Taylor's engagement was so moving for fans partly because of her song "So High School." Coincidentally, Japan has been seeing a retro boom, fueled by the comeback of disposable cameras and Tamagotchi. みんなの So High Schoolな物は何ですか？ #jlpt #nihongo #日本語 www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/09...

A little bit about my kawaii summer memories behind the Japan Times assignment. I swear this is my last article about characters, at least for 2025! lol This is a Friend Link to Medium, so you can read till the end without a paywall. medium.com/japonica-pub...

Today is #SleepDay in Japan. A recent survey found that 16% of Japanese people experience social jet lag, struggling to align their body clocks with weekday work hours. Discover the keys to better sleep in my latest @japantimes.co.jp piece. #jlpt #nihongo #日本語 www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/09...

Who knew a Happy Meal promo could spark nationwide discussions so often? My latest article explores the right phrases to use when complaining, especially with the new customer harassment regulations in mind. www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/08... #jlpt #nihongo #日本語 #Japanese

日本ではなぜLabubuがそこまで流行らないのか、そして #ちいかわ の魅力について書きました！今日の紙面にも出てるので、読んでみてね☺️ Why isn’t #Labubu huge in Japan? In this article, I delve into the irresistible pull of homegrown characters like #Chiikawa. www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/08...

If you’re hitting the road this Bon holiday, knowing how to ask about local hidden gems and read key traffic kanji can make a big difference. I hope my latest Bilingual helps! 今日のバイリンガルはドライバーの方にぜひ😊 #nihongo #jlpt www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/08...

Japan consistently ranks high in children's physical health but near the bottom for mental well-being. I wrote about why early school support matters with recent research and cognitive behavioural therapy examples. もっと教育を通じて子どもたちの心を守れるように願って書きました。 www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2...

Ever tuned into Japanese podcasts? I interviewed the duo behind Over the Sun, a hugely popular show whose fans have created a tight-knit community on and offline. The print hits the stands tomorrow, so please take a look! 紙面では明日出るのでぜひ読んでみてね！ www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/07...

If you're planning a trip to the Osaka Expo, my latest article for Lonely Planet might come in handy😉 www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/top...

July 17 is #WorldEmojiDay. Have fun with your favorite emoji, everyone!🥳 #nihongo #世界絵文字デー #jlpt www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/07...

What’s your favorite thing that reminds you of summer? My latest Japan Times piece looks at the top 10 summery things. You’ll see times are changing! #nihongo #jlpt www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/07...

This year, I started Pilates and was surprised to find that my gym buddies were inspiring enthusiasts decades older than me. Instagram’s acrobatic Pilatesphere rarely features them, but senior Pilates is quietly growing, and here's my take on this trend. www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/06...

Hi all, it’s Bilingual Friday at The Japan Times, and my latest article is up! I spent New Year’s in Osaka, so I wasn’t planning to return so soon... but I guess I can’t miss the Expo after all. Anyone else planning to go? みんなは万博行くかな？ #jlpt #日本語 www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/04...

My latest article for Lonely Planet is about travel etiquette. If you're planning a trip to Japan, get to know Japanese culture and travel etiquette first to avoid any unnecessary trouble. 外国人観光客に日本でしないでほしい38の事について書きました。お仕事ででも海外のお友達とでも、ぜひ共有して活用していただけたら嬉しいです！ www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/ess...

This piece is for anyone who’s ever gone through a brat phase. Honestly, I’m still not sure if I’m over it 😎 ブラットな皆のために書きましたよ！#nihongo #jlpt #日本語 www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/02...

My latest opinion piece on English education in Japan is out in @japantimes.co.jp today. I explore why students struggle to use English in real life after years of studying, and what might help. Would love to hear your thoughts! www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2...

If you’ve got a partner this holiday season, you may want to know how Japanese couples plan their dates on all-important Christmas Eve.

My latest bilingual for @japantimes.co.jp delves into charitable initiatives taking place this holiday season, including Book Santa, #あしながサンタ, and Tiger Mask. 寄付をしてサンタになろうという記事を書きました。ぜひご一読下さい。 #日本語 #jlpt #Japanese www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/12...

By giving books to children in need or Christmas cakes to young ones displaced by natural disasters, there are a lot of ways to be charitable in Japan during the holidays.

I've been a lifelong cheerleader for #Hokuriku, and here's my latest work showcasing its amazing charms! いつも勝手に北陸を応援している私ですが、改めてその魅力について書きました。一同頑張ったのでぜひ読んでみてね！ #niigata #toyama #ishikawa #fukui www.bbc.com/storyworks/j...

Getting whammed doesn’t really bother me, but for some reason, I can’t stand old J-pop Christmas songs. They’re just so depressing that I feel like I have to evacuate immediately. The world needs to know what it’s like to get B’z-ed.

If you're wondering how I transitioned from a full-time corporate career to freelancing as a writer/journalist, here's a Friend Link to a reflection on my journey. Hard to believe it’s been only three years! #amwriting writingcooperative.com/my-journey-f...

Japan’s word of the year “futehodo” is so uncommon that everyone has their own theory. The original drama is “Futekisetsu nimo hodo ga aru (extremely inappropriate),” but so far, the most popular version on X is futekisetsu hodo, inappropriate news reporting such as Fuji TV revealing Otani’s home.

