Recent wanderings

13 Japanese Homophones: Same sound, different writing and meaning!

13 Japanese Homophones: Same sound, different writing and meaning!

Homophones in Japanese can be confusing because you have to make the correct decision on which kanji to use, depending on the meaning! If you’re unfamiliar with what homophone means, it is a word that is pronounced the same way but has different meanings. In 

Unlucky and lucky numbers in Japan

Unlucky and lucky numbers in Japan

Depending on which country you’re in, there are different unlucky and lucky numbers. In the U.S., we often consider 13 to be a bad number or in Italy it is 17. In Japan, there are also unique sets of numbers that are either unlucky or 

What is Romaji?

What is Romaji?

Have you heard of romaji? Romaji is a system which converts traditional written Japanese into a format using Latin letters. If you’re struggling with learning the Japanese writing system,  this can be an easy way to get into Japanese.  It is especially useful if you 

The Japan Rail Pass: Is it worth buying? (2023)

The Japan Rail Pass: Is it worth buying? (2023)

If you’re planning a trip to Japan, one thing that you should definitely consider is whether or not to buy the Japan Rail Pass! Depending on your travel itinerary it can save you a significant amount of transportation costs and help you to see more 

How to play Shiritori: A Japanese word game!

How to play Shiritori: A Japanese word game!

Shiritori or しりとり is a traditional Japanese word game that is popular among young children in Japan. The game requires no materials so it’s a great way to pass the time when there’s nothing else to do. For Japanese learners, it’s effective for learning and 

Earthquakes and Tsunami in Japan: Tips to stay safe

Earthquakes and Tsunami in Japan: Tips to stay safe

If you’re traveling or planning to live in Japan, you’ll want to know how to stay safe from earthquakes and tsunamis. Compared to other natural disasters, earthquakes can’t really be predicted.  The reason Japan has so many earthquakes is because it is located in the 

Christmas traditions in Japan: 5 unique traditions

Christmas traditions in Japan: 5 unique traditions

Japan has its own set of unique Christmas traditions. If you go to Japan during Christmas, you’ll notice that there are festive Christmas decorations and illuminations! Although Japanese people are mostly Shinto or Buddhist, they’ve adopted Christmas in their own way. Christmas Eve Most people 

24 Japanese Animal Sounds or Onomatopoeia!

24 Japanese Animal Sounds or Onomatopoeia!

Ever wondered what a dog’s bark is in Japanese? It’s not “woof woof” but “wan wan”. There are a whole set of words that represent animal sounds or onomatopoeia in Japanese. Because these sounds are usually tied to common animals in Japan, you might notice 

Japanese Prepositions:  Describe locations!

Japanese Prepositions: Describe locations!

Japanese prepositions are incredibly useful for describing where things are and pointing them out! In a previous article, I went over how to ask for directions in Japanese which you can check out here. This time, I wanted to specifically go over the prepositions. If you 

10 Japanese Trending Slang Phrases of 2021

10 Japanese Trending Slang Phrases of 2021

Have you ever wondered what kinds of Japanese slang phrases young people are using these days? Here are 10 phrases that are trending in 2021! Note that these phrases come and go, so they could fall out of style quickly. If no one around you