[Englsh/Japanese] Continuing from last week, here are some photos from Komagino Garden. The garden was magnificent. There was also a suikinkutsu a device in which water droplets fall into a hollow created in the ground and reverberate the sound they make, which made a very cool sound. Continuing from last week, here is a photo of Komagino Garden. The gardens were also stunning. There was also a Suikoto Cave a device that drops water into a cavity created in the ground and reverberated the sound emitted at that time, which made a very cool sound.

[English/Japanese] I went to Komagino Garden in Takao as a preliminary inspection for a field trip. The hydrangeas were still in full bloom. The lotus flowers are about to bloom. I went to Komagino Garden in Takao for a field trip. The hydrangeas were still in full bloom. The lotus is about to bloom.

[English/Japanese] Tanabata decorations appeared in front of Hachioji station. The strips of paper fluttering in the wind are very cool. We are also holding a Tanabata event at our school. Students write their wishes on tanzaku strips and do origami, and it is a popular event. Tanabata decorations appeared in front of Hachioji station. The strips fluttering in the wind are very cool. Our school also holds Tanabata events. It is a popular event where students write wishes on strips of paper and do origami.

[English/Japanese] We went to Hiyoshi-Hachioji Shrine, a 5-minute walk from the school, to see hydrangeas. It was wonderful to see so many different kinds of hydrangeas ✨. I went to Hiyoshi Hachioji Shrine, a 5-minute walk from the school, to see hydrangeas. It was ✨ very nice with all kinds of hydrangeas blooming

Continuing from last week, we discuss Hachioji and subcultures. We visited the famous Ryohoji Temple in Nishi-Hachioji. This temple is known as a "moe temple" and has original anime characters from the temple. It is said that many worshippers come to visit this unusual temple. I got another Goshuin（red seal） this time! moe＝feelings of affection, often towards an ideal anime character Continuing from last week, we talked about Hachioji and subculture. We visited the famous "Ryohoji Temple" in Nishi Hachioji. This temple is called "Moe Temple" and has the original anime characters of the temple. It is said that many worshippers come to see this rare temple. I got a red seal this time too! ※Moe... The feeling of thinking anime characters are cute

[Englsih/Japanese] In front of Hachioji Station, there is animate, a store specializing in anime goods. Here you can buy goods and books of popular anime. There are a lot of international students who like anime. There are many rare items here, so you may be able to show them off to your friends in your country ☺ If you like something related to Japan, you will be able to improve your Japanese quickly. Please try to find something you "like" too. There is an anime goods specialty store "animate" in front of Hachioji Station. Here you can buy popular anime collectibles and books. There are so many international students who like anime. There are a lot of rare things here, so you may be able to brag to your friends in your country Japan If you have something you like related to it, you ☺ will get better at Japanese quickly. Please try ✨ to find something you like.

[Englsih/Japanese] In Hachioji City, you can eat dishes from all over the world's cuisines. The other day, I had Sri Lankan home cooking at "Milis," a Sri Lankan restaurant a 5-minute walk from Hachioji Station. It is a healthy dish that doesn't use oil, and it consists of rice topped with various curries and side dishes. It was a complex combination of "sweet", "spicy", "salty", "sour", and "bitter", which I had never tasted before, but it was very delicious. The service at the restaurant was also warm ☕️I will ask more about Sri Lankan food next time since we sometimes communicate with Sri Lankan agents at our school 😊. In Hachioji City, you can eat cuisines from all over the world. The other day, a 5-minute walk from Hachioji Station, I ate Sri Lankan home-cooked food at the Sri Lankan restaurant "Miris". It is a healthy dish that does not use oil, and various curries and side dishes are placed on top of rice. "Sweet", "spicy", "salty", "sour" and "bitter" are intricately combined, and I have never eaten it, but it was ✨ very delicious. The customer service of the restaurant was also warm, and even at our school, I sometimes communicate with Sri Lankan agents, ☕️ so I will 😊 ask about Sri Lankan cuisine in detail next time.

[Englsih/Japanese] In Hachioji City, you can eat dishes from all over the world's cuisines. The other day, I had dal bhat at the Nepalese restaurant "Naoya", which is a five-minute walk from the school and is located alongside the Hachioji Central Library. "Daal" means bean soup and "bhaat" means rice, just like a set meal in Japan. Nepal is famous for its curry, but daalbhaat was not spicy at all, and had a gentle taste 😊I was glad to finally try this dish, which was introduced to me by a student a few years ago ✨I also tried Ras Malai cottage cheese dumplings dipped in honey for dessert for the first time, and was surprised at how sweet it was! In Hachioji City, you can eat cuisines from all over the world. The other day, I ate dalbhat दालभात at the Nepalese restaurant "Naoya" next to the Hachioji Central Library, a 5-minute walk from school. Dal means bean soup and baat means rice, which is like a set meal for Japan. Nepal is famous for curry, but dalbhat is not spicy at all and has a gentle tasteIt 😊 was a dish introduced by a student a few years ago, so I was happy to finally eat it. ✨

[English/Japanese] Hachioji City has a market called the Hachioji General Wholesale Center. Here, you can find rare fish, etc. There is also a store specializing in halal foodstuffs, which is convenient for international students to shop. The school plans to visit this market as a field trip. In Hachioji City, there is a market called "Hachioji General Wholesale Center". Rare fish are sold here. There is also a store specializing in halal ingredients, which is convenient for international students to shop. We are planning to visit our school as a field trip.

[English/Japanese] May 5th is Children's Day. On Children's Day, people decorate the outside with fish carp called Koi Nobori. Koi Noboris" are decorations to wish for the growth of children and their success in life. The Asakawa River in Nishi-Hachioji is decorated with many Koi Noboris carp streamers. The carp streamers flowing on the river are beautiful and very moving. It takes about 25 minutes to walk from the school, which is a bit far, but please go and see them. May 5 is Children's Day. On Children's Day, we hold a fish called "Koinobori" outside Koi Koi. "Koinobori" wishes for the growth and advancement of children. At Asakawa in Nishi-Hachioji, many events are held to decorate "koinobori". The streamers flowing over the river are beautiful and very moving. It's about a 25-minute walk from the school, and it's a little far away, but please go see it.

[English/Japanese] The Takao Komakino Garden is a 15-minute walk from Takao Station, the next station to Nishi-Hachioji Station where the school is located. Visitors can enjoy traditional Japanese gardens such as karesansui dry landscape garden and ponds with Nishikigoi Nishikigoi carp. The school plans to visit the garden in early summer as a field trip. The school is located next to Nishi Hachioji Station, and it is a 15-minute walk from Takao Station "Takao Komagino Garden". You can enjoy the traditional gardens of the Japan, such as dry landscape water and a pond with Nishikigoi. The school is scheduled to visit as an early summer field trip.

[English] The rooster market at Otori Shrine in Hachioji. It is held every year in November. It takes about 8 minutes on foot from Hachioji Station to this Otori Shrine, but there were many festival stalls yatai on the street and it was very lively. Our school allows students to participate in traditional events held in the city as an off-campus learning opportunity. This is a Tori no Ichi held at Otori Shrine in Hachioji. It is held annually in November. It is about an 8-minute walk from Hachioji Station to this Otori Shrine, but there were many festival stalls yatai on the road, and it was very lively. At our school, we have students participate in traditional events held in the city as a place for field trips.

[Englsh/Japanese] Hachioji City, where our school is located, is a city with a rich history. Here you can experience various traditional cultures. 2 students are holding "Kuruma Dolls". School events also offer experiences that expose students to the culture of Hachioji as well as Japan. Hachioji City, where our school is located, is a city with a long history. Here you can experience various traditional cultures. The two students have "car dolls". At school events, we not only Japan but also experience the culture of Hachioji.

【English/Japanese】 These are cherry blossoms at Shinshoin, a temple in Nishi-Hachioji. This temple was opened by the daughter of the famous warlord "Shingen Takeda". Unlike ordinary temples, it is very gorgeous with feminine decorations. Our school goes to visit it once a year. Before the visit, students learn in class about the tragic love story for which this temple was built. There are many historical buildings near the school. It can be said that Nishi-Hachioji is a very good environment for studying Japanese language. It is the cherry blossom of the temple "Shinshoin" in Nishi Hachioji. This temple was opened by the famous warlord "Daughter of Takeda Shingen". Unlike ordinary temples, there are decorations that make you feel feminine, and they are very gorgeous. At our school, we visit once a year. Before the tour, the students learn the story of the tragic love that this temple was built in class. There are many historical buildings near the school. It can be said that Nishi Hachioji is a very good environment for learning Japanese.

[English/Japanese] Japanese law will change drastically from April, and those who come to Japan to study at the age of 18 need to be well informed about the new law. So what are the major changes? Do you know? 1 Change in the age of adulthood Until now, the age of adulthood in Japan has been 20. However, as of April 1, the age will change to 18. With the age of adulthood at 18, people will be able to sign contracts for apartments, credit cards, etc., which were previously only allowed at the age of 20. In addition, women used to be able to get married at the age of 16, but this age has also been changed to 18. 2 Things to be aware of Some things do not change when the age of adulthood turns 18. These are smoking, drinking and gambling. In Japan, the minimum age for smoking, drinking, and gambling is 20, but this age remains 20 even though the age of majority has changed. Even if you do not smoke or drink yourself, you cannot purchase Please be careful. The rush of foreign students entering Japan will start in April. International students should make sure to understand the rules of Japan. Japanese people, these are international students who have been waiting to study in Japan for up to two years. We would appreciate it if you could watch over them warmly. From April, the Japan law will change significantly. Those who come to Japan at the age of 18 should be familiar with the new law. So what's going to change drastically? Do you guys know? 1 Change of age of adulthood Until now, the age of majority in Japan was 20 years. But from April 1, they will change to 18 years old. Now that the age of adulthood is 18, you will be able to sign apartment contracts and credit card contracts that were previously only allowed from the age of 20. Also, until now, women could get married from the age of 16, but now they are also from the age of 18. 2 Things to be aware of Some things do not change even when the age of adulthood reaches 18 years. It can be smoking or drinking or gambling. In Japan, smoking, drinking and gambling are from the age of 20, but here it remains 20 years old even if the age of adulthood changes. Even if you don't smoke or drink, you can't buy it. Be careful. There is a rush of international students entering the country from April. International students should familiarize themselves with the rules of Japan. To all Japan of you, these are international students who have been waiting for up to two years to study abroad in Japan. I hope you will watch over me warmly.

[English/Japanese] The day before yesterday, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced that cherry blossoms had bloomed in Tokyo. In Japan, the weather forecast at this time of the year tells not only the temperature and weather, but also the cherry blossoms. Hanami, a traditional Japanese event, began 1,300 years ago and is popular among foreign tourists. In this issue, we will introduce the etiquette of Hanami. 1 The star of the show is the cherry blossoms Cherry blossom viewing means eating and drinking under the cherry trees. Cherry trees are very delicate plants. When eating, do not place a sheet at the base of the cherry tree. The base of the cherry tree is where it breathes. Please place the sheet away from it. Also, do not break the branches of cherry trees just because of their beautiful blossoms. Cherry blossoms are a plant that easily decomposes. You may also have to pay a fine for "damage to property" if you break a cherry blossom branch. Please be careful. 2 Rules of the park During the holidays at this time of year, the number of people viewing cherry blossoms in the park increases greatly. Some of them are also lit up at night, making them popular date spots. Each park has different rules, so be sure to check the park's rules before going hanami. For example, some parks prohibit the bringing of alcoholic beverages, while others do not allow the use of fire. Also, be sure to take your trash home with you and clean up properly before you finish your hanami. Even though it is spring, the nights can get very cold, so be sure to take warm clothing. 3 Cherry blossom motif goods Cherry blossom viewing is not limited to parks. During this season, you can see many cherry blossom-inspired decorations in the city and in stores. At cafes, you can enjoy cherry blossom latte art and pink-colored cakes. At general stores, you can find products with pictures of cherry blossoms. Since they are only available during this season, they are popular as souvenirs. Please look for them! Hachioji, where our school is located, has many famous cherry blossom viewing spots. Some parks are lit up at night, so be sure to visit them! The Japan Meteorological Agency announced that cherry blossoms had blossomed in Tokyo the day before yesterday. In Japan, the weather forecast at this time of year tells not only the temperature and weather, but also the state of the cherry blossoms. The traditional event of the Japan, "cherry blossom viewing", began 1300 years ago and is popular with foreign tourists. This time, I will introduce the manners of cherry blossom viewing. 1 The main role is cherry blossoms Cherry blossom viewing refers to eating and drinking under the cherry blossom trees. Cherry is a very delicate plant. When eating, do not put a sheet on the base of the cherry blossoms. The base of the cherry is the place to breathe. Lay a sheet at a distance. Also, you should not break off branches just because the cherry blossoms are beautiful. Cherry is a perishable plant. Also, if you break a cherry tree branch, you may have to pay a fine as a "property damage crime". Let's be careful. 2 Park rules On holidays at this time, the number of people watching cherry blossoms in the park increases a lot. In addition, some places are lit up at night, making it a popular date spot. The rules differ from park to park, so be sure to check the rules of the park before cherry blossom viewing. For example, there are places where alcohol is prohibited and fire is not allowed. Also, take your trash home properly and clean it properly before finishing the cherry blossom viewing. Even in spring, the nights are very cold, so don't forget to take measures to protect yourself from the cold. 3 Goods with cherry blossom motif Cherry blossom viewing is not limited to parks. During this season, you can see many cherry blossom-inspired decorations in the city and shops. At the café, you can eat cherry blossom latte art and pink cakes. In general stores, products with pictures of cherry blossoms are lined up in the store. Since it is limited to this season, it is also popular as a souvenir. Please look for it. Hachioji, where our school is located, has many famous cherry blossom spots. Some parks are lit up at night, so be sure to visit them!

[Englsh/Japanese] It's March from today. Restrictions on the entry of new foreign nationals into Japan will be greatly eased from March 1. Foreign students who have been waiting to enter Japan for the past two years will finally have a chance to come to Japan. This is a great thing for both international students and Japanese language schools. Even though the restrictions on new arrivals have been eased, there are still rules regarding vaccines and quarantine. In this article, I will briefly introduce the rules. *This information is current as of March 1 and may be subject to change in the future. Please check the website for details. 1 People who have completed their third vaccination people entering the country from designated countries or regions People who have completed three doses of vaccination with the types of vaccines designated by Japan are subject to a seven-day voluntary waiting period. However, if you take a PCR test on the third day of the waiting period and it is confirmed negative, you will be exempted from the voluntary waiting period. 2 People who have completed their third vaccination people entering Japan from countries and regions other than those designated Those who have completed three vaccinations with the types of vaccines designated by Japan are exempted from the waiting list. 3 People who have not completed their third vaccination people entering from designated countries/regions You wait for three days in accommodations provided by the quarantine office. If the PCR test is negative on the third day, you will be allowed to leave the accommodation and will not be required to stay at home. 4 People who have not completed the third vaccination people entering the country from outside of the designated countries and regions You will be placed on voluntary standby for 7 days. However, if you take a PCR test on the third day of the waiting period and it is confirmed negative, you will be exempted from the voluntary waiting period. If you are on voluntary standby, you can use public transportation within 24 hours of your arrival. In addition, waiting at the quarantine station can be done by public transportation if the PCR test is negative on the third day. I think it has been a difficult two years for the students who were planning to study in Japan. We are looking forward to seeing you all soon. It's March from today. Japan, restrictions on new entry of foreigners will be greatly relaxed from March 1. For the past two years, international students who have been waiting to enter the country have finally had the opportunity to come to Japan. This is great for international students and Japanese schools. Even though the restrictions on new entry have been relaxed, there are rules such as vaccines and quarantine. In this article, I will briefly introduce the rules. *This information is current as of March 1 and is subject to change in the future. For details, please check the website. ） 1 Those who have been vaccinated for the third time those who entered the country from designated countries/regions Those who have completed three vaccinations of the type specified by the Japan have a voluntary quarantine of 7 days. However, if you take a PCR test on the third day of waiting and are confirmed negative, you will be exempted from voluntary waiting. 2 Those who have been vaccinated for the third time those entering the country from outside the designated countries / regions Those who have been vaccinated three times with the type of vaccine specified by the Japan are exempt from waiting. 3 Those who have not been vaccinated for the third time those entering the country from designated countries/regions Wait for 3 days at the accommodation provided by the quarantine station. If the PCR test is negative on the third day, you will be allowed to leave the accommodation and you will not have to wait at home after that. 4 Those who have not been vaccinated for the third time those entering the country from outside the designated countries/regions We will voluntarily wait for 7 days. However, if you take a PCR test on the third day of waiting and are confirmed negative, you will be exempted from voluntary waiting. If you are waiting voluntarily, you can use public transportation within 24 hours of entry. In addition, if the PCR test on the third day is negative, you can use public transportation to wait at the quarantine station. Japan I think it was a difficult two years for the students who were planning to study abroad. We look forward to meeting you.

[English/Japanese] February 22 is "Cat Day" in Japan. In Japan, February 22 is "Cat Day", and there is a lot of excitement as people upload pictures of cats on social media. Do you like cats? Or do you prefer dogs? In this article, I would like to talk about the pet situation in Japan. 1 Cat boom In Japan, many people have always owned dogs, but in 2017, the number of cat owners surpassed the number of dog owners. The reason for this is that Japan is an aging society. Dogs have to be accompanied on walks, and elderly people who are worried about their physical strength tend to choose cats that don't need to be walked. Also, more and more people are keeping pets because they are spending more time at home due to the influence of Corona. I wonder if it's the same in your country? 2Can international students have pets? Very few international students have pets. To own a dog, you have to pay several hundred thousand yen at a pet store and also have to get shots. In addition, most apartments in Japan do not allow pets. However, sometimes people keep hamsters, which are relatively cheap and do not have as long a life span as dogs and cats. I heard a story about a Japanese language school that had a problem with a student who suddenly decided to return to his home country and asked them to take in his turtle. Pets are life. It is important to keep them responsibly. 3 If you miss your pet... Some people who used to have pets in their home countries may become stressed out because they cannot interact with their pets during their long stay in Japan. Recently in Japan, there has been an increase in the number of cafes with cats and dogs, where you can casually interact with cats and dogs for just a fee and a drink. In addition to cats and dogs, some of these animal cafes also have birds and reptiles. Please try to use them. Our school does not allow pets in the dormitories. However, there are cat cafes and dog cafes around the school. There is also a zoo just a few stops away from the school. If you are an animal lover, I think you will enjoy your study abroad experience at our school. February 22 is "Cat Day" in Japan. At general stores, products with pictures of cats are on sale, and people are excited to upload them on SNS. Do you like cats? Or do you like dogs? This time, I will talk about the pet situation in Japan. 1 Cat boom Many people have been dog owners in Japan for a long time, but in 2017, the number of cats bred exceeded the number of dogs. The reason is that the Japan is aging. Dogs have to keep up with walks, so elderly people who are worried about their physical strength tend to choose cats that do not need to be walked. In addition, due to the influence of Corona, the time spent at home has increased, so the number of people who have pets is increasing. Is it the same in your country? 2 Can international students have pets? Very few international students have pets. In order to get a dog, you have to pay hundreds of thousands of yen at the pet store and also give injections. In addition, most Japan apartments prohibit keeping pets. However, sometimes there are people who get "hamsters" that are relatively cheap and their lifespan is not as long as that of dogs and cats. At one Japanese school, I heard that a student who was suddenly returning to Japan asked me to take a turtle and had a problem. Pets are life. Be sure to keep them responsibly. 3 If you miss your pet... Some people who had pets in their home countries cannot interact with pets during their long study abroad life, which can be stressful. In Japan, the number of cafes with cats and dogs has been increasing recently, and you can easily interact with cats and dogs with only the usage fee and drink fee. In addition, some cafes where you can interact with these animals sell not only cats and dogs, but also birds and reptiles. Please take advantage of it. Pets are prohibited in the dormitory. However, there are cat cafes and dog cafes around the school. The zoo is also a few stops from the school. I think animal lovers can enjoy studying abroad at our school.

[English/Japanese] Currently, most people are wearing masks due to the coronavirus, but since there have always been so many people in Japan wearing masks from February to April, all foreign tourists are surprised. The reason why they wear masks is "hay fever". Especially at this time of the year, people who are allergic to cedar are wearing masks. Many foreign students are suffering from hay fever. In this article, I would like to tell you about this hay fever. 1 One out of three international students has hay fever? According to some data, one out of every three international students will develop hay fever for the first time after coming to Japan. Also, the number of international students who develop hay fever in their third year in Japan is the highest, followed by those in their first year. International students may misunderstand that they have a prolonged cold at first because there are no hay fever sufferers around them in their country and they do not know what hay fever is like. Unlike a cold, hay fever has strong symptoms of runny nose, itchy eyes, and an itchy nose. If you have any idea what it is, please consult with your school teacher first. 2Hay fever prevention goods So how do Japanese people get over the hay fever season? Most people take medicines prescribed by hospitals or over-the-counter medicines. In addition to medicines, there are many other goods that are sold on the streets to alleviate the symptoms of hay fever. For example, glasses for hay fever and high quality tissues that do not damage the nose. Sales of air purifiers also increase during this season. For those who don't have the money or the time to go to the hospital, there is a life hack that says applying Vaseline to the entrance of the nose can reduce the symptoms. Also, lack of sleep and alcohol consumption are said to worsen hay fever symptoms. Take care to delay your healthy lifestyle. ★Extras In Tokyo, one out of two people is said to have hay fever. The topic of hay fever is also an opportunity to get to know Japanese people. It is said that when a person who has never had hay fever before gets hay fever, the person who has had hay fever for many years will say "Welcome ☺". I urge you to talk to them! Currently, most people wear masks due to the influence of the coronavirus, but in Japan, there are so many people who wear masks from February to April that all foreign tourists are surprised. The reason why I wear a mask is "hay fever". Especially at this time of year, people with cedar allergies wear masks. Many international students suffer from hay fever. This time, I will tell you about this hay fever. 1 Is 1 in 3 international students with hay fever? According to some data, one in three international students develops hay fever only after coming to Japan. In addition, among international students who had hay fever, those who took it in their third year ranked first, followed by the first year. International students do not know what kind of symptoms hay fever is around in the country, so they may mistakenly think that they have a prolonged cold at first. Unlike colds, hay fever has strong symptoms of runny nose, itchy eyes and itchy nose. If you have any idea, please consult your school teacher first. 2 Hay fever countermeasure goods So how do Japan people get through the hay fever period? Almost everyone takes medications prescribed in hospitals and over-the-counter medications. In addition to medicines, goods that relieve the symptoms of hay fever are often sold in the city at this time. For example, glasses for hay fever and high-grade tissues that do not damage the nose. In addition, sales of air purifiers also increase during this period. For those who do not have money or do not have time to go to the hospital, there is also a life hack that says that applying petroleum jelly to the entrance to the nose will alleviate the symptoms. In addition, lack of sleep and alcohol consumption are said to worsen the symptoms of hay fever. Be careful not to delay your healthy life. Extra In Tokyo, it is said that one in two people has hay fever. The topic of hay fever is also a chance to make friends with Japan people. When a person who has not had hay fever before gets hay fever, it is said that people who have had hay fever for many years say "welcome ☺". Please talk to us!

