Go! Go! Nihon blog

Author: Go! Go! Nihon Staff

News
The sakura, or cherry blossom forecast for this year has already started to roll in. The Japan Meteorological Corporation releases its forecast each year around January to give an indication of when it thinks the...
Life in Japan
Convenience stores, or conbini (コンビニ), in Japan truly live up to their name. From buying food and drinks to paying your bills, the services available at convenience stores in Japan are guaranteed to make your...
Life in Japan
The spirit of Halloween in Japan is alive and well, but things are done a bit differently than you might expect. The holiday is less about trick or treating and setting up spooky decorations and...
Only in Japan
Information updated as of September 2023 When you arrive in Japan, one of the must-haves for a seamless and convenient trip is a prepaid all-in-one IC card such as Suica or Pasmo. IC cards in...
Japanese Culture
When autumn arrives in Japan, landscapes across the country turn all shades of red, orange, and yellow. In Japanese, the process of leaves changing colours is called “momiji“, which is also the name of the...
Life in Japan
Once the capital of Japan and now more of a laid-back city with lots of temples and shrines, living in Kyoto is for those of you with a spiritual side. It could be described as...
How to
Whether it’s calling your hairdresser or a dental office for your yearly dental checkup, you’re going to need to make an appointment in Japanese at least a few times while living in Japan. Talking on...
Japanese Culture
Why should the living get to have all the fun anyway? Every 7th month of the year, Japan celebrates Obon お盆, one of the biggest holiday periods of the year. But what is Obon? In short,...
Japanese Culture
It’s on the back of the ¥1000 bill, on the first page of a Japan Google Image search, and is an almost perfectly symmetrical volcano neatly capped in snow during the winter months. Mount Fuji—Japan’s...
Life in Japan
The month of July in Japan is notoriously hot and humid. But there are many great things to see, do, and add to your Japan summer itinerary. From ancient festivals, delicious food, and rare opportunities...
Only in Japan
Japan’s rainy season or Tsuyu (梅雨) is well-known to most regular visitors to this beautiful country. If you travel here from around the beginning of June to mid-July, you’ll be sure to get a bit...
Japanese Culture
In Japan, the Western holiday of Valentine’s Day was popularized in the 1950’s. There’s also a follow-up holiday called White Day (ホワイトデー) on March 14, which was invented as a day for men to give gifts and...
Life in Japan
Ancient temples woven into bamboo forests, festivals with old incantations of long lost dialects spilling onto the streets, and open air hot springs daringly embedded in active volcanoes. It’s no wonder nearly 20 million people...
Life in Japan
It can be a maze navigating a job search in your own home country, which can make finding part-time jobs in Japan even more intimidating. Go! Go! Nihon helps students to get a student visa...
Life in Japan
Snowboarding and skiing in Japan are popular winter pastimes, for good reason. The country is recognised as a world-class destination for winter sports lovers, providing high-quality snow, good conditions, breathtaking scenery, and relaxing après-ski activities....
Life in Japan
Japan is a country that loves celebrations and in the course of one year in Japan, there is certainly no shortage of events and festivals. Read on to find out about some of our favorites!...
Japanese Culture
In Japan, New Year’s is the most important holiday of all. Celebrating the Japanese New Year, or Oshōgatsu (お正月)  in Japanese, means spending time with family and loved ones while eating lots of food and...
News
Christmas in Japan is an experience that is unique and magical in its own way. Although it’s not a traditional holiday in Japan, Christmas has developed its own identity here and there is plenty to...
Life in Japan
Japan in winter often gets overlooked, but it’s a magical time of year for a lot of reasons. From delicious warming oden 御田 (various stewed ingredients) to relaxing in an onsen 温泉, or getting your...
Life in Japan
The health insurance scheme is required by the government in Japan for all Japanese citizens, permanent residents and any non-Japanese residing in Japan with a visa for three months or more, including students. Kokumin kenkou...
Learn Japanese
Do you want to go to Japan to study, but not sure if it’s for you? Applying for a language course and making the move to Japan can be a bit intimidating, especially if you...
How to
If you’re planning to visit Japan in the future, choosing to buy the Japan Rail Pass could be one of the best investments you’ll make. Whether or not the Japan Rail Pass is worth it...
Life in Japan
After a long day spent pounding pavement and taking in the sights, you find a secluded spot to sit – stone steps along a canal that weaves in and out of the city proper. You...
Food&Drink
Fierce samurais, rich feudal lords, heavenly emperors, and you can bet even the farmers on the rice field have shared a toast of Japanese sake (酒) with the deities. The alcoholic beverage from Japan has a...
How to
Leaving Japan for a few weeks during school break? You will want to make sure you are all set and ready to leave, and don’t forget the most important thing of all: your re-entry permit....
