Today’s fact takes us to Japan’s winter capital: Sapporo. ❄️ Japan Fact Friday — The Sapporo Snow Festival On this day in 1950, local high school students in Sapporo built a few large snow statues in Odori Park. They weren’t planning to start a national event — they were just playing in the snow. But people loved it. That small community activity grew into the Sapporo Snow Festival (さっぽろ雪まつり) — now one of Japan’s most famous winter events. Every February, millions of visitors come to see: ⛄ giant snow sculptures 🏯 detailed ice castles and famous landmarks 💡 nighttime illuminations 🍜 hot winter food stalls Some sculptures are over 15 metres tall and require teams working for weeks. Today, the festival is known around the world — but it began with students, creativity, and community spirit. 🧠 Why This Matters This reflects something important in Japanese culture: small local traditions can grow into something meaningful through consistency, craftsmanship, and community participation. It’s also very “Japanese” that something temporary — snow — can become something beautiful and memorable. 🫵 Your Turn Would you rather visit Japan in: ❄️ winter for the snow festivals 🌸 spring for cherry blossoms 🍁 autumn for the leaves 🏖️ summer for festivals and fireworks? Answer in English or Japanese 😊

This week’s fact is about something simple that carries deep meaning in Japan: chopstick etiquette. At first glance, chopstick manners might look just like “rules”… But in Japan, they’re really about respect, memory and relationships. 🥢 Japan Fact Friday — Chopsticks & Meaning Chopsticks (箸・はし) are everyday tools in Japan, but how you use them matters just as much as what you eat. Here are a few common manners — and what they truly mean: ❌ Sticking chopsticks upright in rice This is only done at funerals as an offering to the dead. Doing this at the table reminds people of death — so it’s deeply uncomfortable. ❌ Passing food from chopsticks to chopsticks This mirrors a funeral ritual where bones are passed after cremation. Even if the intention is kind, the association is very strong. ❌ Pointing with chopsticks This can feel aggressive or rude — like pointing a finger at someone. ❌ Digging through dishes to “search” for foodCalled saguri-bashi, it suggests impatience or selfishness. ✅ Placing chopsticks neatly when not eatingThis shows care, calmness, and consideration for others. 🧠 The Deeper Meaning These manners aren’t about being strict or formal — they reflect core Japanese values: • respect for others• awareness of shared space• remembering ancestors and tradition• harmony at the table Even small actions communicate who you are. ✨ Why This Matters for Learners Understanding manners helps you understand the culture — not just the language. And honestly? Japanese people don’t expect perfection… they appreciate awareness. 🫵 Your Turn Which chopstick rule surprised you the most? Have you ever worried about making a chopstick mistake in Japan? Can you use chopsticks? Answer in English or Japanese 😊

✏️ Goal: Write a short diary entry in Japanese 🗒️ Topic: A good day ✅ Beginner 今日、高校で日本語を教えました。 Kyō, kōkō de Nihongo o oshiemashita. Today, I taught Japanese at high school. 今年の新しい生徒にたくさん会いました。 Kotoshi no atarashii seito ni takusan aimashita. I met many new students. 生徒はとても熱心でした。 Seito wa totemo nesshin deshita. The students were very enthusiastic. 日本語を学ぶ楽しさを、みんなと分かち合いたいです。 Nihongo o manabu tanoshisa o, minna to wakachiaitai desu. I want to share the fun of learning Japanese with everyone. 高校生は時々失礼なこともあります。 Kōkōsei wa tokidoki shitsurei na koto mo arimasu. Sometimes high school students can be rude. でも、今日はとても良い日でした。 Demo, kyō wa totemo yoi hi deshita. But today was a very good day. ✅ Advanced 今日は高校で日本語を教え、今年初めて多くの新しい生徒たちに会いました。 みんなとても前向きで、学ぶ意欲が感じられました。 日本語を学ぶ楽しさや、自分の情熱をこれから共有していけることが楽しみです。 高校生は時々、失礼だったり思いやりに欠けることもありますが、 今日はそれ以上に前向きなエネルギーを感じる一日でした。 🫵 Your Turn Write 3–5 sentences about your day. You can start with: 今日、＿＿＿をしました。 ＿＿＿は＿＿＿でした。 とても良い日でした。 Short and simple is perfect 😊 Post your diary below — I’ll give feedback.

Aonishiki, the Ukranian sumo wrestler (rikishi) has won another tournament! It is his 2nd tournament victory and his first as Ozeki (the second highest rank in sumo). In the video I read the article in Japanese and translate it. Please watch and let me know what you think!

✏️ Goal: Write a short diary entry in Japanese every week This week’s topic: Watching a movie --- ✅ N5 / Beginner + romaji きのう、えいがを見ました。 Kinō, eiga o mimashita. Yesterday, I watched a movie. 「Wake Up Dead Man」というミステリーです。 “Wake Up Dead Man” to iu misuterī desu. A mystery called Wake Up Dead Man. ミステリーがとても好きです。 Misuterī ga totemo suki desu. I really like mysteries このえいがを見たことがありますか。 Kono eiga o mita koto ga arimasu ka? Have you seen this movie? どんな映画か好きですか。 Donna eiga ha suki desu ka? What type of film do you like? --- ✅ N4 Version きのう、ミステリー映画を見ました。 タイトルは「Wake Up Dead Man」です。 私はミステリー映画が好きなので、とても楽しめました。 みなさんは、この映画を見たことがありますか。 どんな映画が好きですか。 --- ✅ N3 Version きのう、「Wake Up Dead Man」というミステリー映画を見ました。 私は謎を考えながら見る映画が好きなので、最後まで楽しめました。 この映画を見たことはありますか。 また、どんなジャンルの映画が好きですか。 --- ✅ N2 Version きのう、ミステリー映画の「Wake Up Dead Man」を見ました。 物語の展開を考えながら見るのが好きなので、とても引き込まれました。 ミステリーは、最後まで集中して見られるところが魅力だと思います。 みなさんはこの映画を見ましたか。 また、どんなジャンルの映画が好きですか。 --- 💬 Vocabulary Japanese English 映画（えいが） movie ミステリー mystery 見る（みる） to watch 好き like 楽しむ to enjoy 物語（ものがたり） story ジャンル genre --- 🫵 Your Turn! Write 3–5 sentences using: きのう、＿＿＿を見ました。 Kinou, ____ o mimashita. ＿＿＿が好きです。 _____ ga suki desu. 見たことがありますか。 Mita koto ga arimasu ka? 見たことがあります。 Mita koto ga arimasu. You can also answer this question: 👉 どんな映画が好きですか？ Donna eiga ga suki desu ka? What type of movies do you like? Post your diary below — I’ll read and give feedback 🎬🇯🇵