Japanese Language - Reading Practice

Japanese Language Categories

My short essays about Japnese daily life or Japanese culture. English and Romaji translations are included for reading practice.

127 Articles in: Japanese Language - Reading Practice
Natural Disasters and Japan
A Powerful Typhoon called, "No. 12", brought heavy rains, mainly in western Japan.
Gomashio – Sesame Salt
"Gomashio" is a condiment made from toasted sesame seeds (goma) and salt (shio).
The Japanese Counting Song – Ippon demo Ninjin
"Ippon demo Ninjin" is a fun children song for learning about counters. Pay attention to the different counters for each item.
Saving Energy for Summer
As Japan heads into the hot summer and when millions of households start to turn on their air conditioners, it will suffer a severe power shortage due to the Fukushima nuclear accident.
Kyushu Shinkansen Commercial
On March 12th, the Kyushu Shinkansen line, which connects Hakata to Kagoshima, fully opened.
Song of Support for Japan, "Yomigaere!" By Man
Though the version on Youtube "Yomigaere!" contains English subtitles, I have also included a translation in Japanese and romaji.
Rear View Of Schoolchildren Raising One Hand - Getty Images
Cherry Blossoms and a New Start
I like spring in Japan because of the beauty of cherry blossoms. Also, I like the excitement about the beginning of a new year that this season brings.
Mother's Day - rooM
Mother's Day - Haha no Hi
Although "Happy ~" can be translated as "~ omedetou," there is no Japanese equivalent of "Happy Mother's Day."
High-Tech Japanese Toilet - Lonely Planet Images
What Frustrates Foreigners Most in Japan
I read an interview about what foreign tourists say puzzles them in Japan. Can you guess what is the most common answer?
Japanese Anime - Lonely Planet Images
Learning Japanese Through Anime
Japanese anime is very popular and I have noticed that there are quite a few people who have decided to learn Japanese because of their love of anime.
Woman buying a bread at counter - Getty Images
Nihonjin no Saabisu Seishin - Japanese Hospitality
When I go to retail stores in Japan, I am often impressed by how good the service is. I used to take it for granted, but people in the service industry are trained very well and I am reminded of it when I go back.
Japanese Folk Tales – Mukashi Banashi
Japanese folk tales are called, "mukashi banashi". They begin with a set phrase like, "Once upon a time (Mukashi Mukashi aru tokoro ni …)."
Setsubun (Bean-throwing festival) - Getty Images
Bean-Throwing on Setsubun
On setsubun there is special ritual called "mamemaki (bean-throwing)" to expel demons and invite fortune.
Gifts from "Tiger Mask (Japanese Comic Heroes)"
I read in the news that orphanages and child welfare centers across Japan are receiving anonymous donations in the name of a comic superhero and other fictional characters.
Kentucky Fried Chicken - Archive Photos
KFC for Christmas
What do the Japanese eat for Christmas dinner? The answer is chicken, especially Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Christmas - Adam Berry/Getty Images
"Christmas Eve" by Tatsuro Yamashita
In Japan, English Christmas songs are popular and you will hear them everywhere during the holiday season. As for Japanese Christmas songs, "Christmas Eve" by Tatsuro Yamashita is considered one of the standards.
Autumn Leaves in Japan - Momiji
In autumn, the leaves on most deciduous Japanese trees change their color to red, yellow or orange.
Haneda Airport's New International Terminal
Haneda Airport's new terminal building and fourth runway opens on October 21, 2010.
Haunted castle with halloween pumpkins - Vetta
Halloween in Japan
The Japanese have adopted many Western customs (Christmas, Valentine's Day etc.). Since Halloween was not widely known when I was little, I didn't have any Halloween experiences in my childhood.
Tokyo, Japan - ABSODELS
Learning Hiragana
Have you started learning Japanese writing? If you are new to Japanese, I recommend you learn hiragana first. Japanese children usually start with hiragana as well.
Tsukimi - Moon Viewing
Tsukimi is an annual Japanese event in appreciation of the full moon. It falls on the night of August 15 (of the lunar calendar).
Kuku – Memorizing Multiplication Tables
Have you heard about "kuku"? "Kuku" is a Japanese method for memorizing multiplication tables by using a rhythmic chant.
