Meet Miki

Learn about Miki's typical Tokyo life

Fireworks

Learn about hanabi in Japan

Izu

Learn about Miki's trip to Izu Peninsula, a popular escape for Tokyoites packed with onsen, umi, and sandy beaches 120km South of Tokyo

The Environment

Learn about a three-day concert Miki attended in Shizuoka Prefecture

Birthday

Learn about having a birthday in Japan

Report from Kyoto (Part 1) - The Cultural Capital of Japan

Learn about the former capital of Japan first-hand from Miki, as she shares her experiences from Kyoto

Report from Kyoto (Part 2) - Sightseeing

Learn about the former capital of Japan first-hand from Miki, as she shares her experiences from Kyoto

Report from Kyoto (Part 3) - Arashiyama

Learn about the rest of Miki's Kyoto trip

Fridge

Learn about Miki's reizouko, Japanese for "the fridge"

Autumn

Learn about what kind of autumn Miki plans to have, as well as some of the common autumn activities that you can find in Japan

Cafeteria Food

Learn about Miki's university's cafeteria

Finding a Job

Metro

Learn about Miki's recent experience with time travel (at the movie theater)

Preparation for X'mas

Learn about Christmas in Japan

Dream

Learn about something that we all do every once in a while: dreaming

As If

Learn about the wonderful, yet extremely complex, world of Japanese metaphors, hiyu

Santa Claus

Learn about Santa Claus and Miki's thoughts on the jolly old man

New Year!

Learn about what kind of a year Miki had in 2006

New Year's Firsts

Learn about the past two days of Miki's new year, including Miki's first visit to a temple this year, known as hatsumoude, and Miki's first shopping excursion

That Winter Feeling

Learn about a certain phenomenon near Miki's house that gives Miki that winter feeling

Gettin' Hitched

Learn about some good news Miki received recently

Systems of Seniority

Learn about a book that Miki read recently

About Shopping

Learn about Odaiba, a popular stop for shopping and going on dates

Happy Valentine's Day

Learn about what Valentine's Day means in Japan

Japanese Tea

Learn about Nihoncha, or Japanese tea

Blowfish

Learn about a wintry food: fugu

The Bath

Learn about how Miki and many Japanese go about bathing

Hay Fever

Learn about spring allergy season in Japan

Hinamatsuri

Learn about hinamatsuri in Japan

Flower Viewing

Learn about o-hanami, or flower viewing, in Japan

The Dentist

Learn about the haisha, or dentist

Winter Melon

Learn about one of Miki's favorite foods, the winter melon

It's Tough Being a Guy!

Learn about the movie Otoko wa Tsurai

Graduation Thesis

Learn about senior year at Japanese universities

Bamboo Shoot Picking

Learn about takenoko

Mother's Day

Learn about Haha no Hi (MotMiki's's Day)

Night in Nagoya

Learn about things that are famous in Nagoya

Knock on Wood

Learn about a little ritual Miki does to keep from getting nervous

May Sickness

Learn about Gogatsubyō, or May Sickness

A Trip to the Aquarium

Learn about fish, especially maguro, or tuna

Mail Order Madness

Learn about Miki's favorite class and why she loves it so much

Rainy Season

Learn about five seasons: spring, rainy season, summer, fall, and winter

Ueno Zoo

Learn about animals and a little about Japanese history

Mosquitos

Learn about a pest that we all probably all share a hatred for: ka (mosquitos)

Mixed Bathing

Learn about the beautiful countryside of Gumma Prefecture

The Legend of the Lost Tooth

Learn about mushiba, or cavities

Uniforms

Learn about uniforms in Japan

Otaku

Learn about Miki's impression of otaku

Summer Nights

Learn about some things she will do for nōryō, she has some pretty interesting activities coming up, so maybe these are things you can also do when you come to Japan

Nagashi Sōmen

Learn about Miki's favorite summer food, Nagashi Sōmen

Cockroach

Learn about Miki's most detested creature, gokiburi (cockroaches)

Earthquake

Learn about one Miki's favorite things, jishin (earthquakes)

UNESCO World Heritage

Learn about the unique gassho-zukkuri homes

Backgrounds of Studio Ghibli

Learn about Oga Kazuo

I Like Hunting!

