From cherry blossoms to snow lanterns, Japan’s seasonal festivals express the nation’s deep connection with nature and time. Each celebration reveals how Japanese culture finds meaning, beauty, and gratitude in the rhythm of the changing seasons.
culture
Published: 2025/10/13 （Updated: 2025/10/23）
Japanese has several words that can all mean “skin” in English, but each carries a different nuance depending on what it covers — fruit, an egg, a human body, or leather goods. This article explores how 皮, 殻, 肌, 皮膚, and 革 are used in real Japanese, with natural collocations that reveal the layers of meaning behind each word.
expression
Published: 2025/10/13
Japanese uses verbs like 修める (Osameru), 習得する (Shūtoku), 体得する (Taitoku), 吸収する (Kyūshū), and 独学する (Dokugaku) to express how learning moves from effort to inner mastery. These words reveal that true learning is not the accumulation of knowledge, but its transformation into one’s own being.
expression
Published: 2025/10/11
Japanese offers several verbs for “to study” or “to learn,” each reflecting a different attitude toward knowledge. 勉強する (Benkyō suru), 学ぶ (Manabu), 学習する (Gakushū suru), and 習う (Narau) together reveal how learning in Japanese culture ranges from disciplined effort to self-discovery and shared growth.
expression
Published: 2025/10/10
The Japanese verb 塗(ぬ)る may seem simple at first, but its meanings go far beyond “to paint.” By understanding 塗る we can see how the Japanese language expresses gentle and harmonious change through subtle transformation rather than force.
expression
Published: 2025/10/9
In Japan, eating with the seasons is more than a culinary choice, it’s a way of life. From bamboo shoots in spring to hot pot in winter, the idea of shun (旬) celebrates the fleeting beauty of nature and the rhythm of time itself.
culture
Published: 2025/10/9
In Japanese, there are several words that mean “to build or make something,” such as 工事(こうじ), 建築(けんちく), and 建設(けんせつ). They look similar, but each is used in different contexts and carries a slightly different nuance. Let’s look at them with clear examples.
expression
Published: 2025/10/8
Japanese has several words that translate as “plan” or “schedule,” but their meanings differ in subtle ways. Understanding these distinctions reveals not only language nuance but also cultural values of coordination and responsibility in Japan.
expression
Published: 2025/10/6 （Updated: 2025/10/6）
Winter in Japan brings snowy landscapes, New Year traditions, and the warmth of hot pot meals and hot springs. From ski resorts in Hokkaidō to temple visits at New Year, it is a season of both quiet beauty and cultural richness.
culture
Published: 2025/10/6 （Updated: 2025/10/19）
Autumn in Japan is a season of vibrant foliage, harvest foods, and cultural traditions. From momijigari (leaf-viewing) in Kyoto to moon-viewing festivals and school cultural events, it offers both beauty and depth for travelers to explore.
culture
Published: 2025/10/5 （Updated: 2025/10/13）
