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What are Torii Gates?Photo by Pixta Shinto shrines in Japan often have large, gate-like structures standing boldly at their front entrances. These are known as "torii" in Japanese. In this article we will explain the history and origins of these fascinating torii gates and will introduce several famous torii you can see in Japan. Japan's Torii Gates1.2.3.4.5.6.7. Torii - The Gates to Shinto ShrinesPhoto by Pixta Shrines are thought to be where the gods of Japan reside, and torii are said to be the division between the sacred precincts of the shrine and the human world. In other words, torii ar...
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Golden Week in Japan: Consecutive Spring Public HolidaysGolden Week describes the time period of consecutive public holidays at the end of April and the beginning of May that comes each year, lasting anywhere from a few days to as long as a ten-day period. In 2024, Golden Week officially begins on Saturday, April 27, and ends on Monday, May 6. The long string of holidays combined with the warm, mild weather means travel in Japan peaks during this period, making last-minute booking of accommodation and transportation quite difficult. In addition, many popular sightseeing spots fill to the brim ...
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2024 is the Year of the Dragon! Learn about the Japanese ZodiacThe Chinese animal zodiac (eto) was introduced in Japan around the third to the fourth century. It was mainly employed as a way of indicating the day, month, year, time of the day, orientation in space, as well as the order in a sequence of events in a symbolical form. As there are twelve animals in the zodiac, it is also referred to as juni-shi ("the twelve branches", with juni meaning "twelve" in Japanese), as the cycle rotates every twelve years. The animal of the year changes on January first. Below are the Japanese names of ea...
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Basic Japanese for TravelersEnglish is still not widely spoken in Japan, though there are many multilingual signs and information centers within train stations and at major sightseeing destinations. Read on to learn one hundred basic Japanese phrases with their meaning and pronunciation. For a smooth trip, we also encourage you to use an automatic translation device like Pocketalk; you can use it to scan Japanese text and generate a basic translation, or to translate your own words into Japanese when you want to communicate with staff or locals at your destination. Top 100 Japanese Phrases for...
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The Harvest Moon Festival in JapanAfter the end of the summer, when temperatures begin to drop, you will hear people mentioning the words Tsukimi or Jugoya. These words refer to "the night of the Harvest Full Moon," the traditional custom of celebrating the autumn harvest. In 2023, the Tsukimi celebration is on September 29 (Friday), the night of the Harvest Moon. The full moon will reach its peak at 18:58 in the evening on this date. Let us introduce this custom of leisurely gazing at the September Full Moon and spending time under the moonlight. A Regular Event Celebrating the Autumn Harvest...
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How to Introduce Yourself in JapaneseWith a few Japanese greetings on hand, being in Japan will be more fun. In this article, we have compiled a list of useful Japanese phrases that you can use, from basic self-introduction to phrases useful for daily communication. Discount coupons for shopping in Japan: Don Quijote, Bic Camera, AEON, and more! Planning a trip to Japan? Book Ninja WiFi at a 20% discount Table of Contents:1.2.3.4. Learn Japanese with CafeTalk: Special discount offered by MATCHA Basic Self-Introduction in Japanese1. Nice to meet you![hazimemashite] This phrase is used to greet ...
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Express Your Thanks In Japanese!Even if you don't understand Japanese, it's good to know how to express your appreciation in Japanese. In this article, we'll be introducing several phrases for saying "thank you". Learn Japanese with CafeTalk: Special discount offered by MATCHA Discount coupons for shopping in Japan: Don Quijote, Bic Camera, AEON, and more! 1. Arigato gozaimasu! / Thank you![arigato: gozaimas] This is a polite way of saying "thank you". While traveling in Japan, this is probably the most basic "thank you" phrase you'll be using. "Arigato" is for Friends"Arigato" is also a phras...
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Connect and Enhance: Learn Japanese to Improve Your Daily LifeHave you ever visited a restaurant and couldn't order your dish in Japanese? Asked people for directions but struggled to understand a word they said? These experiences are relatable for anyone visiting or living in Japan. In recent years, there has been an increase of English signs in department stores and along public transportation routes, but if you're unable to understand the Japanese language, it poses some serious challenges when interacting with Japanese people. The Agency for Cultural Affairs operates a Japanese language le...
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Self-Study Lessons for Learning JapaneseWhen looking to learn Japanese, you may find there isn't a school nearby, or attending lessons is difficult due to your work schedule. If you're interested in self-study language courses, head to Connect and Enhance Your Life in Japanese (Connect and Enhance), a website run by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Connect and Enhance offers a convenient way to learn fundamental Japanese phrases. It's perfect for foreign nationals and new residents in Japan! Learn Everyday Phrases at Three Different LevelsMATCHA interviewed Mr. Kitamura (center) who works at t...
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