675 Posts Found

“This is the first site to actually host online language exchange practice, thus allowing you to find exchange partners from all over the world instead of only where you live.

We host your online language exchange by providing voice chat rooms, an online dictionary, proven lesson plans from a teacher specializing in language exchange practice and your own notepad to record new words and expressions.”

NOTE: … [ Read more ]

Source: Helene Cormier and Dan Yuen | Subjects: Connecting (Groups, Forums, Language Exchange, Meetups, etc.), Language Exchange

Short comedy sketches of Ayaka trying to teach an English phrase…

Source: Google / Mat Swadling | Subjects: Multimedia, Video / Audio

If you find any interesting videos on the Google video search, use this site to enter the URL and it will convert the file to a .FLV file which you can download and view offline.

Source: fM | Subjects: Multimedia, Video / Audio

This forum serves as a directory of podcasts under the topic Japanese, which includes those in the Japanese language and those in other languages about Japan related topics. A particularly interesting one looks to be Kanda Podsayings which offers short lessons on business Japanese complete with transcripts.

Source: Podcasting News | Subject: Multimedia

Source: karekora | Subject: Blogs

This site features several childrens books online, in flash format. They have cute little animated pictures, and are written mostly in hiragana. However, there is some kanji, but they all have furigana. Tales are the ‘common’ ones, such as Momo the peach boy. Some of them also are accompanied by a voice reading the text, but not all. Great for reading practice if you can’t … [ Read more ]

Source: DoCoMo | Subject: Reading Material

People often say that Japanese is hard to learn.

Rubbish!

The truth is, Japanese is hard to learn how to learn. However, once you’ve got the techniques down pat, then you’ll be making yourself understood in no time.

Who’s this site for?
This website is for learners of Japanese who want to put into practice language learning techniques that work. It is for beginners looking for … [ Read more ]

Source: Dougal Phillips | Subjects: Language Study, Miscellaneous | Other

The so-called feminization of Japanese men has become a topic of TV talk shows, magazine articles, academic research, films and, perhaps most notably, public acceptance.

Source: Washington Post / Anthony Faiola | Subject: Culture

“This Internet Guide presents annotations of Web sites that address generally the issue of traditional Japanese music and sites that focus on particular instruments (koto, shakuhachi, shamisen, and taiko). Music plays a large role in the traditional dramatic arts of kabuki and noh, so the guide concludes with annotations of sites addressing these art forms.” From the National Clearinghouse for U.S.-Japan Studies, Indiana University. Note: … [ Read more ]

Source: Indiana University / National Clearinghouse for U.S.-Japan Studies | Subjects: Arts & Entertainment, Music – General

Is Ichiro really an enigmatic mystic from the Far East? Jim Caple explores the riddle — yes, the Mariners’ star keeps his bats in a humidor — and paints a shocking portrait. Ichiro is American as apple pie.

Source: ESPN.com / Jim Caple | Subject: Sports

A history of tattooing in Japan. Section headings include:
– The Jomon to the pre-Edo period
– Tattooing in the Ainu and the Ryukyu
– Socio-cultural Background
– Legal prostitution
– Kishobori – the vow tattoo
– Penal Tattooing
– The Origin of Pictorial Tattooing
– The Meiji Era (1868-1912) to the Present
– Nakedness
… [ Read more ]

Source: Tattoos.com / Mieko Yamada | Subject: Culture

A website dedicated to information about the Yakuza.

Source: Daniel Skold | Subject: Culture

Neko (cats) are regarded as both auspicious and fearful in Japan. Learn some of many expressions including cats.

Source: About.com / Namiko Abe | Subject: Vocabulary / Phrases

OCha No Kanji is a free, simple software designed to map your knowledge of kanji. This software runs under MS Excel 2000 and above. There are currently three levels : 4 kyuu (80 kanji), 3 kyuu (245 kanji) and 2 kyuu (985 kanji) of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).

You can test up to 40 kanji at a time. The test consists in … [ Read more ]

Source: Chuo Bunkyo Gakuin | Subject: Kanji

“Placing great emphasis on an admiration for traditional Japanese art as well as the forms and ideologies of modernism via channels of fiber technology, visual imagery, and three-dimensional sculpture, Issey Miyake, Rei Kawakubo, and Yohji Yamamoto can be credited with the creation of the Japanese aesthetic in global fashion.” Features an introduction to modern high-fashion Japanese design and images of garments by these fashion designers. … [ Read more ]

Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York | Subject: Arts & Entertainment

Find lots of useful information at this site, including:
– embassy guide
– profile of Japan
– Japan-US relations
– Japan’s foreign policies (political and economic)
– Travel and Visa info
– FAQ on Japan
– JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) program
– Study in Japan
– Starting Business in Japan

Sources: Japan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Subject: Government and Politics

Trends in Japan is a site that introduces the latest developments in Japanese business, entertainment, fashion, science, society, sports, and more through short, engaging dispatches. The aim of the site is to deepen understanding of Japan around the world.

Trends in Japan is part of Web Japan, which is sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and operated by a Japanese nongovernmental organization.

Source: Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) | Subject: Culture

The “radical” of a character is more or less its “base component.” Find background on radicals here.

Source: Jeffrey’s JE Dictionary | Subject: Kanji

Information about interesting and unusual places, designed for people who want to get off the beaten track.

Source: Ed Jacob | Subject: Travel & Tourism

A free magazine in English about what’s happening in Tokyo.

Source: CRISSCROSS KK | Subject: News / Magazine