The Nihongo Master Blog
Learn interesting topics about Japanese language, entertainment, culture and more.
-
Matahara and the Decline of the Japanese Birth Rate
Japan’s population is currently around 130 million people. That’s a pretty big number for a relatively small island nation. But by the year 2050, that number could shrink to as low at 97 million, according to some estimates.[1] In 2015, Jap...
-
The Best Cherry Blossom Festivals Around the World
While cherry blossoms (さくら, sakura) are recognized around the world as a symbol of Japan, Japan isn’t the only country that celebrates their ephemeral blooming. With cherry blossom festival season in full swing, the beautiful blooms will...
-
Bo-Taoshi: The Craziest Japanese Sport You’ve Never Heard Of
You may be aware that baseball, football, and sumo wrestling are Japan’s most popular sports. But Japan is also known for its interest in things a little more offbeat. One of those things is the sport of bo-taoshi (棒倒し). It literally tra...
-
Japanese Sports: From Sumo to Soccer
No one can deny that sports are a worldwide phenomenon. Baseball may be America’s pastime, but everyone knows that football is truly America’s sport. The large majority of the world is obsessed with the other kind of football, and it seems...
-
Learning Japanese Holidays: Coming of Age Day
Almost every culture around the world celebrates the rite of passage from childhood to adulthood. In America, a Sweet Sixteen party is a common way to honor the occasion. In Latin America, a quinceañera marks a woman’s passage from girl to...
-
How to Make Origami with Tadashi Mori
The word origami (折り紙) comes from the Japanese words for “folded” and “paper.” When you hear the word you probably think of small children folding cranes and hanging them from the ceiling. But in fact, the world of origami extends far be...
-
Juku and the Japanese Education Culture
There is a well-known stereotype around the world that East Asian cultures are far more academically-focused than their Western counterparts. But how much truth is there behind this commonly held notion? And where does it come from? In orde...
-
Learning Japanese Etiquette: Drinking Culture in Japan
Drinking is a part of many different cultures around the world, and almost everyone does it differently. Most countries are known to have a signature drink, and when most people think of Japan, they probably think of sake. In Japanese the w...
-
Learn Japanese Traditions: New Year in Japan
New Year in Japan (正月 Shōgatsu) is by far the most important holiday in Japan. Let’s learn Japanese Shōgatsu traditions. The beginning of a new year symbolizes a fresh start and the ability to leave everything behind. This is sometimes c...
-
Christmas in Japan: Learn Japanese Christmas Traditions
Christmas is a magical time of year for many people around the world. It is a time for family, a time for giving, and a time for lots and lots of delicious food. But how are Japanese Christmas traditions different from Western ones? Does Ja...