Guides, study tips and reference lists for learning Japanese - kana, kanji, typing, JLPT prep and tools.
A practical guide to hands-on craft workshops in Japan: why they make a good travel experience, ceramics, textiles and indigo dyeing, wagashi and woodcraft, how to choose a beginner-friendly session, booking and cancellation, typical lengths and prices, English-friendly options and what to do when a studio is Japanese-only, what you can take home and what is posted weeks later, shipping and customs basics, etiquette, a pointer to calligraphy and useful Japanese. Checked on 24 October 2026.
Read more →What an onsen is and how it differs from a sentō, nudity and towels, tattoo rules and options, private baths, onsen at a ryokan, accessibility and health cautions, and how to choose. Checked on 24 October 2026.
Read more →What shodō (書道) is, what happens in a beginner workshop, the four treasures of the study (brush, ink, inkstone, paper), posture and brush technique, how to choose a kanji and check what it means, taking your work home, duration, price and booking, English-friendly options, etiquette, where to look in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Nara, and useful Japanese. Checked on 21 October 2026.
Read more →A practical guide to food markets and street food in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Nara: why many markets ask you not to eat while walking, what counts as a market, the main markets by city, tourist pricing, what to try, how to order and pay, allergies, rubbish and Japanese words. Checked on 21 October 2026.
Read more →A guide to depachika (デパ地下), the food halls in Japanese department-store basements: prepared dishes, bento, sweets, gifts, evening discounts, rough prices, etiquette, a shopping list for dinner tonight, allergy cautions and Japanese words. Checked on 21 October 2026.
Read more →Free and paid observation decks and night views in Tokyo and Osaka compared: the free Tokyo Metropolitan Government observatories in Shinjuku, towers versus skyscraper decks versus open-air rooftops, bars with a view, booking, the best slot before sunset, weather, photography, crowds, costs, itinerary fit and Japanese words. Checked on 21 October 2026.
Read more →A practical guide to Japanese gardens: why they reward slow looking, the main styles (strolling, dry, tea and courtyard gardens), what the lanterns, stepping stones and water basins are doing, how to visit well, what each season gives, etiquette, photography, where to go in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Nara, a first-garden plan and Japanese words. Checked on 21 October 2026.
Read more →What purikura (プリクラ) are, how they differ from a Western photo booth, where to find them, the women-and-couples-only rule many visitors do not expect, the step-by-step process, payment, digital copies, costs, etiquette, screen vocabulary and whether it is worth doing. Official shop page checked on 21 October 2026; the rest is general knowledge.
Read more →What a Japanese game centre (ゲームセンター) is and how it differs from a Western arcade: floor-by-floor themes, crane games and asking staff for help, rhythm games, medal games, how to pay, etiquette, under-18 evening rules, what prizes are like, a cost table, vocabulary and a first-visit plan. Checked on 21 October 2026.
Read more →A practical guide to gachapon (capsule toys) in Japan: how a machine works step by step, popular themes, price ranges, where to find machines, how to pay, collecting and duplicates, souvenir tips, etiquette, a worked 1000-yen example and Japanese words. Checked on 21 October 2026.
Read more →A guide to Naramachi, the old merchant quarter south of Nara Park: machiya townhouses, Gangō-ji, small museums, crafts such as ink and brushes, cafés and sweets, how to combine it with the deer park in one day, how much time to allow, practicalities and Japanese words. Checked on 21 October 2026.
Read more →A visitor's guide to getting your hair done in Japan: what a head spa (ヘッドスパ) and a dry head spa include, what a cut at a Japanese salon is like, how to find and book a salon, rough prices and lengths, how to explain length and fringe, hair types, colour and bleach, etiquette, tipping, a checklist and the Japanese words you need. Checked on 21 October 2026.
Read more →An independent, date-stamped guide to the teamLab art venues in Japan: what teamLab is, the permanent sites in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Kyoto, what a first visit feels like, ticket prices and timed booking, what to wear and bring, crowds and flashing lights, photography, accessibility, transport and who it suits. Checked on 21 October 2026.
Read more →A practical guide to karaoke in Japan: private rooms (カラオケボックス), walking in or booking, 30-minute pricing, free time and drink deals, the DAM and JOYSOUND song systems, English and Japanese songs, food and drinks, etiquette, solo karaoke (ヒトカラ), how to use it for study and a table of useful Japanese words. Checked on 21 October 2026.
