失敗は成功のもと：Failure Is the Mother of Success
Failure can feel disappointing, but if you keep going, every challenge can become part of the learning process.
伊勢神宮とおかげ横丁：A Visit to Ise – Where Gratitude Meets Joy
Ise offers both quiet moments of gratitude at Ise Jingu and cheerful streets to explore at Okage Yokocho. From sacred traditions to summer sweets, it is a place where calm and joy meet.
能登半島の旅：Noto Peninsula – A Journey Through Beauty and Resilience
Ritsuko-sensei shares her journey around the Noto Peninsula, where breathtaking nature meets the resilience of local people recovering from the earthquake. Visiting the region becomes not only a travel experience, but also a meaningful way to support its recovery.
キャバ嬢：The Sparkly World of Kyabajō
Kyabakura is a glittering corner of Japan’s nightlife where kyabajō turn conversation into a skill – reading the room, adapting to each guest, and making people feel welcome.
日本語上達のコツは『少し難しい』を続けること：“A Little Harder” – The Key to Improving Your Japanese
Try treating Japanese like brain training: keep choosing material that’s slightly challenging and talk about it regularly.
がんばれパンチくん：Punch-kun, Fighting!
Punch-kun is a bottle-raised baby Japanese macaque at a zoo in Ichikawa, Chiba after his mother stopped caring for him. He’s gone viral for cuddling an orangutan plush “Oran-mama” and clinging to his keepers, showing how much warmth and comfort matter as he grows.
友達：Farewell, My Friend
A heartfelt reflection on friendship – how a close friend can inspire you to live fully, even in difficult times. A dream farewell becomes a quiet source of comfort that lingers long after.
すみません、もう一度お願いします：Excuse me, can you say that again?
Not sure how to politely ask someone to repeat what they said in Japanese? Mayu sensei introduces several natural phrases and explains when each one is appropriate in this blog.
お土産：Souvenirs – Sweet Memories, Heavy Bags
Mayu-sensei shares her souvenir-shopping stories from a trip to Kanazawa, from choosing gifts for loved ones to struggling with too much luggage, and about the unexpected “souvenir” she brought home.
物語の自動販売機：Story vending machine – A drink for the Heart
In Japan, vending machines are everywhere, but a new “story vending machine” now offers short, location-themed stories at the press of a button.
作文添削と『ナミヤ雑貨店の奇蹟』：The Quiet Power of Words – When Editing Becomes Empathy
What if one carefully chosen sentence could reach someone’s future? In this blog, Ritsuko-sensei links essay editing to The Miracles of the Namiya General Store, exploring the quiet power of words written with care.
だれかのためのサポート：Support for Anyone – The Kindness We All Need
Do you know how to support someone with dementia? Here are practical, easy-to-use tips from a dementia supporter training, and a reminder that the same gentle approach matters for everyone.