Japanese Culture Pages


A country's language and culture go hand in hand. Sometimes a simple 'yes' or 'no' can have many shades of meaning based on the cultural understanding of the situation. This page is dedicated to studying the culture of Japan

Map of Japan image Traditional Japanese Songs Traditional Japanese food nattou
Title Teaser
Love Words in Japanese Love words in Japanese--Common ways of expressing one's love and other fun stuff. More...
Karate Vocabulary: Niju Kun Untitled Document
Karate Dojo Kun
Karate Vocabulary: Dojo Kun
三人上戸 The Three Drunks
Japan's Prefectures Map of JapanJapan is divided into 11 regions. These regions are further divided into 47 prefectures. Our list starts from the most northern part of Japan (Hokkaido) and ends with the most southern (Okinawa). Each page contains detailed information on each of the prefectures. NEW Flash file added: click on any prefecture to hear the name and the capital city.More...
Iroha Uta いろは歌
Iroha Uta

An ancient poem & an order of kana (like あいうえお)
犬棒カルタ Inubou Karuta

Karuta Japanese card gameKaruta is a traditional Japanese card game based on the Iroha kana order. Karuta is a great way to not only build hiragana recognition, but to learn many useful proverbs. It is a favorite pastime on New Year's Day.

This page lists all of the sayings, proverbs, and poems for the Inubou Karuta card set. With Audio
Comparing 午前 and 午後 with A.M. and P.M.
Comparing 午前 and 午後 with A.M. and P.M.
Shakuhachi: The Japanese Traditional Bamboo Flute about the Japanese flute, the shakuhachi
Shakuhachi:  The Japanese Traditional Bamboo Flute
When I Become a First Grader
Karate Training in Japan
Lecturing to Japanese ER Nurses David Wollard on giving a lecture to a group of ER/ICU nurses in Japan regarding our institution and a bit of how we practice ER nursing in the States.
April 2004
Golden Week
kikitorino renshuu koinobori Download PDF and MP3
Download Text with Furigana 		- 2 MP3s (regular speed and a slow version)
- 5 page PDF with text, text with furigana, glossary, translation explanation and some comprehension questions.
- Free!
Koinobori
kikitorino renshuu koinobori Download PDF and MP3
Download Text with Furigana 		- 2 MP3s (regular speed and a slow version)
- 5 page PDF with text, text with furigana, glossary, translation explanation and some comprehension questions.
- Free!
Volume 1: Japanese Companies Learn a little about some important Japanese companies.
Jagariko Lesson: Can't eat enough as a Giraffe Learn Japanese through Snacking--Clay's favorite Japanese snack, Jagariko
New Years Day Words A few important words and customs for the Japanese New Year
Body Language in Japanese How to express yourself non-verbally in Japanese
Japanese Car Plates About Japanese Car Number Plates
The Japanese Toilet Everything you need to know... before you go.
Why study Osaka-ben?

Some reasons to study the Osaka dialect
Osaka-ben: Grammar 1- The Plain Form Copula 「や」 Osaka-ben: Grammar 1- The Plain Form Copula 「や」
Kansai Ben A little about the Kansai dialect
Japanese Dialects

Japanese Dialects
Natto NattouThe story of Clay's introduction to this traditional Japanese food. Everything (and more) you would ever care to know.
The Various Degrees of Politeness A short example of the various levels of politeness
The Yubikiri Song
Frog Song
Elephant's Song
Momotarou - Peach Boy

Support those who Support TJP!