kokuhaku
Watch any Japanese drama or anime with a romantic plot thread, and a love confession or “kokuhaku” scene will inevitably crop up. I wanted to know whether this was just an on-screen phenomenon, or if it happened in real life, too, so I set out into Tokyo’s Shinjuku neighborhood to meet some couples and ask them about how they got together.
Recently, I was talking about relationships with a Japanese friend who is studying here in the UK, and she asked me: “you don’t have kokuhaku here, do you?”
I knew what kokuhaku is – it’s the declaration that marks the beginning of a relationship, the point where one person says to the other “I really like you, will you go out with me?” So at first, I thought it was a bit of a funny question. I mean, we do that in western countries too, right? Declare our feelings, ask and get asked out? Well…yes. But maybe it’s not quite the same.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Chiitan vs John Oliver: Talk show host responds to Japanese mascot’s challenge to battle 【Video】
New Studio Ghibli exhibition opens in Tokyo, features giant talking Yubaba from Spirited Away
Japanese woman finds a depressing way to prevent train gropers from targeting her
One thing NOT to do in Kyoto if you’re headed there during the vacation period
Japanese model shuns perfect beauty, says she just wants to be “f*****g REAL”
Anime character designer flat-out tells foreigners they shouldn’t move to Japan to work in anime
Spending a night in Tokyo’s most beautiful capsule hotel【Photos】
We caved in to curiosity and bought a mystery box from a strange vending machine in Akihabara
We visit “Japan’s oldest izakaya bar” for a delightful mix of the modern and the traditional
Japanese KitKats get fresh with new peach rum mint flavour this summer
Weekly
- New Studio Ghibli exhibition opens in Tokyo, features giant talking Yubaba from Spirited Away
- Chiitan vs John Oliver: Talk show host responds to Japanese mascot’s challenge to battle 【Video】
- Anime character designer flat-out tells foreigners they shouldn’t move to Japan to work in anime
- We caved in to curiosity and bought a mystery box from a strange vending machine in Akihabara
Tenga adapts its masturbatory aid design into a full-size clear sleeping bag【Photos】
“We wasted so much time in English class” — Japanese Twitter user points out major teaching flaw
Japanese convenience stores want you to be honest and request to pay higher sales tax rate
Japan’s amazing wisteria flowers are here to make us all forget about the cherry blossoms【Photos】
Looking for a unique afternoon tea in Tokyo? Have a picnic indoors at Fruit Picnic in Harajuku- Spending a night in Tokyo’s most beautiful capsule hotel【Photos】
Monthly
The train station that stayed open for a single school girl finally closes down
Chinese couple’s wedding crashed by groom’s ex-girlfriend, dressed in her own wedding dress【Vid】- New Studio Ghibli exhibition opens in Tokyo, features giant talking Yubaba from Spirited Away
- Chiitan vs John Oliver: Talk show host responds to Japanese mascot’s challenge to battle 【Video】
- “We wasted so much time in English class” — Japanese Twitter user points out major teaching flaw
This nonconformist Japanese schoolgirl is ready for any bullies who tease her about her backpack
All-new World of Thighs Photography exhibition opens in Tokyo’s Harajuku neighborhood this month
Disney is making an anime-style dating simulator where you meet handsome villain boys
Shiba Inu boss lazes around in flowers while winning Japanese workers’ hearts
Zelda fan’s Sheikah Slate turns charging his phone into a scene from Breath of the Wild【Video】
Yearly
Prominent boob-centric manga artist shocks fans by revealing she’s a beautiful buxom woman
Ariana Grande “fixes” her 7 Rings Japanese kanji tattoo, but it still says tiny charcoal grill- The train station that stayed open for a single school girl finally closes down
You have One Piece creator’s official permission to have sexy fantasies about his characters- Chinese couple’s wedding crashed by groom’s ex-girlfriend, dressed in her own wedding dress【Vid】
Japanese Penis Festival 2019: Everything you need to know for this year’s Kanamara Matsuri
Japanese Twitter community shocked to learn that train timetables are made with Microsoft Excel
Sonic the Hedgehog creator gets one last blow to his pride on final visit to Sega office in Tokyo
New Pokémon dress shirt line lets you dress like an adult in the company of all 151 Kanto species- New Studio Ghibli exhibition opens in Tokyo, features giant talking Yubaba from Spirited Away
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Anime character designer flat-out tells foreigners they shouldn’t move to Japan to work in anime
Spending a night in Tokyo’s most beautiful capsule hotel【Photos】
We caved in to curiosity and bought a mystery box from a strange vending machine in Akihabara
We visit “Japan’s oldest izakaya bar” for a delightful mix of the modern and the traditional
Japanese KitKats get fresh with new peach rum mint flavour this summer
Tenga adapts its masturbatory aid design into a full-size clear sleeping bag【Photos】
How to get an amazing Sukiyabashi Jiro sushi lunch for less than 15 bucks
What’s really for breakfast? 20 Japanese people give us a peek at their morning meal【Photos】
Final Fantasy’s Yoshitaka Amano illustrates exclusive Japan-only Magic: The Gathering card
This 2,264-page manga behemoth is the biggest Japanese comic anthology we’ve ever seen【Photos】
What’s in a name? The 10 most common surnames in Japan (and their meanings)
Brand-new line of Pokémon accessories is amazingly stylish and awesomely affordable【Photos】
-
