Blogs edited and submitted by Chiho Kamioka

Japanese Enkai Etiquette Japanese office workers and friends often have drinking parties at Izakaya or Japanese pubs. These are a great way to get to know people in Japan in an informal setting, and also enjoy some Japanese cuisine. But even though these are informal gatherings, there are some rules of etiquette that should be followed and these can trip up a first-timer , whether they are peopl...

Mystery in Japan Japan is often seen as a mysterious country with opaque history and interesting cultures shrouded in secrecy. But in this Japanese language blog by JOI Japanese teacher Rie Imoto, there is another mystery found in Japan. Is it a UFO or could it be a meteor ? The answer is unexpected. Read this blog to learn some Japanese for free and listen to the video, read by Imoto sensei to ...

The Bon Festival Througout Buddhist Asia, there are many similar festivals held and the one called the Bon Festival in Japan is a popular one in many countries. The origins are from one of the disciples of Buddha who wanted to help his mother in the afterworld. So the modern version is usually associated with family and the ancestors. In this Japanese language blog by Momoki sensei, who lives i...

Ancient schools of learning in Japan In the 6th century, with the introduction of Buddhism and Confucianism in Japan from China and Korea, the imperial courts devised the first formal learning in Japan. In this blog by Takane sensei, a Japanese language teacher at JOI online school, she introduces one seat of learning that began at a temple and could be said to be the first actual university in ...

Japanese summer food Japanese cuisine or washoku is very changeable according to seasons. But what do you eat when the temperatures soar above 30 degrees Celsius and the humidity rises above 70% ? During days like this, many people lose their appetites and don't feel like eating warm, heavy food – yet we all need to get our nutrition ! Well, as you would guess, there is a washoku solution to thi...