Kawaisouna Zou - Faithful Elephants
There are quite a few Japanese children books that talk about the war. "Kawaisouna Zou," which was published in 1970, continues to be a popular book.
Soumen – The Best Summer Food In Japan
When I go back to Japan, I always enjoy special foods that I haven't had in a while, but this time the best food that I tasted was the very basic dish of soumen (thin wheat flour noodles).
Kingyo Sukui (Catching Goldfish)
Catching Goldfish - Kingyo Sukui
Learn about Catching Goldfish (Kingyo Sukui), which is a popular activity at summer festivals in Japan.
Tanabata - Moment
Tanabata - The Star Festival
July 7th is "Tanabata", the Star Festival in Japan. It is derived from a legend where Orihime (Star Vega) and Hikoboshi (Star Altair) are lovers separated by the Milky Way and are only allowed to meet once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh month.
Wooden blocks - Maskot
Shirotori - Japanese Word Game
Shiritori is a Japanese word game. Two or more players take turns to say a word that begins with the final kana of the previous player’s word.
Japanese flag - Digital Vision
National Flags of the World - Sekai no Kokki
I like all the colorful national flags of the world.
Young boy kicking soccer ball on field. Futako-tamagawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan - Getty Images
Popular Sports in Japan
The most popular sport is probably baseball or soccer. A baseball or soccer player is usually one of the top three professions that a boy wants to be when growing up.
Business man - Taxi Japan
Gogatsu byou - May Sickness
After Golden Week is over, a symptom called, "Gogatsu byou" occurs to some Japanese people.
Narita Airport - Photodisc
Popular Destinations During Golden Week
Golden Week starts on April 29th in Japan. It is a succession of four national holidays within a week.
Hate - What does the Japanese word hate mean?
Learn the meaning and pronunciation of hate, the Japanese word of the day.
Motivation for Learning a Language
One of the visitors on my site asked me why I studied English (though some people might know that I grew up in Japan and English is my second language).
Learning Kanji
"Most Frequently Used Kanji" page, which lists 50 of the most frequently used kanji in Japanese newspapers.
Nutcrackers - Getty Images
The Nutcracker - Kurumiwari Ningyou
"The Nutcracker" is one of the many Christmas traditions in North America, but the Japanese don't think about it in the same way and it is performed anytime of the year.
Kagamimochi - Getty Images
Happy New Year - Akemashite Omedetou
In Japan, New Year's is the biggest holiday of the year.
Japanese good luck charm (Omamori), Nara, Japan By: - Photolibrary
Exams, Superstitions and Kit Kat Bars
You will find various lucky charms being sold in Japan. The most popular are charms purchased from a shrine or temple.
Baby girl sleeping on bed - Moment
Most Popular Japanese Baby Names of 2014
Here is the list of the 10 most popular Japanese baby names of 2014. The names are ranked by popularity, with the most common pronunciation listed first.
A stack of books on a table - Digital Vision
Mr. Murakami's Place - Murakami-san no Tokoro
Learn from a column about ”Haruki Murakami responds to reader's questions online” from "Yoroku" by Mainichi Shinbun.
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year
Bean-Throwing on Setsubun
Bean-Throwing on Setsubun
Exams, Superstitions and Kit Kat Bars
Exams, Superstitions and Kit Kat Bars
The Year of the Tiger
The Year of the Tiger
Happy New Year
Happy New Year
Popular Japanese Baby Names for 2009
Popular Japanese Baby Names for 2009
NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen
NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen
The Nutcracker - Kurumiwari Ningyou
The Nutcracker - Kurumiwari Ningyou
President Obama's Speech in Japan
President Obama's Speech in Japan
Reading "1Q84" by Haruki Murakami
Reading "1Q84" by Haruki Murakami
Aki no Mikaku – Autumn Taste
Aki no Mikaku – Autumn Taste
Learning Katakana
Learning Katakana
My Last Name - Japanese Surname
My Last Name - Japanese Surname
Field Day - Undoukai
Field Day - Undoukai
Sweet Potato Picking – Imohori
Sweet Potato Picking – Imohori
Taiyaki – Fish Shaped Snack
Taiyaki – Fish Shaped Snack
Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea
Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea
Second Term in the Japanese School Year
Second Term in the Japanese School Year
The Japanese and Bikes
The Japanese and Bikes
Cats in Japan
Cats in Japan
The Color of the Wall
The Color of the Wall
Total Eclipse in Japan
Total Eclipse in Japan
Japanese Emperor's Visit to Canada
Japanese Emperor's Visit to Canada
Japanese and Moving
Japanese and Moving
Barely Tea – Mugicha
Barely Tea – Mugicha
Memorial Day for My Grandmother - Sobo no Meinichi
Memorial Day for My Grandmother - Sobo no Meinichi
Rainy Seasons - Tsuyu
Rainy Seasons - Tsuyu
Japanese Tongue Twisters
Many languages have their own tongue twisters.
