DISCOVER THE ELEGANCE
OF JAPANESE FLUENCY

ようこそ！

Welcome to Nihongo no Niwa, a South African language school that celebrates a passion for Japan and its culture through the study of the Japanese language.

We offer weekly online lessons to help our students achieve their unique language goals. Our syllabus is structured to align with the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), and no matter the skill level or the motivation (be it personal or professional), we work with our students in both private and group classes to best meet their specific requirements.

We feel it is important to teach not only the language, but also to promote a deeper cultural appreciation and understanding. This is why we work with local Japanese institutions – including the Japanese Embassy of South Africa – to further this goal and expose students to unique opportunities in Japan and South Africa.

Our school also hosts regular get-togethers, as well as an annual year-end function, to foster a community spirit and help our students meet and connect with other like-minded individuals who share a passion for all things Japanese. At the end of the day, people learn best when they're having fun!

Welcome!

JOIN OUR SCHOOL TODAY

OUR SERVICES

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PRIVATE & GROUP CLASSES

We offer tailored private and group classes—beginner up to advanced—adapted to your unique learning style and goal to ensure that every student learns in as optimal an environment as possible. We also specialise in workplace, JET Programme, and JLPT preparatory courses for those planning to live and work in Japan.

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CULTURAL IMMERSION

Through regular school events, interesting cultural and linguistic articles, and connecting with local Japanese institutions, such as the Japanese Embassy of South Africa, we offer our students the opportunity to learn about the rich culture of Japan in fun and engaging ways.

Robyn, Gunma Prefecture (Kanto area)

Joshua S. – York, United Kingdom | ヨシュア – 英国、ヨーク

"日本語の庭 is more than just a language school. It’s a community of passionate individuals united by a shared love for the Japanese language and its rich, beautiful culture. Jason’s teaching goes beyond the textbook, ensuring classes are not only educational but also engaging and genuinely enjoyable. I’ve had the pleasure of taking both private and group lessons, and I can wholeheartedly recommend both. Private lessons provide personalised, in-depth learning, while group lessons foster a dynamic classroom atmosphere with valuable inter-student interactions.

Japanese is undeniably a challenging language to learn, especially as an English speaker, but 日本語の庭 lightens the load by offering a welcoming space to delve into its intricacies."

UPCOMING EVENTS

GET IN TOUCH

to connect with our online Japanese language school

nnnjapanese@gmail.com

TRADING HOURS

Monday - Friday: 8am - 9pm

🌸 S a k u r a 🌸

In Nara, the gentle deer (𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘬𝘢) wander peacefully beneath blooming cherry trees — a serene image of harmony between nature. As the sakura (桜) petals bloom, they mark not only the arrival of spring, but also the deep-rooted appreciation in Japan for life’s fleeting beauty.

In classical Japan, sakura symbolized the transient nature of existence, a concept called 無常 (mujō) — the idea that all things change and nothing lasts forever.

During #花見 (#𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘪, or flower viewing), families and friends gather under the blossoms to eat, sing, and simply be present in the moment. In this quiet, shared experience, we’re reminded that beauty is often brief — and that’s exactly what makes it so precious. ✨🌸
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𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁 🔍
The kanji for sakura (桜)is made up of two radicals:
木 (𝘬𝘪) meaning “tree,” and 嬰 (ei)—a phonetic component that also hints at delicacy and beauty, often associated with children or beautiful, ornamental things.
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📸: ym.nara_mislin

#桜 #SakuraSeason #Hanami #NaraDeer #奈良 #CherryBlossoms #花見 #JapaneseCulture #NihongoNoNiwa #春の日本 #WabiSabi #Mujou #KanjiExplained #JapaneseLanguage

💥 K a n j i P o w e r 💥

If you’ve studied some kanji, you may have come upon「森」(𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪), the symbol for ‘forest’. You might have also noticed how the kanji looks a little like a group of trees. That’s no accident—Japanese kanji often carry meanings right in their structure!

The「森」(𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪, forest) kanji is made of three「木」(𝘬𝘪, tree) radicals stacked together—visually and conceptually representing a dense forest. 🌲🍃

How could we illustrate this better than through ‘Forest’ (1954), a poster by YAMASHIRO Ryuichi, created to support a national forest protection campaign? The only elements in the design are the kanji:

木 – tree
林 – grove
森 – forest

Did you know, in Shinto belief, sacred forests (𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘫𝘶 𝘯𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪) are thought to surround shrines, symbolizing untouched nature and the boundary between the human and divine worlds? ⛩️✨

Next time you come across a peculiar looking kanji remember, kanji aren’t just random symbols—they tell real stories about Japan and world around us.

Want to learn more kanji? Join Nihongo no Niwa Japanese Language School to explore the beauty of the Japanese language.
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📚𝗞𝗮𝗻𝗷𝗶 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 📚
𝙊𝙣’𝙮𝙤𝙢𝙞 (音読み): シン (shin)
𝙆𝙪𝙣’𝙮𝙤𝙢𝙞 (訓読み): もり (mori)
𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙠𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩: 12
𝙃𝙞𝙣𝙩: Learn the stroke order by mastering 木 first—it’s simply repeated three times!
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#KanjiPower #森 #LearnJapanese #NihongoNoNiwa #JapaneseCulture #JapaneseLanguage #StrokeOrder #JapaneseKanji #JapaneseLearning #JapaneseLanguageSchool #YAMASHIRORyuichi

🐼✨ W o r d p l a y ! ✨🐼

Time for another round of Japanese 𝗱𝗮𝗷𝗮𝗿𝗲 (#駄洒落)! Today’s joke is as 𝘣𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘰𝘰-𝘻𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 as it is adorable! 🌱🐼

Let’s break it down:

In Japanese, the word for “bread” is パン (𝘱𝘢𝘯). Meanwhile, “panda” is written just as you’d expect: パンダ (panda). So, what happens when you ask…

“𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘢𝘵?”

「パンだ！」 (Pan da!)

Since だ (da) is the casual way to say “it is,” the answer sounds like both “It’s bread” and “It’s a panda” at the same time; Talk about a snack with double meaning! 🥖🐾

Japanese puns like this are a great way to get familiar with sentence structure, homophones, and the playful side of the language.

Do you know any fun Japanese wordplay? Let us know in the comments to share some linguistic laughs! 🇯🇵✨

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🍞 パン (pan) — A noun meaning ‘𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥’
🐼 パンダ (panda) — A noun meaning ‘𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢’
✨ だ (da) — A copula meaning ‘𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴’ (casual speech)
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#言葉遊び #JapanesePuns #NihongoNoNiwa #JapaneseLanguageSchool #LearnJapanese #JapaneseVocabulary #JapaneseWordplay #Dajare #パンだ #日本語の庭 #JapaneseLearning

🎎 H i n a • M a t s u r i 🎎

On March 3rd, Japan celebrated #ひな祭り (Hina Matsuri), also known as 𝘋𝘰𝘭𝘭’𝘴 𝘍𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭 or 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴’ 𝘋𝘢𝘺—a tradition dedicated to praying for the health, happiness, and prosperity of young girls. While Hinamatsuri is not an official holiday like Children’s Day, observed on May 5, it is still widely celebrated in Japan. ‘𝗛𝗶𝗻𝗮‘ refers to hina-ningyō (#雛人形) the special dolls at the heart of this celebration, and ‘𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗶‘ is the Japanese word for a festival or holiday.

When a baby girl is born, it is not uncommon for her parents or grandparents to buy a set of hina ningyo, or to even pass down their own set. 👧✨ These elegant dolls are displayed on tiered platforms covered in red cloth and are dressed in Heian-era court attire. More elaborate displays have figures representing the Emperor, Empress, and their court to create a miniature imperial scene. The belief is that these dolls absorb misfortune, protecting children from harm.

Traditionally, Hinamatsuri was known as 𝙈𝙤𝙢𝙤 𝙣𝙤 𝙎𝙚𝙠𝙠𝙪 (#桃の節句) or ‘𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭’ as it took place after winter when the peach trees in Japan began to flower.

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⚠️ Superstition Alert! ⚠️
It’s believed that leaving the hina dolls out past March 3rd can delay a girl’s marriage—so families quickly pack them away once the festival ends!
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Have you ever experienced a Hina Matsuri celebration? Let us know in the comments! ✨

📸: Ariel.lands

#HinaMatsuri #雛祭り #DollsFestival #GirlsDay #JapaneseTraditions #NihongoNoNiwa #LearnJapanese #JapaneseLanguageLessons #SouthAfrica

💸 B i n b ō • Y u s u r i 💸

Do you ever feel yourself rap-tap-tapping your foot on the floor after a stressful week? Today’s Japanese word, #貧乏ゆすり (びんぼうゆすり・𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘣𝘰𝘶 𝘺𝘶𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘪), refers to the habit of shaking one’s legs, also known as 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘨 𝘴𝘺𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘦. In Japan, it’s not just a nervous tic though!Let’s explore the kanji of the word to better understand why:

貧乏 (びんぼう・𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘣𝘰𝘶) = poverty
ゆすり (𝘺𝘶𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘪) = shaking/jiggling

Together, 𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗯𝗼𝘂 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗶 means “𝘱𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 / 𝘱𝘰𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘯’𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴”. This refers to tapping your foot or shaking your legs unconsciously while sitting, like a poor man might do in cold weather to try and keep warm or a harried man might do because of excessive worrying. In the Edo period, it was said that people who did this would be haunted by spirits of poverty (#貧乏神), that drove away wealth and invited misfortune. 💸 👹

Whether or not the superstition is true, in Japanese culture self-control and composure are highly valued. While many cultures may see leg shaking as a harmless habit, in Japan, it’s often associated with impatience, anxiety, or a lack of discipline. Doing it in a formal setting—like a business meeting or at the dinner table—can give the impression of boredom or unease.

Language often reveals societal values, and 貧乏ゆすり is a good example of how small concepts can reflect larger cultural weight. So, next time you’re in Japan, having a meeting or going on a date, try your best not to get the poor man’s shakes! 😉

Have you ever heard of this phrase before? Let us know in the comments! 💭

#BinbouYusuri #Japanese #JapaneseLanguage #JapaneseVocabulary #Linguistics #JapaneseCulture #NihongoNoNiwa #LearnJapanese #StudyJapanese #JapaneseLanguageSchool #SouthAfrica

💫 U n m e i • n o • A k a i • I t o 💫

It’s Valentine’s Day, and that means love is in the air! With that in mind, have you ever heard of the Japanese concept, "𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗲” (#運命の赤い糸, 𝘜𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘪 𝘯𝘰 𝘈𝘬𝘢𝘪 𝘐𝘵𝘰)? Today we’re exploring this beautiful and timeless Japanese concept that believes that two people remain connected if they are destined to be together. 🌸 This invisible red thread is said to tie the souls of two individuals together, no matter how far apart they are, or how different their paths may seem.

