Japanese Learning Blog Japanese Blog

November 18, 2015

The Japanese Language Proficiency Test: JLPT

Are you currently studying Japanese? If so, then you might be interested in knowing more about the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, in short, the JLPT! Launched in 1984 as a biannual testing service by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges & Services, the JLPT is a tool to evaluate and certify the Japanese proficiency of […]

November 12, 2015

Japanese Autumn: The Wonders of the 紅葉 (もみじ/Momiji) Season in Japan

Japanese Study Japanese Study Japanese Study Japanese Study Japanese Study Japanese Study Japanese Study Japanese Study Japanese Study Japanese Study

Momiji and KouyouWhen do I get to see these?What can I do in Autumn? If you’re planning on visiting Japan, you should make the trip twice! Once in the spring to experience the cherry blossoms, and again in autumn to witness the beautiful sight of the tree leaves turning red (Momiji)! Momiji and Kouyou […]

November 6, 2015

Japanese Slang: What'd you call a Mummy's Boy in Japanese? A Mazakon?

Japanese Study

When you are learning a foreign language, studying slang is a nice and fun way to widen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will also sound more like a native speaker and surprise your Japanese friends! It also provides an insight into the Japanese culture. Let’s learn the expression “mazakon”. […]

November 4, 2015

Around thirty or arasaa

If you are interested in the Japanese marketing culture, you might have come across the expression “arasaa market”. As one can guess, arasaa is not originally a Japanese word, but a Japanese – English made expression, short for “araundo sati”, the Japanese pronunciation of “around thirty”. “Arasaa market” refers to the market of around 30 years old people. The […]

October 30, 2015

Shopping in Japanese: Common words and phrases to use

Finally, you are living the dream here in Tokyo! Do you enjoy discovering Japanese culture and traditional food? Any difficulty shopping in Japanese? If so, we are here to help you! But first, let us give you an overview on Japanese size. Firstly, Japanese body structure is quite different from foreigners. Even skinny foreigners have […]

October 28, 2015

Japanese Slang: Moto Kare (元カレ) and Moto Kano (元カノ)

When you are learning a foreign language, studying slangs is a nice and fun way to widen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society. Let’s learn more about the expression “moto kare“【元カレ】 and “moto […]

October 25, 2015

Coto's event in November 2015

Japanese Culture

This is an older post – to see our upcoming monthly events – click here Monthly Events at Coto Go for Lunch!　Kagurazaka area ランチツアー！神楽坂 Wednesday, November 4th 12:30-13:50 in Kagurazaka Kagurazaka is beloved for its lingering Edo period atmosphere. Each month, there are lunch tours to places in immediate walking distance from Coto. In November, […]

October 21, 2015

The Finesse that Sushi Chefs put into making Sushi: "Sushi nara, Dekiru!"

Sushi: A Food for the Soul What makes Sushi so Special? Taking a look at the Japanese word “なら (Nara)” Sushi: A Food for the Soul Sushi is known to be a soul food for any average Japanese out there. At the same time, you could also say that it is the most famous […]

October 19, 2015

Japanese slang tame

When you are learning a foreign language, studying slangs is a nice and fun way to widen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will also sound more like a native speaker and surprise your Japanese friends! It also provides an insight into the Japanese culture. Let’s learn the expression “tame”. […]

October 16, 2015

Japanese Slang: ダメもと (Damemoto)

What’s ダメもと (Damemoto)? Conversational Uses… When you are learning a foreign language, studying slangs is a nice and fun way to widen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society. Let’s learn more about the […]

October 13, 2015

Japanese Slang: ガチ (Gachi)

What is ガチ/”Gachi”? Using Japanese Slang When you are learning a foreign language, studying slang is an easy and fun way to deepen your vocabulary. Not only will you speak more fluently but you will sound more like a native speaker. Moreover, slang gives you an interesting point of view on society. Let’s learn more about Japanese slang with the word […]

October 8, 2015

A Japanese word for October: Koromogae

In Japan, the rather sudden change of seasons has lead to a very interesting custom called koromogae 「衣替え」: to change one’s wardrobe seasonally. The tradition began when all the people in certain regions of Japan changed their kimono from winter to summer’s style, then back again. Not only schools but companies and various institutions that have uniform would […]