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.

Japanese-style afternoon tea in this Japanese manor house outside downtown Tokyo is something special
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
The Japan Poop Society is making movements to protect people’s health
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japanese Twitter users share a secret hiding on platform five at Akihabara Station
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
The tragedy of Mononofu, the functional two-and-a-half-story bipedal robot【Pics & Video】
Life-size Nier: Automata sword going on sale, includes 2B’s voice if you swing it the right way
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
The tragedy of Mononofu, the functional two-and-a-half-story bipedal robot【Pics & Video】
Life-size Nier: Automata sword going on sale, includes 2B’s voice if you swing it the right way
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Licca-chan dolls released in North America for first time in nearly 60 years
Godzilla makes waves in this beautiful recreation of a Japanese classic
Pink sakura and baby blue eye flowers team up for gorgeous views at this seaside park in Japan【Pics】
Akira’s Katsuhiro Otomo to design giant mural featuring cyborg fish for Tohoku’s Sendai Airport
Japan’s top 20 flowery names for baby girls: love, hearts, and dreams
Well-meaning creator makes nightmare-inducing Thomas the Tank Engine ceiling-crawling abomination
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan