If you are interested in Japan, the first thing you will probably wonder about is the language spoken in Japan. When you go to Japan, you would like to know about the official language and second language used in Japan. In this article, I will talk about the types of languages spoken in Japan. In addition, I will introduce whether foreign languages are used in Japan. And in the end, I will tell you how to learn Japanese. By reading this article, you will know exactly how to learn the official language of Japan and the Japanese language! What is the official language in Japan? Japanese is the language of Japan. SUSHI and RAMEN would be voted as the most famous Japanese words in the world. Japanese is, of course, the language spoken in Japan. However, it is not actually an official language of Japan. You might be surprised but Japan does not have an official language. There is only one country in the world where Japanese is an official language. That is Palau. Did you know that Palau was a mandate territory of Japan at the time of World War II? In short, Palau was under the control of Japan. Japanese was used due to the influence of school education in Japanese, which led to the establishment of the Japanese language as the official language. Today, Japanese is still designated as the official language of the Angaur Province of the Republic of Palau, but there are few people who speak Japanese in Palau. This is because Palau has more than one official language. In Palau, Palauan and English are the official languages, in addition to Japanese. So, Palauan is mainly spoken. By the way, some words based on Japanese are also found in this Palauan language. Please check out some interesting Palauan words originating from Japanese, such as "Atama-guruguru," which means confusion. In Palau, several languages are spoken, such as Palauan, English, and Japanese, but Japanese is the dominant language in Japan. Languages from various countries such as English, Portuguese, Chinese, and French have been incorporated into Japanese as foreign languages, but Japanese has been spoken consistently. Dialects do exist, but they are part of the Japanese language. There was no need to designate Japanese as the official language of Japan. For this reason, there is no official language in Japan legally until today. In the future, when the number of foreigners living in Japan increases and a variety of languages got spoken in Japan, Japan may have an official language. What languages are actually spoken in Japan? Now, let's look more closely at the languages spoken in Japan. The most widely spoken language in Japan is Japanese. The Japanese language is divided into several dialects, and the language based on the Tokyo dialect is considered the "standard Japanese." Japanese dialects are broadly divided into "Mainland" and "Ryukyu." Furthermore, it is also divided into "Eastern Japan," "Western Japan," and "Kyushu." There are more Japanese with has a different "accent," which has "difference intonation, pronunciation, and accent" depending on the region. In addition to Japanese, there are the Ainu language of Hokkaido and the Ryukyu language of Okinawa Prefecture. Let me introduce each of them. Kanto area in East Japan The Kanto area is in eastern Japan. Starting with Tokyo, the capital of Japan, the six prefectures of Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Gunma, Tochigi, and Ibaraki are often referred to as Kanto. In Kanto, "standard Japanese" is basically used. Standard Japanese is a grammar and speech style that is widely accepted within a group of people. In other words, the standard language is the language that can be understood anywhere in Japan. In Japan, standard Japanese has been formed based on the Tokyo dialect. Although there are no clear rules, the Japanese textbooks used in school education have a strong influence on the written language. In the spoken language, NHK announcers' accents and intonations serve as role models. Both are things that people born and raised in Japan have many opportunities to meet. So, they have grown up as language that is understood throughout Japan. So far, we have told you that standard Japanese is generally spoken in the Kanto area. However, there are of some dialects in the Kanto area as well. There are basically unique dialects for each prefectural unit, such as the "Tochigi dialect" spoken in Tochigi and the "Ibaraki dialect" spoken in Ibaraki. I will introduce them next time. If you are interested, please look it up by "prefecture name + dialect". Large cities outside of Kanto area Next, let's look at the areas outside the Kanto area that are called "large cities". The Statistics Bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications designates the following areas other than the Kanto area as large cities. ・Sapporo, Hokkaido ・Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture ・Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture ・Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture ・Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture ・Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture ・Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture ・Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture ・Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture ・Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture ・Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture ・Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture ・Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture ・Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture You can see that large cities can be found all over Japan. From Hokkaido in the north area to Fukuoka, Kyushu, in the south area. In these areas, standard Japanese is basically spoken. However, it is common to find dialects and accents in the language spoken by the people who live there. Outside large cities Outside of large cities, dialects and accents are more commonly used. Vocabulary, grammar, accent, and intonation are very different from standard Japanese. Even Japanese people from different backgrounds often do not understand each other's dialects. In addition, languages other than Japanese are spoken in Hokkaido and Okinawa. Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan, is home to people who speak the Ainu language. They are the indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaido. Today, the Ainu language is on the verge of extinction due to increased intermixing with Japanese and the increasing popularity of the Japanese language among the Ainu. The Japanese language is also known to retain words borrowed from the Ainu language, such as "reindeer" and "sea otter". Okinawa Prefecture, the southernmost prefecture in Japan, has a Ryukyuan language. An independent small island, Okinawa Prefecture was originally a separate country called the Kingdom of Ryukyu. The Ryukyuan language was spoken in that country. Today, it is sometimes treated as part of the Japanese language, such as the Okinawan dialect, but linguistically, it is a completely different language from Japanese. This is also a language in danger of extinction, with the number of speakers decreasing every year. Thus, although non-Japanese languages such as Ainu and Ryukyuan existed, they are now almost entirely Japanese. Can foreign languages be understood in Japan? Japan has no official language, but the dominance of Japanese is overwhelming. The indigenous languages Ainu and Ryukyu are also in danger of extinction, and it is safe to say that no second language exists. English is taught in mandatory education, but it is not widely used. If you want to speak English, younger people may be more likely to do so. This is because English education has become more widespread among younger people in recent years, with English education becoming a requirement in elementary schools. If you want to use a language other than English, it is recommended to use a translation application. If you want to learn Japanese To summarize what I have explained, Japanese is the dominant language in Japan. Although the Japanese language is characterized by a rich variety of dialects, the standard Japanese is basically spoken in the Kanto area, especially in Tokyo. Furthermore, even in large cities outside the Kanto area, you will be able to speak in standard Japanese. Outside of large cities, standard Japanese is still spoken, but locals may have a strong dialect or accent. English is also listed as a second language in Japan, but it is not widely spoken throughout the country. So, if you want to learn Japanese in Japan, the Kanto area is a good place to start. Outside of the Kanto area, choose one of the larger cities to make it easier to learn the standard language that is understood throughout Japan. As a first step, we also recommend online Japanese language classes and online events. In the case of online transactions, the standard language is often adopted regardless of the region. It may be a good idea to learn online first, and then learn Japanese in earnest in Japan. Ohanasi Kagawa holds online language exchange events on weekends. Japanese language learners and English language learners are paired together. You then switch between English and Japanese every 15 minutes. This way, both of you can learn a language. Online, you can communicate with Japanese people without having to go to Japan. The rules are designed to ensure that you can participate safely. So, even if you are new to online events, please check them out. This is the perfect event for those who want to spend a little time in Japanese while maintaining their current lifestyle. Ohanasi Kagawa Website >>> That said, you might still not be confident in your Japanese speaking ability. You're not sure how to study Japanese. For people like that, we are currently offering free Japanese language consultation and free lessons for a limited number of 10 people each month.You don't know how to study Japanese. If you are interested in taking Japanese lessons to solve what you don't understand, please feel free to join us.If you are interested, please click the URL or image below. Click here to see more details >>>

With so much information on the Internet, do you feel lost as to where to start? This article is your ultimate guide to becoming a Japanese speaker. Below you will find effective ways to learn Japanese and tips on how to improve your Japanese. In addition, we will explain how to choose an online Japanese language school. If you read to the end, you will know exactly how to become a Japanese language speaker! Effective Methods of Learning Japanese First of all, we will introduce you to learning methods that will help you improve your Japanese. When it comes to learning Japanese, the main things you need to focus on are grammar, vocabulary and kanji, and listening skills. What should you do to improve these skills? Let's take a closer look at each of these learning methods. How to learn grammar First, we will explain how to learn Japanese grammar. To learn grammar, there are two steps: one is to memorize the rules, and the other is to make what you have learned stick with you through practice. Therefore, we recommend that you first take the approach of learning systematically using grammar books or online materials, and then deepening your understanding through example sentences and quizzes. Even if you are new to Japanese grammar, grammar books and online materials can help you learn while grasping the big picture. However, it is extremely difficult to learn to use the language just by reading it. By checking example sentences in various situations to grasp the nuances and taking quizzes for output, grammar will take root. How to memorize words and Kanji So, what should you do if you want to learn vocabulary or Kanji? This is all more of a memorization aspect than understanding the mechanism. Our brain gradually forgets along the "forgetting curve," even once we have learned something. Therefore, it is effective to re-memorize when we are about to forget. Based on the concept of the "forgetting curve," we recommend repeatedly exposing yourself to kanji and vocabulary using a method called "interval repetition learning. If you review what you learned today tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, the next time you review it will be a week later, and then another month later. Another method is to memorize kanji by utilizing their radicals. Kanji characters always contain a part called a radical. Kanji characters with the same radical have a common meaning. For example, the radical of "hana" (花) is "艹" (kusa-kanmuri), and "cha" (茶) and "kusa" (草) have a meaning related to plants in common. By memorizing the radicals, it will be easier to guess the meaning of unfamiliar kanji when you encounter them. How to Improve Listening Skills Grammar and vocabulary are important, but many people want to be able to understand Japanese by listening to it! There must be many people who say, "I want to be able to understand Japanese by listening to it! How about using podcasts or movies to improve your listening skills? With Japanese podcasts, you can study using only your ears while doing housework or commuting. Also, if you watch movies, dramas, or anime with Japanese audio during your relaxation time, you can increase your exposure to real Japanese while enjoying it as a hobby. The advantage is that you can not only improve your listening ability, but also learn a set of situations in which the expressions are used. Many of you may also be familiar with shadowing and dictation. Shadowing is to practice by following