[Image1][English/Japanese]The day before yesterday, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced that cherry bl
[Image2][English/Japanese]The day before yesterday, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced that cherry bl

[English/Japanese]
The day before yesterday, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced that cherry blossoms had bloomed in Tokyo. In Japan, this time of year’s weather forecast reports not only temperatures and conditions but also the status of the cherry blossoms. Hanami, a traditional Japanese event, began 1,300 years ago and is popular with foreign tourists. In this issue, we introduce hanami etiquette.

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. When you eat, do not place a sheet at the base of the cherry tree. The base of the tree is where it breathes, so place your sheet away from it. Also, do not break cherry branches just because their blossoms are beautiful. Cherry blossoms decompose easily. If you break a branch, you may have to pay a fine for damage to property. Please be careful.

2 Park rules
During holidays at this time of year, the number of people viewing cherry blossoms in parks increases greatly. Some parks are lit up at night and become popular date spots. Each park has different rules, so check the park rules before going to hanami. For example, some parks prohibit bringing alcoholic beverages, while others forbid the use of fire. Also, be sure to take your trash home and clean up properly before you finish your hanami. Even though it is spring, nights can get very cold, so bring warm clothing.

3 Cherry blossom motif goods
Hanami is not limited to parks. During this season, you will see many cherry blossom–inspired decorations around the city and in stores. At cafes, you can enjoy cherry blossom latte art and pink cakes. At general stores, you can find products printed with cherry blossoms. Because they are available only during this season, they are popular as souvenirs. 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!

Tokyo announced two days ago that cherry blossoms had opened, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. In Japan, at this time of year the weather forecast reports not only temperature and weather but also the condition of the cherry blossoms. The traditional Japanese event hanami began 1,300 years ago and is popular with foreign tourists. This time, we introduce hanami manners.

1 The cherry blossoms are the main attraction
Hanami means eating and drinking under the cherry trees. Cherry trees are very delicate. When eating, do not place a sheet at the tree’s base. The tree’s base is where it breathes. Lay your sheet away from it. Also, do not break branches just because the blossoms are beautiful. Cherry trees rot easily, and breaking a branch can be punished as property damage with a fine. Take care.

2 Park rules
On holidays at this time of year, the number of people enjoying hanami in parks increases greatly. Some places are lit up at night and become popular date spots. Park rules differ, so always check a park’s rules before having hanami there. For example, some parks ban bringing alcohol, and others prohibit using fire. Also, take your trash home and clean up properly when you finish. Although it is spring, nights can be very cold, so don’t forget warm clothing.

3 Cherry-themed goods
Hanami is not only in parks. In this season you can see many cherry blossom–themed decorations around town and in shops. At cafes, try cherry blossom latte art and pink cakes. At gift shops, you will find items printed with cherry blossoms. Because they are seasonal, they are popular as souvenirs. Please look for them.

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!

This text has been automatically translated.
Show original text Hide original text
Next social media post
Mar. 29, 2022
[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, and other agreements that were previously allowed only from age 20. In addition, women were previously allowed to marry at 16, but that age has also been changed to 18. 2 Things to be aware of Some things do not change when the age of adulthood becomes 18. These are smoking, drinking, and gambling. In Japan, the minimum age for smoking, drinking, and gambling remains 20, even though the age of majority has changed. Even if you do not smoke or drink yourself, you cannot purchase such items. Please be careful. The rush of foreign students entering Japan will start in April. International students should make sure to understand Japan’s rules. Japanese people, these are international students who have been waiting up to two years to study in Japan. We would appreciate it if you could watch over them warmly. From April, Japanese law will change significantly. Those who come to Japan to study at 18 must be well informed about the new law. So what will change greatly? Do you know? ① Change in the age of adulthood Until now, Japan’s age of adulthood was 20. However, from April 1 it will change to 18. With the age of adulthood at 18, contracts for apartments, credit cards, and other agreements that were previously allowed only from age 20 will become possible. Also, women, who could marry from 16 until now, will now be able to marry from 18. ② Things to be careful about Some things will not change even when the age of adulthood becomes 18. These are smoking, drinking, and gambling. In Japan, smoking, drinking, and gambling are allowed from age 20, and that remains unchanged even though the age of majority has changed. Even if you do not smoke or drink, you cannot purchase these items. Please be careful. From April there will be a rush of international students entering the country. International students should make sure to understand Japan’s rules thoroughly. Japanese people, these students have waited up to two years to study in Japan. We would be grateful if you would watch over them warmly.
Previous social media post
Mar. 1, 2022
[Englsh/日本語] 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. 2People 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. 3People 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. Today marks the start of March. Japan will significantly relax restrictions on new entries by foreign nationals from March 1. Students who have been waiting to enter Japan for the past two years finally have a chance to come. This is welcome news for both international students and Japanese language schools. Although the new-entry restrictions have been relaxed, rules remain regarding vaccinations and quarantine. Here is a brief introduction to those rules. (This information is current as of March 1 and may change in the future. Please check official websites for details.) 1 Those who have completed a third vaccination (arrivals from designated countries and regions) People who have received three doses of vaccines specified by Japan are subject to a seven-day voluntary waiting period. However, if a PCR test on the third day of the waiting period is negative, the voluntary waiting period is waived. 2 Those who have completed a third vaccination (arrivals from countries and regions other than the designated ones) People who have received three doses of vaccines specified by Japan are exempt from the waiting requirement. 3 Those who have not completed a third vaccination (arrivals from designated countries and regions) You must wait for three days at accommodation arranged by the quarantine office. If a PCR test on the third day is negative, you may leave the accommodation and you will not be required to stay at home afterward. 4 Those who have not completed a third vaccination (arrivals from countries and regions other than the designated ones) You must observe a seven-day voluntary waiting period. However, if a PCR test on the third day of the waiting period is negative, the voluntary waiting period is waived. If you are on voluntary standby, you may use public transportation within 24 hours of arrival. Also, waiting at the quarantine facility may be done using public transportation if the PCR test on the third day is negative. It must have been a difficult two years for students planning to study in Japan. We look forward to the day we can meet you.