The legend says that the gods tie this red string around the ankles or pinky fingers of those meant to meet, fall in love, and walk through life together. While the string may stretch, tangle, or even appear to break, it can never truly sever. ♥️

The idea of 赤い糸 (Akai Ito) speaks to the hope that, no matter the obstacles, fate will eventually bring soulmates together. Whether in friendship, love, or a life partnership, it’s a beautiful dream that says we will never lose what is truly meant for us.

Do you know of any other love-filled Japanese legends? Tell us in the comments. 🧶
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𝗩𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆
赤い (akai) - adjective meaning ‘red’
糸 (ito) - Japanese for ‘thread’
の - a particle denoting possession
運命 - Japanese for ‘fate’
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#AkaiIto #RedStringOfFate #JapaneseLegend #Destiny #ValentinesDay #JapaneseCulture #NihongoNoNiwa #LearnJapanese #JapaneseLangugeSchool #SouthAfrica #CapeTown #日本語の庭 #日本語

🍣 E h ō m a k i • 恵方巻 🍣

On February 2, Japan celebrated #節分 (𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘂𝗻), a festival marking the end of winter and the arrival of 𝘙𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘩𝘶𝘯 (立春)—the first day of spring. While 𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪 (bean-throwing) is the most well-known Setsubun tradition believed to chase away evil spirits, another delicious custom gained popularity in recent times—eating #恵方巻 (𝗘𝗵ō𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶, lucky sushi rolls)! 👹🍱

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝗵ō𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶?
恵方(Ehō) means ‘𝘭𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯’ and 巻(maki) means ‘𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘭’, often referring to a specific style of sushi. Ehōmaki are thick, uncut sushi rolls that are eaten in silence while facing the year’s lucky direction (this year: east-northeast, based on the year’s Zodiac). To eat the roll without cutting it is thought to symbolize the continuation of good luck throughout the year. 🍀✨

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺?
The origins of Ehōmaki are somewhat mysterious, but many believe it started in Osaka during the early Taisho era (1912–1926). Some stories suggest that courtesans ate these rolls as a lucky ritual to ensure prosperity in business. Others say it was popularized by sushi shops in the early 20th century as a marketing campaign. Either way, the tradition has spread across Japan, and many convenience stores now sell Ehōmaki specifically for Setsubun! 💹 🌸

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗵ō𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶?
A traditional Ehōmaki contains up to seven ingredients, representing the 𝙎𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙇𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙮 𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙨 (#七福神, 𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘬𝘶𝘫𝘪𝘯) in Japanese mythology. Common fillings include:

🥒 Cucumber
🦐 Shrimp
🐟 Grilled eel
🥚 Sweet omelet
🍄 Shiitake mushrooms
🦀 Crab sticks
🥜 Kanpyō (dried calabash gourd strips)

Modern adaptations even have chocolate cake roll version, but Kyuri (cucumber) is particularly popular as it sounds like “gaining nine advantages” in Japanese. In other words, puns will bring you good fortune!

Would you try eating an Ehōmaki for luck? Let us know in the comments! ⬇️

📸: tekutekuhimeji

#Ehōmaki #Setsubun #LuckySushi #JapaneseFood #恵方巻 #JapaneseTradition #NihongoNoNiwa #LearnJapanese #JapaneseCulture #JapaneseLanguageSchool

🌍🏃 G u m p • S u z u k i 🏃🌍

How far could you walk? Japanese content creator 𝗬𝘂𝗷𝗶 “𝗚𝘂𝗺𝗽” 𝗦𝘂𝘇𝘂𝗸𝗶 is putting that to the test with an amazing trek across the African continent. Suzuki-san, a 34 year old Japanese tour guide and adventurer from Tokyo, has spent 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 7 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 crossing Africa (by foot!) with his traditional Japanese rickshaw, sharing every step with over 500K followers on TikTok. His incredible 6,400km journey will have taken him from Kenya all the way to our beautiful Mother City, Cape Town!

Starting from Nairobi, Kenya on June 1, 2024, Suzuki-san has journeyed through Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, and Namibia, finally arriving in South Africa on December 28, 2024. Despite challenges—like a rickshaw mishap in Zambia—his journey has been filled with kindness, adventure, and hope. He plans to celebrate the completion of his journey in Cape Town on January 26, 2025, and everyone’s invited! 🎉

The day will kick off at 11:00 AM with a community run from Green Point Park to the lighthouse, where we can all celebrate the final stretch of Suzuki’s journey. The festivities continue at 12:00 PM with a goal celebration at the V&A Waterfront area. After a five-day stay, he’ll then head back to Japan on 31st January, 2025.

What inspired the intrepid explorer? “𝘈𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺, 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘈𝘴𝘪𝘢, 𝘌𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦, 𝘈𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘜𝘚𝘈 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘸. 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘸. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦! 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦. 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘰 𝘵𝘰 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦,” he says. 🌎

We can’t wait to see what he does next. 鈴木さん、頑張ってください！

📸: @gumpsuzuki

#JustForFun #GumpSuzuki #RickshawTraveler #AfricanJourney #Inspiration #TravelGoals #NihongoNoNiwa #LearnJapanese #JapaneseCulture #AdventureAwaits #JapaneseLanguageSchool

🌸 S e i j i n • n o • H i 🌸

Every second Monday of January, Japan celebrates #成人の日 (𝘚𝘦𝘪𝘫𝘪𝘯 𝘯𝘰 𝘏𝘪), or 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗴𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆, to honor those stepping into adulthood. This special day acknowledges young adults who have reached the age of maturity between April 2 of the previous year and April 1 of the current year, marking their transition into new responsibilities as full-fledged adults. 🌟🙇

Dressed in elegant #振袖 (furisode) for women and #袴 (hakama) for men, these young adults shine during their local #成人式 (𝘚𝘦𝘪𝘫𝘪𝘯-𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘬𝘪). Traditionally held for those turning 20, recent changes now see some municipalities celebrating those turning 18, while others uphold the 20-year tradition under the name #二十歳のつどい (𝘏𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪 𝘯𝘰 𝘛𝘴𝘶𝘥𝘰𝘪). 🎉👘

The ceremonies are marked by formal speeches from government officials, commemorative gifts, and heartfelt celebrations. Families and friends often continue the festivities with after-parties that extend the joy well beyond the day. 🍰🎁

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𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁 🔎
Did you know? These ceremonies have been celebrated since at least 714 CE, during the reign of Empress Genmei, when a young prince marked his passage into adulthood with new robes and a hairstyle. Fast forward to today, and the tradition continues to hold significant cultural value, evolving with the times but never losing its essence.
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To all celebrating this important milestone in 2025—おめでとうございます (𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘵𝘰𝘶 𝘨𝘰𝘻𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘶)! Welcome to adulthood! 🎊 🙇

📸: olemiswebs

#SeijinNoHi #ComingOfAgeDay #HatachiNoTsudoi #JapaneseTradition #NihongoNoNiwa #JapaneseCulture #LearnJapanese #JapaneseLanguageSchool #StudyJapanese #JapaneseLessons #SouthAfrica #Japan

✨ 𝗞 𝗼 𝘁 𝗼 𝘀 𝗵 𝗶 • 𝗻 𝗼 • 𝗞 𝗮 𝗻 𝗷 𝗶 ✨

It’s that time of the year! The official kanji character that has been said to define the atmosphere of Japan for 2024 is… 金 (𝘬𝘪𝘯 or 𝘬𝘢𝘯𝘦), symbolizing 𝙜𝙤𝙡𝙙 and 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙮!🏅💴

Chosen by popular vote through the 𝖩𝖺𝗉𝖺𝗇 𝖪𝖺𝗇𝗃𝗂 𝖠𝗉𝗍𝗂𝗍𝗎𝖽𝖾 𝖳𝖾𝗌𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖥𝗈𝗎𝗇𝖽𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇 for the annual #今年の漢字 (‘kotoshi no kanji’, kanji of the year), 金 perfectly captures the national mood, as voted for by the Japanese public:

🏅𝗧𝗿𝗶𝘂𝗺𝗽𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀: Japan’s athletes shone brightly at the Paris Olympics & Paralympics, bringing home an impressive collection of gold medals, marking their second-best Olympic performance ever!

💰 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: On a different note, 金 also points to the political money scandals that shook the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, sparking some nationwide conversations on accountability. ‘Money’ also inspired some voters to choose this kanji in honor of the new paper bills put into circulation this year.

In second place this year was 災 (‘𝘴𝘢𝘪’, disaster), reflecting the devastating earthquake and record-breaking rainfall that hit the Noto Peninsula earlier this year. Meanwhile, 翔 (‘𝘴𝘩𝘰’, soar) took third place, inspired in no small part by the success and brilliance of baseball superstar ŌTANI Shōhei (大谷翔平), whose name fittingly includes the kanji. ⚾

金 has been chosen five times in the history of the #KotoshiNoKanji, most recently in 2021, when Japan celebrated its record 27 gold medals during the Tokyo Olympics. This kanji is also number 53 of 2500 of the most used kanji in newspapers, featuring in some common words such as:

🗓️ 金曜日 (𝘬𝘪𝘯’𝘺ō𝘣𝘪) – Friday (Lit. ‘Gold Day’)
💴 お金 (𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘯𝘦) – Money
⛏️ 金属 (𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘻𝘰𝘬𝘶) – Metal

Which kanji would you choose to reflect 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 2024? Let us know! 📝✨

#KanjiOfTheYear #NihongoNoNiwa #LearnJapanese #Japanese #JapaneseLessons #JapaneseLanguageSchool #SouthAfrica #OhtaniShōhei

🎌✨ G a n b a t t e ✨🎌

To all our incredible students preparing for the #JapaneseLanguageProficiencyTest (JLPT) this Sunday, we have one word for you: がんばって! 💪📚

But what does がんばって (ganbatte) really mean?

This popular Japanese phrase is more than just “good luck.” It carries a feeling of perseverance and encouragement, roughly translating to:

“Do your best!”
“Keep going!”
“You’ve got this!”