[English/Japanese] Snow is predicted to fall in Tokyo this week. In Japan, there are many tourist destinations where winter sports are popular, such as Hokkaido, but in Tokyo, snowfall is not that common and the city is not prepared to handle it. As a result, even a 5 cm accumulation of snow can cause many problems. In this article, I will tell you how to deal with snow in Tokyo. 1 Transportation When it snows, train schedules are often disrupted. Trains may be cancelled or the number of trains may be reduced, so you may be late for work. Try to leave your house early on snowy days. Roads can also be crowded, and few people buy snow tires for the rare snowfall in a year. As a result, many people drive with regular tires on snowy days, which can cause slip accidents. Try not to walk near cars on snowy days. 2 The day after it snows Unlike Hokkaido, the snow that falls in Tokyo has a high moisture content. Therefore, the day after a snowfall, the roads are often icy. Since there are many buildings in Tokyo, there is no sunlight and the snow may not melt even after a week. Some people slip on the icy roads and get seriously injured because of it. On the day after a snowfall, try to walk in the sunshine. 3What to wear What you wear the next day is more important than what you wear when it is snowing. The roads are very slippery, so it is best to wear long boots or other non-slip shoes. You should also wear gloves because the ice can cut your hands if you slip and fall on them. A hat is also necessary to protect your head. A backpack or other bag that allows you to keep both hands free is also a good idea. If you don't have boots, there is a life hack to prevent slipping by putting an adhesive bandage on the back of your sneakers. Please give it a try. Many of the students at our school come from warm countries. Some of them have caught colds from playing in the snow because it was their first time to see snow. Please play in the snow in moderation. This time, we are planning to spread snow-melting agent in front of the dormitory. If your neighbors are having a hard time shoveling snow, let's help them out. It's also a chance to make friends with Japanese people. Also, it's best not to go outside too much on snowy days, so get your shopping done as soon as possible! Snow is forecast to fall in Tokyo this week. In Japan, there are many tourist spots where winter sports are popular, such as Hokkaido, but it does not snow that often in Tokyo, so the city of Tokyo is not equipped to cope with snow. Therefore, even if 5 cm of snow accumulates, various problems will occur. This time, I would like to tell you about snow countermeasures in Tokyo. 1 Transportation When it snows, train schedules are often disturbed. Trains may be suspended or the number of trains will be reduced, so you may be late for the company. Try to leave the house early on snowy days. Roads can also be crowded. Because of the snow that may or may not fall in a year, few people buy tires for snow. Therefore, many people drive on ordinary tires on snowy days, and some people have slip accidents. On snowy days, try not to walk near cars as much as possible. 2 The day after the snow fell Unlike Hokkaido, the snow that falls in Tokyo is moisture. Therefore, the roads are often icy the day after the snow falls. There are many buildings in Tokyo, so the sunlight may not shine and the snow may not melt even after one week. Some people slip on icy roads and get seriously injured because of it. The day after it snows, choose a path that gets as much sunlight as possible. 3 Clothing What you wear the next day is more important than when it's snowing. The road is very slippery, so wear shoes that are not slippery, such as long ones. Also, wear gloves as ice can cut your hands when you slip and get your hands. You will also need a hat to protect your head. Also, it is good to have a backpack or other bag that can be used with both hands. There is a life hack that people who do not have boots can put adhesive plasters on the back of their sneakers to prevent them from slipping. Give it a try. At our school, many students come from warm countries. Some people took off their shoes and played in the snow for the first time to see snow, catching a cold. Let's play in the snow in moderation. This time, we plan to sow snow melting agent in front of the dormitory. If your neighbors are having a hard time shoveling snow, help them. It's also a chance to get to know Japan people. Also, it's better not to go outside too much on snowy days, so be sure to finish your shopping early!

[English] The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has decided to apply priority measures to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus since last week, and Tokyo residents will have to refrain from activities for about three weeks. Due to the new coronavirus, people have been spending more and more vacations at home as "stayhome" since 2020. How do Japanese people spend their vacations? Let's take a look at it along with Japanese culture. 1 Games Japanese games have become popular all over the world due to the Corona disaster. For example, games in which you build your own room or town and interact with your friends, or games in which you run and stretch like in a gym are especially popular. Also, games that used to be board games are now being played online, expanding the possibilities of games. With the recent establishment of high schools for e-sports games as sports in Japan, it is clear that games are becoming an important content for Japan. 2 Bath time Japanese people love to take a bath in the bathtub. Many of them go on trips to hot springs during long vacations, and those who have given up on their trips due to stay-home are said to buy various bath salts in order to feel a little like they are on vacation. As a result, some companies reportedly had record sales of bath salts last year. Do you use bath salts in your country? I hope you will try them when you come to Japan. 3 Plastic models Have you ever heard of plastic models? Plastic models are dolls made of plastic, and you can assemble and paint them yourself. In Japan, they have long been sold as children's toys, but since the Corona disaster, they have become popular not only among children but also among adults. In particular, plastic models of anime are very popular. If you are ever in Japan, you might want to buy one as a souvenir. Extras There is a character that has become famous in Corona. It is "Amabie. Amabie has been appearing in books for the past 150 years as a monster that eliminates plague. Before the corona virus, Amabie was a character known only to a few people who liked yokai, but after the corona virus spread, his recognition increased mainly through social networking sites, and now he is recognized by most of the people in Japan. In the city, you can see many products with Amabie's picture on them. Please try to look for them. Our school also offers online classes. In addition to classes, we also offer online yoga, online origami classes, and other fun activities. If you are interested, please contact us and we will explain the school via zoom. Please feel free to contact us. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government decided to apply priority measures to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus from last week, and Tokyo residents have decided to refrain from activities for about three weeks. Due to the influence of the new coronavirus, since 2020, I have been spending more of my days off at home as "Stay Home". How do Japanese people spend their days off? Let's take a look at it together with Japanese culture. 1 Games Japanese games became popular worldwide in Coronavirus pandemic. For example, creating your own room or city to socialize with friends, or running like a gym or stretching game are especially popular. In addition, what used to be a board game is now being played online, and games are expanding various possibilities. In Japan, high schools for e-sports which consider games as sports competitions have recently been established, indicating that games have become an important content for Japan. 2 Bath time Japanese people like to take a bath. Also, during long vacations, many people go on trips to take a dip in hot springs. It seems that people who have given up traveling at Stayhome buy various bath salts to enjoy the feeling of traveling as much as possible. As a result, some companies had record sales of bath salts last year. Do you have bath salts in your country? Please give it a try when you come to Japan. 3 Plastic model Do you know plastic models? Plastic models are dolls made of plastic, which you can assemble or color yourself. In Japan, it has been sold as a children's toy for a long time, but since its Coronavirus pandemic, it has become popular not only with children but also with adults. In particular, anime plastic models are popular. If you can come to Japan, you may want to buy it as a souvenir. Extra Edition There is a character who became famous in Corona. It is "Amabie". "Amabie" has been appearing in books for 150 years as a yokai that eliminates plagues. Before the coronavirus epidemic, the character was only used by a few yokai lovers, but since the coronavirus spread, it has become more recognized mainly on SNS, and is now recognized by most of the public. In the city, you can see many products with pictures of Amabie. Please look for it. We also offer online classes. In addition to classes, we also offer online yoga and online origami classes. If you are interested, please contact us and we will explain the school via Zoom.

