Michael Gakuran
Michael Gakuran is fluent in Japanese and resides in Tokyo. When not out exploring haikyo, he’s writing up thrilling tales of adventure on his website ‘Gakuranman’ and teaching advanced Japanese on the website ‘Gakuu’.
Articles
A Trip to Niigata’s Phallic Shoki Festival
Every year between February and March, groups of local citizens head deep into the forests of Niigata for a festival that involves copious amounts of straw and a large phallus.
Urban Exploration in Japan: What is Haikyo?
Have you ever wanted to explore a ghost town? Perhaps crawl through forgotten wartime tunnels? Piece together puzzling secrets of the past? Welcome to the secret world of haikyo.
Toriaezu: The Undecided Decision
Here are 4 general uses of the word とりあえず that you are likely to encounter.
The Sound of Japanese Summer
One of the most recognizable sounds of summer in Japan is the screeching of the cicada. Where do these critters comes from and what are screeching about?
What’s That Neighborhood Music? The 5pm Chime
Ever wonder what that 5:00pm song is that is played in many Japanese cities?
But Wait, I’m Speaking Japanese!
Why do some Japanese people insist on speaking English when I am trying to speak Japanese?
5 Remarkably Cute Creations Only From Japan
Japan is crazy about kawaii. In the art of making things look cute Japan is a pioneer, if not perhaps the world leader.
What Would You Do? The ¥1000 That Is Causing A Stir
A short note left in a bicycle basket has caused quiet a stir online. What is it about this little note that is causing so much discussion.
5 Signs You Haven’t Been In Japan Very Long
Do you bow on the phone yet? After living in Japan for a while one can't help but to start picking up a few cultural quirks.
What You Need To Know About Exchanging Business Cards in Japan
One of the perennial topics in Japanese business etiquette is the exchange of business cards. Getting this right is a key step in expanding your business connections in Japan.
Three Simple Words for Building Trust in a Japanese Office
Working as a foreigner in a Japanese company can be a daunting experience. Understanding these three simple words will help you build the trust you need to thrive in a Japanese office.
The Pitfalls of Addressing Foreigners in the Workplace
Honorifics are an interesting part of Japanese culture, and they can be more than a little confusing! For foreigners in Japan, using honorifics correctly can be difficult, and perhaps more troubling than correct usage is understanding the meanings when they are used in reference to yourself.