It’s a phrase used to cheer someone on, urging them to give their all, especially when facing a challenge—just like your JLPTs! 🌸

At Nihongo no Niwa, we’ve seen your hard work, dedication, and determination in every class and study session. Now it’s time to take that effort into the exam room and show what you’re capable of.

がんばってください！ (Ganbatte kudasai) We’re cheering for you every step of the way! Whatever the outcome, the effort you’ve put into learning Japanese is already something to be proud of. 🌟

Good luck, everyone! We’ll see you all in #Johannesburg tomorrow. 🍀✨

#JLPT #GoodLuck #Ganbatte #JapaneseLanguage #NihongoNoNiwa #LearnJapanese #JapaneseVocabulary #JapaneseLanguageSchool #JapaneseClasses #JapaneseCulture #StudyJapanese #JapaneseSchool #SouthAfrica

🌟 S t u d e n t S p o t l i g h t 🌟

At Nihongo no Niwa, we’re always inspired by the incredible stories of our students, and today, we’re proud to celebrate Ugo, a tenacious and driven young man whose passion for Japanese language and culture has taken him across the world!

Ugo joined us at the age of 15, filled with curiosity. Over the years, his passion and quiet dedication to improving his skills—which brought him as far as second place for the prestigious Japanese #MEXTscholarship—have been an inspiration to us and fellow students alike.

Ugo’s journey didn’t stop there though, taking part in a three-month foreign exchange program where he worked on a Japanese farm, experiencing the country’s culture, values, and daily life firsthand. This experience only solidified his love for Japan and his decision to take a bold step forward; enrolling in a Japanese university to further his studies. 🌱📚

Ugo is now fully immersed in an intensive language program, working towards achieving the N2 level of the #JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test)—a challenging milestone that will allow him to thrive in an academic environment in Japan.

It has been our privileged to see Ugo grow into the man he has become. His journey reminds us all that with kindness, humility, and a love for learning, the possibilities are truly endless.

頑張ってください, Ugo! We’re so proud of you and cheering for you every step of the way. ^ - ^

#StudentSpotlight #NihongonoNiwa #LanguageJourney #JapaneseLanguage #LearnJapanese #JapaneseClasses #JapaneseLanguageSchool #日本語の庭 #SouthAfrica #Japan

🇯🇵 J a p a n D a y 2 0 2 4 🇯🇵

Cape Town, are you ready for a day of 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰? #JapanDayCPT is back, bringing the rich culture, flavours, and spirit of Japan right to our doorstep!

This family-friendly celebration, hosted by the Office of the Consul of Japan in Cape Town and @sujapancentre, promises an unforgettable experience. 🎌✨

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰:

— 🌸 𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨 – From martial arts demonstrations to a koto performance, a cosplay parade, and much more!

— 🎋 𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝘿𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 – Explore a world of exciting Japanese displays, including an authentic kimono display, #bonsai, and tea tasting. You can also experience savor an array of Japanese dishes and street food delights.

— 🖌️ 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙨 – Gain some skills and try your hand at traditional Japanese arts like mokuhanga (woodblock printing), #ikebana (flower arranging), and origami (paper folding)!

— 🎎 𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙨 & 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙩𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙨 – Discover insights about Japan and browse a unique selection of exciting Japanese items to take home.

Where will Nihongo no Niwa be on the day, you ask?
We’ll be offering 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 throughout the event! Try your hand at learning the 𝙝𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙣𝙖 alphabet in our morning slots, or pick up some 𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙅𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙥𝙝𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙨 in the afternoon. It’s a perfect chance to dive into the language and have fun! (Grab free tickets on Quicket to reserve your spot, or try your luck on the day! 🎟️)

Don’t miss this chance to experience a taste of Japan! We can’t wait to see you there. 🎏✨

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𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻: 23 November, 2024 | Time: 09:00 - 15:00
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: Die Khaya & Krotoa Building, Stellenbosch University
𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀: Free on Quicket (Visit link in bio for full details)

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#JapanDay2024 #CPTEvents
#JapanDayCPT #JapanDay #JapanDayCapeTown #NihongonoNiwa #WhatsOnInCapeTown #JapaneseLanguageSchool #LearnJapaneseSouthAfrica #JapaneseLessons #LearnJapanese #JapaneseCulture

✨ S c h o o l H i g h l i g h t s ✨

Is it just us, or has this been an exciting year? As we find ourselves in the final quarter of another year, there are so many exciting events coming up. From the much anticipated #JapanDay2024 on the 23rd of November, to our end-of-year school get-together, and the upcoming #JapaneseLanguageProficiencyTest taking place in December, fans of Japanese language and culture have plenty to be excited about! 🎌

In the midst of all this activity, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the amazing memories we’ve created this year through class outings and school events.

From movie screenings, tea tastings, creative crafts, and delicious meals, to board game days, Izakaya nights, and visiting Japanese warships, each event has brought us closer as a community and we’ve really loved getting to know everyone a little better along the way. 🍿🍵💬

These moments of camaraderie, cultural discovery, and, of course, plenty of Japanese language practice have made 2024 truly unforgettable.

With the JLPT exams fast approaching, it’s crunch time for many of our dedicated students. Keep those study materials close, stay focused, and don’t lose sight of your goals—we know you can do it and are cheering for you every step of the way! 📚💪

Curious about the full story behind each of these adventures? Check out our blog through the link in our bio for a deep dive into the highlights of 2024. Let’s keep creating memories, learning, and celebrating together. We know the best is yet to come! 🌸✨

#JapaneseLanguageSchool #NihongoNoNiwa #SouthAfrica #JapaneseLanguage #2024Highlights #JLPT #JapaneseClasses #日本語の庭

🌧️ K o s a m e 🌧️

Have you ever noticed how the Japanese language beautifully captures nature’s smallest details? Today’s word, #小雨 (こさめ・𝘬𝘰𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦), translates to 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯 or 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘻𝘻𝘭𝘦. ☔️

This isn’t just any kind of rain—it’s the kind of soft, misty rain perfect for a serene walk or quiet contemplation under the gray skies. ☁️

Let’s break down the word to its individual kanji units:

小 (こ・ko) = small
雨 (あめ・ame) = rain

Together, they paint the image of ‘𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯,’ perfectly capturing those delicate droplets that gently kiss the earth.

Wondering why it’s read ‘𝘬𝘰𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦’ and not ‘𝘬𝘰𝘢𝘮𝘦’? This happens because of something called #𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙠𝙪 (連濁), a phonetic phenomenon in Japanese where the sound of the second kanji often changes for ease of speech.
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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝘀 🔑
If you need help locking the #雨 kanji into your brain, try to picture the radical as raindrops falling from a cloud. This symbol shows up in other weather-related kanji, like 雪 (ゆき, 𝘴𝘯𝘰𝘸) and 雷 (かみなり, 𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳). See the pattern? The 雨 kanji has been shrunk down and combined with other radicals to create new kanji! 🌦️
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Japanese has several specific words for types of rain, reflecting the importance of seasons in the culture. Another one you might love is 霧雨 (きりさめ, 𝘬𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦)—a misty, fine rain. Describing the Japanese weather need never be boring! 🌫️

What’s the weather like where you are today? Drop your favorite Japanese weather word in the comments! 🌸🌧️

#LearnJapanese #JapaneseVocabulary #Kosame #NihongoNoNiwa #JapaneseLanguageSchool #JapaneseClasses #JapaneseCulture #StudyJapanese #JapaneseSchool #SouthAfrica

🗼 T o k y o T o w e r 🗼

Are you traveling to Japan for the first time and want to see the sights? Standing tall at 333 meters (1,092 feet), Tokyo Tower (日本電波塔, 𝘕𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘱𝘢𝘵ō, 𝘭𝘪𝘵. ‘𝘑𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘯 𝘙𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘰 𝘛𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳’) is one of Tokyo’s most iconic landmarks. This striking orange and white structure, with a design inspired by the Eiffel Tower, has been a symbol of Japan since its completion in 1958.

Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of Tokyo city from its two observation decks: Located at 150 meters (490 feet), the 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗸 offers panoramic views of the city, including landmarks like the #ImperialPalace and #MountFuji on clear days, while the 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗸, at 249 meters (819 feet), provides an even more spectacular vantage point for observing Tokyo’s sprawling cityscape.

The base of Tokyo Tower, known as 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻, is also bustling with activity, with four-stories of museums (including the 𝘛𝘰𝘬𝘺𝘰 𝘛𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘞𝘢𝘹 𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘶𝘮 and the 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘶𝘮 𝘛𝘰𝘬𝘺𝘰), shops, restaurants, and even an indoor theme park dedicated to the popular manga and anime series #OnePiece! Word to the wise: We sampled some really delicious waffles at the foot of this national icon… 🧇 👀

Built to serve as a communications tower, it remained the tallest structure in Japan until it was surpassed by the Tokyo Skytree in 2012. While FM radio stations still use the Tokyo Tower to broadcast locally, television broadcasts were redirected to the Tokyo Skytree from 2011 because of its greater height and broadcasting reach. 🏙️🇯🇵
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𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁 🔍
Did you know the Tokyo Tower was originally painted in white and international orange to comply with air safety regulations? The tower’s striking colours make it easily recognizable and are repainted every five years, but the process takes a whole year to complete!
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Have you visited Tokyo Tower? Share your favorite memories in the comments below! 🗼✨

#TokyoTower #TokyoLandmarks #JapaneseHistory #VisitJapan #JapanesaLanguageSchool #NihongoNoNiwa #LearnJapanese #SouthAfrica

🌸 K e i r ō • n o • H i 🌸

Today is 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗮𝘆 (#敬老の日), a heartwarming national holiday in Japan that celebrates and honors the elderly for their lifetime of wisdom and contributions to society. 🧓👵

This special day was first established in 1966 but actually traces its origins back to 1947, when the small village of Nomadani-mura (now Taka-cho in Hyōgo Prefecture) proclaimed September 15 as #年寄りの日(Toshiyori no Hi, lit. 𝘖𝘭𝘥 𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘬𝘴’ 𝘋𝘢𝘺). What began as a local celebration quickly grew into a nationwide holiday, honoring the importance of the elderly in Japanese society.

On this day, many people return home to visit their elders, paying their respects and showing their gratitude. Communities often come together to volunteer, delivering free lunch boxes to older citizens. The media also gets involved, sharing heartwarming stories of Japan’s oldest residents and reporting on the growing population of centenarians.

