30 Greatest Japanese Blogs to Be taught In regards to the Language, Tradition and Extra

The World Broad Internet has a ton of nice materials for Japanese learners.

You already know find out how to be taught Japanese with dramas and films.

And now we’ve got one other useful resource that may complement your classes and different studying strategies: Japanese blogs.

So, let’s get on with these improbable web sites for studying all issues Japanese—language, tradition after which some.

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True to its identify, it is a melon-colored weblog run by Melonpan Mama. The weblog is brightly-colored and stuffed with meals and recipes!

Why it’s best to learn it: The creator employs superior grammar, native-level phrases and a mix of plain, well mannered and really well mannered language.

Not solely will your vocabulary and comprehension undergo the roof whereas perusing her years’ value of writing, however you’ll additionally be capable to impress the locals if you go to Japan.

As its identify suggests, it is a recipe weblog devoted to meat-free cooking. The weblog is relatively previous (the final publish was from means again in 2009), however it has a clear and easy format, so no worrying about the place you’re and what buttons to click on on.

Why it’s best to learn it: As quickly as you click on on any publish, you’ll encounter blocks of Japanese textual content within the formal register. Which means you may examine normal Japanese and be handled to a ton of eye-catching photographs.

プチタンタン options recipes (principally sweets) and crafts. I dare you to withstand trying each single recipe and craft on this weblog: you’ll most actually fail.

Why it’s best to learn it: The writing on プチタンタン is brief and poetic. There aren’t any paragraphs: the truth is, there are hardly any full sentences (or lengthy sentences, at the least). A lot of the writing is casual, and the beneficiant use of onomatopoeia makes this a superb supply of low-stress studying that can fill you up with vocabulary earlier than you’ve completed your veggies.

Not solely do JoliJoli and her husband have three comfortable, fluffy Abyssinian cats, however her house cooking weblog is visually gorgeous and stuffed with years’ value of recipes. If the photographs don’t reel you in, possibly the cats will.

Why it’s best to learn it: Every weblog comprises a couple of postcard’s-worth of textual content, damaged down into brief sentences and small blocks so that you’re not overwhelmed. The most effective characteristic is the レシピ (れしぴ) or “recipes” web page, the place classes are marked by customized silhouette drawings of meals.

Upon getting into Skinny Soprano Kitchen 2, readers are instantly greeted by calming leaves and textual content in varied hues of inexperienced. The weblog boasts of tons of of recipes, together with inexperienced tea financiers, roast hen thighs with greens and blueberry cheesecake.

Why it’s best to learn it: Skinny Soprano Kitchen 2 reads a bit of extra like a textbook in its language than the opposite blogs, however the vocabulary is each superior and helpful for day-to-day experiences.

The blogger makes use of the form of vocabulary you may see on the Japanese Language Proficiency Check (JLPT) N2 or N1 (the highest two ranges of the check). On the similar time, they’re in full sentences organized into one or two strains every, so there aren’t any overwhelming blocks of Chinese language characters.

The Seasonal Picture Pocket book is stuffed with lovely photographs and writing on the 4 seasons in Japan’s 関西 (かんさい) area. As its tagline reads, “It’s a photograph gallery weblog to introduce the altering of seasons in Kyoto, Osaka and Nara.”

Why it’s best to learn it: The Seasonal Picture Pocket book is an train in studying 漢字 (かんじ), each utilitarian and specialised. Posts common between 300 and 400 phrases, and since the photographs are accompanied by related feedback, there’s the added aspect of visible connections.

The creator moved from Mikawa Bay in Aichi Prefecture to the distant island of Sakushima, which is why this weblog can also be known as Sakushima Like.

She writes about her leisurely island life full with gorgeous photographs. Moreover, she travels across the nation and takes photos of her wanderings.

Why it’s best to learn it: From a cultural standpoint, Sakushima Life gives a glimpse into life on a small, distant island, 離島僻地 (りとうへきち). From a linguistic perspective, this provides you an opportunity to learn plain type Japanese.

The blogger makes use of informal Japanese, however with a couple of well mannered sentences thrown in. The place 漢字 can be utilized, 漢字 is used liberally. By no means worry, although, because the posts are brief (lower than 200 phrases) and stuffed with gorgeous landscapes from the area.

Doing Nothing is all about small-town Japanese life. Kasanyarome’s weblog, like their 田舎 (いなか, rural) life-style, is low-key, easy, quiet and aesthetically pleasing—plus it includes a cat, as you may see within the weblog’s profile photograph.

Why it’s best to learn it: Readers get a glimpse of 田舎 life, plus publicity to genuine, colloquial Japanese with diverse ranges of issue. A lot of the writing is in regards to the climate, a perpetual concern for 田舎 residents, however Kasanyarome additionally writes about meals, day by day life and animals.