Read more →A balanced guide to animal cafés in Japan: the common types from cat to capybara, what a visit is usually like, typical costs in words, hygiene and allergies, animal welfare concerns and warning signs, rescue cafés versus entertainment venues, alternatives, a checklist for deciding and the Japanese words you will see. Checked on 21 October 2026.
Read more →A plain guide to joining a Japanese tea ceremony as a visitor: what 茶道 is, what happens step by step, how long it takes, what it costs in words, where to look, traditional versus tourist sessions, kimono, etiquette, matcha and sweets, photography, a checklist for judging value and a table of useful Japanese words. Checked on 21 October 2026.
Read more →A visitor's guide to samurai experiences in Japan: the real history behind the word, common formats from museums and armour photos to sword demonstrations, kenbu and samurai districts, where to find them, booking, safety and age limits, a checklist for telling educational from commercial, etiquette and the Japanese words you will meet. Checked on 21 October 2026.
Read more →A guide to visiting Nara Park and its free-roaming deer: getting there from Osaka and Kyoto, shika senbei, deer behaviour and safety, what never to feed them, the main sights, half-day and full-day plans, crowds, costs and useful Japanese words.
Read more →A practical hub guide and checklist for first-time visitors: passport and visa checks, Visit Japan Web, mobile data, cards, cash and a travel-friendly card, buying an IC card on arrival, insurance, medicines, plug adapter, luggage, offline maps, kana and phrases, a Japanese words table and official sources.
Read more →A visitor's guide to professional sumo in Japan: what it is, the six grand tournaments and their dates, how tickets and seat types work, how a tournament day runs, the basic rules, morning practice visits, other sumo experiences, etiquette and the Japanese words you will see.
Read more →A beginner guide to punctuation in Japanese questions: how the particle か marks a question, why textbooks and formal writing end questions with 。, when ？ is perfectly fine, casual questions without か, a table of examples, practical rules for homework and messages, and common mistakes.
Read more →A plain guide to the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test: who runs it, the five levels from N5 to N1 with test sections, timings and pass marks, how registration and test day work, where to find results and the official sample questions and practice workbook, and how to choose your level. Checked on 21 October 2026.
Read more →Yes, most schools run complete-beginner classes, but almost all expect hiragana and katakana before day one. What beginner means to a school, placement tests, classes taught in Japanese, English support, course intensity, accommodation, settling in, common worries and a six-week plan before you fly.
Read more →What it costs to study Japanese in Japan: three worked scenarios in yen and euros (two weeks, three months and one year), tuition and enrolment fees, accommodation, food, transport, insurance, materials, one-off costs, monthly budgets, part-time work on a Student visa and the Japanese words for fees and rent.
Read more →A realistic two-week cost for one adult flying from Lisbon or Porto to Japan, in euros: about €1,888 on a budget, €3,503 mid-range and €8,352 at higher spend, built from flights, seasonal multipliers, daily budgets at a stated exchange rate, insurance, eSIM, trains, a worked mid-range example, savings tips and the Japanese for costs.
Read more →How to choose between a two-week, one-month or long-term Japanese course in Japan: realistic progress and class hours, cost level, visa or stay type, accommodation, immersion, intake months, pros and cons, who each option suits and how to prepare, with the Japanese words you will meet at school.
Read more →A guide for language students from Portugal on staying with a host family in Japan: what a homestay is, the first day and a gift from Portugal, house rules, meals, bathing, laundry, privacy, communication, commuting, money, cultural points, what to do when things go wrong, a packing list and the Japanese words you will use at home.
Read more →Typical Portugal-to-Japan travel times: why there is no non-stop flight, flight time versus total journey time, common one-stop routings, Lisbon versus Porto, Haneda versus Narita, connection buffers, the 8 or 9 hour time difference, jet lag tips, sample timelines and the Japanese words for the airport.
Read more →Three realistic daily budgets for Japan in yen, excluding flights: budget about ¥7,800 all-in, mid-range about ¥22,000 and higher spend about ¥70,000, with per-category tables, three itemised example days, big one-off costs, a 10-day total for each style, ways to cut costs and the Japanese for prices.
Read more →Can you pay by card in Japan? Which networks work, contactless and phone payments, the checkout questions you will hear, why to always pay in yen, Revolut, Wise and Portuguese bank cards, where cash still matters and the Japanese words to know.