and pronouncing the audio you hear. Dictation is to practice by writing down the audio you hear. It helps to improve your comprehension because you may not understand the words when you try to speak them out loud yourself, and you may not be able to write them down when you try to write them. Shadowing is a better way to start because you can practice over and over again without spending a lot of time. If you don't know how to do this, shadowing apps also exist. If your goal is also to learn to write faster, gradually move on to dictation. Tips for improving your Japanese speaking ability If you proceed with your Japanese study, you would like to interact with someone in Japanese! You may think, "I want to communicate with someone in Japanese! Here are some tips for improving your Japanese speaking ability. First, we summarize how to practice pronunciation, then tips on how to practice conversation, and finally, how to practice imitating native speakers. Pronunciation Practice Methods If you are learning Japanese as a foreign language, try to practice pronunciation by using IPA, which stands for "International Phonetic Alphabet," an excellent tool that can represent the sounds of any language by symbols. You may want to first check the IPA for the sounds in your native language, and then look at the IPA for Japanese sounds. You may find some sounds that do not exist in your native language, or you may find similarities with Japanese, and you will be able to understand what you need to pay attention to when learning. If you are not sure if your pronunciation is correct, we recommend that you use a voice app to get feedback. Some language learning apps have a feedback function for pronunciation, and you can also try voice input in Japanese by setting your phone to Japanese settings. Conversation Practice Tips If you want to try out the Japanese you have learned so far in conversation to see if you can communicate in Japanese, why not find a language exchange partner online? You can have practical communication with a Japanese person, and you will feel motivated by the sense of accomplishment of getting through to them! You will be motivated by the sense of accomplishment of being able to communicate with a Japanese person. This is recommended for those who prefer to have a more in-depth one-on-one conversation. Another option besides language exchange is to join an online conversation club. In this case, you will have a group of Japanese language students with whom you can discuss your problems and report your progress to each other. This may be suitable for those who want to talk with a large group of people in a lively atmosphere. Imitate native speakers A shortcut to improving your speaking ability is to imitate native speakers. You can learn to express yourself naturally by listening to native speakers' pronunciation and intonation on Japanese YouTube and dramas, and mirroring and shadowing them. Mirroring is to completely copy and pronounce what you hear. Shadowing, as mentioned above, is to follow the audio you hear and pronounce it as you hear it. By practicing over and over again, your mouth will become accustomed to saying the words and it will gradually become easier to say them. Try to do it with the intention of copying perfectly even the accent and intonation! How to choose an online Japanese language class If you want to learn from a teacher, here is how to choose an online Japanese language class. Many people find it difficult to learn Japanese on their own and want to take an online Japanese language class. Below we have summarized the advantages of Japanese language classes and the quality of the instructors, as well as language exchange events. Advantages of Classes First, let us introduce the advantages of online Japanese language classes. With online, schedules are often more flexible. You can set up your study schedule as you like, according to your time off from school or work. In addition, you have the opportunity to learn in an advanced way, as we offer a wide variety of teaching materials as well as paper textbooks. An additional advantage is that you can learn from high quality instructors in Japan, even from overseas. You will be able to ask for advice and questions that would take time to resolve by self-study. Check the quality of instructors Even if you say that the lecturers are of high quality, how can you identify them? First, look at the instructor's qualifications, experience, and teaching reputation from the profile section. The instructor introduction page of online Japanese language classes often includes information on whether the instructor is qualified to teach Japanese, how many years of experience he/she has been teaching Japanese, and what kind of things he/she emphasizes in teaching. It is a good idea to check these to see if they match the ideas you value in language learning. It is important to prioritize the points that make sense to you: if the person is qualified, you can trust them; if they have long experience, you feel comfortable with them; if they fit your idea of emphasizing conversation, and so on. Using Language Exchange Events Online Japanese language schools sometimes host language exchange events. A language exchange event where you can connect with Japanese people would be a great way to learn practical conversational skills. One of the benefits is not only to practice your Japanese, but also to experience the fun of cross-cultural exchange. For those who want to learn not only about the Japanese language but also about Japanese culture, we recommend a Japanese language school that also offers language exchange events. Ohanasi Kagawa offers online language exchange events on weekends. The good thing is that Japanese and English learners are paired up one-on-one and switch between English and Japanese every 15 minutes so that they can teach each other. The rules are thoroughly enforced so that even those who are new to online events can feel comfortable participating! Ohanasi Kagawa Website >>> That said, you might still not be confident in your Japanese speaking ability. You’re not sure how to study Japanese. For people like that, we are currently offering free Japanese language consultation and free lessons for a limited number of 10 people each month.You don’t know how to study Japanese. If you are interested in taking Japanese lessons to solve what you don’t understand, please feel free to join us.If you are interested, please click the URL or image below. Click here to see more details >>> Summary In this article, we have explained how to learn Japanese effectively, tips for improving Japanese speaking ability, and how to choose an online Japanese language class. Find the online Japanese language class that is right for you and hone your skills as a Japanese speaker.