How to
Japan has strict rules in place for many immigration and import-related matters, and medication is no different. Bringing medication to Japan comes with its own set of rules, and failure to observe them can lead to...
Life in Japan
When looking at options for schools in Japan, you may automatically be looking at Tokyo – but it’s not for everyone. It’s busy and heavily populated, a sensory overload for some. With the rest of...
Life in Japan
Having to make friends in Japan – or any unfamiliar environment – can be daunting. Add language and cultural barriers in the mix and it can be a recipe for a lonely start to life...
Life in Japan
Imagine this: you make your way through a throng of people scattered about a busy street. Neon lights wash the asphalt a kaleidoscopic spectrum of colour. Hawkers shout as you pass, beckoning you to some...
Only in Japan
Don’t be afraid. If anything, get excited. Oh sure Japan’s filled with beautiful temples, food you’ll never forget, and history to get lost in. But how about using a Japanese toilet??  If you have never...
Learn Japanese
Starting to learn a new language can seem like an overwhelming task. It seems like there’s a lot to learn and you don’t always know the best way to start. Even more difficult with a...
Life in Japan
You’ve done your research, picked a city you think you’d love, and even started hunting online for good schools or jobs in the land of the rising sun. There’s just one question burning in the...
How to
Japanese hot springs (onsen 温泉) have been enjoyed by the Japanese for well over a thousand years; in the days before modern medicine, it was believed that a dip in the onsen could cure just...
Life in Japan
Updated September 2023After a foreign national successfully applies for their Japan visa, they will receive a Certificate of Eligibility for Japan (COE) if their application is approved by the local immigration authority. The COE serves...
Japanese Culture
What’s in a name anyway? Well, if you grew up in Japan, a lot. A rich history lives behind every Japanese family name. Each one tells a story linked to a historic clan of ancient...
Life in Japan
If you want to come study in Japan, you are going to need to obtain a visa. The most obvious one is the student visa, however there are other types of visas that allow you...
Life in Japan
It is a fact that Japan is one of the most developed countries in the world. The punctuality of its public transport, clean streets, public safety, and high life expectancy are well known outside the...
How to
Moving to Japan for the first time will probably be one of the most exciting moments of your life. It might also be stressful and overwhelming, especially if you’re unfamiliar with all the things you...
Life in Japan
You’ve made your decision and you’re ready to move to Japan: awesome! Out of all the countries in the world, you have concluded that Japan is the place you want to be. But what about...
Learn Japanese
Conversation is king when it comes to learning another language. There’s no faster way to learn to communicate than the challenge of a real, uncontrolled conversation in that language. That’s why we recommend making the...
Life in Japan
When first arriving to Japan, there are plenty of things to do. One of the questions you will likely encounter has to do with pension: these slips are similar to the health insurance ones, coming...
Japanese Culture
What are those interesting-looking, red Daruma dolls anyway? You’ve likely seen them in Asian restaurants around the world or hiding just about everywhere in Japan. But few know the interesting and somewhat dark history behind their...
Life in Japan
If you have been through the process of moving to Japan already, you’ll know that there’s a lot to prepare in advance and it can sometimes feel overwhelming. From ensuring you have a valid visa,...
Japanese Culture
They’re an absolute must-see whether you’re religious or not. Japan’s temples and shrines are some of the most beautiful in the world. Most of them are nestled into gorgeous locations across the country. Think secluded cliff-side...
Japanese Culture
There’s nothing wrong with a Attack on Titan binge, or rewatching Mononoke Hime for the umpteenth time. They’re great! But, there are so many other movies in Japanese aside from your favourite anime. Besides language...
Learn Japanese
Free Japanese language resources can be a great learning accompaniment, or give you a good taste of the language before you commit fully. We’ve got some great free resources, from our blog articles to online...
Food&Drink
Light and crispy tempura, rich and hearty curry rice, delicate omurice. There are so many classic dishes that come to mind when we think of traditional Japanese food. But, you might be surprised to know...
How to
Moving to a new country to learn a new language by yourself can be intimidating. Some people may prefer to study in Japan with a friend. Or you might be in a relationship where you...
Learn Japanese
If you’re a Japanese learner, you might have already come across words like rashii らしい, sou そう, mitai みたい and ppoiっぽい. These words are used to express “seems like” or “looks like”, or to express...
Learn Japanese
It’s true! You already know some Japanese even if you’ve never studied the language before. From emojis to zen, Japanese culture is a global influence that is a part of daily life everywhere. You might...
Life in Japan
Student life abroad can be tough to manage.  You’ve got a new language to learn that your future success depends on, social needs that demand attention, and perhaps a bank account barely in the black...