Read more →How to stay online in Japan from Portugal: eSIM, physical tourist SIM, pocket Wi-Fi, roaming and free Wi-Fi compared by who they suit, cost level, setup and drawbacks, with how much data you need, phone checks, keeping SMS codes working and the Japanese words for Wi-Fi and signal.
Read more →A practical guide to using a travel eSIM in Japan when you live in Portugal: how to check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked, when to buy and install it, data-only plans, allowances, hotspot limits, dual SIM settings that keep your Portuguese number and avoid roaming charges, provider comparison criteria, a setup checklist, troubleshooting and the Japanese words on your phone.
Read more →A decision guide for travellers: distance bands, verified Tokaido-Sanyo fares and early-bird prices, a route comparison table, Japan Rail Pass and regional pass maths, overnight buses, flights and luggage, when the bullet train is clearly worth it or not, and a worked 10-day Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima example.
Read more →Nankai Rapi:t, the Airport Express, JR Rapid Service, JR HARUKA, the limousine bus and taxis compared from Kansai Airport to central Osaka: time, cost, which option for Namba, Umeda, Tennoji, Shin-Osaka and Universal Studios, tickets, luggage and late arrivals.
Read more →How cheap is cheap in Japan? Dated prices for beef bowls, family restaurants, onigiri, bento, bread and water, a table of budget restaurant types, supermarket evening stickers, free and tap water, what Portuguese travellers may miss, allergy notes, a sample day for about 1,800 yen and the Japanese to ask for a cheap meal.
Read more →A first-timer's guide to the Japanese pub: the main types of izakaya, seating and time limits, the お通し table charge, the first-drink custom, a menu and drinks table with readings, all-you-can-drink deals, tablets and calling staff, smoking rules, paying, a rough budget and the Japanese phrases you need.
Read more →How to do laundry in Japan: coin laundries, hotel washing machines, detergent, drying, costs, etiquette and the Japanese words on the control panels, with a simple laundry plan for a two-week trip.
Read more →Compare ryokan, business hotels, city hotels, capsule hotels, hostels and guesthouses in Japan by price level, privacy, meals, luggage and who each suits, with check-in expectations, etiquette and the Japanese words you will see on booking pages.
Read more →November in Japan, city by city: official temperature and rainfall normals for Sapporo, Tokyo, Kyoto, Fukuoka and Naha, Tokyo daylight, what to wear by region, the 2026 autumn-leaf forecast, holiday crowds and a three-day Kyoto foliage plan.
Read more →How to tell a Shinto shrine (神社) from a Buddhist temple (お寺), what each has at the gate and in the grounds, the etiquette for purifying, bowing and praying at each, omikuji, omamori and goshuin, a Japanese vocabulary table, famous examples and why most people in Japan take part in both traditions.
Read more →What the konbini cashier says in order and how to answer, product and sign vocabulary, how to read a receipt, the self-checkout flow, three realistic dialogues (a heated bento, beer with age confirmation, an IC card and no bag) and the most common confusions, all with readings and meanings.
Read more →A decision guide for the gap between checkout and your train or flight, or between landing and check-in: hotel storage, station lockers, storage counters and apps, forwarding, airport services and day-trip packing, with a scenario table, what to keep on you, etiquette and the Japanese to ask for help.
Read more →How tax-free shopping in Japan works until 31 October 2026 and under the new refund method from 1 November 2026: who qualifies, passport rules, eligible goods, the customs check, common mistakes and the Japanese words you need.
Read more →What a konbini is and why travellers rely on them, what 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and Lawson each offer, their signature foods, ATMs, printers and ticket machines, how the checkout works, a short Japanese vocabulary table, real yen prices for breakfast and late-night meals, and what to try from each chain.
Read more →How to send suitcases between hotels or airports in Japan: what takkyubin is, who runs it (Yamato, Sagawa, Japan Post), the step-by-step workflow at a hotel desk, timing, how the size bands work, the Hands-Free Travel service, what you cannot send, what to write on the slip and the Japanese words to know.
Read more →Where to find coin lockers in Japan, the usual size tiers and what they cost, how to pay with coins or an IC card, a step-by-step guide to a touch-panel locker, how long you can leave a bag, what to do when every locker is full, and the Japanese words on the panel.
Read more →A practical phrase guide for travellers: how to use polite Japanese, then short tables with readings and meanings for greetings, hotels, shops, transport, restaurants and asking for help, the replies you will hear, pronunciation basics and a one-week plan.