What should you do when you want to ask someone if they speak Japanese? "Anata wa nihongo wo hanashimasuka?" is Japanese for "Do you speak Japanese?" For "Can you speak Japanese?", you can say, "Anata wa nihongo wo hanasemasuka?" Did you notice that there is a one-character difference between "do" and "can"? It is interesting how just one letter can change the meaning of a word. In this article, I will introduce the phrase "Do you speak Japanese? In addition, I will discuss the difference between the particles "HA" and "GA", as well as the difference between "do you?" and "can you?" Read to the end, and you will be able to ask questions in Japanese! Is "Do you speak Japanese?" means, "Do you speak Japanese?" The answer is, "あなたは、日本語を話しますか？" This is how to read it.あなた (anata) は (wa) 日本語(nihongo) を(wo) 話します(hanasimasu) か(ka)? Let's look at the points. (1) Japanese interrogative sentences end with "ka? at the end. (2) In Japanese "You (do) speak Japanese" ・you = あなた(anata)・(do) = は(wa)・speak Japanese 日本語を話します(nihongo wo hanasimasu): a polite version of 話す(hanasu) + Question "ka?" The diferent between ”Anata WA nihongo wo hanasimasu” and “Anata GA nihongo wo hanasimasu” Now lets look at the difference between, "Anata WA nihongo wo hanasimasu" and "Anata GA nihongo wo hanasimasu."  The particles "は (WA)" and "が (GA)" are used according to what part of the sentence you want to emphasize. 「は(WA)」 ・The information you want to convey comes at the end. (eg. 新しい先生は山田先生です/ atarashii sensei wa yamada-sensei desu) ・Adjectives (eg. 桜の花はきれいです/ sakura no hana wa kirei desu) ・Noun sentences (eg. 明日は水曜日です/ ashita wa suiyoubi desu) 「が(GA)」 ・The information you want to convey comes at the beginning. (eg. 新しい先生が山田先生です/ atarashii sensei ga yamada-senseidesu) ・Dependent clause (eg. 私が起きたとき、母はいませんでした/ watashi ga okitatoki, haha wa imasendesita) ・Noun-modifying clause (eg. 猫が汚したソファは捨てました/ neko ga yogosita sofa ha sutemasita) "あなたは(WA)日本語を話しますか。" is trying to convey the "speak Japanese" part. On the other hand, "Do you (GA) speak Japanese? emphasizes the fact that it is "you" who are speaking Japanese (It's similar to a question: Are you the person who speak Japanese?). Therefore, "あなたは(WA)、日本語を話しますか？" is more appropriate. The difference from "Can you speak Japanese?" So far, we have summarized how to ask "Do you speak Japanese?" in Japanese. Then what about "Can you speak Japanese? The word that follows the verb in Japanese changes between can and do. The "話します" in "あなたは日本語を話しますか？" is: 話す(hanasu) = 動詞(speak) ＋ます(masu) = Polite  （１）In case of “do” for 話す(hanas"u")  Instead of the “i"、 it becomes 話し(hanas"hi")＋ます(masu) （２）In case of “can” for 話す(hanas"u") Instead of the "e"、 it becomes 話せ（hanas"e")＋ます(masu) If you want to learn Japanese In Japanese, "Do you speak Japanese?" is "Anata was nihongo wo hanasimasuka?" There are many things you can learn just by memorizing one Japanese phrase. In this article, we have explained the basic grammar, but you might not be able to use it right away. Also, Japanese might not use correct grammar. To learn to use them in conversation, it is a good idea to actually use them with Japanese people. However, there are some people who do not have Japanese friends or who find it difficult to go to Japan. That is why Ohanasi Kagawa holds online exchange events between Japanese and English learners. Japanese learners and English learners are paired, and you can switch languages every 15 minutes. This creates an environment where you can teach and learn from each other. This is a fun event for those who want to practice what they have learned. Come and have to see! Ohanasi Kagawa Website >>> That said, you might still not be confident in your Japanese speaking ability. You’re not sure how to study Japanese. For people like that, we are currently offering free Japanese language consultation and free lessons for a limited number of 10 people each month.You don’t know how to study Japanese. If you are interested in taking Japanese lessons to solve what you don’t understand, please feel free to join us.If you are interested, please click the URL or image below. Click here to see more details >>>

Sushi is always one of the top three things foreigners want to eat when they visit Japan. Eating good sushi in Japan is one of the things people probably look forward to doing. But do you know what real sushi is? Salmon and toro nigiri are not the only types of sushi. There are more sushi ingredients than you know. And there are many different types of sushi. Here are some popular types of sushi that Japanese people also love. What types of sushi are there? Do you eat sushi at a high-end sushi restaurant? Or do you eat sushi at a conveyor belt sushi restaurant? Sushi is an important part of Japanese culture. You can find cheap and tasty sushi in many places around you. You can also easily find sushi at convenience stores and supermarkets. Try the wide variety of sushi available in Japan. にぎりずし Nigiri-zushi Type of sushi with sashimi (sushi ingredients) on top of a bed of vinegared rice. Most people think of