Japanese with Hikari's Blog


Your sensei's tips about Japanese culture and language

Learn Japanese Fast: 6 Simple Tips That Actually Work 📖 - language Sep 07, 2025

So you’ve decided to start learning Japanese—congrats! 🎉
It might feel a little overwhelming at first (yes, three writing systems can be a lot 😅), but don’t stress. With a few smart strategies, you can learn Japanese faster and more effectively than y...

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Why Does Japanese Have THREE Writing Systems? 📖 - language Jul 16, 2025

Ok, you’ve decided to start learning Japanese, but you notice that there are 3 writing systems 😱

Let’s break it down, nice and simple.

 

🌸 1. Hiragana (ひらがな) — Soft & Curvy

Hiragana is the first script Japanese kids learn.
It’s used for native Jap...

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🍃 Haiku: Japan’s Poetry 🎎 - culture 📖 - language May 23, 2025

Ever read a super short poem and felt like it perfectly captured a moment? That’s haiku (俳句)—Japan’s famous three-line poetry that say a lot with just a few words. It’s simple, deep, and all about capturing the beauty of everyday life. Let’s take a f...

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What is JLPT, why you should take and how to pass the test successfully 📖 - language May 19, 2025

Have you ever heard of JLPT? What does N5, N4, N3, N2, N1 mean?

In this article I’ll talk all about JLPT, the only exam you need to take if you want your Japanese level to be certified and work or study at a university in Japan.

 

🔴 What’s JLPT

I...

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🇯🇵 4 Fun Japanese Idioms! 🎎 - culture 📖 - language May 06, 2025

Let’s see 4 useful Japanese idioms—those colorful expressions that add a little flair to the language! Whether you're a language enthusiast or just starting to learn Japanese, these fun Japanese idioms will help you sound more natural and expressive....

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The Curious and Fun World of JapanEnglish 📖 - language Apr 14, 2025

If you've ever traveled to Japan, you've probably seen some unexpected Japanese inventions in language—English words used in ways you wouldn’t expect! From T-shirts that say "Happy Smile Life" to café signs offering "Enjoyable Taste Time," Japan has ...

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Why Chihiro's name become SEN in Spirited Away? 🎞️ - anime / movies 📖 - language Jun 07, 2023

You might be confused why Chihiro's name becomes SEN in Spirited Away after she signs her contract and that apparently only one letter of her name remains. That's an easter egg that only people who can read Japan...

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