Very happy to have found you! I am traveling to Japan in February and would like to have at least a little bit of knowledge to not be totally lost. I understand it is not a lot of time. I also want to make sure that I am not disrespectful in any way.

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!

Over the past four years, I’ve traveled both domestically and internationally—through Iceland, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Chile, and Argentina. Backpacking has become my favorite way to experience a place, whether it’s Patagonia, the Laugavegur Trail, Mont Blanc, the Ötztal Alps, or trails across the U.S. Along the way, food and pastries are just as important to me as the miles I hike. This year, I chose Japan over Nepal due to ongoing civic unrest, and I have zero regrets. The Kumano Kodo immediately caught my attention. At just 70 miles, it was the shortest hike I’ve ever done, and for the first time, I didn’t camp. Instead, I stayed in guesthouses and hostels, which gave the journey a completely different rhythm. I landed at Narita Airport on the 13th with a few hours to spare before heading to my hostel. Buying a train ticket to Shibuya turned out to be my first challenge. Everything was in Japanese, and although I had prepared in advance—knowing exactly where I needed to stop—the pressure of people lining up behind me made it intimidating. Ten minutes later, ticket in hand, I was on my way. After arriving in Shibuya, I walked about 15 minutes to my hostel and immediately asked the front desk if there was an onsen nearby. Lucky me—there was one on-site. I spent a good 30 minutes decompressing, letting the travel fatigue melt away. By then, hunger kicked in. It was already 11p.m., but in Shibuya, that’s nothing to worry about. The neighborhood is alive well into the early morning hours. Plenty of ramen shops were still open, though ordering was another adventure. Everything was done through a kiosk, and of course, there was no English option 😉. Still, at 1 a.m., sitting there with a bowl of ramen was one of the most enjoyable meals I’ve ever had. I stayed in Shibuya for a couple of nights, but honestly, it’s not something I’d recommend unless you love nightlife. That said, there are a few must-dos: Don Quijote is a must-visit, and Food Show is fantastic—especially if you go about 30 minutes before closing, when sushi is discounted 10–30%. And of course, don’t forget to take a picture with the famous Hachikō statue.

Konnichiwa, On the second day of the hiragana challenge we learn i, mi, shit, ko! 🎄✨ Watch the video and comment when you finish! Please peactis the writing to improve your overall understanding and retention (you'll remember it better)! Day Two! Ganbatte kudasai (try your best)!!!! Joe Sensei. @Ev Ginguene @Meyu Artist @Irdzra Khairuddin @Phil C @Blaize Agena @Brittney Cox @Steve Goldun @Karin Ware @Wilson Sanchez @Sheila Pinto @Fenny Kirmil @Nathan Feick

Konnichiwa, On the first day of the hiragana challenge we learn a, ki, ka, su! 🎄✨ Watch the video and comment when you've finished! For extra points, do the writing exercise and post a photo of your answers. This will really cement your learning! Below is the first video and worksheet. I know some of you have seen this before, but we'll take on this challenge together and master the 46 characters by Christmas!! Day One! Ganbatte kudasai (try your best)!!!! Joe Sensei. @Ev Ginguene @Meyu Artist @Irdzra Khairuddin @Phil C @Blaize Agena @Brittney Cox @Steve Goldun @Karin Ware @Wilson Sanchez @Sheila Pinto @Fenny Kirmil @Nathan Feick