Observe Kappa-chan (a knitted and stuffed kappa toy) as he knits, travels, eats, socializes and lives alongside the ocean. The posts are principally pictures of Kappa and his different あみぐるみ (knitted stuffed toy) mates.

Why it’s best to learn it: The weblog gives loads of alternatives for actual, significant studying observe, and the posts are written at a couple of first-year Japanese learner’s (somebody who’s of their first yr of learning Japanese as a overseas language) stage. On the similar time, it’s replete with 漢字, so even superior readers can profit.

You’ll have already heard of this website in the event you’re deep sufficient within the Japanese on-line running a blog scene. But when that is your first time listening to of it, I envy you!

Created by 糸井重里 (いといしげさと), ほぼ日 covers just about each subject that Itoi’s concerned with—life-style, tradition and extra.

Why it’s best to learn it: Not solely will you get in some superior Japanese observe, however you’ll even be handled to a treasure trove of insightful writing on all issues Japan.

Like ほぼ日刊, CINRA additionally covers all kinds of matters, however focuses extra on music, cinema, artwork, books, trend, leisure, and so on. 

Why it’s best to learn it: You’re going to select up vocabulary associated to music, the humanities and leisure on this web site. Additionally, a number of the articles cowl enjoyable matters that you simply gained’t typically discover in, say, Rolling Stone. 

Music Natalie provides you all the most recent tidbits about Japanese music artists in a single place. You’ll get a style for the way the music business is like in Japan and examine/distinction it with its Western counterpart.

Why it’s best to learn it: If you happen to’re a fan of any form of Japanese music, I strongly suggest subscribing to this weblog. And, as you may think about, you’ll additionally get a ton of observe deciphering and studying vocabulary associated to music.

If there’s one martial artwork that’s uniquely Japanese, it needs to be 剣道 (けんどう). You’ll be able to consider it because the Japanese model of fencing, although it’s extra correct to say that it’s descended from the type of swordmanship that 侍 (さむらい) used way back.

Why it’s best to learn it: In comparison with the extra “official” web site of the All Japan Kendo Federation, 一の太刀 is a little more accessible. There’s additionally some considerate evaluation in right here about 剣道 ideas like 構え (かまえ or “stance”) and 試合 (しあい or “match”).

Plus, in the event you get pleasure from watching 時代劇 (じだいげき) or interval dramas, these battle scenes and expositions about sword methods will instantly turn out to be far more understandable!

Simple Japanese Weblog is precisely what it seems like: a Japanese website that even (relative) learners to the language can get via in a single piece.

Why it’s best to learn it: Meika-sensei tags every publish in keeping with issue stage, so that you shouldn’t have a lot bother discovering applicable studying workout routines for you. She additionally contains 振り仮名 (ふりがな) in all of her posts, however you might have the choice to show these off in case you need to overview the workout routines minus the coaching wheels that 振り仮名 present. 

Just like やさしい日本語, NHK’s Be taught Japanese weblog covers the basics of the Japanese language from ひらがな (hiragana) to fundamental conversations and tradition. 

Why it’s best to learn it: You’ll by no means get uninterested in the workout routines on this weblog. They arrive within the type of multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blanks and rearranging phrases to make a grammatically right sentence. Plus, it’s NHK, so you may ensure that the supplies are up to date and dependable.

The Nihongo Studying Assist weblog is run by a language faculty primarily based in Shinjuku. Basically, they’re a tutoring website the place you may ebook skilled native Japanese academics that can assist you be taught the language.

Why it’s best to learn it: The Japanese model of the weblog may give intermediate learners ample studying observe in 日本語. If you happen to’re a newbie and also you’re struggling, you may all the time change the web site to English, Korean, Chinese language (conventional and simplified) or Thai, whichever is your native language—although I strongly suggest getting used to immersing your self in genuine supplies early on.

As its identify suggests, 日本語教師のネタ帳 is run by a Japanese trainer who has intensive notes on instructing his native language to college students from all around the world.

Why it’s best to learn it: The teachings on this web site are available in varied codecs like essays, movies, language notes and extra. You’ll discover matters that aren’t typically mentioned in normal textbooks just like the delicate variations between なぜ and どうして (each of which might be translated as “why” however aren’t essentially interchangeable).

True to its identify, this weblog is run by a person named 玉井裕也 (たまいゆや). Because the 日記 (にっき) within the identify may clue you in on, it’s primarily his private diary. He initially began it to doc museums and related institutions round Japan, however has since branched out into different matters.

Why it’s best to learn it: I bear in mind somebody as soon as informed me that studying Japanese isn’t simply studying a brand new writing system and grammar—it’s additionally studying a complete new mind-set. And what higher technique to achieve entry to somebody’s trustworthy, unfiltered ideas than his diary?