nigiri-zushi when they think of sushi. The most common types of sushi are: red fish, white fish, hikarimono (silver-skinned fish), boiled fish, squid, octopus, and tamagoyaki (egg omelet). You can use wasabi to your liking. ぐんかんまき Gunkan-maki Sushi made by placing ingredients like salmon roe, sujiko, or negitoro on a bed of vinegared rice and wrapping it with nori (seaweed). It is called gunkanmaki because it looks like a boat (gunkan). The fish roe is slightly seasoned, so it can be eaten as it is. まきずし Maki-zushi Also called Nori-maki. It is made by spreading sushi rice over a bed of nori and topping it with sushi ingredients. ふとまき Futo-maki Sushi rolled with multiple sushi ingredients, such as sashimi, egg omelets, and cucumber. During Setsubun (festival to celebrate spring), it is customary to eat sushi rolls called ehomaki to bring in "good luck." It is about five centimeters in size and is rolled with a lot of seafood. ほそまき Hosho-maki Sushi roll with a single ingredient. You can use ingredients such as cucumber, natto, negitoro, kanpyo (dried gourd), takuan (pickled radish), and so on. It is recommended when you want to eat only a little. ちらしずし Chirashi-zushi Sushi that is not hand-rolled. Shrimp, octopus, and other seafood, shiitake mushrooms, and a broiled egg are placed on a bed of vinegared rice. This sushi is beautiful. It is customary to eat it on Hinamatsuri (Girls' Day). かいせんどん Kaisen-don Sushi that has not hand-rolled sushi. It is usually served on a bowl of vinegared rice with sashimi, shrimps, salmon roe, and sea urchin on top. It is a gorgeous bowl of rice. てまきずし Temaki-zushi Sushi made by placing sushi rice on a small piece of nori and wrapping it around your favorite sushi ingredients and vegetables. Temaki-zushi parties are often held at home. It is also on the menu at conveyor-belt sushi restaurants. いなりずし Inari-zushi Sushi consists of sweet fried bean curd with sushi rice inside. You can use rice such as simple white rice, go-moku rice, and bean rice. At first glance, it does not look like sushi, but it is popular among children. Sushi available in the region There are sushi specialties in each region of Japan. Why not try them when you visit Japan on vacation? 【Toyama prefecture】Mashu-zushi Sushi rice wrapped in light red sakura salmon and wrapped with young leaves. It is also famous as an ekiben (station bento) at Toyama Station. 【Nara prefecture】Kaki no ha zushi Oshi-zushi that is made by placing thin slices of vinegared fish such as mackerel or salmon on vinegared rice and wrapping it in persimmon leaves. 【Okayama prefecture】Mamakari zushi Sushi made from small sappa fish (clupeoid) from the Seto Inland Sea coast, sprinkled with salt, and marinated in vinegar. Ohanasi Kagawa holds online language exchange events on weekends. Japanese language learners and English language learners are paired together. You then switch between English and Japanese every 15 minutes. This way, both of you can learn a language. Online, you can communicate with Japanese people without having to go to Japan. The rules are designed to ensure that you can participate safely. So, even if you are new to online events, please check them out. This is the perfect event for those who want to spend a little time in Japanese while maintaining their current lifestyle. Ohanasi Kagawa Website >>> That said, you might still not be confident in your Japanese speaking ability. You’re not sure how to study Japanese. For people like that, we are currently offering free Japanese language consultation and free lessons for a limited number of 10 people each month.You don’t know how to study Japanese. If you are interested in taking Japanese lessons to solve what you don’t understand, please feel free to join us.If you are interested, please click the URL or image below. Click here to see more details >>>

Japanese sweets are a must-try among Japanese foods. In particular, I would like to recommend Japanese sweets using "anko" (red bean paste). Anko is made from sweetened and mashed azuki beans. It is also called "an." It is a popular ingredient in traditional Japanese sweets. Foreigners may feel some resistance to food made from sweetened beans. However, anko and bean foods are not the same thing. Once you try it, you will be surprised at how delicious it is. And you may be addicted to its cute appearance. Today, we will introduce some typical Japanese sweets using anko. こしあん"Koshi-an" and つぶあん"Tsubu-an" are two types of red bean paste There are two main types of red bean paste. One is "koshi-an." Koshi-an is made from cooked azuki beans that have been mashed and then strained. The outer skin of the azuki bean curd is removed so that the texture is very smooth. The other is "tsubu-an." Tsubu-an is made by cooking azuki beans softly, leaving the grains and skin. People either prefer koshi-an or tsubu-an. The colors of red bean paste which are called あかあん "Aka-an" and しろあん "Shiro-an" The color of red bean paste made from azuki beans is described as "aka." Technically, it is not red but rather a brownish-reddish-purple or