Got Japanese?

Vending Machines of Japan

As you know, there are many kind of vending machines in Japan. This site introduces some of them. It is very interesting....

Raku Raku Phone

My grand mother in Tokyo has a cell phone now. Even my grand mother can't survive in Tokyo without the cell phone.

Her phone is called Raku Raku Phone. "Raku Raku" means "Easy Easy". This cell phone is designed for eldery people and has bigger display and buttons.

I am back to Japan now. Sorry I haven't written entries recently. I will post some entry with a picture during my stay in Tokyo, so please check back this site.

SHINYA'S SCRIBBLES

I just want to let you know that I have updated my main blog site. If you are a WSU student taking JAPN102, check out the photo we took in the last class. You can download the picture from there. Sorry it's written in Japanese.

Japanese Tongue Twisters

Are you ready to twist your tongue? If you are really hungry, you should eat something now. Your tongue will go to sleep and can't taste anything after this exercise. Just kidding.

Here is the list of bunch of Japanese tongue twisters. Why don't you remember and try it to your Japanese friends? Your friends will surprise and hold you in great esteem.

I think なまむぎ　なまごめ　なまたまご (nama mugi nama gome nama tamago)
is the most common tongue twisters. The meaning is "raw wheat raw rice raw egg." I always wonder who first came up with this kind of tongue twisters....

Japanese Tongue Twisters

にほんごクラスOnline

I set up online message board for my friends who are studying Japanese. Please leave your message in Japanese, and I'll reply in Japanese. Don't worry about making a mistake. Let's have fun!

hunkabutta.com

I couldn't update this page for a long time. Sorry if you are looking forward to checking this page. Actually, I am currently teaching Japanese language classes at WSU(Washington State University) in the U.S. and have been pretty busy these days. I am also a graduaute student, so I couldn't make a time to maintain this site. Teaching and studying at the same time are relly hard.... It makes me crazy....but good experience!

Today, I want to introduce the website, hunkabutta.com. A lot of neat pictures!! Apparently the author is living in Tokyo and taking pictures dairy basis. I love his pictures simply because he focuses on people living in Tokyo. These faces tell me something abot real life in Tokyo.

However, I have no idea about the title of this page.... 　Let me know if you figure that out.

ANTIPIXEL

These days, I spend a lot of time to find cool bloggers who are posting their opinion or dairy thoughts on their homepage. Currently my favorite blogger is Mr. Jeremy Hedley who manages his unique website, ANTIPIXEL. He is from Australia and living in Tokyo. It seems like he has a great talent as a photographer and a designer. He posts fine pictures dairy basis, and those works are awesome! If you are interested in Tokyo, you have to check out this great website.

Kanji Practice Sheets

Nakama Kanji Sheets are available at University of Hawai site. If you use Nakama for your Japanese class and want to practice Kanji, these are perfect.

Nengajyo

Do you guys know a Japanese new year's card, Nengajyo?

Nengajyo is the most important greeting card in Japan. Japanese exchange the new year's card not only among friends and relatives but also among business people.

Check out this website to get more information about Nengajyo!

The Kanji Site

If you are intrested in Kanji, The Kanji SIte is a great page to start Kanji practice.

This site introduces the history of kanji and some tips to enjoy practicing kanji. Kanji have two kinds of readings, "On" readings and "Kun" readings. If you check out this site, you might understand what is the difference between "On" and "Kun".

Japanese Slang

Learning Slang is always fun. In my case, I tried to get as many English slang as possible when I started studying English first time. By using "good" slang, I could make my American friends laugh, and we could enjoy our conversation.

Laughing is the universal language, and that is why I think slang can be really cool tools to become confidential with your friend who speak different language. You don't need to remember many but some, and you can make your Japanese friends laugh, It makes you happy too right?

I found some nice pages introducing good slang, so check these out.
Japanese Slang
Japan Culture Club
Japanese Slang Links

Japanese Onomatopoeia

There are a lot of Onomatopoeia in Japanese, such as beron-beron (very drunk), kuta-kuta (dead tired). Those words consist of two syllables and imitate sounds. Japanese often use those words, and I think you guys want to remenber some of those. Those are very easy to remember and practical, so...

If you are interested in Onomatopoeia, check out this web page.

What is your blood type?

Some Japanese believe that a person's blood-type determines character. That is why some Japanese use the blood-type to determine compatibility for marriage and romance.... I don't believe that, but can't ignore that....umm

Engrish.com

If you go to Japan, you can find a lot of English mistakes that appear in Japanese product design, advertising, and so on. Go to the Engrish.com. You can find bunch of them.

Japanese often use English as a design element when they make products or advertising. Why? I don't know... but think English words bring a modern taste and impression. For example, most of the names for Japanese cars are English (or sometimes French). Accord (Honda), Legacy (Subaru), Land Cruiser(Toyoda)...

I guess it doesn't matter for Japanese whether they can understand those English or not. They just want to use Engrish! oh no English!!

If you guys know other fun websites, let me know.

YesAsia.com

If you are interested in Japanese pop music, YesAsia.com is one of the most popular sites where you can buy the CDs. I am not sure how much it cost for the shipping though. If you know something about this store, please post your comment. Also let me konw if you know other cool music store.