[Englsih/Japanese] esterday, 27 years have passed since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. 6,434 people died in this earthquake. Also, over the weekend, there was a massive volcanic eruption in Tonga and there are reports of tsunami damage. Last summer, many people from Tonga visited our school's Facebook page. We sincerely hope that everyone is safe. Japan is famous in the world as a country with many earthquakes. For this reason, schools and companies conduct disaster drills on a regular basis. Today I would like to tell you about the disaster drills held at schools. Number of times held Schools with small children hold disaster drills every month, high school students hold drills four times a year, and companies hold drills twice a year. We mainly learn how to escape from earthquakes and fires. Earthquake drills The school broadcasts a message that an earthquake has occurred. Students immediately go under their desks, hold the legs of their desks, and wait until the shaking stops. When the shaking stops, students will follow the teacher's instructions to evacuate to a large area near the school school grounds or park. The students will also learn what to be careful of during the evacuation process in advance. The catchphrase to watch out for is "O ka shi mo". This catchphrase may vary from region to region. ・ "O" →[Osanai] "Don't push" When escaping, try not to push people. ・ "Ka" = [Kakenai] "Don't run." When running away, act calmly because running is dangerous. ・"Shi"→[Syaberanai] "Don't talk." Don't miss important information. ・"Mo"→[Modoranai] "Don't go back" Don't go back to dangerous places even if you have forgotten something. 3 Firefighting training, AED training, first aid practice During the evacuation drills, students take various classes at the same time. For example, how to use a fire extinguisher and AED, and how to perform first aid. In some areas of Japan, there are facilities called "Bousai-kan" where you can learn about disaster prevention, and you can visit them all year round. 4 Evacuation goods In Japan, where disasters occur frequently, it is customary to prepare in advance what is needed in case of a disaster. In Japan, where disasters occur frequently, it is customary to prepare in advance what you will need in the event of a disaster, including a three-day supply of food, water, blankets, helmets, and flashlights. These items are sold at home centers as disaster prevention goods. For international students, the school may buy them with the school's reserve fund. Please check with your school for details. International students do not have to worry too much because evacuation drills are held at school. However, this is not the case for foreign tourists. If you are a foreign tourist, you may be worried about how to move if the disaster strikes. For those people, there is an app for foreign visitors to Japan. Please download it when you come to Japan. Yesterday marked the 27th anniversary of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. 6,434 people died in the earthquake. There was also a large eruption in Tonga over the weekend, and tsunami damage has been reported. Last summer, many people from Tonga visited our Facebook page. We sincerely pray for your safety. Japan is famous in the world as a country with many earthquakes. For this reason, schools and companies regularly conduct disaster prevention drills. Today, I would like to tell you about the disaster prevention drills held at the school. 1 Number of implementations Schools with small children conduct disaster drills every month, high school students four times a year, and companies hold disaster drills about twice a year. You will mainly learn about how to escape earthquakes and fires. 2 Earthquake drill The school broadcast says that an earthquake has occurred. Students quickly get under the desk, hold the desk legs, and wait until the shaking subsides. When the shaking subsides, follow the teacher's instructions and evacuate to a large area near the school school grounds or parks. In addition, you will learn what to be careful about when evacuating in the pre-class. What you should be careful of is the catchphrase "Oh, ka, shi, mo". This tagline varies by region. ） "O" → "Don't push" When you run away, don't push people. "Ka" → "Don't run" When you run away, it is dangerous to run, so act calmly. Don't miss important information → "don't speak" Even if there is something forgotten that "also" → "will not return", do not return to a dangerous place. 3 Fire extinguishing training, AED training, first aid practice During evacuation drills, students take various courses at the same time. For example, how to use a fire extinguisher or AED or how to provide first aid. In some areas, Japan there is a facility called the "Disaster Prevention Hall" where you can learn about disaster prevention, which you can visit all year round. 4 Evacuation goods In Japan where disasters are frequent, it is customary to prepare in advance what is necessary in the event of a disaster. The contents include "food, water, blankets, helmets, and flashlights for three days." These items are sold as disaster prevention goods at home centers. International students may be purchased by the school with the school's reserve. Please check with your school. International students don't have to worry much because evacuation drills are conducted at school. However, this is not the case for foreign tourists. You may be worried about how to move if you are affected by a disaster. There is an app for foreigners visiting Japan for such people. Please download it when you come to Japan.

[English/Japanese] Last year was a difficult year for international students who are looking forward to studying in Japan. Fingers crossed that I can enter the country this year! In this article, I would like to introduce the measures we take in Japan to prevent coronas in stores. 1 What to do at the entrance At the entrance of a store, there is a thermometer and disinfectant. Some of these are done by shopkeepers for customers, and some are done automatically. Also, there is a sign posted that says "Masks strictly prohibited" and you cannot enter the store without wearing a mask. In the case of public facilities such as museums, you may be asked to fill in your name and address. 2 What to do in a restaurant More and more restaurants are reducing the number of seats in their establishments. Each seat is separated by a transparent plastic sheet, and there are posters warning people to wear masks except when eating. The system used to be to order from a menu list, but recently more and more restaurants have tablets at each table, and you can order from the tablet. In some restaurants, you can even get a mask case as a service. In addition, there is a ventilation time every few tens of minutes, where the staff calls out to the customers to open the windows and doors of the restaurant. In winter, the ventilation time can be a bit chilly, so wear warm clothes even inside the store. 3 What to do when you leave the store When standing in line at the cash register, there are markers on the floor to help you keep your social distance. Make sure to line up along them. In order to prevent infection, more and more stores are starting to accept cashless payments. In some cases, there are campaigns that offer points for cashless payment, so please take advantage of them. Our school is also taking measures against coronas. We disinfect thoroughly and take care of students' physical condition. Even if you are infected with corona, we can support you because our dormitory is located on the third floor of the school building. We are looking forward to welcoming international students to our country. Last year was a difficult year for international students who are looking forward to studying abroad Japan. I pray that I will be able to enter the country this year! This time, I will introduce corona countermeasures at stores that are in Japan. 1 What to do at the entrance There is a thermometer and disinfectant at the entrance of the shop. There are those that the shop staff makes to the customer and those that are done automatically. In addition, there is a sticker that says "Masks strictly prohibited", and you cannot enter the store unless you wear a mask. In the case of public facilities such as museums, you may be asked to fill in your name and address. 2 What to do in the store The number of restaurants and other establishments has been reduced. Each seat is separated by a transparent plastic sheet, and there is a poster warning you to wear a mask except when eating. Until now, it was a system to place orders by looking at the menu table, but recently there are tablets placed on each table, and the number of restaurants where you can order from tablets has increased. Depending on the store, you may be able to get a mask case at the service. In addition, there is a ventilation time several tens of minutes, and the clerk calls out to the customer and opens the windows and doors of the store. In winter, ventilation time can get a little cold, so wear warm clothes in the store. 3 What to do when leaving the store When you go to the cash register, there are landmarks on the floor to observe social distancing. Try to line up along with it. In addition, an increasing number of stores are starting cashless payments that do not transfer money to prevent infection. In the case of cashless payment, there may be campaigns that offer benefits such as points, so please take advantage of it. Our school is also taking measures against corona. We carry out thorough disinfection and physical condition management of students. Even if you are infected with Corona, we can support you because the dormitory is located on the third floor of the school building. We are looking forward to the entry of international students.

