I vividly remember the moment when I learned the Japanese word for soft-boiled egg: hanjuku tamago. It wasn’t long after I had arrived in Japan in January 2009, with little more than a year of elementary Japanese floating around in my head. I was able to survive most day-to-day interactions in Japanese, but moving from…
Beginner Japanese Tip: Overcoming the Ambiguity of “Daijobu”
One of the more challenging aspects of learning Japanese is dealing with words that have multiple—often opposite—meanings. For beginners, one prominent example of this phenomenon is the word daijobu. Essentially, this word represents the concept of being “OK” or “all right.” For example, if you trip and fall in public, a passerby may ask, “daijobu…
Aguyoshi In Milano
In November 2021, I interviewed Aguyoshi, a dance duo formed by contemporary dancers Aisa Shirai and KEKE. They usually explore the streets of Japan and their shapes through funny improvised dances that keep getting more and more attention online. As proof of their growing popularity overseas, the duo was invited to perform at the Triennale…
Interact with Fellow Readers at the First-Ever Kokoro Conversations Event!
Dear all, We are very excited to announce the birth of a series of online events designed just for you! We invite you to join fellow Kokoro Media readers for “Kokoro Conversations”: open-hearted conversations about the joys and the challenges of life in Japan. Meet new people, exchange thoughts, compare your experiences, ask for advice,…
Join Us Online for the First Edition of “Insights”!
We are thrilled to announce the first edition of a series of events organized by TUJ Continuing Education and Kokoro Media! “Insights: Learning from Some of Japan’s Most Inspirational People” will invite inspirational people of Japan to share their professional expertise and private experience on a broad range of topics. After sharing their insights with us,…
Dating in Japan: Tips for Finding Love in the Land of the Rising Sun
An endless parade of books, advice columns, blogs, and apps are constant reminders that the search for a significant other is rarely easy. Looking for love in a foreign country adds an extra layer of complexity comprised of language barriers, unfamiliar customs, and countless cultural differences. The COVID-19 pandemic, and the isolation that came with…
How to Become a CIR in Japan: Focusing Your JET Program Application Statement of Purpose
The JET Program: Most people who have considered working in Japan have probably considered applying. While it is most known for the role of ALT (Assistant Language Teacher), roughly 8% of participants move to Japan as a CIR (Coordinator for International Relations). Although there is a wealth of information available for ALT applicants, there is…
Discovering Kyoto’s Gardens through Interactive Live Documentaries
Andrew William is a U.S. national who has been living in Kyoto for more than 10 years. After a career in garden design in both countries, his love for the town and its lesser-known gardens has led him to share them with guests in a very unique way. Through his company, An Design, he offers…
Nagareyama City Mayor Yoshiharu Izaki: Diversity and Municipal Marketing in Japan
I first learned about municipal marketing in the mid-2000s while I was earning my MBA in California. During that time, The City of Riverside Development Department hosted an on-campus presentation about promoting the city to businesses around the country, and the world, to create a vibrant community and increase economic activity. Upon graduating, I joined…
Culture Shock: Dealing with Your Own Foreignness
“One day in Spain, I stepped into a puddle and just burst into tears. There was no reason for a puddle to have such an intense effect on me, but I now recognize that as being at my low point in culture shock during study abroad.” 19-year-old me smugly listened to this story by my…