A lovely tradition tied to this holiday is the commemorative 𝘀𝗶𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝗽, given by the Japanese government to citizens who reach 100 years of age. Since the tradition began, the number of centenarians has skyrocketed—from just 153 in 1963 to over 32,000 in 2017, each of whom received a congratulatory letter and souvenir sake cup from the Prime Minister! 🍶✨

Do you want to get into the spirit of the day? Why not take your elder out for lunch and ask them to share their favourite stories with you? Some people in Japan send older family members gifts or cards. No matter how you’d like to do it, let’s take this day to foster appreciation for the elders in our lives.

いつまでもお元気で！🩶

#KeirōNoHi #RespectForTheAgedDay #Japan #HonorTheElders #JapaneseTradition #NihongoNoNiwa #LearnJapanese #JapaneseCulture #JapaneseLanguageSchool #JapaneseClasses #SouthAfrica

💫 U C O N 2 0 2 4 💫

Language learning, anime, and games… UCT’s annual anime and gaming convention — organized by the Genshiken team — offered this and more! From film screenings to cosplay competitions and Gashapon scavenger hunts, there were many entertaining events throughout the weekend. 🎋✨

A huge thank you to everyone who made Genshiken’s UCON 2024 an unforgettable event! From the friendly faces to the inspiring cosplayers and helpful Genshiken team, the community and vendors filled the convention with such positive energy.

As for everyone who stopped by our booth, we can’t wait to continue the journey of learning Japanese with you! For those who registered, an email with admission instructions has been sent out. 🎌😉

Follow us to stay up to date with more Japanese events, cultural insights, and language learning tips. Until next time… じゃあまた！🌸🏯

#GenshikenUCON #UCON2024 #LearnJapanese #AnimeCon #UCONCapeTown #UCTAnimeandGaming #JapaneseLanguageSchool #AnimeFans #JapaneseClasses #SouthAfrica

🎉 A r t s & C r a f t s W o r k s h o p 🎉

Today we’re taking a moment to reminisce about our 2023 end-of-year event at Nihongo no Niwa. We were honored to host a Traditional Japanese Arts & Crafts Workshop for our students, a celebration of creativity, culture, and community that brought us all closer together. 🎊🌸

Our Japanese language school was buzzing with creativity as the day kicked off with an origami demonstration by 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗶 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮, a wonderful local outreach program dedicated to bringing the beauty of origami to disadvantaged communities. It was a pleasure to have Asemahle and Ayanda come and teach our students about the art of paper folding, and to tell us about their personal origami journeys. From cranes to hearts, our students folded paper into works of art! 🧡 📜

After all that creative folding, we took a break to savor some delicious treats, including some home-made #dorayaki... But the fun didn’t stop there!

We then delved into the traditional Japanese craft of 𝗞𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗸𝗼𝗺𝗶 (木目込み). Each student had the chance to create their own kimekomi mari ornament, choosing from traditional Japanese fabrics to craft beautiful, personalized decorations. It was a fantastic hands-on experience, and everyone left with their own unique piece of Japanese culture to take home. 🎨🌟

Thank you to Origami for Africa, and, of course, a massive ありがとうございます to our students for always being so enthusiastic to learn! We can’t wait to create more beautiful memories with our next year-end school event. 💖

#NihongoNoNiwa #OrigamiForAfrica #JapaneseCrafts #Origami #Kimekomi #JapaneseTraditions #JapaneseLanguageSchool #JapaneseClasses #LearnJapanese #CapeTown #SouthAfrica

💪 K a n j i P o w e r 💪

You might recognize today’s topic, as we’re highlighting a pretty powerful kanji: 力 (𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗸𝗮𝗿𝗮). This character represents “𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩” or “𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳” and can also be used as a radical - smaller kanji elements used to make up more complex kanji composites.

The pronunciation of the Kanji 力 is “chikara” (ちから) in its kun’yomi (Japanese reading) and “riki” (リキ) or “ryoku” (リョク) in its on’yomi (Chinese reading).

This kanji is often used to express the concept of power, whether it’s the power of an individual, a team, or even a force of nature.

𝗨𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲:
- 体力 (たいりょく, Tairyoku):
Physical strength or stamina.
- 努力 (どりょく, Doryoku):
Labour, effort, or hard work.
- 権力 (けんりょく, Kenryoku):
Political power or authority.
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𝗞𝗮𝗻𝗷𝗶 𝘃𝘀. 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗻𝗮
It’s important not to confuse 力 with the katakana character カ (ka). Though they look similar, they have entirely different usages and the katakana character is usually a little smaller in most fonts.
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So the next time you spy this kanji in your Japanese reading adventures, remember: The kanji 力 represents the strength, power, and perseverance essential in Japanese culture. Whether it’s in martial arts, sports, or everyday life, 力 embodies the resilience and determination needed to overcome challenges. A good symbol for our Japanese language journeys!

Do you like these Kanji Power posts? Let us know if you’d like more content like this!

#KanjiPower #JapaneseLanguage #NihongoNoNiwa #JapaneseLanguageSchool #JapaneseClasses #SouthAfrica #LearnJapanese

💀 G a s h a d o k u r o 💀

In the shadowy corners of Japanese mythology, where the line between reality and the supernatural blurs, lurks a fearsome creature known as the Gashadokuro (がしゃどくろ).

Imagine towering skeletons, 15 times the size of an average person, with bones that rattle like ominous drums in the dead of night. These giants are not just figments of the imagination but are said to be the restless spirits of those who perished in times of strife, their bodies left unburied, their souls unavenged.

In our latest article, we delve into the origins, characteristics, and cultural significance of this haunting figure.

Click the link in our bio to uncover the full truth about the dark tale behind the Gashadokuro and what it reveals about Japan’s history and belief.

#Gashadokuro #Yokai #JapaneseFolklore #LearnJapanese #JapaneseLanguage #JapaneseClasses #JapaneseLanguageSchool #SouthAfrica #NihongonoNiwa

🐢✨ W o r d p l a y ! ✨🐢

Ready for another round of Japanese dajare (#駄洒落)? Get ready for a little shell-shocked humor in today’s micro Japanese lesson!

Today’s #JapanesePun (No, still not a パン！🥨) is diving into the playful world of homophones—words that sound alike but have different meanings. Let’s break it down:

The spotlight of this joke is on the Japanese word 「コーラ」(kōra), which means ‘cola’ or ‘soda’. But wait! There’s also a Japanese word 「甲羅」(kōra), which means ‘shell,’ particularly the kind you’d find on a turtle. You can see where this is going…

So, what’s a turtle’s favorite drink?

こーらです！(Kōra desu!) 🐢🥤

Get it? The word sounds the same whether you’re talking about cola or a turtle’s shell, making this joke a perfect example of how the same sounds can carry entirely different meanings.

Japanese puns are an entertaining and clever way to deepen your understanding of the Japanese language.

Learn more about Japanese language and culture with Nihongo no Niwa Japanese Language School! 🌸✨

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コーラ (kōra)— A Noun meaning ‘𝘴𝘰𝘥𝘢 / 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘢’.
甲羅 (kōra)— A Noun meaning ‘𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭’ (as in a turtle’s shell).
です (desu)— A copula meaning ‘𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴’.
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#言葉遊び #NihongoNoNiwa #JapaneseLanguageSchool #JapaneseCulture #LearnJapanese #JapaneseLearningCommunity #JapaneseClasses #JapaneseVocabulary #JapaneseWordplay #LearnJapaneseOnline #SouthAfrica #日本語の庭

🚆 T r a i n C u l t u r e 🚆

Picture this: You’re at a bustling Tokyo station. You, and the crowds around you, are confident that the trains will get you to your destination on time. It’s almost surreal to think that the average delay for a Shinkansen, Japan’s iconic bullet train, is less than a minute per year! (So if you’re running late, it’s probably not the train’s fault.)

It’s rush hour, so you witness the #Oshiya in action—(#押し屋; derived from osu (押す, ‘𝘱𝘶𝘴𝘩’), and the suffix ~ya (屋, ‘𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬’.) These “𝘱𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴” ensure that every passenger has boarded and does not get caught in the doors, even if it’s a snug fit.

Now boarded, you glance around and note the serenity of your journey. In Japan, trains are quiet sanctuaries where phones are set to silent, and conversations are hushed or non-existent. It’s a place where people find peace, whether they’re texting, reading, or simply taking a nap. It’s a sharp contrast to the bustle of the streets you pass.

On some trains, you may notice women-only cars, a thoughtful provision during rush hours that ensures a comfortable journey for women. You may also spy what is known as “silver seats”, which are reserved for the elderly. These are some of the many ways Japan prioritizes the safety and comfort of its passengers.

As your journey comes to an end a cheerful melody plays—a unique jingle that you know well. Each station has its own tune, helping passengers, including those who are visually impaired, recognize their stop. It’s a small yet thoughtful detail.

From Hello Kitty to Pokémon-themed trains, the country offers an array of themed journeys too, each telling their own story. It’s not just about getting from point A to point B in Japan; it’s about the experience along the way.

So, the next time you find yourself in Japan, take a moment to appreciate the unique train culture. It’s a journey filled with melodies, stories, local pride, and a glimpse into a society that values efficiency, respect, and a little bit of magic in everyday life.

📸: Liam Burnett-Blue

🍡 H a n a • y o r i • D a n g o 🍡

Have you ever heard the popular Japanese phrase: #花より団子 (hana yori dango)? This interesting phrase translates to “dumplings over flowers”, but what do you think that means? 💭

This is an idiom that reflects the preference for practical things over aesthetic ones. For those who may not know, dango is a delicious Japanese sweet dumpling made from rice. While flowers are beautiful, the sweet and sticky dango is satisfying and nourishing when eaten, highlighting a practical approach to life. Because of this, one could even describe the phrase as ‘𝘚𝘶𝘣𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘺𝘭𝘦’.

Usage in a Sentence:

🇯🇵 : 彼女は花より団子タイプだね。
🗣️: Kanojo wa hana yori dango taipu da ne.
🇬🇧 : She is the type who prefers dumplings over flowers.

𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁 🔎
This phrase is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture and has been referenced in various media, including a popular manga and drama series of the same name! The anime in question has incorporated an interesting twist to the phrase by changing the kanji of dango 団子(the food) for the kanji 男子, which literally means “boy”!