[English/Japanese] Happy New Year to you all! I hope to see you again this year. In Japan, the new year begins on January 1st. What do you do at the beginning of a new year in your country? This time, I would like to introduce the Japanese New Year. 1 Nengajo（New Year's card） A letter sent between January 1 and January 7 to wish someone a happy new year is called a nengajo. Recently, many people have been using social networking services instead of letters. Also, New Year's greeting cards cannot be sent to family members or relatives who have passed away in the previous year. Please be careful with this. 2 Hatsuhinode（First sunrise） The sunrise on the first day of the year is called the "first sunrise" and is considered to be a very good omen. Did you see it? 3 Hatsumode（First visit to a shrine） A New Year's visit to a shrine to pray for the safety of the year is called "Hatsumode". At Hatsumode, people draw omikuji fortunes to tell their fortune for the year and buy good luck charms. 4 Otoshidama（New Year's gift） Onyedama is money that children can receive on New Year's Day. It is a fun event for children. 5 Osechi cuisine Osechi-ryori is a New Year's feast. Each of these treats has its own meaning. For example, prawns have a meaning of "long life" because of their bent waist. Also, yellow food is believed to bring good luck with money. This is eaten from January 1st to the 3rd, which also means that you don't have to do any housework for the three days of the New Year. 6 Hstuyume（First dream） What kind of dream did you have at the beginning of the year? In Japan, it is said to be good luck to dream of "Mt. May this year be a wonderful one for all of you! Happy New Year! We look forward to working with you again this year. The new year begins on January 1 for Japan. What do you do at the start of a new year in your country? This time, I would like to introduce the New Year of Japan. 1 New Year's card Letters sent between January 1 and January 7 to convey New Year's wishes are called "Nengajo". Recently, more and more people are doing it on SNS instead of letters. In addition, New Year's cards cannot be sent to people who have lost their family or relatives in the previous year. Please be careful. 2 First sunrise The sun that rises on January 1 is called the "first sunrise." This first sunrise is considered very auspicious. Have you seen it? 3 First visit Visiting a shrine to pray for the safety of the year on New Year's Day is called "first visit". At the first visit, you draw fortunes to predict the fortune of the year and buy amulets. 4 New Year's Ball New Year's money is money that children can receive on New Year's Day. It can be said that it is a fun event for children. 5 Osechi cuisine Osechi ryori is a feast eaten on New Year's Day. Each of these treats has its own meaning. For example, shrimp have a bent waist, which means "you can live a long life". In addition, yellow food is said to increase fortune. This is something to eat from January 1 to 3, and there is also the point that you do not have to do housework for three days on New Year's Day. 6 First dream What dreams did you have at the beginning of the year? In Japan, dreaming of "Mt. Fuji", "Falcon" and "Eggplant" is considered auspicious. May this be a wonderful year for all of you!

New Year's Holidays Our school will be closed from December 29th to January 3rd. Thank you all for your support this year. Have a Happy New Year. Year-end and New Year holidays The school will be closed from December 29th ~ January 3rd. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for your hard work this year. Wish you a happy New Year.

[English/Japanese] In this issue, I will continue to introduce some of the things that were popular in Japan this year. 1Showa/Heisei Retro Boom This year, things that were popular in the Showa 1926-1989 and Heisei 1989-2019 eras are booming again. Mainly, old townscapes and tableware from the 1960s, characters and accessories that were popular in the 1980s and 1990s became popular among the younger generation as "new things. For the young generation that has had digital things since birth, they feel that retro things are incomplete and warm. An amusement park in Saitama Prefecture reopened this year, recreating the streets of the 1960s, and it is bustling with visitors every day. You may feel as if you have gone back in time. 2 Oatmeal Oatmeal sales have boomed this year, even doubling from the previous year. The reason seems to be that more and more people are eating at home due to the new coronavirus, and easy and healthy meals have become more preferred. Japanese people are famous for their culture of eating rice, but recently more and more people are eating staple foods other than rice, such as oatmeal and bread. Rice takes a long time to cook after it is washed. Busy Japanese may have come to prefer something more easily eaten. 3 Imperial Family News This year, the Emperor's niece got married, and various news during the engagement period were broadcasted on TV every day. News about the Imperial Family mainly interests the older generation, but the news about the marriage attracted the interest of various age groups. Did you find out what was popular this year? At our school, we sometimes have students research and present what is popular in the classroom. It's a great way to learn more about Japanese culture. This time, as in the previous article, we will introduce some of the things that were popular in this Japan. 1 Showa-Heisei retro boom This year, what was popular in Showa 1926 ~ 1989 and Heisei 1989 ~ 2019 has re-boomed. Mainly, old townscapes and tableware from the 1960s, characters and accessories that were popular in the 1980s ~ 1990s became popular among the younger generation as "new things". For the younger generation, who have been digital since birth, they feel that retro things are incomplete and warm. An amusement park in Saitama Prefecture was reopened this year, but it reproduces the cityscape of the 1960s and is crowded every day. You may be able to experience going back in time. 2 Oatmeal This year, there was such a boom that sales of oatmeal doubled from the previous year. The reason seems to be that more people are eating at home due to the influence of the new coronavirus, and easy and healthy eating has become more preferred. Japan people are famous for their culture of eating rice, but recently the number of people who eat staple foods other than rice, such as oatmeal and bread, has increased. It takes a long time for rice to be cooked after washing. Maybe Japan busy people have come to prefer things that are easier to eat. 3 Imperial Family News This year, His Majesty the Emperor's niece got married, and various news during the engagement period was broadcast on TV almost every day. While the news of the imperial family is mainly of interest to older people, the news about this marriage attracted the attention of various age groups. Did you see what was popular this year? At our school, students may research and present what is popular in class. You can learn more about Japan culture.

