280.jpg

    Dreamland is an abandoned theme park in Nara, with all its roller-coasters and rides still standing. It closed permanently in 2006 because of low visitor numbers caused by the popularity of Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan. It is a private place and access is forbidden, though some people visit it by jumping over the fences.

    4. 富士急ハイランド。- Fuji-Q Highland.

    https://40.media.tumblr.com/96faf8697ca00dc04cdd70dd3b1a8d17/tumblr_inline_o5ls355EiR1tqv1ik_1280.png

    This is another theme park, but it remains open. It is located near the base of Mount Fuji, and will guarantee you some thrills, with two of the biggest haunted mansions and, above all, roller-coasters ranked as the biggest and fastest in the world.

    5. 地獄谷野猿公苑。- Jigokudani Monkey Park.

    https://40.media.tumblr.com/3f124ebf1624ac0bbcc9f9eb5140b46c/tumblr_inline_o5lsa5C1E61tqv1ik_1280.jpg

    This monkey park located in Nagano prefecture is famous for its large population of wild Japanese macaques, which are also referred to as snow monkeys. It is a popular tourist spot and also easy to access. You can watch the monkeys relaxing in hot springs. Don’t forget to ask them before joining!

    6. 与那国島。- Yonaguni-jima.

    https://41.media.tumblr.com/141f37d50bc20962d53d8ac85a657ab3/tumblr_inline_o5lsde4Lwo1tqv1ik_1280.jpg

    This is the westernmost inhabited island of Japan. Here, you can go diving and see submerged stone structures and ruins of a Japanese atlantis, an ancient city sunk by an earthquake about 2,000 years ago.

    7. 立山黒部アルペンルート。- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.

    https://36.media.tumblr.com/5aac6ee9e812875a70f27096ee0d2567/tumblr_inline_o5lsfey2ML1tqv1ik_1280.jpg

    You may have seen images of mountain roads locked between great snow walls. This route is a famous mountain sightseeing route between Toyama and Nagano prefecture. The route is just 37 km in length, but the vertical elevation is as high as 1,975m!

    8. 目黒寄生虫館。- Meguro Parasitological Museum.

    https://40.media.tumblr.com/3f62210ab4d5b2b92ef7374d7c57c721/tumblr_inline_o5lshdmWEl1tqv1ik_1280.jpg

    For another kind of experience, this surprising museum will give you chills for sure. The museum displays some 300 samples of 45,000 parasites collected. And you will be able to buy great gifts for your loved ones.

    Click here to access the top 30 travels phrases lesson for FREE!

    Here are some handy ways you can master the quotes with this lesson:

  • Press the sound icon to hear each word and read along
  • Review all words in a slideshow by pressing “View Slideshow”
  • Listen to all the words in one lesson with “Play Audio”
  • Add the words to your Word Bank or Flashcards
  • Print the entire list out for your personal review
  • Leave us a comment and put these quotes to use
  • Speak and master even more Japanese with our fun audio and video lessons made by real teachers. Click on “Browse Lessons” in the top menu to access our massive library. Then, start speaking minutes into your lesson.

    Click Here to Learn Japanese Quotes with FREE Audio Pronunciation!

    Top 10 most famous Japanese Food

    Click here to listen to the audio pronunciation!

    https://38.media.tumblr.com/6cb8663baa52319661179f16389dc148/tumblr_inline_o5i4x93SqT1tqv1ik_500.gif

    1. おでん。- Oden.

    https://38.media.tumblr.com/e702aeac7b59f665d4355016fb126528/tumblr_inline_o5i55glRRr1tqv1ik_500.gif

    2. しゃぶしゃぶ。- Shabu shabu

    https://38.media.tumblr.com/297c7f30da5745e330717af00bf52283/tumblr_inline_o5i5diL7TL1tqv1ik_500.gif

    3. 天麩羅。- Tempura.

    https://33.media.tumblr.com/cf40b88472c2a80e1a06d90e00bc3a10/tumblr_inline_o5i5k6p7sw1tqv1ik_500.gif

    4. 寿司。- Sushi.

    https://38.media.tumblr.com/4a887624a8a46a25725bfe407d38350f/tumblr_inline_o5i8zahUUR1tqv1ik_500.gif

    5. 焼き鳥。- Yakitori.

    https://38.media.tumblr.com/d3c786c4326da39557e0fcde4c1521ff/tumblr_inline_o5i958PPei1tqv1ik_500.gif

    6. 牛丼。- Gyudon.

