You can learn Japaense on Clubhouse! Clubhouse can be a great tool for language learners. You can find clubs where people are casually speaking your target language, and you can find rooms that are set up to actively help people learn the language. Here are some Japanese-language clubs that I have found to be entertaining…
Japanese Lesson from Games: てんやわや
The Nintendo Switch is region free, and many (not all) games, including Monster Hunter Rise, have the full Japanese text and audio available in the U.S. release of the game. No need to import from Japan! This is an amazing resource for gamers who are learning Japanese. Here’s my latest grab! Japanese: もう周辺はてんやわんや！ Hiragana: もうしゅうへんはてんやわんや！…
Japanese Lesson from Games: Pearl Before Pig
Time for another language pick up from a Nintendo Switch game! This time it’s from GNOSIA, the single-player social deduction game modeled after the popular social game Werewolf. Japanese: 豚に真珠ってことにならなきゃいいけどね Hiragana: ぶたにしんじゅうってことにならなきゃいいけどね Romaji: buta ni shinjyu tte yatsu ni naranakya ii kedo ne 豚に真珠 (buta ni shinjyu) might be one of the first Japanese proverbs…
Okonomiyaki THICC
Okonomiyaki is a staple food in Osaka. You can buy it any of the countless okonomiyaki shops, and most families have tried and true home recipes that they have used for years. The whole point of okonomiyaki is that you can put pretty much whatever you want inside. The Japanese word “okonomi” お好み means “as…
Japanese Lesson from Games: One or two habits
The Nintendo Switch is region free, and many (not all) games, including Octopath Traveler, have the full Japanese text and audio available in the U.S. release of the game. No need to import from Japan! This is an amazing resource for gamers who are learning Japanese. Here’s my latest grab! Japanese: 一癖二癖ある Hiragana: ひとくせふたくせある Romaji:…
Monster Hunter Rise Ultra Basics
I am not a Monster Hunter expert by any means, but I have attempted to introduce many friends to the game. The action-packed epic battles, the nerdy customization, the cool aesthetic… and it’s multiplayer so I want people to play it with! Here are some answers to common questions I get about this somewhat obtuse…
Love this Zelda Boss Key Charm from Fandom Regalia – The Best Gamer Swag
Fandom Regalia is a company in Toronto that makes high-quality jewelry around geek themes ranging from Mario to Star Trek. I have started a small collection of sterling silver charms for my keychain. The stuff at Fandom Regalia is mainly meant for necklaces, but I’ll do me you do you. They have many attractive items….
Der Clou: Roll & Heist – A Print and Play Board Game
Der Clou: Roll & Heist is a solo or cooperative print and play roll and write board game. That was a mouthful. All you need to play is to print out a few files, a pencil, and three six-sided dice. BoardGameGeek.com rates this game highly. It’s definitely worth a look, especially since it’s free! To…
Japanese Lesson from Games: 図太い bold
Japanese: 流石は先生、図太いね。 Hiragana:さすがはせんせい、ずぶといね。 Romaji: sasuga wa sensei, zubutoi ne. Meaning: Bold, shameless, cheeky, brash. I did not know the term zubutoi before encountering it here. This term can be used to both praise and criticize. It refers to someone who is bold and self-confident in their actions, not caring too much about what others may…
How to properly handle a business card in Japan
Business cards in a Japanese context are important. Bring them. Receive them. Respect them. Going to do business with a Japanese person? Learn how to handle business cards and how to follow business card etiquette. Note, Japan is changing. Some companies are adopting Western business mannerisms, and Japanese who are overseas may take the “when…