purplish-reddish-brown color. The general term "aka-an" refers to red bean paste made from red beans such as red kidney beans as well as azuki beans. There is also a type of red bean paste called "shiro-an." "Shiro-an" is made from white beans, such as white kidney beans and white flower beans, cooked sweetly and mashed. Japanese sweets using あんこ "anko" たいやき Taiyaki It is shaped like a fish and filled with tsubuan on the inside. It may seem strange that there is bean paste in a fish, but it is a cute-looking Japanese sweet. There are specialty stores in Asakusa and other sightseeing spots. It is recommended to eat them while walking around. どらやき Dorayaki This Japanese sweet is made with a fluffy pancake-like dough stuffed with tsubu-an. Honey is used in the batter, making it moist and fluffy. Some pancakes contain chestnuts or shiratama (white rice balls like mochi) along with the red bean paste. They are available at convenience stores, supermarkets, and Japanese confectionery stores. いまがわやき Imagawayaki It is a Japanese sweet with a round shape and a filling of tsubuan or shiroan inside. It is sometimes called "oban-yaki" or "kaiten-yaki," depending on the region. In Hyogo Prefecture and the Kansai region, Imagawa-yaki is called "Gozasouro." This is the name of the Imagawa-yaki store that originated in Hyogo. "Gozasoro" is loved by the locals, and is now easily found in the food sections of department stores all over the country. It can be eaten in department stores and tourist areas. だいふく Daifuku It is a Japanese sweet made of mochi dough and wrapped with either koshi-an or tsubu-an. There are many ways to arrange the bean paste and the dough. Mame daifuku is made by boiling large peas or black beans with salt and wrapping them in mochi dough. There are also various types of Daifuku, such as salty salt Daifuku and Kusa Daifuku with yomogi (mugwort). We especially recommend the strawberry daifuku. It contains a single strawberry wrapped in mochi dough and koshian. It can be purchased at convenience stores, supermarkets, department stores, and Japanese confectionery stores. There are many other Japanese sweets using anko.  おだんご Odango ようかん Youkan 八つ橋 Yatsuhashi 最中 Monaka あんぱん Anpan あんみつ Anmitsu おしるこ Oshiruko The list is endless when you include famous local confections. That is how inseparable Japanese sweets and anko are. Let's get to know Anko, talk about Japanese sweets, and have fun at Ohanashi Kagawa!

What Japanese do you know? When you are just beginning to learn Japanese, you have to memorize a lot of words. Konnichiwa Itadakimasu Kawaii Arigato These words are also important Japanese words for communication. However, there are more useful words. Words that are one word but can be used in various situations. Here are some words and ways to use them: We recommend these words for beginners who wish to speak Japanese. The word だいじょうぶ "Daijoubu". The word "daijoubu" can be used conveniently with various meanings. In fact, "daijoubu" is a strange word that has both positive and negative meanings. The pronunciation of "daijoubu" is not difficult even for foreigners, so it can be very useful once you learn the situations in which it is used. If you know how to use this word, even beginners in Japanese should be able to speak like native speakers. だいじょうぶ "Daijoubu" with a positive meaning When you fall or get injured 「大丈夫?」 「大丈夫」 「Daijoubu?」 「Daijoubu」 If nothing happened or if the injury was not serious. When you catch a cold and was absent from school. 「たいちょうは大丈夫?」 「大丈夫」 「Are you feeling daijoubu?」 「Daijoubu」 If you are not that sick and recovering. When you are busy at work. 「たいへんそうだけど大丈夫?」 「大丈夫」 「You look busy. Daijoubu?」 「Daijoubu」 If you can manage on your own. When confirming an appointment. 「あしたのよていは大丈夫?」 「大丈夫」 「Are you daijoubu for tomorrow’s appointment?」 「Daijoubu」 If you are going to be on schedule. When you are asked to do something 「これ、きょうじゅうにできる?」 「大丈夫」 「Can you finish this by tomorrow?」 「Daijoubu」 If you know you can do it or are confident about it. Positive "daijoubu" is a common pharse in everyday life. だいじょうぶ "Daijoubu" that has both a positive and negative meaning When asked for opinions on the food. 「Is it good?」 「Daijoubu」 When asked about a new hairstyle or outfit. 「How’s my haircut?」 「Daijoubu」 One must be careful with the answer "Daijoubu" in this situation. It can mean "good" in a positive way, but it can also mean "not good" at the same time. だいじょうぶ "Daijoubu" with a negative meaning. When asked if you want a plastic bag at a convenience store. 「ふくろはいりますか?」 「大丈夫です」 「Do you need a plastic bag?」 「Daijoubu desu」 When you need one. When you want to decline an invitation. 「きょう、のみにいこうか?」 「大丈夫です」 「Do you want to go out for a drink?」 「Daijoubu desu」 When you don’t want to go. Although the correct response would be "irimasen" or "ikimasen," it is commonly used by Japanese who cannot say "no" directly and prefer to decline softly.  "Better get used to it than learn it." As the Japanese proverb says, practice makes perfect! Let's talk with people using "daijoubu" at Ohanashi Kagawa!