Read more →What Japan's IC cards are, how Suica, PASMO and ICOCA differ, which visitor cards exist in October 2026 (TOURIST PASMO, Welcome Suica, Welcome Suica Mobile, the ICOCA visitor card), where to buy one at Narita, Haneda and Kansai Airport, how to top up, and what the rules say about validity, deposits and refunds.
Read more →Why a Shinkansen journey needs a base fare ticket and a limited express ticket, reserved or non-reserved seats, where to buy (machine, counter or SmartEX), how the gates work, the oversized baggage rule, and what to do if you bought the wrong ticket.
Read more →A practical guide to eating out in Japan: oshibori, why you do not tip, chopstick dos and don'ts, calling staff, ticket machines and tablets, the otoshi charge at izakaya, paying at the register, seating and the most common tourist mistakes.
Read more →Practical restaurant Japanese: getting a table, calling staff, ordering with これをお願いします, asking questions, explaining allergies, reading menu words, paying, and two short dialogues from a ramen shop and a family restaurant.
Read more →Themed tables of the Japanese you will actually see and hear in a station: train types, signs and exits, ticket words, on-board announcements and departure-board terms, with hiragana, romaji with macrons, a short guide to reading a departure board and phrases to say at the gate.
Read more →There is no single best time to visit Japan. Compare spring, the rainy season, summer, autumn and winter by crowds, prices, cherry blossom, autumn leaves, Golden Week and typhoons, then pick by priority.
Read more →Most language schools accept beginners, but visas, universities and vocational schools ask for more. What each path expects, what classes are like and what to learn before you go.
Read more →How to get care in Japan as a visitor: emergency or clinic, finding English-speaking help, what a visit and a pharmacy trip look like, what it costs, and the Japanese phrases to use.
Read more →How much cash to carry in Japan: a daily float with the arithmetic, where cash still matters, IC cards, convenience-store and post-office ATMs, fees and the DCC trap, and examples for 3 days, a week and two weeks.
Read more →Month-by-month Tokyo temperatures and rainfall from official Japan Meteorological Agency normals, a January and August comparison for five cities, and what to wear and pack in every season.
Read more →JR HARUKA, JR Rapid, Nankai Rapi:t, the limousine bus and taxis compared from Kansai Airport to Kyoto: time, cost, luggage, where to buy tickets and what to expect.
Read more →How much it costs to live in Kyoto: example monthly budgets for students and longer stays, daily costs for travellers, and sourced ranges for rent, food, transport, SIMs and utilities.
Read more →JR Nara Line or Kintetsu? A plain comparison of the two rail routes from Kyoto to Nara, which station is closer to Nara Park, how to pay, and a simple day plan.
Read more →A first-timer's guide to Japanese toilets: washlet buttons and symbols, how to flush, squat toilets, toilet slippers, public restrooms and practical etiquette.
Read more →How to use the NihongoTech currency converter step by step, how yen is written as ¥, JPY and 円, how to read example prices in kanji, hiragana and romaji, and why a converted amount is not what your bank charges.
Read more →Bath etiquette in Japan: how to wash before entering, what to do in an onsen, sentō or hotel bath, tattoos, shared baths and the mistakes to avoid.
Read more →A calm, practical guide to earthquake alerts in Japan, what to do indoors, in hotels and on trains, tsunami and evacuation basics, and official sources to follow.
Read more →A practical guide to omiyage and shopping in Japan: food, tea, stationery, beauty, character goods, crafts and regional souvenirs, plus tax-free rules and packing tips.
Read more →Why travellers choose insurance for Japan, what policies usually cover, what EHIC and GHIC holders should know, and what to check before you buy.
Read more →Which Kyoto transport to use for which area: subway, City Bus, JR, Hankyu, Keihan, Randen, IC cards and one-day passes.
Read more →How Japanese teachers, tutors and language schools can use NihongoTech's free lessons, references, printable worksheets and practice tools alongside their own curriculum.
Read more →A first-timer's guide to Kyoto City Bus routes, queues, doors, fares, IC cards, cash, stops and luggage.
Read more →Know when to call 110, 119 or 118, what to say in Japanese, and how to share your location in an emergency.
Read more →Explore Mount Fuji’s geography, cultural meaning, Japanese name, best viewpoints and official climbing information in this beginner-friendly guide.
