Supporting Embassy Employee Integration: Spanish Embassy Case Study
Relocating to Japan can be both exciting and challenging — especially for professionals who must quickly adapt to new cultural norms, work environments, and daily routines. To support this transition, Toranomon Language School partnered with the Embassy of Spain in Japan to deliver a tailored Japanese Integration Program for newly arrived embassy staff. Newcomers to Japan often encounter a steep learning curve: navigating transportation systems, handling daily errands, and communicating effectively in the workplace — all while adapting to a unique cultural environment. For embassy employees, mastering these skills is essential not only for personal comfort but also for maintaining effective international collaboration and diplomacy. Our Approach TLS designed a […]
Kotatsu Season: The Warmth of Language and Culture
As the chill of winter settles over Japan, many households pull out one of the coziest treasures of Japanese living: the kotatsu. This low wooden table, covered with a thick blanket and warmed from below, isn’t just a piece of furniture. It’s a symbol of comfort, connection, and communication—values that reflect the very heart of Japanese culture. What is a Kotatsu? A kotatsu is more than just a way to stay warm. It’s where families gather to share meals, tell stories, and enjoy quiet time together. Its origins date back centuries to when people used sunken hearths (irori) to heat their homes. Over time, the design evolved, but its meaning […]
Celebrating Bunka no Hi in Japan
Bunka no hi, or Culture Day, is a national holiday celebrated annually on November 3 in Japan. The holiday commemorates the anniversary of the promulgation of the Constitution of Japan in 1946. It is a day for promoting peace and culture, and is also considered a day of reflection on the nation’s past. The history of Culture Day in Japan Bunka no hi has its origins in the Meiji period, when the Meiji Emperor declared that November 3rd would be a day to celebrate the arts and literature. This was in response to the growing Western influence in Japan at the time. The holiday was originally called Bunka-sai, but was […]
Disaster Prevention Workshop Corporate Training: Toranomon Language School and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
Japan is a country where natural disasters, particularly earthquakes, are very common. For those living and working here, understanding how to respond in critical moments is not only a matter of safety but also of responsibility to one’s colleagues and community. Disaster preparedness is an essential skill, but for many foreign workers, the language barrier can make learning these procedures overwhelming. At Toranomon Language School, we had the opportunity to support Mitsui O.S.K. Lines by providing corporate training services during a recent Disaster Prevention Workshop. Our role was to act as a bridge between the Japanese collaboration workshop with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Minato-ku Disaster Prevention Division for the company’s […]
Walk & Learn: Experiencing Japan’s National Sport — Sumo!
At Toranomon Language School, we believe that language learning doesn’t stop in the classroom — it happens in real life, too. Our Walk & Learn events are designed to help students experience Japanese language and culture firsthand, putting what they’ve learned into practice in real-world situations. Earlier this year, our students had the exciting opportunity to attend one of Japan’s most iconic cultural events: a professional Sumo tournament. A Day of Tradition, Excitement, and Language in Action From the moment we arrived at the arena, the energy was unforgettable. The smell of yakitori filled the air, the crowd buzzed with excitement, and the rhythmic sounds of taiko drums signaled the […]
The Many Ways to Say “Very” in Japanese
If you’ve been studying Japanese for a while, you’ve probably learned the word とても (totemo), one of the most common way to say “very.” But as you listen to real Japanese conversations, you might notice that people often use other words instead, such as: すごく (sugoku), めっちゃ (meccha), or 超 (chou). In Japanese there are several ways to say “very,” each carrying different nuances, levels of formality, and emotional tone. Understanding when and how to use them can help make your Japanese sound more natural and expressive. とても is the most standard and widely used way to say “very.” It works in both spoken and written Japanese and is appropriate […]
Common Mistakes of Newcomers to Japan and How to Avoid Them
Moving to Japan is an exciting experience, but it also comes with challenges that can be easy to overlook. Even simple daily tasks or social interactions can feel complicated without prior knowledge of local customs, etiquette, and language. Learning from the common mistakes of others can help you avoid misunderstandings and start your new life in Japan with confidence. Misunderstanding Social Norms Everyday Life Challenges Dining Etiquette Workplace Misunderstandings Start Confidently with the Right Guidance Avoiding these common mistakes is easier when you have practical language skills and cultural knowledge. Our Survival Kit course helps newcomers navigate daily life and workplace situations with confidence, while our Intensive Course accelerates learning […]
The Difference Between は and が Explained Simply
If you’ve started learning Japanese, chances are you’ve stumbled over は (wa) and が (ga). Even intermediate learners struggle with these two particles, because English doesn’t have a direct equivalent. Let’s break it down in a way that makes sense. は = Topic Marker Think of は as setting the stage of your sentence. It tells your listener, “This is what we’re talking about now.” Examples: が = Subject Marker が points out the specific subject that performs an action or is being described. It is often used when introducing new information or when you want to emphasize the subject itself. Examples: Comparing は and が Together A useful way […]
Top 100 Japanese Words Every Beginner Should Master
Learning Japanese can feel like a huge challenge at first, but the good news is that you don’t have to memorize thousands of words right away. Starting with the most common and useful vocabulary will give you the foundation you need to begin speaking and understanding daily conversations. To help you on your journey, we’ve compiled 100 essential Japanese words every beginner should know, broken down into categories. 1. Greetings & Basics 2. People & Pronouns 3. Numbers & Time 4. Common Verbs 5. Daily Life Words 6. Food & Drinks 7. Places & Nature 8. Adjectives & Descriptions 9. Question Words 10. Handy Expressions Final Thoughts By mastering these […]
Kanji Radicals Explained: The Building Blocks of Japanese
If you have started learning kanji, you may have noticed that many characters share familiar parts. These repeating elements are called radicals (部首 “bushu”), and they are one of the most powerful tools for understanding and remembering kanji. By learning radicals, you unlock patterns that make kanji study easier, faster, and much less overwhelming. What Are Radicals? Radicals are the basic components that make up kanji. Think of them like the “alphabet” pieces inside more complex characters. Each radical usually carries its own meaning or theme. For example, the radical for “water” (氵) appears in kanji related to liquids, like 海 (umi, ocean) and 酒 (sake, alcohol). There are around […]