All About Japan All About Japan

Fresh start every Monday!

10 Useful Kanji for Everyday Life in Japan

The top unique aspects of Japanese culture and their kanji counterparts.

How to Read 1 Character 5 Different Ways

This one simple Japanese sentence contains five different pronunciations for one 'kanji' character. Can you pronounce them all?

Everyday Japanese Words Not in Your Textbook

Textbooks are essential to Japanese learning. But even if you memorized everything from your book and passed the N1 test, there's still a long road to mastering daily Japanese. Here are a few frequently used words that can add some magic to your Japanese!

Kanjigram: An Adorable Way to Learn Japanese

Film director and animator Ayako Hiroki, a graduate of the College of Art and Design at Musashino Art University in Tokyo, is using her knowledge of 3-D animation to make studying Japanese a lot more lively through her amazing Kanjigram videos.

Learn Hiragana From Handsome Anime Men

Flashcards not doing it for you when it comes to memorizing hiragana? Try a new smartphone game that will keep you glued to the screen with attractive anime men that will help you study the Japanese syllabary characters.

Why Would Buddhas Battle for France?

Would you associate Buddha with France? Japanese people would! Cable network WOWOW uses some clever kanji association to drum up publicity for its 2017 French Open coverage.

Memorize Kanji With Cute Stop-Motion Videos

These adorable clips and characters will help you memorize kanji symbols and make you smile at the same time.

Necessary Japanese Jargon for Dating Apps

Dating apps are getting more popular Japan, as it gives people easier access to find dates and meet new people. Just like everything else in Japan, there's lots of jargon hiding the true meaning. Here are some common terms we've decoded for you.

How to Shop in Japan for Vegans

If you're a vegan, or have other dietary concerns, here are some 'kanji' (Chinese characters) to watch out for when shopping for food in Japan.

The Subtle Difference Between 'Yes' & 'No'

Un! Uun! Un? Three words that sound awfully similar but have totally different meanings.

Emoji: An Origin Story

The true meaning of emoji is not as simple as one might think.

5 Japanese Phrases to Know at Work

'Gomen' and 'kudasai' are great for travelers and students, but if you’re going to be successful and happy working in Japan, you’ll want to know these phrases as well!

33 Survival Kanji for Japan First-Timers

Coming to Japan, but don't know any kanji—or what kanji even means? Take a deep breath, relax and we'll get you started along the way!

Anime-Inspired Question Makes It Onto JLPT

Who says that watching anime won't help you study for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test?

Learn Japanese Through the Craziest Video Ever

With the help of ladies in kimono, sumo wrestlers and schoolgirls in fox masks, you too can learn to speak the distinct dialect of Japanglish.

Japanese Tech Breaking Communication Barriers

Do you ever wish there was an easier way to communicate while traveling abroad? Well, now there is with ili, a brand new translation device!

Breathing New Life into Old Kyoto

Kyoto is famous for its rich history, including temples and palaces that have existed for more than a millennium, but there are some new and exciting sites around the former capital that are sure to delight people of all ages.

A 'Lovely' & Effective Way to Learn Japanese

As there are lots of ways to learn a foreign language, you may be unable to make up your mind which is best for you. This article will propose one surefire way of learning that just may be helpful in your everyday life.

How to Navigate a Japanese Washlet Toilet

If you're confused by all the buttons on a modern Japanese toilet, we're here to decipher all those mystifying symbols.

Inside the Secret World of Japan's LGBT+ Slang

Around the world, every language and culture has evolved to add jargon relating to the LGBT+ community, and Japan has its own words too. We'll teach you a few terms you may hear around the country—if you're listening carefully.

know-before-you-go