If you’ve spent any time exploring Japanese culture or language, you might have come across the term 恋みくじ. It was the 4th most searched term according to Google Trends for 2024, but what exactly is it, and why has it captured the attention of so many for so long in…
Japan’s economy is undergoing a major transformation as the country embraces digital technologies and innovation to remain competitive on the global stage. While many view Japan as brimming with the latest technology and gadgets, the reality on the ground is often quite far from this. From advancements in robotics and…
In Japan, the culture of 部活 (ぶかつ), or after-school club activities, plays a significant role in the lives of students. These clubs, which encompass a wide range of sports, arts, and other extracurricular activities, offer students an opportunity to engage, grow, and connect outside of the classroom. Particularly popular among…
In recent years, the phenomenon known as トー横キッズ (Tōyoko Kids) has emerged as a distinctive feature of urban youth culture in Yokohama. This group of young individuals, often seen sitting on the streets and engaging in various activities, reflects broader social dynamics and issues affecting Japan’s youth today. In this…
Akira Kurosawa’s 「生きる」is a cinematic gem that delves deep into the human experience, focusing on themes of mortality, purpose, and the meaning of life. Released in 1952, the film tells the poignant story of Kanji Watanabe, a lifelong bureaucrat who discovers he has terminal cancer and embarks on a journey…
日本ではアサヒビール・麒麟麦酒・サッポロビール・サントリーという主要４社のビールが有名で、ラガーが最も生産されているビールスタイルです。 1967年にサントリーが「熱処置せず、酵母菌を除去したビール」を発売し、熱処理しない＝生ビールが人気になりました。 ビールの主原料は麦芽・ホップ・水ですが、日本では原料の麦芽が50％以上の物をビール、50％未満の物を発泡酒と呼びます。味をまろやかにしたり、香りを調整するために主原料以外に副原料が使用されます。酒税法においてビールでは追加できる副原料が米・コーン・ばれいしょ・麦・スターチ・糖類などと限られていました。現在はハーブや果実などが含まれていてもビールに分類されるそうです。また副原料の使用量もビールの分類には制限がありますが、発泡酒は制限なく使用出来ます。 2010年頃より全国にクラフトビールの醸造所が作られ、コンビニエンスストアでもクラフトビールも置かれるようになり人気が高まっています。ピルスナー、ペールエール、IPA、スタウトなどビール好きなら知っているスタンダードなスタイルのビールも豊富に作られています。なかには各地それぞれ名産の果物を盛り沢山使ったものや、藍の葉を使った青色のもの、桜の花やはを使用したもの、味噌を使用したものなど変わり種もあり、旅行先で自分のお気に入りのビールを探すのも良いでしょう。 If you found this lesson useful, I’d really appreciate a donation. It goes directly into supporting this website and me to produce more content that will help you improve your Japanese. If you’d like to have personalised Japanese lessons, be they 1-on-1 or group lessons, contact…
School sports in Japan is an interesting setup, and I was fortunate enough to go to two different schools during my 10 month exchange in Japan, and of course even between schools in Japan there are large differences. I joined the table tennis club, 卓球部「たっきゅうぶ」, although there were many other…
An article readthrough in Japanese about カゴパク. I’d put this about JLPT N3/N2 level. Article here: https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/5d7b801d993871653b9953e90f621ab9e4af713d
We’ll be looking at Dogen’s video「近く」のない外国人 and explain it with the help of my friend Nanako. This will be mostly in Japanese so I would recommend you be at least intermediate level to watch! Original here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEZwV…
A Japanese conversation (with some English) about life in Osaka, being Japanese, using Japanese and other topics. I’m releasing highlights from this conversation over the next few days so be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss the next one.