A Story From My Childhood
A Story From My Childhood
Golden Week
Golden Week
April fools in Japan
April fools in Japan
Learning Hiragana
Learning Hiragana
Graduation Song
Graduation Song
Shunbun no hi
March 20st is "Shunbun no hi (Vernal Equinox Day)." It is designated as a national holiday in Japan.
Yukidaruma - Japanese Snowman
Yukidaruma - Japanese Snowman
Bean-Throwing on Setsubun
Bean-Throwing on Setsubun
Valentine's Day in Japan
Valentine's Day in Japan
"Okuribito" Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film
"Okuribito" Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film
Obama City in Japan
Obama City in Japan
Seijin no Hi - Things that you can do when you turn 20
Seijin no Hi - Things that you can do when you turn 20
Happy New Year - Akemashite Omedetou
Happy New Year - Akemashite Omedetou
The Beauty of Snow - Yuki no Utsukushisa
The Beauty of Snow - Yuki no Utsukushisa
Popular Japanese Baby Names for 2008
Popular Japanese Baby Names for 2008
The Game of the Life - Jinsei Geemu
The Game of the Life - Jinsei Geemu
Popular Sports in Japan
Popular Sports in Japan
What Frustrates Foreigners Most in Japan
What Frustrates Foreigners Most in Japan
Shichi-go-san
Shichi-go-san
Halloween in Japan
Halloween in Japan
Nihonjin no saabisu seishin
Nihonjin no saabisu seishin
Asahiyama Zoo
Asahiyama Zoo
Mushi no koe
Mushi no koe
Okosama-ranchi
Okosama-ranchi
Summer Vacation Homework
Summer Vacation Homework
The Origin of "Peeman"
The Origin of "Peeman"
Kawaisouna zou
Kawaisouna zou
Beijing Olympics
Beijing Olympics
Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea
Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea
Radio Exercises
Radio Exercises
Doyo ushi no hi
Doyo ushi no hi
About Japanese teeth
About Japanese teeth
Tobacco vending machine
Tobacco vending machine
Bathroom Slippers
Bathroom Slippers
Word of the Day Email Course Starts!
Word of the Day Email Course Starts!
Kayaributa
Kayaributa
Teruteru-bouzu
Teruteru-bouzu
Children's books
Children's books
Craving Japanese sweets
Craving Japanese sweets
Danjiri Festival
Danjiri Festival
Pin the Tail on the Donkey
Pin the Tail on the Donkey
Sankan-shion
Sankan-shion
Popularity of figure skating
Popularity of figure skating
Randoseru
Randoseru
The Japanese and cherry blossoms
The Japanese and cherry blossoms
Graduation season
Graduation season
Gifts for White Day
Gifts for White Day
Japan and the world map
Japan and the world map
Hinaningyou
Hinaningyou
Easter and Chocolate
Easter and Chocolate
Happy Birthday Grandma!
Happy Birthday Grandma!
Barentain no omoide
Barentain no omoide
Tsukihi no tasu nowa hayai desu ne
Tsukihi no tasu nowa hayai desu ne
Motto Supeingo ga hanasereba yokatta noni
Motto Supeingo ga hanasereba yokatta noni
Seijin no hi to Kimono
Seijin no hi to Kimono
New Year's wishes
New Year's wishes
Hatsuyume
Hatsuyume
Learn about Hatsuyume (first dream of the year) in Japan.
Kashiwamochi - Japanese Sweet for Children's Day
May 5th is Children's Day. It is a day to celebrate a child's growth and happiness. It was originally a boy’s festival, but was changed to include both genders.
Mother's Day - Haha no Hi
Although "Happy ~" can be translated as "~ omedetou," there is no Japanese equivalent of "Happy Mother's Day."
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