A fast look via this weblog will instantly inform you that it’s a trend and life-style weblog. (Simply scrolling down this website makes me really feel like I’m leafing via a journal!) It’s run by 大草直子 (おおぐさなおこ), a stylist and editor.

Why it’s best to learn it: If you happen to’re into trend (Japanese or in any other case), there are few higher blogs to comply with than this one.

And since AMARC is a picture-heavy weblog, you may simply get photographs to affiliate with the textual content, making it simpler to recall the brand new vocabulary you be taught.

Kansai Odyssey is run by husband-and-wife staff Jun and Sarah. Jun is from Osaka, whereas Sarah was born and bred in the US. Collectively, they doc all the things you could know in regards to the 関西 area in Japan—its sights, sounds and quirks.

Why it’s best to learn it: If you happen to’re within the 関西 area of Japan in any respect, this weblog has you coated. There’s an choice to modify the weblog completely to English, however in the event you actually need to immerse your self in each the Japanese language and tradition, I counsel studying it completely in 日本語.

If you happen to got here to this publish particularly on the lookout for “blogs about Japan” relatively than “blogs written in Japanese,” we’re going to speak in regards to the former from right here on out!

Fingers down, Tofugu is without doubt one of the freshest and most inventive Japanese studying blogs on the market. The positioning shares lots of details about Japan and its normal language, and there’s a specific emphasis on tradition.

Why it’s best to learn it: The posts are complete, well-written and illustrated with a wide range of pictures, animations and movies. Posts typically embody a reference part on the finish so you may hold exploring additional. The matters are eclectic, and there are occasional Q&As with interview topics who’ve skilled all of it firsthand.

You in all probability know GaijinPot finest for its job board that posts employment alternatives in Japan. Nonetheless, it additionally has a devoted weblog on dwelling within the nation.

Why it’s best to learn it: GaijinPot is like the marginally extra critical sibling of Tofugu. It covers a lot of the identical floor because the latter, however with an emphasis on providing you with data in a digestible format. If that’s extra your cup of tea, give this one a shot (or a drink, because it have been).

Maggie Sensei is on a mission: to show Japanese in a enjoyable means. Her weblog is packed to the rafters with entertaining classes about widespread day expressions used on the streets of Japan—not essentially those you’ll come throughout in textual content books or the classroom.

Why it’s best to learn it: Put up matters run your entire gamut of language and tradition with classes similar to Japanese tradition, Japanese manners, Japanese songs, sentence patterns, enterprise and colloquial speech.

Every publish is succinct and lovingly written. And since Maggie is a canine lover, the posts typically comprise captioned pictures of canines, who act as her instructing assistants.

Tae Kim has a helpful weblog on varied elements of studying Japanese. It’s undoubtedly an excellent useful resource for individuals who need to enhance their understanding of the language.

Why it’s best to learn it: There are greater than ten completely different weblog classes together with colloquialisms, tradition, grammar, media, opinions, vocabulary and private. There are additionally posts associated to studying Chinese language and Korean. And in the event you appreciated his ebook “A Information to Japanese Grammar,” you’ll undoubtedly get pleasure from this weblog.

Methods to Japanese is a wonderful useful resource compiled by author and translator Daniel Morales. This huge reservoir of posts has Daniel sharing issues that he needs individuals had informed him when he began out learning the language.

Why it’s best to learn it: Phrases and phrases are explored intimately with clear, exact explanations. Daniel’s experience and very good writing lead the reader gently via a number of the trickier elements of studying the Japanese language. Throughout the posts, you’ll uncover plenty of important grammar and vocabulary as effectively.

Need to know extra in regards to the darker elements of Japanese society? This weblog comprises tons of juicy tidbits on matters just like the yakuza, the nation’s notorious 99% conviction price and others that aren’t usually coated in mainstream media.

Why it’s best to learn it: Some articles from different publications like The Los Angeles Instances are translated into Japanese, like this one. It’s an previous article, however may give you enough studying observe!

Like Japan Subculture Analysis Middle, Unseen Japan covers non-mainstream matters—although it’s a lot lighter in tone than the previous. You’ll be able to examine random matters like how lengthy a subway card can final and a Buddhist statue turning pink (sure, actually).

Why it’s best to learn it: Choose up random vocabulary phrases that don’t present up in your textbooks like 花粉症 (かふんしょう) or “hay fever”—a typical (and relatively irritating) situation that tends to spike across the spring season in Japan.

Do you occur to have this very particular fascination with Japanese castles? Contemplating the nation’s wealthy historical past, it’s no shock that Japan has 城 (じょう in on’yomi and しろ in kun’yomi) or “castles” in spades. They usually’re all meticulously documented on this weblog.

