ようこそ！Youkoso!! 🙇‍♂️ Welcome to all our new members over the past week! This community is for us to learn Japanese together, step by step. Every little bit of practice adds up! This week’s question is: わぎゅうかすしか？🥩🍣 wagyū ka sushi ka? Wagyū or sushi? Rich, melt-in-your-mouth wagyū… or Fresh, elegant sushi? Which would you choose? This question is open to everyone! Bonus points: Answer in Japanese and tell us why 👇 👉 わぎゅうがすきです。おいしいですから。 👉 すしがすきです。しんせんですから。 Or try a little more: 👉 わたしはすしのほうがすきです。 👉 わぎゅうをたべてみたいです。 Looking forward to your answers! ありがとう、 Joe Sensei 🙏 @Matt Hamilton @Victoria Ramkissoon @Jonnaliza Gabayan @Haley Sadoyama @Joshua Laurence @Marc T @Alexis Chaparro @Victoria Spalding @Ashton Willis @Liam Lebeter

This week’s fact is about one of the most memorable milestones in Japan. 🎌 Japan Fact Friday — Seijinshiki (Coming of Age Day) Every January, young people across Japan celebrate turning 20 at Coming of Age Day, known as 成人の日 (せいじんのひ / Seijin no Hi). It marks the moment they are officially recognised as adults. 🎓 The Ceremony Young adults turning 20 in the current year, attend a formal event called 成人式 (せいじんしき / Seijinshiki), usually held at their local city hall. There are speeches, congratulations and a sense of stepping into a new stage of life. But for many, the ceremony is only the beginning. 👘 The Fashion One of the most striking parts of Seijinshiki is what people wear. Women often wear furisode — long-sleeved, elegant kimono with bright colours and intricate patterns. Men might choose: • traditional hakama • or modern suits It’s a rare chance to dress in full traditional style — and people go all out. Hair, makeup and accessories are carefully planned, often months in advance. 🎉 The After Party After the formal ceremony, the mood changes. Friends who haven’t seen each other since school reunite. They go out together — eating, drinking, laughing and celebrating. It’s part reunion, part celebration, and part “first night as an adult.” For many, it’s the moment where: • old friendships reconnect • new adult identities begin • memories are made for life 🧠 Why This Matters Seijinshiki reflects something important in Japan: • respect for life stages • community recognition • balancing tradition and modern life A formal ceremony in the morning… and a lively celebration at night. 🧠 Language Lesson — Becoming an Adult 🎌 せいじんになりました。 Seijin ni narimashita. I became an adult. 🎌 きものをきます。 Kimono o kimasu. I wear a kimono. 🎌 ともだちとおいわいします。 Tomodachi to oiwai shimasu. I celebrate with friends. 🫵 Your Turn How do people celebrate becoming an adult in your country? Big party? Quiet celebration? Nothing at all? Answer in English or Japanese 😊 See you next Friday for another Japan Fact Friday 🇯🇵✨

Introduce yourself and share a pic of something Japanese you own or something Japanese that you're interested in! Feel free to explain why you want to learn Japanese or what you like about Japan. Also, feel free to post any Japanese language questions you have. I'd be glad to answer them! As for me, I love learning Judo. Have you ever tried it? And I love Japanese literature, such as Kokoro by Natsume Soseki. Have you read any Japanese novels? I also really enjoyed Cowboy Bebop when it came out! Not the live action Netflix version! To start learning, I highly recommend Your 50 First Sentences Course: https://www.skool.com/japanese/classroom/fe1c2853?md=60ee3552d26e4ffcb910a86675e10f95 Arigatou, Joe Sensei.

ようこそ！Youkoso!! 🙇‍♂️ Welcome to all our new members over the past week! This community is all about learning Japanese step by step — together. Keep showing up, and your Japanese will keep improving! This week’s question is: カラオケかライブコンサートか？🎤🎶 karaoke ka raibu konsāto ka? Karaoke or live concert? Sing your heart out yourself… or Feel the energy of a live performance? This question is open to everyone! Bonus points: Answer in Japanese and give a reason 👇 👉 カラオケがすきです。たのしいですから。 👉 ライブコンサートがすきです。すごいですから。 Looking forward to your answers! ありがとう、 Joe Sensei 🙏 Welcome: @Jarred Katzenberg @Mary Phan @Michelle Gabriel @Kinoshita Koichi @Karen Teh @Kateryna Naichenko @Jasmin Baclao @Stephanie Leung @Carlo Tassone @Marco Brun del Re @Cristiane Pallares @Aleš Nemet @Battulga Batuka @Putra M @Eddie L