Have you ever chosen something practical over something purely aesthetic? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🍡🌸
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- 花 (はな, 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗮): This means 𝘍𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳
- より (𝘆𝗼𝗿𝗶): This is a comparative particle that means 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯/𝘖𝘷𝘦𝘳
- 団子 (だんご, 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗼): This is a sweet dumpling street food.
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#JapaneseIdiom #NihongoNoNiwa #LearnJapanese #JapaneseCulture #JapaneseLanguageSchool #SouthAfrica #JapaneseClasses #花より男子 #日本語の庭

🐾 N e k o • n o • t e •m o • k a r i t a i 🐾

Today, let’s explore yet another charming and expressive Japanese idiom - #猫の手も借りたい. This idiom is used to describe being so overwhelmed with work that you’d accept help from anyone, even a cat… whose paws aren’t particularly useful for human tasks. Let’s dive in!

🇯🇵: 猫の手も借りたい
🗣️: 𝗻𝗲𝗸𝗼 𝗻𝗼 𝘁𝗲 𝗺𝗼 𝗸𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗶
🇬🇧: I would even borrow a cat’s paw.

In Japan, cats are often seen as leisurely and independent creatures. The idea of them being helpful adds a humorous touch to this idiom, reflecting the cultural view of cats as not particularly useful in human tasks. It’s a way to emphasize how desperate you are for assistance due to an excessive workload. This phrase is very popular in Japan and is frequently referenced in manga, anime, and everyday conversations. 🎏🐈

Have you ever felt so busy that you’d take a helping hand from anyone, even a cat? Share your stories in the comments! 🐱✨
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• 猫 (𝗻𝗲𝗸𝗼) is the Japanese word for cat.
• の (𝗻𝗼) is the possessive particle, similar to “’𝘴” in English. Here, it connects “𝘤𝘢𝘵” and “𝘱𝘢𝘸.”
• 手 (𝘁𝗲) means “hand/paw”.
• も (𝗺𝗼) adds emphasis, meaning “𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯” or “𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰.”
•借りたい (𝗸𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗶) is derived from the verb 借りる (kariru), which means “𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸.” The -たい (tai) ending indicates a desire or wish, translating to “𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸.”
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📸: Mikhail Vasilyev

#JapaneseForBusyPeople #BaDumTiss #JapaneseIdioms #NihongoNoNiwa #LearnJapanese #日本語の庭 #JapaneseCulture #JapaneseClasses #SouthAfrica #JapaneseLanguage #熟語

☁️ T o k y o S k y t r e e ☁️

We’re certain most of you have heard about today’s post topic! The 𝗧𝗼𝗸𝘆𝗼 𝗦𝗸𝘆𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲 (#東京スカイツリー, Tōkyō Sukaitsurī) is an iconic symbol of modern Japan, having been completed in 2012. Located in the Sumida ward of Tokyo, this towering structure is a broadcast, restaurant, and observation tower, designed to serve as a focal point for the city’s digital terrestrial television broadcasting.

Standing proud at 634 meters (2,080 ft), it is the tallest structure in Japan and the third tallest in the world! It’s no surprise, then, that it offers such breathtaking views of Tokyo. 🌆

Visitors to the Tokyo Skytree can experience stunning panoramic views from two observation decks: the 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗸 at 350 meters, offering 360-degree views of Tokyo, and the 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮 at 450 meters, providing a “skywalk” experience with a spiraling corridor. On clear days, you can even catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji!

That’s not all though… The base of the tower, known as 𝗦𝗸𝘆𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻, is a bustling hub of activity. It features 𝘛𝘰𝘬𝘺𝘰 𝘚𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪 with 300+ shops and restaurants, Sumida Aquarium with diverse marine life, and even the Postal Museum of Japan. 📪✉️

𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁:🔍
Did you know? The Tokyo Skytree’s height of 634 meters is not arbitrary. The numbers 6 (mu), 3 (sa), and 4 (shi) can be read together as “Musashi,” an old name for the region where the Tokyo Skytree is located. This clever use of numbers ties the modern marvel to its historical roots. The tower is also covered in LED lighting which is lit up in various colors throughout the year to celebrating different seasons, holidays, and events! (Check out the schedule on their official website.)💡🌈

Have you visited the Tokyo Skytree? Share your experiences and favorite views in the comments below! 🏙️✨

#TokyoSkytree #Tokyo #JapaneseArchitecture #NihongoNoNiwa #LearnJapanese #JapaneseLanguageSchool #日本語の庭

📸: @dermiez

🌊 J M S D F 🌊

If you’re a Japan enthusiast in Cape Town at the moment, then there’s a fair chance you’ve already heard of today’s topic! We’re thrilled to share highlights from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s (JMSDF) first visit to South Africa since WWII! 🎌🇿🇦

Last week, the 𝗝𝗦 𝗞𝗔𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗠𝗔 & 𝗝𝗦 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗔𝗭𝗘 docked in Cape Town and opened their doors and hearts to South Africa. Several of our Nihongo no Niwa students embraced the opportunity and had an incredible experience exploring the naval destroyers, chatting with the crew members, enjoying musical performances, and witnessing martial arts demonstrations of Aikidō, Kyūdō, and Kendō. 🥋🎯🗡️

A huge thank you to the @embassyofjapaninsouthafrica for allowing us the opportunity to share in the excitement of this historic moment for both Japan and South Africa. We wish the JMSDF sailors well on the next leg of their journey! 🌍
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𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁 🔎
Did you wonder why the names of the JMSDF vessels are written in hiragana and not kanji? Japanese ship names used to be written in kanji prior to WWII, but, following the formation of the JMSDF, this tradition was abandoned to better differentiate them from the Japanese navy of old. 🎌
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Interested in learning more about the historic port visit? Read all about this historic event in our latest blog post! [Link in bio.] 🌸

#NihongoNoNiwa #JMSDF #CapeTownVisit #JSKashima #JSShimakaze #JapanMaritimeSelfDefenseForce #CulturalExchange #InternationalConnections #JapaneseCulture #LearningBeyondClassroom #HistoricMoment #CapeTown #JapaneseLanguageSchool

🇯🇵 J L P T & J E T C o u r s e 🇯🇵

Do you plan to embark on the #JETprogramme or to take your #JLPT? Join our specialized preparatory courses designed to help you find your Japanese linguistic wings in the JLPT and the JET Programme! 🌟

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝗘𝗧 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲?
The 𝘑𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘯 𝘌𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 & 𝘛𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 (JET) Programme is a prestigious initiative sponsored by the Japanese government. It allows university graduates to live and work in Japan as assistant language teachers (#ALTs), sports education advisors (#SEAs), or coordinators for international relations (#CIRs). It’s a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in Japanese culture while making a difference, and having knowledge of the local language is highly beneficial. 🛩️

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝗟𝗣𝗧?
The 𝘑𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺 𝘛𝘦𝘴𝘵 (JLPT) is a standardized test that measures your fluency in Japanese. It's essential for anyone looking to prove their language skills, whether for work, study, or personal achievement. With our preparatory course we help our students work towards passing the JLPT with the best mark possible. ⭐️

With our expert guidance, you'll receive top-notch coaching, essential resources, and personalized support every step of the way. 📚✨

Achieve your best results and unlock new levels of fluency. Let's make your Japanese language goals a reality! 💪

#JLPTSouthAfrica #JETProgramme #JapaneseLanguageProficiencyTest #JapaneseLanguage #FluencyGoals #JapaneseLanguageSchool #LearnJapanese #SouthAfrica #StudyJapanese #NihongoNoNiwa #日本語の庭

🌊 T a t a m i • I s h i 🌊

The 𝗧𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗶 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀 (#畳石, Tatami Ishi) of Kumejima, Okinawa, are a natural wonder that showcases the beauty of Japan’s geological landscape. This breathtaking island landmark is composed of hexagonal rock formations that are said to resemble traditional Japanese #Tatami mats, giving them their name… although they’ve also been compared to a turtle’s carapace! 🐢✨

Formed over millions of years, the Tatami Rocks are composed of basalt, a type of volcanic rock. The unique patterns were created by the rapid cooling and contraction of lava, resulting in the distinctive, flat-topped shapes we see today.

Located on the southeastern coast of Ōjima, in the #KumejimaPrefecturalNationalPark, these rock formations stretch out over 50 metres from north to south over an expanse of 250 metres! They are composed of about a thousand hexagonal and pentagonal stones, each 1–1.5 metres in diameter.

The Tatami Rocks are best viewed at low tide when the formations are fully exposed, allowing visitors to walk on the rocks and get a close look at their intricate patterns. Beware of the playful little カニ (crabs) that can be found scuttling along the water’s edge, though! These little critters are lively residents of the serene and picturesque landscape and have been known to take a shine to some travelers. 🦀 👀

𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁: 🔍
📸 These stunning photos are from one of our Nihongo no Niwa students’ trip to Japan! The island itself is known for its natural beauty and traditional Okinawan culture, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and cultural enthusiasts alike.

Have you visited the Tatami Rocks or plan to? Share your experiences and photos in the comments below! 🌅✨

📸: ケイトリンさん

#TatamiRocks #Kumejima #Okinawa #Japan #JapanTravel #JapaneseLanguageSchool #SouthAfrica #JapaneseClasses #LearnJapanese #NihongoNoNiwa #日本語の庭 #奥武島 #JapanHiddenGem

🍁 H i r a g a n a 🍁

Ever wondered where Japanese hiragana came from? This unique writing system has a long history of linguistic evolution. 🤓📖

𝗞𝗮𝗻𝗷𝗶, a logographic writing system from China, was the first writing system to reach Japan’s shores, having been adopted around the 5th century AD.

These were later simplified to form 𝗺𝗮𝗻’𝘆ō𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗮, a Japanese writing system that utilized the Chinese characters for their phonetic value rather than the idea associated with the imagery of the kanji.

Although man’yōgana streamlined things considerably, it was only after the introduction of an even simpler system that the landscape of Japanese writing really began to transform. This new system evolved to become the hiragana we use to this day!

Has your interest been piqued? 👀 Discover more about the fascinating #OriginOfHiragana in our latest blog post! We delve into the evolution from kanji to man’yōgana, to hentaigana, and beyond! 🌸🖋️

🔗 [Link in Bio]

📸 #1 : ひらがなの教育イメージ by Hanasaki
📸 #2 : Excerpt of Man'yōshū' (万葉集, lit. Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves)

#Hiragana #Manyogana #Hentaigana #JapaneseLanguage #LanguageHistory #HistoryOfJapan #LearnJapanese #CulturalHeritage #JapanLovers #NihongoNoNiwa #日本語の庭 #JapaneseLanguageSchool #SouthAfrica

🇯🇵 🎲 B o a r d G a m e D a y ! 🎲 🇯🇵

Last weekend we hosted a Japanese board game day for our students, and it was a blast!