    https://33.media.tumblr.com/b835ce16b0a30d188423f1c136aeb63a/tumblr_inline_o5i9d3WXvU1tqv1ik_500.gif

    7. 蕎麦。- Soba.

    https://31.media.tumblr.com/bea3603b05a2f388732cf3f36bc838f7/tumblr_inline_o5i9n51vwa1tqv1ik_500.gif

    8. 餅。- Mochi.

    https://38.media.tumblr.com/8b13276dd1193276afbaa4607a74fb8a/tumblr_inline_o5i9ufEPnL1tqv1ik_500.gif

    9. 納豆。- Natto.

    https://38.media.tumblr.com/f4e0eaaeadc2c65e132810c56f6a2d41/tumblr_inline_o5i9z7hmim1tqv1ik_500.gif

    10. おでん。- Oden.

    https://33.media.tumblr.com/404b1877264126c8015345975b09136a/tumblr_inline_o5ia4aA6dI1tqv1ik_500.gif

    Click here to access this lesson for FREE!

    Here are some handy ways you can master the quotes with this lesson:

  • Press the sound icon to hear each word and read along
  • Review all words in a slideshow by pressing “View Slideshow”
  • Listen to all the words in one lesson with “Play Audio”
  • Add the words to your Word Bank or Flashcards
  • Print the entire list out for your personal review
  • Leave us a comment and put these quotes to use
  • Speak and master even more Japanese with our fun audio and video lessons made by real teachers. Click on “Browse Lessons” in the top menu to access our massive library. Then, start speaking minutes into your lesson.

    Click Here to Learn Japanese Quotes with FREE Audio Pronunciation!

    AnimeJapan: The World’s Largest Anime Convention

    Hello Listeners!

    This weekend, an exciting event is taking place in Tokyo, Japan! AnimeJapan, one of the largest anime conventions in the world, will take place at the Tokyo Big Site exhibition center! Anime conventions are known for their crazy and unique festivities aimed at otaku culture, and AnimeJapan is no different.

    AnimeJapan will feature:

    • FOOD PARK, AnimeJapan’s first food park that will carry dishes from 6 different restaurants.
    • A total of 3 different stages (Red, Blue, Green) for panels and entertainment.
    • Cosplayers’ World, an area where cosplayers can “enjoy the world to the fullest.”
    • A Main Area filled with tons of exhibitions and activities.
    • A section dedicated to anime good where dozens of vendors will sell merchandise.

    Tickets are 2000¥ at the door and admission is free for those in elementary school and younger! The convention is being held at Tokyo Big Site and can be accessed from both Kokusai-Tenjijo Station and Kokusai-Tenjijo-Seimon Station.

    4 Major Cities in Japan

    Hello Listener,

    You’re definitely learning new Japanese words and phrases with these lists, the Word of the Day and weekly JapanesePod101 Audio and Video lessons.

    But here’s a geography question for you:
    Do you know the Major Japanese Cities?

    And do you know how to properly pronounce them in Japanese? You’re about to learn it all with this post.

    1. Tokyo

    Tokyo Tower

    Tokyo is the capital of Japan and the largest city in the country. Tokyo is also one of Japan’s forty-seven prefectures, but it is referred to as a to (“a metropolis”) instead of a ken (“a prefecture”).

    2. Kyoto

    Kyoto

    Kyoto, one of the oldest cities in Japan, was formerly the capital of Japan until 1868, when
    Tokyo became the capital. Now it is a major city in the Kansai area, known for its traditional
    atmosphere with its numerous temples and shrines.

    3. Osaka

    Osaka

    Osaka is a large city that is located in the Kansai area close to Kyoto. It is the capital of Osaka prefecture as well as the economic and cultural center of the Kansai region. Many famous Japanese comedians hail from Osaka. Osaka is also known for its regional specialty dishes now popular throughout all of Japan such as, Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki.

    4. Nagoya

    Nagoya

    Nagoya is the third-largest city in Japan coming in after Tokyo in 1st – and also one of the biggest in the world – and Osaka in 2nd. Nagoya is located in Aichi prefecture and is also a major port city like Tokyo and Osaka. When in Nagoya, the places you simply must see while in Nagoya are Atsuta Shrine and Nagoya Castle. Other things of note are the Tokugawa Art Museum and Nagoya’s famous foods: misokatsu (a fried pork cutlet drizzled with miso sauce), tebasaki (uniquely sweet-flavored chicken wings with sesame seeds) and kishimen (a broad, flat style of udon noodle).

    Want to know more Japanese cities?
    Click here to check out this free Japanese City list!