In a previous column, I introduced "Daijyoubu" as a useful Japanese word that can be used by beginners. Today, I would like to recommend "Sumimasen" as the second useful Japanese word! "Suminasen" has several meanings depending on how you use it. When you apologize When you call out to someone When you show your appreciation At first, it may seem complicated, but if you know the situations in which it is used, it is not difficult to use it in conversation. "Sumimasen" is a common word used in everyday life. Once you understand how to use it, even beginners in Japanese will be able to communicate effectively. Here are some easy explanations of how to use "すみません sumimasen" in many different situations. "すみません Sumimasen" used when apologizing The word "sumimasen" is used to apologize. This is the same meaning as "gomennasai." It is a slightly more polite way of apologizing to someone you don't know or to someone you are not very close to. When you bump into someone: 「すみません」 " Sumimasen" When you are late for an appointment: 「すみません。おそくなりました」 "Sumimasen. I'm late." When you break something: 「すみません。コップをわってしまいました」 "Sumimasen. I broke a glass." Notes. When apologizing after a fight with a friend, you do not use "すみません sumimasen." In this case, it is "ごめんなさい Gomennasai." "すみません Sumimasan" used when calling out to someone. We use "sumimasen" as a word to call out to people. When there are people around the train door and you can't get through: 「すみません。おります」 "Sumimasen. I’m getting off." When you want to call an waiter at a restraunt: 「すみません。ちゅうもんをおねがいします」 "Sumimasen. Please take an order." When you want to ask a question: 「すみません。しぶやえきはどこですか」 "Sumimasan. Where is Shibuya Station." The word "sumimasen" is very common in everyday life. In many cases, it is used to address strangers rather than close friends. "すみません Sumimasen" used to express a gratitude The word "sumimasen" is also used to express your gratitude. It has the same meaning as "thank you," but is often used when someone is kind to you. When someone opened a door for you. When someone offered you a seat on the train When someone waited for you to get on the elevator. The word "sumimasen" to express your thanks can also be replaced by the polite "Arigato gozaimasu." Once you understand the three meanings of "sumimasen" and learn how to use it, you will enjoy Japanese conversation even more. Trying using "suminasen" and speak up at Ohanashi Kagawa!

What cute Japanese expressions do you know? Japanese adverbs include words that describe the state of things in detail. Words that are formed by combining words into a single word are called "Jogo (畳語)". For example: きらきら Kirakira  さらさら Sara sara ほのぼの Hono bono すくすく Suku suku  The word " Jogo" may sound difficult, but don't worry. Most Japanese people do not even know the word "Jogo". It is a simple word, but it is not the language of young children, and is commonly spoken and heard in daily life. It is casually used in various situations. In this issue, we will introduce some cute Japanese words related to the "texture of food." What is ふわふわ fuwa fuwa? What comes to mind when you hear the word "fuwa fuwa"? Most Japanese people think of bread. You see it in commercials and at bakeries as "fuwa fuwa bread" or "fuwa fuwa texture." Japanese people love soft and fluffy bread. Japanese words for texture like this remind us of what kind of food we are eating. And it is important to understand what kind of condition the food is in. Cute words to describe texture 「さくさく Saku saku」 Fried pork cutlets, fried shrimp, croquettes, tempura, and curry buns. Used when fried food is crispy. 「かりかり Kari kari」 French fries, well-cooked bacon, and small hard pickled plums Use for slightly hard and chewy foods. 「ぷりぷり Puri puri」 Shrimp, squid, and octopus. Used for firm and chewy foods. 「ほくほく Hoku hoku」 Sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and chestnuts. Often used for autumn foods. 「あつあつ Atsu atsu」 Ramen, soup, sukiyaki, and takoyaki. Used for foods cooked warm. 「ねばねば Neba neba」 Natto, okra, yams, and nameko mushrooms. Used for sticky foods. Is it different from onomatopoeia? Onomatopoeia is a language that uses verbal onomatopoeia, mimetic words, and gibberish to describe the state of things, movements, and animal noises. Wan wan, doki doki, za- za,Sube sube, and so on. Onomatopoeia is not only formed by combining words into a single word: はくしょん　Hakushon がっかり　Gakkari うんざり　Unzari ガシャン　Gashan パチン　Pachin おぎゃー　Ogyaa There are many different ways of expression. "Jogo" is a part of onomatopoeia. There are many more cute Japanese words to describe food. Let's check out what words are used for ingredients, cooking methods, and food conditions! You are sure to find a cute expression. How many words can you say to describe the texture? Let's talk about food at Ohanashi Kagawa!

