What is the best way to learn a language? Many foreign people in Japan will tell you living here and being immersed in Japanese is a pretty good way to pick up the lingo. When you realize you have to be able to speak and understand the language in order to live your daily life, it certainly becomes a huge motivation to make the Japanese language your own.
Do you know what isn’t a particularly good method of learning a language? Four classes a week of language learning taught in your native language with little to no chances to utilize what you’ve learned.
As the whole world knows, the Olympic Games will be held in Tokyo in 2020, and Tokyo wants to be as prepared as possible. The city is trying to do everything it can to improve its citizens’ grasp of English, and there is now talk of plans to create an “English Village” where everything will be conducted in the language so many Japanese wish they were fluent in.

Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
National Geographic names Yamagata Prefecture on its “Best of the World 2026” travel destinations
Virtual pantie flash part of Japan’s new schoolgirl-inspired swimsuit’s sailor style【Photos】
Tokyo station platform to transform into sake bar with hot drinks, hot oden, and hot kotatsu
Chiikawa lucky bag required a four-month wait, but was it worth it?【Photos】
Make Your Own Yoshinoya Beef Bowl at Home, Even Better Than the Original 【Recipe】
Digital resurrection after death? 63 percent of Japanese and American survey participants say nah
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Large amount of supposed human organs left in Osaka marketplace
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Virtual pantie flash part of Japan’s new schoolgirl-inspired swimsuit’s sailor style【Photos】
Tokyo station platform to transform into sake bar with hot drinks, hot oden, and hot kotatsu
Chiikawa lucky bag required a four-month wait, but was it worth it?【Photos】
Make Your Own Yoshinoya Beef Bowl at Home, Even Better Than the Original 【Recipe】
Digital resurrection after death? 63 percent of Japanese and American survey participants say nah
New Kyoto crane game cakes are poised to become the next big thing in Japan
How much should we give in a New Year’s otoshidama without looking like a jerk?
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
Naruto ninja village theme park area, Kyubi coaster being added to Parc Spirou Provence【Pics】
What’s the best spoon for Japanese curry?【Photos】
Photos of karaoke customers getting frisky circulated online by unscrupulous staff