The students got to dive into a variety of exciting games, from themed games like 𝘙𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘍𝘶𝘳𝘺 and 𝘚𝘢𝘮𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘪 𝘚𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥 to popular Japanese games like 街コロ and いろはくるた. #Shogi, a traditional Japanese strategy game, proved to be the crowd favorite! 🎴♟️

It was wonderful to see everyone strategizing, having fun, and practicing their Japanese skills. One of our students, パインさん, even made his own game for the day as a fun way to help with kanji and kana recognition! 🀄️🎌

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a day full of laughter, learning, and some (occasionally intense) good fun! Special thanks goes to @sword_and_board_games for generously allowing us to use their premises. It was a fantastic day for board games, and we can’t wait for our next school event. ^ - ^

どうもありがとうございました。じゃあまたね。

#JapaneseLanguageSchool #LanguageLearning #BoardgameDay #Shogi #SouthAfrica #JapaneseClasses #日本語の庭 #NihongonoNiwa

🗣️ Personal Pronouns 🗣️

Let us imagine that one day, mysteriously, you find yourself in feudal Japan. You are dressed in kamishimo (上下/裃) garb and carry katana and tanto at your side… you are a member of the fearsome Japanese warrior caste, a mighty Samurai. Confused, you approach someone and ask them,「私はどこにいるんですか。」 (“Where am I?”).

While this hypothetical scenario is strange for many reasons, one of the strangest is that a samurai referred to themselves as “私” (わたし, watashi). Although 𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 accurate, the Japanese language has many nuanced ways in which one can reference one self, each conveying different levels of formality, humility, and personality. Let’s dive in! 🌟📚

▪️わたし (Watashi)
This is gender-neutral, polite, and commonly used in both formal and informal settings.

▪️ぼく (Boku)
Typically used by young males, this conveys a sense of familiarity or friendliness; Most often used in informal settings.

▪️おれ (Ore)
This is informal & often used by males among friends or in casual settings. If used with polite speech, this can come across as arrogant.

▪️あたし (Atashi)
Informal and typically used by females, this conveys familiarity or endearment. It is often associated with cuteness or sweetness.

▪️わし (Washi)
This is a neutral term used in the Kansai area by older men. Commonly used in games or animation by older, male characters.

▪️わたくし (Watakushi)
Incredibly formal and polite, this is used in official or business contexts. It can give a distinguished air of humility.

▪️うち (Uchi)
This is an informal, Kansai dialect used mostly by females during informal occasions.

▪️わがはい (Wagahai)
Archaic and literary, this is famously used in the novel “I Am a Cat” by Natsume Sōseki. (A great read! 📖)

▪️せっしゃ (Sessha)
Humble, a historically male reference used primarily by samurai, although rarely used in modern conversation. It literally means “clumsy person”, and reflected a sense of humility. 🌿🎨

So, whether you’re speaking in a formal meeting or chatting with friends, choosing the right word for “I” can make all the difference… and might just save our hypothetical samurai some confusion! (^_-)

⚜️ K i n t s u g i ⚜️

We’re sure many of you know the golden glitter of today’s post topic! 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘴𝘶𝘨𝘪 (#金継ぎ) is a traditional Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. This practice not only fixes the item but also highlights the cracks and repairs, celebrating the history and imperfections of the object rather than hiding them—a concept almost synonymous with the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-sabi.

Kintsugi, meaning “𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘫𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘺,” originated in the Muromachi era (15th century) and initially referred to repairing broken ceramics with a lacquer tree sap known as 𝘶𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘪, and fine, powdered gold. The materials used were naturally sourced and food safe, and would decompose harmlessly if lost in events like earthquakes or tsunamis. 🌊✨

Due to the constraints of urushi not only taking weeks to harden (causing multi-layered kintsugi projects to take months to complete) but also causing terrible rashes not dissimilar to those caused by poison ivy, synthetic glues began to replace the food-safe urushi a few decades ago, creating what’s now known as 𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘴𝘶𝘨𝘪.

Modern glues are convenient to use because they dry fast, which allows one to complete repairs much more quickly. However, they usually aren’t food-safe, meaning that one cannot reuse crockery for their original purposes, and they simply become ornamentation; something that is counter to the traditional values of kintsugi. 🌟

Traditional or modern, the ethos surrounding kintsugi is not one of efficacy, but of dedication to the meditative act of patience. It’s about embracing flaws and finding beauty in imperfection; a concept we could all appreciate in our language studies too! 📚🗣️

Do you like kintsugi? Share your thoughts on this beautiful art form in the comments below! 🌸✨

#Kintsugi #WabiSabi #JapaneseArt #CulturalHeritage #Japanese #NihongoNoNiwa #SouthAfrica #CapeTown #Johannesburg #Durban #Pretoria #JapaneseLanguage #JapaneseLessons #JapaneseClassesSouthAfrica #日本語の庭

🍶 K o m o d a r u 🍶

Have you ever seen the straw-wrapped cypress kegs used for transporting sake? These 𝘒𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘶 casts are a common sight in Japan. They come in many different sizes, and are traditionally used to store saké. 🌟

The practice of wrapping cedar barrels (𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘶, 樽) with straw mats (𝘬𝘰𝘮𝘰, 薦) originated in the 18th century during Japan’s Edo period. During this time, saké from traditional production areas like Itami and Nada was transported to the capital via sea on cargo ships known as ‘𝘛𝘢𝘳𝘶 𝘒𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘯’. The 74-liter barrels were placed on these ships and covered with straw mats (called 𝘒𝘰𝘮𝘰 𝘒𝘢𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘪) to safeguard them during transit. Their shape, rope, and ornamentation have remained consistent over the centuries, although the komo is often used as a “label” of sorts to distinguish between various brands of sake. 🥃🌿

Nowadays, empty komodaru barrels can be seen at Shinto shrines, near Kabuki theaters and in places where sumo tournaments are held. Many are even used as decorative pieces in Japanese restaurants and bars to showcase the brands they offer at their establishment. Why empty? While the flavour of saké is enriched by being stored in the ceder cask for a few days, anything longer than that is said to overpower the delicate flavors of the saké with resin. 🍂🏮

Are you a fan of these traditional containers? Some saké stores in Japan even sell miniature versions, which are great souvenirs for all the saké-lovers out there! 😉

#Komodaru #JapaneseSake #Japan #NihongoNoNiwa #JapaneseCulture #LearnJapanese #JapaneseClasses #JapaneseLanguageSchool #CapeTown #SouthAfrica #Johannesburg #Pretoria #Durban #日本語の庭

🗣️ T o n g u e T w i s t e r ! 🗣️

Have you ever tried your luck with a Japanese tongue twister? They’re not only fun, but they’re also excellent tools for improving pronunciation and speech clarity in Japanese. 🌪️ 🎙️

Get ready to put your pronunciation skills to the test with today’s tongue twister challenge:

「となりのとなりの婆さんはとなりにお婆さん。」
(𝘛𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘪 𝘯𝘰 𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘪 𝘯𝘰 𝘣ā𝘴𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘢 𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘪 𝘯𝘪 𝘰𝘣ā𝘴𝘢𝘯.)

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 🌿📖
This phrase translates to, “The neighbor’s neighbor is an old lady next door.” The twister plays with the amusing repetition of “tonari” (𝘯𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘳/𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘵𝘰 [𝘦𝘴𝘱. 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘰]) and “obāsan” (𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳/𝘧𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘳-𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘯). Can you say it three times fast without tripping over your tongue?
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𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀 🎵🗨️
Break down each syllable and pronounce them clearly:

- Toh-nah-ree no toh-nah-ree no bah-sahn wah toh-nah-ree nee oh-bah-sahn.

Take your time and focus on enunciating each sound accurately. Don’t forget to maintain a steady pace to avoid stumbling over the words!
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Have you mastered this tongue twister? Then stay tuned for more fun language challenges and cultural insights from Nihongo no Niwa! 🌟📚

#TongueTwisterChallenge #NihongoNoNiwa #SouthAfrica #CapeTown #Johannesburg #Durban #Pretoria #JapaneseLanguage #JapaneseLessons #JapaneseClassesSouthAfrica #日本語の庭

🇯🇵 C e l e b r a t i o n 🇯🇵

Nihongo no Niwa recently had the pleasure of being invited by the @embassyofjapaninsouthafrica to celebrate the 64th birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, Naruhito.

It was an honour to meet the Ambassador of Japan in South Africa, Mr USHIO Shigeru, and to see the Honourable Consul of Japan in Cape Town, Mr KATAMOTO Masahiro, as well as the consulate staff, once again. We were deeply honoured by the invitation, and we enjoyed the experience.

We look forward to maintaining these valued connections going forward as we continue to share our passion and appreciation for Japan and its language with our students! 🎌
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𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄? 💭
Emperor Naruhito is the current Emperor of Japan, ascending to the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1, 2019, following the abdication of his father, Emperor Emeritus Akihito. This makes him the 126th Emperor of Japan.

He maintains the symbolic role of the Emperor in Japan’s constitutional monarchy, promoting goodwill and diplomacy between Japan and other nations. He is also an internationally renowned expert on water issues, something that will be of particular interest to some of our students. 👀
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📸: Embassy of Japan in South Africa / Office of the Consul of Japan in Cape Town
👘: @arashi.house

#EmperorNaruhito #CulturalExchange #Japan #JapaneseLanguageSchool #SouthAfrica #NihongonoNiwa #日本語の庭 #CapeTown #Johannesburg #Pretoria #Durban

🍀 M a n e k i • N e k o 🍀

Also known as the beckoning cat (#招き猫) or lucky cat, these adorable kittens are a popular ornament in Japanese culture believed to bring good luck and fortune to their owners. They usually depict a calico Japanese Bobtail, and were first crafted in the late Edo period (c. 1852) from #ImadoWare. 🎋🐱

You’ll often find Maneki-Neko displayed near the entrances of homes, restaurants, pachinko parlors, and many other businesses across Japan, symbolizing prosperity, happiness, and good fortune.