It is painful when you feel pain in your body. You may feel pain when you are sick, injured, or have stomach pain for an uncertain reason... There are many possible situations. In Japanese, we don't use difficult words to describe pain. It can be conveyed with onomatopoeia, a word made up of a single word combined with other words. For example, when you go to the hospital with a headache, the doctor may ask you: "What kind of pain is it?" How would you answer it? Throbbing (zuki zuki) Pounding (gan gan) We use these words when we have a headache. Today, I will introduce some useful Japanese words that you should know. This way, you could reduce stress of not being able to communicate well even though you are not feeling well. What kind of pain do you feel? When your tooth hurt ずきずき Zuki zuki When your finger is stuck in a door じんじん Jin jin When one has a stomach ache きりきり Kiri kiri しくしく Shiku shiku When you have a sore throat いがいが Iga iga When the limbs go numb じんじん Jin jin びりびり Biri biri When the skin is sunburnt ひりひり Hiri hiri When you have stomach ache ちくちく chiku chiku しくしく Shiku shiku When your bones or joints hurt ぎしぎし Gishi gishi ごりごり Gori gori When you have a burns and peeling skin ぴりぴり Piri piri ひりひり Hiri hiri Words to use when you're not feeling well Dizziness くらくら Kura kura Nausea むかむか Muka muka When the hands and feet are swollen ぱんぱん Pan pan When your heartbeat quickens どきどき Doki doki Will the hosipital understand? 「胃がきりきりと痛む」 "E ga kirikiri itamu (I have a splitting stomach ache)." Most Japanese can imagine what kind of pain it is. The expression "kiri kiri" is accepted as common knowledge. Of course, it is also understood in hospitals. When a doctor asks patients, 「どんな痛みですか」"What kind of pain do you have?" It is better to use onomatopoeia such as "zuki zuki," "gan gan," or "shiku shiku" to convey the pain more accurately than explain it in other ways. Things to watch out for It can be complicated until you get used to describing pain. When you feel a headache, you will realize that it is a throbbing feeling. It is hard to experience each pain separately. However, you must be careful not to use the wrong word for pain. Do not say, "Nodo ga gangan itai (my throat is pounding)," or "Atama ga shikushiku itai (I have a griping pain in my head)." Let's first try to apply onomatopoeia to the pain you experience. It is very useful to know what kind of pain you are experiencing by sensing the location of the pain and the symptoms. Let's have fun at Ohanashi Kagawa and learn about what expressions of pain we can use!

For those interested in Japanese food, I would like to recommend Japanese bread. Many of you might be familiar with Japanese bread. It has appeared in recent anime and manga, along with ramen and onigiri (rice balls). What makes Japanese bread so special is its softness. The fluffy texture of the bread will certainly surprise foreigners who are used to eating hard bread. You will also be surprised at the many varieties of bread available. There are many different types of breads to choose from, ranging from sweet dessert breads to side dish breads with ingredients on top. We recommend freshly baked bread from a bakery, but you can easily find good bread at convenience stores as well. Here are some breads I would like to recommend. When you visit Japan, be sure to try some of these breads. Cute looking メロンパン“Melon pan” Do you know why the melon pan got its name? There are several theories, but one is that it resembles a muskmelon because of the lattice pattern in its appearance. There is no melon in the bread. Some melon pan has a slight aroma of melon. The main feature of the melon pan is the use of cookie dough on top of the bread. At first bite, you will be surprised by the texture of the crispy cookie. Then, you will be impressed by the softness of the bread inside. Recently, there have been melon pans, like the one with cream. However, we recommend you try the simple melon pan. In Asakusa, Tokyo, there is a store that specializes in melon bread. Mysterious food? カレーパン "Curry pan" Curry pan is bread with curry inside. Furthermore, this bread is not baked in an oven but fried in oil. That is why the surface of the bread is crispy. The soft bread is filled with spicy curry, and it can be eaten as a snack or a lunch. There are different kinds of curry ingredients, depending on the bakery. Beef Curry Keema Curry Curry with lots of vegetables If you come across freshly fried curry bread at a bakery, it is worth a try! The classic flavor! あんぱん"An pan" Azuki beans are an essential part of wagashi (Japanese traditional sweets). There are two types of an: tsubu-an and koshi-an. Tsubu-an is made with the azuki bean skin left on, while koshi-an is made by removing the azuki bean skin and rubbing the azuki bean paste into a smooth paste. A pan is available in both koshi-an and tsubu-an. The soft buns are filled with a sweet bean paste that is not too sweet. Anpan is a perfect introduction to Japanese sweets. Why not give it a try? Let's talk about Japanese bread at Ohanashi Kagawa!