Why it’s best to learn it: Kind the identify of any Japanese fort in ローマ字 (ろーまじ or “romaji“) or 漢字 into the search bar of the weblog, and chances are high you’ll discover it right here. You’ll be able to be taught all in regards to the historical past of the fort, how and why it was constructed and different fascinating historic tidbits about it.

Uncanny Japan was created by creator Thersa Matsuura, whose fascination with Japan’s strange folklore gave beginning to this weblog. Every publish additionally comes with audio that you would be able to hearken to—or you may simply learn via the transcript if that’s extra your jam!

Why it’s best to learn it: Typically, the posts include 漢字, ローマ字 and English translations of phrases related to the supernatural like 副葬品 (ふくそうひん) or “grave items”—objects given to those that’d be cremated as a technique to give them consolation within the afterlife.

If you happen to like J-Horror, you’d be remiss to not embody Kowabana in your weblog feed. The identify is shorthand for 怖い話 (こわいはなし) or “scary tales”—which tells you all the things you could find out about this weblog. It’s authored by Tara A. Devlin, a fluent Japanese speaker and translator.

Why it’s best to learn it: Studying this weblog in-depth gives you a leg up in comprehending J-Horror—what with the abundance of ideas like 呪い (のろい) or “curse” and 怨霊 (おんりょう) or “vengeful ghost.”

The place to Discover Blogs in Japanese

If you happen to seek for blogs about Japanese issues on-line, you’ll actually have a mountain of selections at your fingertips—like a number of the choices I simply talked about above.

If, however, you’re on the lookout for blogs written in Japanese—effectively, that’s a distinct story.

The best technique to discover Japanese blogs is to go looking in Japanese. Add a Japanese keyboard, then search Google utilizing ひらがな or 漢字.

Alternatively, strive testing the entries on BlogMura (lit: “Weblog Village)—a humongous blog-ranking database that comprises 1000’s of neatly-categorized Japanese blogs.

Methods to Learn the Blogs: Suggestions for Approaching Blogs in Japanese

Once you’re studying blogs in Japanese, listed here are the steps you may take to make the entire endeavor much less intimidating:

• Break it down: A weblog usually consists of three essential sections: header, sidebar and posts. The primary time you go to a weblog, give attention to every of these individually. Grow to be conversant in the header and the title, then strive translating some phrases from one of many sidebars. By simply specializing in one piece each time you go to the weblog, you’ll know find out how to navigate that weblog and discover all its goodies.
• Familiarize your self with the format: The primary time you go to a weblog, make it some extent to get a really feel for the weblog format and options. How do you search via posts? How do you return or ahead a web page? How will you inform what number of posts there are every month? What cool options have they got? Spend your first go to to the weblog getting the lay of the land.
• Choose any publish: Click on on the most recent publish (which is able to normally present up first) and simply begin selecting via it phrase by phrase.
• Skim the publish: Briefly skim via a publish to see how a lot you already comprehend. Then return and skim extra deeply.
• Take notes: Create a private dictionary—not simply with phrases, however with phrases and grammatical buildings too. Writing by hand is best for internalizing and remembering the vocabulary, however even a doc in your pc might be useful—particularly when you could search for phrases later.
• Use on-line dictionaries and kanji search websites: My go-to websites are Jisho.org for phrases. The profit to having an internet dictionary is two-fold: (1) you may copy and paste from a weblog instantly into the opposite website, and (2) you may have Jisho.org open in a window or tab separate from the publish you’re studying. Extra suggestions embody JapanDict.com, Tangorin and this handwritten kanji search engine.
• Tinker with smartphone dictionary apps and translation apps: Like on-line dictionaries, smartphone dictionaries are helpful for locating phrases, and a few have built-in kanji search capabilities. You gained’t be capable to copy and paste (except you’re additionally studying the weblog in your smartphone), however you additionally don’t must hold switching between home windows or screens.
• Set up browser extensions: You’ll be able to obtain extensions for Google Chrome (similar to rikaikun) that can enable you to finest these baffling blogs!

If you happen to desire to be taught with visible aids, the language studying platform FluentU might be handled as a video-based dictionary app, too.

If, like me, you’re uninterested in cramming via textbooks and making an attempt to wrestle with summary grammatical guidelines, blogs can present understandable, pure, genuine and significant interactions with the Japanese language—and are additionally visually interesting sources of studying.

Even when a publish solely has 100 phrases and also you solely achieve one new phrase, the photographs or drawings that complement the textual content present an attractive means of wanting into one other world.

Obtain:
This weblog publish is on the market as a handy and moveable PDF that you simply
can take wherever.
Click on right here to get a duplicate. (Obtain)