If you’re going to Japan for study or travel, you may want to consider staying with a Japanese host family. Staying with a host family can be a wonderfully immersive way to learn more about Japanese culture and share your own. However, it might not be for everyone. Having lived with three host families before,…
Michele Fujii: How to Learn Japanese Literature, Language, and History
Literature, language, and history are intertwined. Studying one without exploring the others is like sailing without a rudder. The longer I live in Japan and study Japanese, the greater my curiosity about Japanese history and literature has grown. However, making the transition from textbook learning to native-level literature is intimidating. With greater access than ever…
Read the Air to Learn Japanese Language and Culture Anywhere
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…