Two students are meeting up.
Greetings in Japanese: 10 Natural Ways to Say Hello

In Japanese, a simple “hello” isn’t always こんにちはkonnichiwa. The greeting you use depends on the…

A woman eating sushi.
Japanese Sentence Structure and Particles — A Beginner’s Guide

Japanese can look daunting at first—two alphabets, unfamiliar sounds, and a sentence structure that reverses…

A woman eating ramen alone at a ramen shop
Casual Japanese Restaurants Perfect for Solo Dining

Eating alone in Japan isn’t awkward—it’s completely normal. You’ll notice solo diners of all ages…

Illustration of a sign with kanji written on it.
50 Essential Kanji and How to Master Them

Learning Japanese kanji can feel like climbing a mountain blindfolded. With over 2,000 characters in…

A Japanese couple, the woman is telling the man, “I like you.”
How to Express Love in Japanese: Words, Actions, and Nuance

Japanese has some of the most nuanced ways to say “I love you” — and…

There are kanji characters written on the blackboard.
Mastering Kanji Radicals: The Foundation of Kanji Learning

Kanji can feel intimidating. With thousands of characters to master, students often wonder: Is there…

Cooking with Japanese seasonings
Mastering SA SHI SU SE SO: A Beginner’s Guide to Japanese Cooking Essentials

If you’re trying to understand the backbone of Japanese cooking, remember these five syllables: Sa,…

Japanese otaku
Exploring Otaku Culture: Meaning, History, Types, and Global Influence

You've likely heard the term otaku if you've spent any time around anime or manga…

Road signs in Japan
Romaji: A Beginner’s Tool for Learning Japanese?

If you've ever tried to learn Japanese or found yourself intrigued by the language, you've…

Women in yukata enjoying Japanese festivals
Discover Japan in Summer: Travel, Festivals, Traditions, and Cuisine

Summer in Japan is a season of vibrant festivals, ancient traditions, breathtaking experiences, and mouthwatering…