Pay attention to the cat’s paw though! A raised left paw is said to beckon customers to a store, while a raised right paw is believed to bring good fortune and money to a home. Some modern maneki-neko even have a mechanical paw which moves back and forth! 🐈✨

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𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗸𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿
This story relates to #ŌtaDōkan, a military leader from the Muromachi period (1336–1573) who eventually constructed Edo Castle. During the Battles of Ekodahara and Numabukuro against the Toshima clan, Dōkan found himself outnumbered and lost. At this critical moment, a cat appeared and gestured for him to follow it into the Jishōin Temple. There, he regained his bearings and ultimately achieved victory in the conflict. Dōkan, grateful to the cat for its assistance, later donated a cat sculpture to the temple, giving rise to the creation of the maneki-neko.
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Want to delve deeper into Japanese culture and language? Join our school to explore not just the language but also the fascinating cultural heritage of Japan! 🇯🇵✨

🎨: @cspies_

#ManekiNeko #NihongonoNiwa #SouthAfrica #CapeTown #Johannesburg #Durban #Pretoria #JapaneseLanguage #NihongoNoNiwa #JapaneseLanguageSchool #JapaneseCulture #JapaneseLearningCommunity #JapaneseClasses #JapaneseLanguageClub #JapaneseLessons #JapaneseClassesSouthAfrica #日本語の庭

🐱 N e k o • k a b u r i 🐱

猫被り (also written 「猫かぶり」) is a fascinating phrase that comes from the Japanese 𝘬𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘻𝘢 (proverb) ‘#猫を被る’ (𝘯𝘦𝘬𝘰•𝘸𝘰•𝘬𝘢𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘶, lit. ‘to wear a cat [on one’s head’]). It describes the act of feigning innocence or naivety to mask one’s true intentions or cunning nature, akin to a villain masquerading under the innocent guise of a cat. It is similar to the English expression ‘butter wouldn’t melt in their mouth’. 🧈 🐈

Because it is also a verb phrase, it can be conjugated in many ways. 𝗡𝗲𝗸𝗼 𝗸𝗮𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗶 is one such example and is used to describe a person in much the same way as the English “wolf in sheep’s clothing” expression does. It reveals layers of hidden intentions behind a facade of innocence. 🐺🌾

Beguilingly adorable? We agree! Let’s continue to uncover more fascinating Japanese expressions together. 📚🇯🇵
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• 猫 (𝘯𝘦𝘬𝘰) means “cat” in Japanese.
• を (𝘸𝘰) is the direct object particle in Japanese.
• 被る (𝘬𝘢𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘶) is a verb that means “to wear” or “to put on (one’s head)” in Japanese, usually reserved for headwear.
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🎨: @cspies_

#NekoKaburi #PhrasePower #kotowaza #JapaneseLanguage #NihongoNoNiwa #LearnJapanese #JapaneseLanguageSchool #JapaneseCulture #JapaneseLearningCommunity #JapaneseClasses #JapaneseLanguageClub #JapaneseLessons #JapaneseClassesSouthAfrica #CapeTown #SouthAfrica #日本語の庭 #Johannesburg #Durban

🎥 M o v i e T i m e ! 🎥

We and a few of our students recently went to see the opening weekend screening of “𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙤𝙮 & 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙣” (#君たちはどう生きるか, 𝘭𝘪𝘵. ‘𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘋𝘰 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘓𝘪𝘷𝘦?’), Studio Ghibli’s latest masterpiece. We were captivated by the beautiful storytelling and stunning visuals. It’s a real treat to see classic animation at its best!

Watching films in Japanese is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in both the language and the culture. While the subtitles were fantastic, the depth of information conveyed by the original Japanese is always so deep and fascinating. 🇯🇵💬

From subtle language patterns showcasing what started as a sense of duty turning to genuine love and respect, or specific word usage displaying a character’s rural identity, to other subtle words showing crassness or particular fondness, the subtext of language is captivating.

We would encourage any Japan-aficionado to give this film a watch! It’s well worth seeing. Until our next cinematic adventure… let’s keep learning, exploring, and enjoying the magic of the Japanese language! 🌸🎞️

Fun Fact: わらわら (warawara) is the Japanese onomatopoeia for shuffling or wriggling. ^ - ^

#JapaneseCinema #HayaoMiyazaki #StudioGhibli #TheBoyAndTheHeron #MovieNight #NihongoNoNiwa #LearnJapanese #JapaneseLanguageSchool #JapaneseCulture #JapaneseLearningCommunity #JapaneseClasses #JapaneseLanguageClub #JapaneseLessons #JapaneseClassesSouthAfrica #LearnJapaneseCapeTown #日本語の庭

💫 G o l d e n W e e k 💫

Happy Golden Week, 皆さん! Spanning from April 29th to May 5th, this is a special period of the year in Japan when multiple national holidays coincide, creating an extended period of leisure and celebration.

Also known as Ō𝘨𝘰𝘯 𝘚𝘩ū𝘬𝘢𝘯 (#黄金週間, lit. ‘Golden Week’) or 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘶 𝘯𝘰 Ō𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘢 𝘙𝘦𝘯𝘬𝘺ū (#春の大型連休, lit. ‘Long spring holiday series’), this week marks one of Japan’s largest holiday periods and sees a surge in domestic travel. Because there are 4 public holidays during this period, it is quite common for workers to take the entire week off. 🗓️🚆

• 𝗦𝗵ō𝘄𝗮 𝗗𝗮𝘆 (𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟵): Established in 2007, this commemorates Hirohito, the Showa emperor, and falls on his birthdate, April 29.

• 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆 (𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟯): Known as #𝘒𝘦𝘮𝘱ō𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘣𝘪, this day celebrates the creation and implementation of Japan’s new post-World War II constitution.

• 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝘆 (𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟰): After Emperor Hirohito’s death in 1989 Greenery Day (#𝘔𝘪𝘥𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘕𝘰𝘏𝘪) was announced to honor his love for nature. This holiday originally fell on April 29 to coincide with the emperor’s birthday, but was moved to May 4 in 2007 and his birthdate became Showa day instead. 🍃

• 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 (𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟱): While this holiday has roots as Boy’s Festival (#𝘛𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘰𝘕𝘰𝘚𝘦𝘬𝘬𝘶) to reflect the Doll Festival (#𝘏𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘪) honoring girls on March 3, this holiday now celebrates children of all genders. Children’s Day (#𝘒𝘰𝘥𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘕𝘰𝘏𝘪) sees parents celebrate their children and pray for their well-being. Homes are often decorated with carp-shaped streamers (#鯉のぼり) at this time. 🎎 🎏

Whether observing from near or far, we hope this special holiday period will be filled with joy, gratitude, and a deep appreciation for Japan. 🎊🇯🇵

#ゴールデンウィーク #GoldenWeek #NihongoNoNiwa #LearnJapanese #JapaneseLanguageSchool #JapaneseCulture #JapaneseLearningCommunity #JapaneseClasses #JapaneseLanguageClub #JapaneseLessons #JapaneseClassesSouthAfrica #LearnJapaneseCapeTown #日本語の庭

👺 M t . T a k a o ‘ s T e n g u👺

Nestled just under an hour away from Tokyo is Mt. Takao, a great place to hike and explore the outdoors. Beware though; ancient legends and mystical creatures await amidst the towering trees and rugged trails. 🏞️🌟

天狗(𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘂)
At the heart of Mt. Takao's folklore stand the enigmatic Tengu, legendary creatures believed to inhabit the mountain's depths. With their long noses, feathered wings, and formidable presence, Tengu are revered as powerful protectors of nature and local residents of the mountain.

According to legend, these mystical beings possess unparalleled martial arts skills, magical abilities, and the wisdom of the sages. Some stories depict Tengu as benevolent spirits guiding travelers through the mountains, while others portray them as mischievous tricksters testing those who dare to tread their domain. 🏔️🍃

𝗬𝗮𝗸𝘂ō𝗶𝗻 𝗬𝘂𝗸𝗶𝗷𝗶 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲
Walking along the winding trails (after a scenic trip up either the cable car or chair lift) you will eventually find yourself at the local shrine. It’s no ordinary shrine though, as this particular spot pays homage to the mysterious Tengu. Dotted with both #KarasuTengu and #HanadakaTengu statues, their presence is immediately apparent.

One can also find many spots to eat along this trail – great news for hungry travelers – the tengu ramen, soba noodles, and mitarashi dango being a particular hit with both locals and tourists. 🍡🍜

Moving still further onwards, you will eventually reach the summit of Mt. Takao, a great spot to view Mt. Fuji. So why not take a day trip to Mt. Takao's Tengu when next visiting Tokyo? ^ - ^

Want to learn more about Tengu? Visit the blog on our website to see our latest article on these mysterious creatures. 👺📄

1# 📸: curiousordinary.com
2# 📸: curiousordinary.com
3# 📸: curiousordinary.com
4# 📸: Hobohobo

#MtTakao #高尾山 #Tengu #JapaneseFolklore #NihongoNoNiwa #LearnJapanese #JapaneseLanguageSchool #JapaneseCulture #JapaneseLearningCommunity #JapaneseClasses #JapaneseLanguageClub #JapaneseLessons #JapaneseClassesSouthAfrica #LearnJapaneseCapeTown #日本語の庭

🌟 M e e t R o b y n !🌟

It’s time for another student spotlight, and today we’re shining the light on the inspiring journey of Robynさん, a woman with a dream and the tenacity to reach for it. 🎓🌸

We are thrilled to share that Robynさん’s hard work towards her dream has paid off, as she recently immigrated to teach at a school in the picturesque #GunmaPrefecture in Japan. We could not be more proud!

Robynさん briefly embarked on her Japanese language journey at another tutor before finding her language home in Nihongo no Niwa. With unwavering determination and a thirst for knowledge, she has immersed herself in her studies, overcoming challenges and embracing the beauty of the Japanese culture all the while. Not only a dedicated student, Robynさん is also a qualified teacher, and has always wanted to teach in Japan! 🍎📚

As she navigates her new life in Gunma, we know Robynさん will embrace every moment with the enthusiasm and grace we’ve come to know her for. She reminds all aspiring students that with perseverance and determination, dreams can become a reality. (We’re still going to miss her terribly though!) 🌟🎓

Join us in celebrating Robynさん’s success and wishing her continued joy and fulfillment in her adventures in Japan! 🇯🇵 We can’t wait to visit you soon, Robyn. 🤍♥️

#StudentSpotlight #Testimonial #JapaneseLanguageSuccess #DreamsComeTrue #NihongoNoNiwa #LearnJapanese #JapaneseLanguageSchool #JapaneseCulture #JapaneseLearningCommunity #JapaneseClasses #JapaneseLanguageClub #JapaneseLessons #JapaneseClassesSouthAfrica #LearnJapaneseCapeTown #日本語の庭

🙂 H e n o h e n o m o h e j i 🙂

Meet #へのへのもへじ! This doodle of a face is often sketched by Japanese schoolchildren – popularized during the Edo period – and is drawn using only hiragana characters. 📝🌸

This whimsical creation is made by arranging seven hiragana characters: へ (he), の (no), へ (he), の (no), も (mo), へ (he), and じ (ji). The first two “he” form the eyebrows, the two “no” serving as eyes, the “mo” representing a nose, and the final “he” completing the mouth. The large “ji” then brings it all together by forming the outline of the head with its two short strokes (𝘥𝘢𝘬𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘯) forming the ear. 👂👁️

The henohenomoheji is often used to depict a generic face in Japan, and replaces the Western equivalent of a smiley face, adorning #TeruTeruBōzu, scarecrows, and the like.