[English/Japanese] Yesterday, the Kanji characters representing Japan for this year were announced. This event is held every year. Incidentally, this year's kanji was "gold. Why do you think this kanji was chosen? The reason lies in the fact that the Olympic Games were held in Tokyo this year. Japan won more gold medals than any other country in history, which is why they chose this kanji. So what else was popular this year? Let's take a look at Japanese culture through what was popular this year. Maritozzo Maritozzo is a pastry that originated in Rome, Italy. It is a round loaf of bread with a lot of cream in between, and is eaten as breakfast in Italy. This year, Maritozzo has become a big hit in Japan. Many cafes and convenience stores lined up their stores with Maritozzo, and many people queued up to buy Maritozzo. In Japan, it is not uncommon for sweets from other countries to become popular in this way. For example, last year it was tapioca from Taiwan, and before that, macarons from France. It is said that Japan is an island nation with a strong desire to learn about the cultures of other countries. Perhaps this is reflected in the food we eat. Movie Box Office Revenue In this year's global box office ranking, live-action movies from China and the U.S. are ranked from first to fifth. So, is it the same for Japan? The Japanese box-office ranking is completely different from the global ranking. From first to fifth place, all live-action movies are based on anime or manga. Last year, the anime "Demon Slayer" rewrote the top spot in the all-time box office ranking. Although there are many teenagers who visit theaters, there is not that big a difference in the age of the audience. This means that people of all ages are watching anime movies. That is how widespread anime and manga are as a culture in Japan. The Real Two-Way / Showtime The words "real two-faced" and "showtime" were nominated as buzzwords this year. These two words refer to Shohei Ohtani, who is active in the American big leagues. In this way, words related to baseball players are often chosen as buzzwords. When it comes to sports in Japan, many foreigners think of sumo wrestling. However, few people know that baseball is actually the most popular sport in Japan. When I tell this to foreign students, they often say, "I thought soccer was more popular than sumo." Do you share the same opinion? In this article, I introduced some of the things that were popular in Japan this year. I would like to continue introducing them in the next issue. By the way, our school holds an event to introduce what is popular in our country. It is a good opportunity to learn about the trends in different countries and to understand different cultures. Please let us know what's popular in your country. Yesterday, the kanji for this year's Japan were announced. This event is held every year. By the way, this year's kanji was "gold". Why do you think this kanji was chosen? The reason is that the Olympic Games were held in Tokyo this year. Japan won the most gold medals in history, so it became this kanji. So what else was trendy this year? Let's get in touch with the culture of Japan from what was popular this year. Maritozzo Maritozzo is a sweet that originated in Rome, Italy. It is made with plenty of cream sandwiched between round breads and is eaten as breakfast in Italy. This Maritozzo has become a big boom in Japan this year. Maritozzo was lined up in many cafes and convenience stores, and many people lined up to buy Maritozzo. It is not uncommon for sweets from other countries to become popular in Japan in this way. For example, tapioca from Taiwan last year and French macarons before that. It is said that Japan is an island country and has a strong desire to learn about the cultures of other countries. This may be reflected in food. Movie box office Looking at this year's world box office rankings, Chinese and American live-action films are ranked from 1st to 5th. So is it the same with Japan? Japan's box office rankings are completely different from world rankings. Surprisingly, from 1st to 5th place, all are live-action movies based on anime and manga. Last year, the anime "Demon Slayer" broke the first place in the all-time box office ranking. Movie theater users may be among their teens, but there is not much difference by age. This means that people of all ages are watching animated movies. It can be said that anime and manga have permeated as a culture in such a Japan. Real Dual-wielding/Showtime This year's buzzwords "Real Dual-wielding" and "Showtime" were nominated. These two words refer to Shohei Ohtani who is active in the American major leagues. In this way, words about baseball players are often chosen as buzzwords. Many foreigners think of sumo wrestling as a sport in Japan. However, few people know that baseball is actually a sport that is often seen in Japan. When I told this story to international students, they said, "I thought soccer would be more popular if it was anything other than sumo," and "I don't know much about what kind of sport baseball is." I answer. Do you all agree with me? This time, we have introduced some of the things that have become popular in Japan this year. I would like to continue to introduce it next time. By the way, at our school, we hold events to introduce what we do in our own country. It is a good opportunity to learn about the trends of various countries and understand different cultures. Please tell us what is popular in your country.

[English/Japanese] Can we see Japan from the contents of Japanese people's bags? The contents of Japanese people's bags. Continuing on from the previous article, I would like to introduce some of the things you can see in Japanese people's bags, such as their lifestyle and culture. 1 Cosmetics and hair elastics Compared to other countries, Japanese women are said to reapply their makeup more often. Have you ever felt that many women fix their makeup when they go to the bathroom? Also, women with long hair may have hair elastics in their bags. This is because when eating noodles such as ramen, it is against etiquette not to tie your hair up. Let's all be careful when eating noodles. 2 Sweets Many people carry snacks in their bags for when they get hungry. I think this is common in many countries. However, in Osaka and other parts of Kansai, there is a unique culture regarding sweets especially candies. According to a TV program, 10% of people in Tokyo have candies in their bags, while more than 80% of people in Osaka have candies in their bags. There are many episodes of strangers from Osaka especially older women talking to you and giving you candies. There are many reasons for this, but Osaka is a city of commerce and communication is very important. For this reason, handing out candies is said to be one of the ways of communication. 3 Fans（sensu） Fans are a popular souvenir. Many people carry them in their bags during the summer. In the past few years, handy fans have become popular, and I have seen many people wearing them around their necks. However, handy fans are large in size and require batteries. In comparison, fans（sensu） are very compact and easy to store in a bag, so they are still very popular. Fans come in a variety of patterns and can be purchased at 100 yen stores. Please try using them not only as souvenirs, but also in your daily life. Extra: Stuffed animals Japanese people are said to be overworked. The daily commute is packed with trains, and the stress is just too much. I've heard that more and more people are putting cute stuffed animals in their bags to relax for a while. It is said that if you gently touch the stuffed animal in your bag when you are sitting on the train, you will feel less stressed. In Japan, a lot of stuffed animals with characters such as Kitty and Pokemon are sold. You should definitely try to find your favorite stuffed animal. Have you had a chance to learn about the life of Japanese people? By the way, our school has a dormitory on the floor above the school, so you don't have to stress about commuting in the morning and can concentrate on your studies. We also offer online school explanations, so please feel free to contact us. Can you see the Japan from the contents of Japan's bag? ② Continuing from the previous article, I would like to introduce the life and culture of Japan that can be seen from the contents of the bags of Japan people. 1 Cosmetics and hair elastics Compared to other countries Japan it is said that women have to fix their makeup more often. Have you ever felt that many women fix their makeup when they go to the bathroom? Also, women with long hair may have a hair elastic in their bag. That's because when eating noodles such as ramen, it is a violation of manners if you do not tie your hair. Let's all be careful when eating noodles. 2 Sweets Many people put sweets in their bags when they are hungry. I think this is common to all countries. However, in Kansai, such as Osaka, there is a unique culture regarding this confectionery especially candy. According to one TV program, 10% of people in Tokyo carry candy in their bags, while more than 80% of people in Osaka carry candy. It is common to hear episodes where people in Osaka especially elderly women who do not know talk to them and give them candy. There are many reasons for this, but Osaka is a city of commerce and values communication. Therefore, it is said that handing out candy is one of the ways of communication. 3 Fan A fan that is also popular as a souvenir. Many people keep it in their bags in the summer. Handy fans have been all the rage in the last few years, and I've seen a lot of people hanging them around their necks. However, in the case of a handy fan, the size is also large and requires batteries. In comparison, fans are very compact and easy to put in a bag, so they are still very popular. Fans come in a variety of patterns and can be purchased at 100 yen shops. Please try using it not only as a souvenir, but also on a regular basis. Extra Stuffed Animal Japan people who are said to be overworked. The daily commute is stressful with crowded trains. I have heard that the number of people who put cute stuffed animals in their bags has increased recently, wanting to heal even a little time in such days. When you can sit on the train, you can gently touch the stuffed animal in your bag to relieve stress. Japan, many of the characters such as Kitty and Pokémon are sold. Please try to find your favorite stuffed animal. Japan have you been able to get to know people's lives? By the way, our school has a dormitory on the upper floor of the school, so you can concentrate on your studies without stress on your morning commute. We also offer online school explanations, so please feel free to contact us.