Learn about the various kinds of "hunting" Miki enjoys

Driver's Licence

Learn about what's required to get a driver's license and how much they cost

Sports Day Memories

Learn about Sports Day

An Interesting Proverb

Learn about interesting proverbs

Koncert in Kyōto

Learn about the places Miki will visit, including Heian Jingu, one of Kyōto's many famous shrines

Seven Five Three

Learn about November 15th in Japan

Tako Yaki

Learn about a tasty treat from Ōsaka

Blood Type

Learn about checking a person's personality by their blood type

Entrance Exam

Learn about the beginning of exam season

Un-Chinese Chinese Hot Buns

Learn about some of the delicious choices Miki sometimes has to make

New Year's Greeting Cards

Learn about New Year's greeting cards

End of Oshōgatsu

Learn about nanakusagayu and kagami mochi and o-shiroku, three important traditional foods associated with O-shōgatsu

The Chinese Zodiac

Learn about jūnishi, the famous Chinese Zodiac

Kappa and Tengu

Learn about two famous Japanese mythical creatures, kappa, and tengu

Sapporo Snow Festival

Learn about Japan's snow festival

Setsubun

Learn about Setsubun, which is an old Japanese custom for bringing good luck to the home

Part Time Job

Learn about Miki's other life

Strange Pet Owners

Learn about the Japanese Petto Būmu

Folk Remedies

Learn about minkanryōhō (traditional folk remedies)

Congratulations!

Learn about some of the differences between graduating high school in the US and Japan

Names

Learn how and why Japanese people choose names

Nail Art

Learn about Miki's experience with artificial nails

Okinawa

Learn about Miki's recent trip to the beautiful island of Okinawa, one of Japan's most interesting places

Do You Have Everything?

Learn about some funny things that people are prone to losing

Keitai Straps

Learn about a unique phenomenon

IC Cards

Learn about IC Cards

Lining Up

Learn about a strange phenomenon

Burglar

Learn about Miki's recent unfortunate experience

Eki-ben

Learn about a very interesting ekiben event

Shooting Stars

Learn how to make all of our dreams come true

Vending Machine Evolution!

Learn about all the great things you can experience in Japan

Playing Grown Up

Learn about Kidzania

Freak of Nature

Learn about Miki's thought about nature

Sakasa Fuji

Learn about cultural icons printed on Japanese coins and bills

Pineapple Park

Learn about Japan's pineapple paradise

A Rude Customer

Learn about Miki's thoughts about a store clerk

Personal Stamps

Learn about some stamps and where you can get one, too

Chopstick Manners

Learn about some of the most important Japanese manners associated with chopsticks

Monja-yaki and Okonomi-yaki

Learn about two types of Japanese cuisine that are famous for fun

The Beckoning Cat

Hear an interesting tale

Origami

Learn about the origin of origami, and Yuichi and Alisa will have a discussion

Bathing Twice a Year

Learn about Japanese culture with this lesson on the Japanese custom of bathing with shobu (iris leaves) on May 5th Children's Day and with yuzu (citron) on the winter solstice

An Unexpected Japanese Tradition

Learn about an unusual keepsake, and then test your comprehension with some in-depth questions

Snowboard

Learn about Miki's recent snowboarding trip, and learn about some Japanese vocabulary in the process

Nebuta Festival: A Festive Japanese Summer Tradition

Learn about the Nebuta festival in Japan

Lose Weight Fast!

Learn about special slippers in Japan

Eating Right in Japan

Learn about boxed lunches in Japan

Toilets in Japan: Instructions Needed!

Learn about Japanese bathrooms

Halloween in Japan?

Learn about the autumn tradition in Japan called Tsukimi, or "moon viewing"

Where to Find Real Japanese Ninjas!

Learn about Japanese ninjas

Japan's Hidden Beauty

Learn about Tokyo's famous Mt Takao and what you can find there

The Emergence of the Independent Japanese Woman

Learn about Japan's "new woman"

Secrets of Japanese Temples

Learn about Yakushiji Temple in Japan

Avoiding the Japanese Beer Tax

Learn about an inexpensive beer in Japan