That’s not all there is to it though! There are countless variations on this theme, and people often try to come up with exciting new creations using only hiragana characters, as in the other examples we’ve shown. 🐈‍⬛ 🖊️

The individual characters are also often sung out by the children as they are drawn, making the henohenomoheji an 𝘦𝘬𝘢𝘬𝘪 𝘶𝘵𝘢 (#絵描き歌, drawing song).

Can you come up with some clever #henohenomoheji variations? 👀

#LanguageInsights #NihongoNoNiwa #LearnJapanese #JapaneseLanguageSchool #JapaneseCulture #JapaneseLearningCommunity #JapaneseClasses #JapaneseLanguageClub #JapaneseLessons #JapaneseClassesSouthAfrica #LearnJapaneseCapeTown #日本語の庭

🎭 N o h M a s k s 🎭

Noh masks, used in the classical Japanese dramatic art form of #NohTheater, have graced the stage since around the Muromachi period (1392-1573).

The use of masks (also known as a 𝘯𝘰𝘩-𝘮𝘦𝘯 or 𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘦) began as an attempt to imbue the Noh characters with the concept of 𝘺ū𝘨𝘦𝘯 (#幽玄, lit. mysterious profoundity). The masks aided in this quest by hiding any unattractive features of the actor behind the perfect facade of the mask. 👺🌌

Although traditionally carved by the actors themselves, this soon became an independent craft. Certain families specialize in the art, and are now renowned institutions in the field. All Noh masks are carved with a neutral expression, as the actors use the art of micro motions to convey emotion (eg. #𝘛𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘶; tilting the mask up slightly to give the impression of a smile). 🎨🌸

Each Noh mask embodies its own unique character, ranging from otherworldly gods and spirits to warriors and demons throughout Japanese folklore and mythology. While initially there were about 60 basic masks, in modern Noh theatre there are over 200 different kinds in use!

The mask depicted in this post is of Hannya (#般若), a jealous and fearsome female demon from the Japanese pantheon. Not to worry though… the word “𝘏𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘺𝘢” actually mean “𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘥𝘰𝘮” in Japanese, and the masks are often used as a good-luck charm to ward off evil. 👹🈲

Have you ever witnessed a Noh theater performance? Share your thoughts and experiences below! ^ - ^

🎨: @cspies_

#JapaneseNohMasks #NihongoNoNiwa #LearnJapanese #JapaneseLanguageSchool #JapaneseCulture #JapaneseLearningCommunity #JapaneseClasses #JapaneseLanguageClub #JapaneseLessons #JapaneseClassesSouthAfrica #LearnJapaneseCapeTown #NihongoNoNiwa #日本語の庭

☂️ W a g a s a ☂️

Japanese parasols, known as “wagasa” (和傘), have been cherished for centuries as symbols of refinement and grace. Originating in China before spreading to Japan and other areas of Asian, these exquisite umbrellas were originally crafted from bamboo and oiled paper, designed to provide protection from the sun and rain. 🌞🌧️

In Japanese culture, parasols aren’t just for protection though, but are important items in ceremonies. During traditional Japanese weddings, the matron of honour would cover the bride with a red oil-paper parasol to ward off evil spirits. They are also used as important accessories in Japanese theatre and tea ceremonies. 🎊 🍵

While wagasa remain beloved symbols of Japan, every colour features a different meaning – although the handle usually remains black. For example, purple wagasa symbolize longevity, and white is only used for funerals. Those with a round, bi-colour design are called 𝘫𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘴𝘢 (蛇の目傘, lit. “snake-eye umbrella”).

Have you ever seen a real Japanese wagasa? When travelling in Japan, I once had to jump out of the way of an old Obāsan who was riding a bicycle and using a wagasa in front of her like a jousting stick.

Share your favorite memories and experiences below! 🌸 🌂

📸: TeshiGoto

#JapaneseParasols #Wagasa #NihongoNoNiwa #LearnJapanese #JapaneseLanguageSchool #JapaneseCulture #JapaneseLearningCommunity #JapaneseClasses #JapaneseLanguageClub #JapaneseLessons #JapaneseClassesSouthAfrica #LearnJapaneseCapeTown #NihongoNoNiwa #日本語の庭

☁️ U k i y o ☁️

In Japanese, 𝗨𝗸𝗶𝘆𝗼 (#浮世) translates to “the floating world,” and embodies the idea of living in the present moment, embracing life’s transient nature, and finding pleasure in the beauty of impermanence. ✨🎐

It is a concept deeply rooted in Japan’s Edo period (1615–1868), where the phrase “the floating world” conjured a realm of wit, elegance, and opulence — tinged with hints of mischief and pleasure-seeking — that was separate, and a juxtaposition, to the mundane routine of daily responsibilities.

Fictional tales embracing this hedonistic lifestyle became popular during that period, and inspired a whole movement of artistic works, many of which were centered around the urban lifestyle of Edo (modern-day Tokyo), including the infamous Yoshiwara Pleasure Quarter.

You may have heard of 𝗨𝗸𝗶𝘆𝗼-𝗲 (浮世絵, lit. 𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥) which is a genre of Japanese art that flourished during this time. Artists like #Hokusai and #Hiroshige captured scenes of daily life, landscapes, and theater performances, immortalizing the essence of Ukiyo in their exquisite woodblock prints. 🐉🪷

📸 2. 𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘒𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘸𝘢 (神奈川沖浪裏) by Katsushika Hokusai (ca. 1830–32)

📸 3. Outline block (主版, 𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘩𝘢𝘯) cut for a modern woodblock facsimile (2017) reproduction of 𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘒𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘸𝘢 by Katsushika Hokusai. © The Trustees of the British Museum.

#Ukiyo #FloatingWorld #JapaneseArt #NihongoNoNiwa #LearnJapanese #JapaneseLanguageSchool #JapaneseCulture #JapaneseLearningCommunity #JapaneseClasses #JapaneseLanguageClub #JapaneseLessons #JapaneseClassesSouthAfrica #LearnJapaneseCapeTown #NihongoNoNiwa #日本語の庭

🌟 K e i g o 🌟

At Nihongo no Niwa, we remember our origins, and today we pay our respects to the remarkable legacy of Keigo Aoki-Bazlinton, a titan in the world of Japanese language education in South Africa. 🎓🌸

Keigo先生 – a highly respected linguist originally from Machida, Tokyo – was the founder of Cape Town Nihongo Kai, the first official Japanese language club in South Africa, founded in 2001.

His dedication and passion inspired countless students – including our own founder, Jason Musikanth, who was the head tutor at Nihongo Kai for many years and a personal friend of Keigo.

After the closure of Nihongo Kai, Jason took up the mantle, at the insistence of both Keigo先生 and the Nihongo Kai students, and started his own Japanese language school. 📚💬

Although Keigo先生 left this world in January 2023, we honor his memory by spreading our passion and joy for the beauty of Japanese – the language he so loved – far and wide. 📚🌏

けいご先生、お誕生日おめでとうございます。Happy heavenly birthday, Sensei. 🤍

1. 📸: Cape Town Nihongo Kai
2. 📸: Keigo Aoki-Bazlinton
3. 📸: Keigo Aoki-Bazlinton

#RememberingGoldStars #LegacyOfLearning #KeigoAokiBazlinton #RememberingKeigoSensei #NihongoNoNiwa #日本語の庭 #CapeTownNihongoKai #ケープタウン日本語会

❀ K i k u ❀

In Japan, chrysanthemums, known as “kiku” (菊), hold deep significance, symbolizing longevity, rejuvenation, and the autumn season’s beauty. These majestic flowers are often featured in art — such as the one depicted in this post — textiles, and the 50¥ coin. Even the Imperial Seat of Japan is known as the Chrysanthemum Throne. This is named after the original Chrysanthemum throne, which resides in the Kyoto Imperial Palace.

These beautiful flowers bloom in Autumn, and the Shinjuku Goen Park is where the two-hundred-year-long tradition of Chrysanthemum flower viewing is still very much cherished. 🍂

Chrysanthemum tea, known as kiku-cha (菊茶) in Japan, is cherished for the floral elegance, aromatic earthiness, and distinct flavor of each variety. To prepare, one steeps only the flower petals in hot water, as the leaves impart bitterness. It is then enjoyed as a morning tea, known as 朝茶 (asa cha), while piping hot. 🍵

Have you encountered these exquisite flowers before? Share your experiences and thoughts below! 📸🌸

🎨: Horiyoshi III

#JapaneseChrysanthemums #CulturalSymbolism #Kiku #NihongoNoNiwa #LearnJapanese #JapaneseLanguageSchool #JapaneseCulture #JapaneseLearningCommunity #JapaneseClasses #JapaneseLanguageClub #JapaneseLessons #JapaneseClassesSouthAfrica #LearnJapaneseCapeTown #NihongoNoNiwa #日本語の庭

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NIHONGO NO NIWA

DISCOVER THE ELEGANCE OF JAPANESE FLUENCY

ようこそ！

Welcome!

OUR SERVICES

PRIVATE & GROUP CLASSES

CULTURAL IMMERSION

Robyn, Gunma Prefecture (Kanto area)​

U​PCOMING EVENTS

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​

SIGN UP FOR A REGULAR ARTICLES ABOUT ALL THINGS JAPANESE

Be it language tips, cultural insights, or school news, we have it covered.

DISCOVER THE ELEGANCE
OF JAPANESE FLUENCY

Robyn, Gunma Prefecture (Kanto area)

UPCOMING EVENTS