In Japanese culture, there is a lot of emphasis on etiquette and politeness in all spheres of life. Things that you may consider completely normal, like speaking loudly in public, making some noise when eating, or having an overly assertive way of speaking, are seen as rude and disrespectful in Japan, where people are taught(…)

Japan is a beautiful place to explore, visit, and work. Depending on your needs, desire, or even length of your stay, it may be incredibly helpful for you to learn Japanese. Japan uses Kanji (adapted Chinese symbols) and Katakana (for foreign words) and Hiragana (used with kanji for almost everything else) and is most definitely(…)

There are many fascinating aspects to Japan, but sakura season (or cherry blossom season) is probably one of the most well-known and iconic parts of visiting this country.  Not only is cherry blossom season gorgeous to see, but Spring is an incredibly meaningful time of year in Japan. Come springtime, multitudes of locals and tourists(…)

Thinking about leaving your comfort zone for a crack at teaching English in Asia? Not so fast. Before you even think about purchasing an airfare, for heaven’s sake, do your homework. Here are five of the more predominant myths about teaching English in Asia, busted: 1. Anybody can do it Residency requirements vary from country(…)

Japanese dating culture can be a minefield for people who aren’t familiar with the culture. Politeness and cultural hierarchies dictate very specific language to be used (along with certain rules) that should be kept in mind while exploring you romantic interests. Perhaps you’d like to tell your Japanese-speaking romantic interest how you feel? How about(…)

Osaka is an amazing city, and with much to see and do while you’re there you might be worried about a place to stay. While accommodation probably won’t be the most expensive part of your trip it will be a good chunk of your budget, with cheaper places starting around 18 USD in the off season.(…)

Considered ‘Japan’s kitchen’ (天下の台所), Osaka is the place to go for food, drinks, and culture, and with a population of around 2.6 million it’s easily accessible by bullet train from destinations like Tokyo. Osaka has a lot of to offer the average tourist and the seasoned traveller, and can serve as a great place to(…)

Tokyo is not only the capital of Japan but I also the most populous metropolitan area in the world. There is no end to things to do in the city. Definitely a top destination for tourists as much as it is a place for business, Tokyo can be a full-on experience as a large developed(…)

Japanese can be a beautifully poetic language, but many people would agree that it’s one of the hardest to learn by far. But why make things easy on yourself by learning a language that shares a lot in common with English? Japanese is a challenge and that’s what makes learning it so exciting – not(…)

Japan is a terrific place to visit, and one where the local population is generally fairly tolerant of cultural faux pas made by foreigners, known in Japanese as gaijin-san.   There are 14 common mistakes, however, that are easily avoided when in Japan.  A little bit of cultural knowledge can go a long way at fitting(…)