Read more →Meet Japan’s four main islands, Okinawa Honto, and the Ryukyu and Nanpō island chains, with a simple north-to-south map and travel context.
Read more →Learn to read ※ (米印, komejirushi), the Japanese mark that points readers to notes, footnotes, disclaimers and important notices.
Read more →Meet ホットケーキ (hottokēki), Japan’s classic hotcakes: what goes into them, how people serve them, how the word differs from パンケーキ, and how they compare with soufflé pancakes.
Read more →Learn Japan’s flag names, design and history, its rising-sun association, and how the Hinomaru differs from the Rising Sun flag, with useful Japanese vocabulary.
Read more →A realistic JLPT N5 study-hour range, timelines by hours per week, the current exam format and pass marks, and a practical readiness checklist.
Read more →There is no single fluency clock. Compare realistic Japanese learning goals, study-hour references and weekly schedules, and find practical ways to measure progress.
Read more →Learn how Japanese era years (和暦) work, convert dates such as Shōwa 42 to 1967, and check exact dates when an era changed mid-year.
Read more →Check Japan's rules by active ingredient: which medicines are prohibited, which need advance permits, and how psychotropic quantity limits and certificates work.
Read more →Meet Japan’s nine commonly used travel regions, see which prefectures belong to each, and explore regional geography, food, dialects and the real Kanto behind Pokémon’s name.
Read more →A beginner-friendly guide to Japan's 47 prefectures, the meanings of to, do, fu and ken, and the prefectures and capitals in each major region.
Read more →An independent guide to the Learn Japanese with Tanaka san YouTube channel: its series, subtitles and free extras, where to start, and a study routine.
Read more →Portugal has no active JLPT test site, so signing up for the exam means registering directly through a host institution abroad. Here's the full process start to finish: choosing a level, finding the right institution, applying, paying, confirmation, and what to bring on test day.
Read more →Keigo (敬語) is how Japanese shows respect. Learn the three types, teineigo, sonkeigo and kenjōgo, with simple examples and one question that sorts them out.
Read more →Portugal doesn't currently have an active JLPT exam site. Here's a full self-study path using NihongoTech's own lessons, grammar, kanji, and conjugation tools, a real remote-course alternative, and where to actually go once you're ready to sit the exam.
Read more →Learn the Japanese word for the times table, how to read multiplication with かける, and how to chant the two times table using traditional 九九, with hiragana and romaji.
Read more →Japanese verbs fall into Godan, Ichidan and irregular groups, and 五段 means "five steps." See the five steps with 売る, learn why ending in る doesn't make a verb Ichidan, and get the て-form rule for every Godan ending.
Read more →You know 小屋 (koya, hut), then 犬小屋 is read inugoya. What is rendaku, why do sounds change in compound words, and why is it a tendency rather than a rule?
Read more →Choose the exact kana you want to practice, pick how much tracing help you get, and print an A4 sheet with stroke order on every row - or write on the sheet on screen if you don't have a printer.
Read more →Rōmaji, Pinyin, Jyutping, Revised Romanization of Korean - different names for the same basic idea. Here's what romanization actually means, and why so many systems exist for representing Asian languages in the Latin alphabet.
Read more →Portugal doesn't currently have an active JLPT test site, but that doesn't mean there's nowhere to study - here's a first-hand look at a real, fully remote N5 course from Da Vinci Language School.
Read more →Not every country in Europe currently has a JLPT exam site. Here's which ones are affected right now, and the nearest place to sit the test if you live in one of them.
Read more →Point your camera at a menu, sign, or page of Japanese text and get an English translation in seconds - no typing, and no separate translation app to install.
Read more →Every kanji in Kana Learn's reference - all 2,974 of them - in one browsable list, covering the jōyō kanji plus the jinmeiyō kanji used in names.
Read more →Hiragana and katakana cover the exact same sounds, so why does Japanese bother with two scripts? Here's how to tell them apart at a glance and know which one a word should use.
Read more →All 2,136 official jōyō kanji in one place, each paired with its common English meaning - browse the complete list in more detail than the lessons page has room for.
Read more →You don't need a Japanese IME installed or a special keyboard layout to write in kana. Romaji input lets you type Japanese sounds with the keys you already have.
Read more →92 characters between the two scripts sounds like a lot, but most learners have both down within a couple of weeks using the right approach. Here's what actually works.
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