“Hit the books” is a phrase we use to say we’re off to study.

But I think it’s getting a bit outdated.

Nowadays, our study sessions may not include books at all.

In their place, many modern learners have come …

Fluttering kimono in the breeze.

Eating sushi with chopsticks as cherry blossom petals scatter.

Receiving a bow from the teahouse owner before being poured a fresh cup of matcha…

In case you haven’t noticed, this post is all about Japanese …

Learning to write any new language is a challenging task. Mastering a new writing system on top of that seems astronomical. And learning Japanese, a language with three writing systems? Impossible!

Actually, it isn’t.

Japanese writing may seem complicated at …

When learning Japanese, the dreaded formal Japanese keigo, 敬語 (けいご), is always looming in the background, ready to pounce and scramble your poor brain with its confusing rules and structures.

While 敬語 is a vital part of the Japanese language, …

Travelers to Japan easily find a lot of things to love about the country.

Delectable food. Great entertainment. Beautiful scenic views.

And the politeness shown by much of the native population.

Etiquette is a big aspect of Japanese culture, …

What’s not to love about anime?

Anime has it all: high-quality animation, fantastic soundtracks, stirring voice-acting and educational potential.

Yes, you read the last one right!

Many learners of the Japanese language find anime to be a helpful resource to …

Japan is famous for its formality and politeness, and Japanese people have earned a reputation for having excellent manners.

This system is also known for being complicated. Great care is taken to ensure that harmony is maintained in Japanese society, …