Do you agree? Shibuya had such a peaceful crowd last night, for sure 😂

It’s Black Friday aaand Bilingual Friday in Japan! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy a fruitful shopping spree during this holiday season with my article for @japantimes.co.jp. #Japanese #nihongo #日本語 #JLPT www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/11...

With Black Friday, Cyber Monday and end-of-year holidays approaching, use the language of shopping by learning how to express urges in Japanese.

Commentary: Japan is seeing an uptick in cyberbullying and online sex crimes targeting children. Yet, unlike in other countries, robust measures to shield minors from harm are lacking.

This article is so close to my heart that I’m not sure where to begin. I’ve always been deeply concerned about bullying and sexual abuse involving children—perhaps because I endured painful experiences in my own childhood. With social media becoming an inevitable part of parenting, 🧵

Dubai chocolate does look like the kind of thing that will one day kill you. I bet it's delicious

While Dubai chocolate is having a moment overseas, places that sell it in Japan are scarce. If you're looking for a taste, check out two cafes in Tokyo.

Did you try the viral #DubaiChocolate yet? I had my first one at Cafe N°_5 in Omotesando and wrote about it for @japantimes.co.jp. It was such a fun, ASMR-worthy experience biting into crunchy and flavorful kadayif! #ドバイチョコレート について書きました！ www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/11...

My latest crochet project is an 移動ポケット (idō poketto), a removable, anywhere pocket for my daughter. A Japanese word I wouldn't know if I weren't a mom lol

After the rain💛

I can't make it today, but the weather's perfect for Niiname-sai. Unfortunately, the torii gate at Meiji Jingū was fenced off when I stopped by on Tuesday, thanks to that silly incident.

Tomorrow is Labor Thanksgiving Day in Japan. Did you know Fukaya City promotes green onion bouquets—negitaba—to encourage people to 'negirau' one another? Discover more about funny trends and useful expressions in my latest article. #japanese #nihongo #日本語 #jlpt www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/11...

Most Japanese people just won’t leave Twitter, no matter what. It feels a lot like how people keep working in terrible conditions instead of going on strike or switching jobs… Perhaps that’s the spirit of gaman, and why I can’t fit into Japanese companies. 日本人は本当に変化を好まないですね…

Does anyone know why acai bowls are suddenly booming in Japan this year? The word アサイーボウル even made the buzzwords list, though it‘s nothing new. 何で今さら流行してるんだろ？

One of the things I love about Bluesky is the gift links feed. It is just articles people have shared as gift links.

Testing if my article appears on the gift link feed… #medium #writer #amwriting medium.com/japonica-pub...

It seems like most of my Twitter friends will stay at Twitterland for the time being. After all, Japan is the second-largest market for X… But it feels much safer here! I'm grateful for reconnecting with some of my friends here ☺️

Blueskyも英語と日本語ごちゃごちゃでpostしていくと思いますが、こちらでもまた仲良くしてもらえたら嬉しいです～😊Xより小さいアカウントな分、気ままに色々共有できたらいいな。 So, here I am, officially migrating. Hope I can have lots of fun with you through this little account!

It's Sports Day in Japan. Recent studies show that weight training is one of the most effective ways to keep aging legs strong and boost mental health. My latest Bilingual explores training lingo. #japanese #nihongo #日本語 #jlpt www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/10...

Why is Costco such a big deal in Japan? As a member myself, I asked a Costco Japan employee about their localization (not sponsored though). You can read the full story via this friend link. Costcoのローカライゼーションについて書きました。全文読めます！ medium.com/japonica-pub...

Japanese convenience stores are always evolving. Check out the latest conbini lingo in my latest Bilingual for @japantimes.co.jp 🏪 #Japanese #日本語 #nihongo #jlpt www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/10...

This week, my latest Bilingual for @japantimes takes you back to school—Japanese elementary school, that is! I hope you enjoy this virtual open school day🥳 #nihongo #jlpt From kanji to math, what does a day at a Japanese elementary school look like? www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/09...

My first solo longform for @japantimes.co.jp is out! I got to talk to some incredible lifesavers (and a lifeguard), and now I truly hope they get the attention they deserve. 私の初めての特集記事がWEBでも読めるようになりました。ぜひチェックしてみてください！ www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/08...

My first collab article for @lonelyplanet is up! From Fuji Rock to #ArtTriennale to fireworks, #Niigata rocks this summer. 初めて Lonely Planet に書いた記事がいつの間にか上がってました！チェックしてみてね🗾 www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/dis...

#アートトリエンナーレ 始まりましたね。#草間彌生 さんのお気に入り作品は新潟にあるみたいですよ！ Guess what #YayoiKusama's favorite sculpture is? It's not the pumpkin—it's the flower in #Niigata! Check out my latest bilingual article for @japantimes.co.jp. www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/07...

いよいよ今週末は都知事選ですね。投票に行く前に私の記事も読んでみてね😉 The Tokyo gubernatorial election is coming up. I hope Tokyoites will make their voices heard through voting, and also take a moment to read my piece! #日本語 #nihongo #jlpt #langtwt www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/06...

皆さま素敵な母の日をお過ごしくださいな😊💐 Have a great Mother's Day, everyone! #日本語 #jlpt #nihongo #Japanese #LanguageLearning www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/05...