Only in Japan
Just one more step. That’s the mantra. Through fatiguing legs, panting breath and beads of sweat starting to form on your skin, you keep telling yourself to push through to your goal – the mountain summit....
Food&Drink
There are plenty of wondrous things to take in on a typical Japanese city street. You’ve got throngs of people bustling through their day. Bright neon and digital advertisements light up the pavement. And traditional-style...
Only in Japan
With spring in the air and the sun shining many people in Tokyo are thinking about hanami 花見 (flower viewing) and how they can enjoy the sakura 桜, or cherry blossoms. Did you know, though,...
How to
It’s fairly straightforward to open a bank account in Japan, but it’s impossible to do this before you arrive in the country. You can use your existing cards to withdraw any money you need when...
Life in Japan
Depending on where you live in the world you may or may not be familiar with the seasonal sniffles of hay fever, but hay fever in Japan is very common. With distinct seasons comes strong...
Life in Japan
Marco is one of our students from Italy, who was meant to start Japanese language school from April 2020. But then the global pandemic hit, the world went into lockdown and Marco was faced with...
Japanese Culture
You might not be familiar with the term “Ukiyo-e”, but there’s a good chance that you have seen the famous Great Wave of Kanagawa. This beautiful piece was created as a woodblock print and alongside...
Learn Japanese
Why study Japanese? Well let’s start with you. Why are you interested in learning Japanese? There’s a number of reasons why there’s a growing number of people interested in learning Japanese, and each have their...
Only in Japan
Already world-famous for its quality powder snow and ski fields, winter in Japan is a truly magical experience. Aside from the snow sports though, there are plenty of ways to experience snow in Japan that...
Life in Japan
Hear “Nagano” and you might think: snow, Winter Olympics, snow monkeys. And while Nagano is all of those things, it is also so much more. If you’re thinking about whether to live in Nagano, read...
Japanese Culture
Shibori is a Japanese tie-dyeing technique that has been used for centuries. Famous for its blue dye, shibori is the result of experimentation with more interesting approaches to textile production, rather than just colouring clothes...
Japanese Culture
The Japanese kimono is a quintessential garment and despite changing fashion over the years, it’s still seen as an icon of Japan. Literally meaning ‘worn thing’, it’s had a prominent place in the history of...
How to
If you’re looking to study at a Japanese university or vocational college, you may know about or already be signed up for a Bekka program. Designed for non-Japanese students, this preparatory course is normally taught...
Life in Japan
Just a little to the southwest of Kyoto and west of Osaka, Kobe is a beautiful port town bordered by some mountains to the north and west and the sea to the south. As for...
Learn Japanese
Is learning Japanese from anime really an option? Or will you just learn a lot of slang and fighting talk? Well actually anime can be a great accompaniment to your Japanese language studies (although definitely...
Japanese Culture
The Tanabata Festival is one of the most joyous and colourful festivals in Japan and there are plenty of them that happen all over Japan. Tanabata (七夕) means evening of the seventh, but it can...
Life in Japan
Along with the intense humidity and heat, summer in Japan brings with it something that most people hate: cockroaches. It’s highly likely that during your time in Japan you will come across a cockroach or...
How to
When you think of travel in Japan you may first think of trains and the bullet train or Shinkansen in particular. However, what you may not realise is that you’re missing out on a much...
Food&Drink
Breakfast in Japan is quite different from what most people are used to, especially if you come from the western part of the world where breakfast food is very distinguished from the other meals of...
Life in Japan
Sometimes known as the “second city” of Japan, living in Osaka is very different from Tokyo. It’s often described as “gritty”, but Osaka is also a lot of fun and has arguably some of the...
How to
Japan often seems to be at the forefront of many things, but when it comes to zero waste living, it can feel like it’s in the dark ages. Living zero waste in even the most...
Japanese Culture
Japanese green tea (茶, cha) is a very important part of Japanese culture and the accompanying ceremony is one of the three classical Japanese arts of refinement. The Japanese tea ceremony is called sadō (茶道) or...
Life in Japan
Fukuoka was rated one of the most livable cities in the world for several years in a row. It is Japan’s 4th largest urban area in Japan with a population of 1.5 million. Tokyo, on...
Japanese Culture
It’s hard to imagine communicating these days without the use of emojis – but do you know their history? Read on to learn more about the history of emojis and the significant role that Japan...
Japanese Culture
Japanese calligraphy is one of the most well known and popular of the traditional arts of Japan. It’s called shodō (書道) in Japanese, which literally means way of writing. Shodō has a very long history....
Food&Drink
If you’re walking around in Tokyo and your stomach suddenly growls, how about treating that hunger with some Japanese ramen? It’s savory, filling, and can literally be consumed whenever, wherever, and however you like it....