[English/Japanese] Can we see Japan through the contents of Japanese people's bags?1 What do Japanese people carry in their bags? I would like to introduce you to the life and culture of Japan through this. 1Wallets Compared to other countries, Japanese people probably carry more cash in their wallets. Although electronic payments have been increasing recently, there are still many stores that do not accept electronic settlements or credit cards. Keep a little extra cash in your wallet when you are living in Japan. 2Folding umbrella What percentage of chance of precipitation do you take an umbrella with you? Half of Japanese people carry an umbrella even when the chance of precipitation is 30%. 3 Hand cream and eye drops It is very dry in winter in Japan. When you try to open a door, you may feel static electricity, which can be painful. Also, contacts tend to dry out in winter. For this reason, I use hand cream and eye drops to prevent them from drying out. 4 Eco bag In Japan, plastic bags have been charged since last year. As a result, more and more people are carrying eco-bags. 5 Anti-infection goods To prevent infection by the new coronavirus, more and more people are carrying a small size disinfectant. Some people also carry spare masks in their mask cases. Recently, fashionable mask cases are being sold and are being adopted as a new fashion. It would be nice if we could have fun while preventing infection. I will continue to introduce the contents of Japanese people's bags next week. Can you see the Japan from the contents of Japan's bag? ① What do Japan people carry in their bags? From there, I would like to introduce life and culture in Japan. 1 Wallet Probably more cash in your wallet than in other countries. Recently, electronic payments have increased, but there are still many stores that cannot perform electronic settlement or do not accept credit cards. When living in Japan, put in a little more. 2 Folding umbrella Do you take an umbrella with what percentage of the probability of precipitation? Even if there is a 30% chance of rain for Japan people, half of the people carry umbrellas. 3 Hand cream and eye drops Winters in Japan are very dry. If you try to open the door, static electricity will occur, and it may hurt. In addition, contacts are also easy to dry in winter. Therefore, hand creams and eye drops prevent dryness. 4 Eco-bags In Japan, plastic bags have been charged since last year. Therefore, more and more people carry eco-bags. 5 Infectious disease control goods In order to prevent infection with the new coronavirus, more and more people are carrying small size disinfectants. In addition, some people carry spare masks inside their mask cases. Recently, fashionable mask cases have been sold and are being adopted as a new fashion. I hope you can enjoy infection prevention. Next week, I will introduce the contents of Japan people's bags.

[English/Japanese] This time, I'd like to continue my introduction to manners. This time, it's about manners when using leisure facilities. Manners at amusement parks At our Japanese language school, we have field trips several times a year. The locations include amusement parks, zoos, and other facilities. For this reason, we go over the precautions in class before the field trip. In this article, I would like to introduce some of these precautions. Tattoos are more common among international students compared to Japanese. Many leisure facilities in Japan refuse to accept people with visible tattoos. At one Japanese language school, there was a case where a student was not allowed to enter the facility because they did not check beforehand. Some facilities will allow you to enter if you are invisible, so you may want to carry a jacket even in the summer. However, this is not possible in the case of swimming pools, so give up using the facilities. Also, many places prohibit taking pictures using selfie sticks and live streaming of social networking sites. Be sure to check the precautions beforehand before you go. Onsen（hot spring）Manners It is difficult for even Japanese people to understand all the rules and manners of hot springs and public baths. For this reason, I often hear from international students that they have yet to try them because it seems too difficult to know how to enter. So what kind of rules and manners are there in onsen and sento? The first thing you must do before entering an onsen is to take a "kakeyu," which means to pour hot water on your body to remove dirt from your body before entering the onsen. There are also other things to keep in mind when washing your body. In hot spring facilities, the chairs used for washing your body are shared. Be sure to wash the chair well before putting it away when you are done using it. Also, women should tie their hair up when they enter the onsen. Do not put anything other than your body in the hot spring. The same goes for towels. Leave your towel in the luggage area or put it on your head. If it is your first time in a hot spring, be careful not to stay in the hot spring too long. If you are not used to hot springs, you may get sick. Hydrate frequently while bathing. Even Japanese people sometimes forget the detailed rules, so most onsen facilities have written instructions on how to enter the onsen. There are also YouTube videos that show you how to get in and out of the onsen, so please check them out. Manners in the Park Lastly, I would like to introduce the manners of the parks that are closest to us. I often hear foreigners talking about how parks in Japan are not very free. There are sometimes foreign students who get into trouble in the parks, so it is important to learn park manners as well. One of the most common problems I hear about is foreign students taking fruits and nuts from trees planted in the park. The trees and flowers planted in the park basically belong to the park, so you should not take them home. There are also many people who break the branches of cherry trees during the cherry blossom season. There is a Japanese proverb that says, “Fools who cut cherry trees. Fools who do not cut plum trees." If you cut off an important branch of a cherry tree, it may start to rot. Never cut cherry blossoms, no matter how beautiful they are. Also, I am sometimes asked by students if they can play soccer with their friends in the park. In most parks, you are not allowed to use a ball. Therefore, if you want to play soccer, you need to make a reservation at a local ground. For more information, ask your school teacher or a Japanese person close to you. These are just a few of the things I introduced here. Please be sure to check the website of any leisure facilities you wish to use. Our school offers related classes before and after the field trip. It is a popular way for students to deepen their understanding of Japan, not only by playing but also by learning. I hope that everyone will try to learn about Japanese culture from various places in Japan. This time, I will continue to introduce manners as before. This time it is manners when using leisure facilities. Amusement park manners The Japanese school conducts field trips several times a year. Locations include amusement parks, zoos, and other facilities. Therefore, we will check the precautions during class before the field trip. In this article, we will introduce some of the precautions. Tattoos are more common among international students than among Japan people. Many leisure facilities in Japan refuse people who have tattoos where they can see them. In one Japanese school, students were not allowed into the facility because they did not check in advance. If you can't see it, some facilities allow you to enter the park, so it may be a good idea to bring a jacket even in summer. However, in the case of a pool, this is not possible, so give up using the facilities. In addition, many places prohibit taking photos using selfie sticks and live streaming on SNS. Be sure to check the precautions in advance before going. Onsen manners It is difficult for even Japan people to understand all the rules and manners of hot springs and public baths. For this reason, I often hear from international students that they have not yet been able to take on the challenge because it seems difficult to get in. So, what kind of rules and manners are there in hot springs and public baths? First of all, what you need to do before entering the hot spring is "kakeyu". "Kakeyu" is a hot water that is poured on the body for the purpose of removing dirt from the body before entering the hot spring. It also means getting your body used to the hot water by doing "kakeyu". There are other points to be aware of when washing your body. At the hot spring facility, the chairs used to wash the body are shared. When you're done using it, be sure to wash the chair thoroughly before putting it away. Also, if you are a woman, you should tie your hair when you enter the onsen. Please be careful not to get anything other than your body in the hot spring. It's the same with towels. Leave your towel in the luggage storage area or put it on your head. If you are entering a hot spring for the first time, please be careful not to soak in the hot spring for too long. Some people sometimes get sick if they are not used to hot springs. Drink water frequently while bathing. Even Japan people may forget the detailed rules, so most hot spring facilities have precautions for how to enter. Also, some of them are published on YouTube, etc., so please take a look. Park manners Finally, I would like to introduce the manners of the park that is closest to us. I often hear foreigners say that there is little freedom in Japan parks. There are international students who sometimes cause trouble in the park, so be sure to learn the manners of the park. One of the problems I often hear about international students is taking nuts and fruits from trees planted in parks. The trees and flowers planted in the park are basically from the park, so do not take them home. In addition, many people break the branches of the cherry blossoms when the cherry blossom season comes. There is a Japan proverb that says, "An idiot who cuts cherry blossoms, an idiot who does not cut plums." If you cut off an important branch of a cherry tree, it may start to rot from there. Never cut it, no matter how clean it is. Also, students sometimes ask me if I want to play soccer with my friends but can play it at the park. Most parks are not allowed to use balls. Therefore, if you want to play soccer, you need to make a reservation for a local ground. For details, please ask your school teacher or a Japan close to you. These are just a few. When using leisure facilities, please be sure to check in advance. At our school, we offer classes related to before and after field trips. You can not only play, but also learn, so it is popular that it deepens your understanding of Japan. I hope you will learn about Japan culture from various places in the Japan.