Japanese Tea Ceremonies- A Quintessential Experience
The Japanese tea ceremony, also known as “sado”, is a tradition rich in history. It is a process of preparing and drinking tea. Traditionally, these ceremonies are held on a tatami floor which is a thick, woven straw mat. The main purpose of attending these ceremonies is for guests to enjoy the hospitality and atmosphere provided for them that is much more relaxing than everyday life. In modern times, these ceremonies are most commonly practiced as a hobby and are open for tourists to experience as well. Tea ceremonies vary in formality and authenticity, and Kyoto or Uji, about six hours outside of Tokyo, are two of the best places […]
Living life in Japan
Our students’ interests are always our first priority Our new blog series “Living life in Japan” is targeted towards people who just recently moved to Japan, or those already living in Japan with the same interests. Today, we are going to tell you how learning Japanese can be easier when you approach in a way proven effective scientifically. Here at Toranomon Language School we believe that learning a language should be an engaging and personal experience. We have an approach that is centered around customizing lessons to align with our students’ interests. When you enroll with us, we take the time to understand your unique interests and goals. Then we […]
Preparing your child for a new school year in Japan
Starting a new school year in a different country can be both scary and exciting, especially for children who are adjusting to a new culture and language. As a parent, there are several helpful ways to ensure your child transitions smoothly into their new school environment in Japan. Understanding the Japanese School System Familiarizing yourself with the Japanese school system is definitely beneficial. In Japan, the school year typically starts in April and ends in March and is divided into three terms. Summer break is in August, winter break is around the New Year and there is a spring break in March. The schools are divided into elementary, junior high […]
Develop a growth mindset to master a new language
A growth mindset is the belief people have that abilities as well as intelligence can be formed through dedication and hard work. It is staying resilient even in difficult times and continuing to push forward. Want to learn how to cultivate a growth mind for your professional and personal? Here is how! Learn to embrace challenges Challenges are growth opportunities in disguise. Rather than avoiding conflicts, allow yourself to tackle themselves head on. You will learn that each challenge you face will help you develop new skills. Nothing can improve if you stay in your comfort zone. When you approach challenging tasks, take it one step at a time. Trying […]
Join us on today’s “Walk and Learn” at the TEPIA Advanced Technology Gallery!
Toranomon Language School’s “Walk and Learn” continued today (July 12th) at the TEPIA Advanced Technology Gallery! We took five of our students on an interactive field trip today at this 8-story office and TV studio here in Tokyo. Tepia showcases technologies aimed at solving problems in each theme, as well as technologies that aim for the coexistence of humans and nature. They provide hands on activities and experiences to help students get involved in science and technology. It provides a perfect environment to explore new elements of learning Japanese! To get to our destination, we took the train! This allows kids to navigate the city and teaches them about real-world experiences. They walked […]
Best cafes to work remotely
For many people, working remote means working from home, but this does not have to be the case. Let us give you a brief description of best cafes in Tokyo to work in for a nice, new change of scenery. Coffee Valley, Ikebukuro This two-story coffee shop is a great place to set your laptop down and dive into your work. With its minimalist atmosphere, this cozy shop it located about five minutes from Ikebukuro station. Weekdays seem to be fairly slow while the weekends get much more packed. Caffice, Shinjuku Caffice is a great spot in Tokyo, centrally located in Shinjuku which makes it an easy spot to stop […]
Come with us on our “Walk and Learn” trip at Nissan Crossing!
Our exciting “Walk and Learn” tradition continued on July 19th through Toranomon Language School. This week’s exciting adventure took place at the Nissan Crossing, where they are holding the special colab event with Tomica. They all got themselves a free Tomica toy car and sticky notes by solving puzzles. The five children that joined us on today’s field trip had a great time pretending to drive inside luxury cars and playing with toy car models! Their imaginations soared as the created exciting “destinations” to drive too and had thrilling adventures. Nissan Crossing offers a fun quiz where you receive a Tomica toy car as a prize. The kids eagerly took […]
How to remain connected to home as an expat
As an expat, you may feel perfectly content in your new home, but it is normal to miss certain aspects of where you are originally from. There are ways to bridge that gap and stay connected to the customs or people you may be missing! Eat foods from home There will be times where you may miss the flavors you grew up with whether it is something spicy or sweet. No matter where you are, most types of cuisine can be found in all parts of the world, so try and track down a restaurant that you feel will bring you comfort. If you are on a budget or cannot […]
Communication in Japanese Business Culture
Effective use of communication is the key to success, but cross-cultural communication can either help or hurt your business productivity. When engaging with international companies, specifically Japan where lots of emphasis is placed on work culture, it can be intimidating. Let us share with you some insights for verbal and nonverbal communication inJapanese business culture and how to effectively communicate with Japanese companies. When it comes to business, Japanese people want to do it with someone they know they can trust. Relationships are often built through informal gatherings involving a large amount of eating and drinking Punctuality First and foremost, do not be late. There are no excuses for tardiness […]
How to prepare for an earthquake in Japan
Living in or visiting Japan means you are in an area that is prone to earthquakes and most likely you know the best ways to stay prepared. As a tourist, you may be less aware of how to stay safe in these situations. Let us walk you through some ways to ensure your safety. Before an earthquake Make sure you are always aware of evacuation routes of the places you or your loved ones spend the most time. This could be your home, office building, or even your child’s school. Check with your local community, school or office manager. Making sure you are aware of the best way to escape […]