Learn Japanese
We all feel under the weather sometimes. Whether you’re visiting on a trip or studying abroad in Japan, in the case you are feeling ill, it’s important to know how to take care of yourselves...
Food&Drink
Japanese sweets are as beautiful as they are delicious. Japanese traditional sweets, wagashi (和菓子), are an art practice in and of themselves and are designed to stimulate all five senses. As a culture with a...
News
If you think you might have COVID-19, or the novel coronavirus, and you’re in Japan you might be confused about what to do. Read on to find out the things you need to do to...
Only in Japan
Spring is perhaps the most popular season of the year in Japan. Snow has been melting, the weather has begun to warm, and beautiful cherry blossoms are blooming to paint the landscape in soft pink...
How to
When travelling anywhere in the world it’s important to think about what you’re packing and most importantly what you can and can’t bring into a country. Japan is no different, so we’ve put together a...
Japanese Culture
Early in spring every year families with daughters celebrate Girls’ Day in Japan. It’s referred to as Hinamatsuri (雛祭り) in Japanese, which means doll festival. And for this reason it’s also known as Dolls’ Day....
Only in Japan
You might have heard of this otaku hub of Tokyo. Akihabara started as an important crossroad for trade between what used to be Edo and the merchants from northeastern Japan. As Tokyo expanded and engulfed...
Food&Drink
The world of Japanese hot pot (鍋物 nabemono or 鍋 nabe) is vast and rich. The word is a combination of kanji which means “cooking pot” (鍋, nabe), and “thing” (物, mono). Simply put, the...
Learn Japanese
With the Tokyo Summer Olympics only a few months away, we’ve prepared a list of Olympics vocabulary you can study to be in the know once the Games officially begin. Learn game terminology, phrases used...
Only in Japan
It has been 56 years since the Summer Olympics were held in Tokyo, and much has changed. In the 1964 games, there were 19 sports represented, compared to the 33 sports we expect to see...
Life in Japan
If you’re moving to Japan to study long-term, then you’ll want a comfortable place to stay that won’t break the bank. But finding affordable accommodation in Japan as a foreigner can often be tricky. That’s...
Only in Japan
What could be so interesting about the randoseru? It’s just a Japanese backpack, right? It seems like a pretty standard concept. Children around the world cram them full of books and throw them over their backs...
Life in Japan
Living in Kofu is a unique experience compared to the other major cities in Japan. Of course, this city, the capital of Yamanashi, is a busy place but it’s a lot quieter and more relaxed...
Only in Japan
With the New Year around the corner, why not take a chance and grab a lucky bag in Japan? Fukubukuro (福袋) or lucky bag is a tradition on New Year’s Day in Japan where merchants...
Japanese Culture
Sending postcards from your visit abroad is a must, particularly when visiting Japan where you can find original and very special postcards. In fact, there’s an endless variety of types, colours, shapes and motifs for...
Life in Japan
Education has the power to change your life, but without a high level of Japanese it might seem impossible to study at a higher level in Japan.   But, for those who are serious about higher...
Life in Japan
Living in Japan isn’t all Tokyo centric. There are some amazing places outside of the capital. One of our favourites is Sapporo in Hokkaido. You may be familiar with it from the Snow festival but...
Learn Japanese
Is it really possible to learn Japanese from manga? Well, maybe not completely but it can actually be a very effective tool for practicing reading. Just make sure that you combine it with some properly...
News
Christmas is here and although it’s not an official holiday in Japan, you’ll see a number of Christmas markets pop up in Tokyo.  Completed with hot cups of mulled wine, heartwarming food, twinkling lights and...
Japanese Culture
The concept of Japanese hospitality, otherwise known as omotenashi (お持て成し), has come to light recently. Though translated simply as hospitality, the word omotenashi has a meaning deeply rooted in the Japanese psyche. It’s not simply...
Life in Japan
You’ve settled into your new home in Japan and your Japanese language lessons have started, so it’s time to get down to business and start studying hard. Of course your school and your home are...
How to
Train fare in Japan can be quite expensive. If you stay for a short period you can get the Japan Rail Pass, but for students staying long enough to require a visa this is not...
Japanese Culture
Japan’s new era has begun and it’s called Reiwa (令和). It technically began back on the 1st May when Emperor Akihito abdicated the throne and his son Naruhito ascended it and this means there is...
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Who we are

Go! Go! Nihon Live and Study in Japan!

In 2009, after meeting and studying at a Japanese language school together, Davide and John start working on a project that will make the process of living and studying in Japan much easier. The idea for Go! Go! Nihon is born. The service and website is launched with Italian, Swedish, and English language support. There is an immediate positive reception to the service and the first long-term students start the October session that year.

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