Matthew Coslett
After his 6 month stay got extended to 6 years, Matthew decided just to stay. As well as writing about his beloved Kansai, he spends hours in the middle of nowhere looking for wildlife and searching for the parts of the city most people ignore.
Articles
Double Takes: 6 Pairs of Easily Confused Kanji
A look at different kanji characters with similar meanings and pronunciations and how to tell them apart.
Idioms: Let Me Hear Your Body Talk
Using human anatomy to illustrate fascinating similarities and differences between English and Japanese.
Tongue Tied: Easily Confused Japanese Words
A handy list of some similar sounding and oft-confused Japanese terms.
A GaijinPot Field Guide to the Halloween Costumes of Japan
A primer on the ghastly creatures you may encounter in the wild this Halloween season.
Demonic Travel Destinations for Halloween in Japan
Otherworldly spots all over Japan.
Getting Started with Street Dance in Japan
A comprehensive list of dance schools to check out across the country.
Here Be Monsters: An Omnibus of Demonic ‘Oni’ Usage in Japanese
The terrifying demons of Japanese lore are a surprisingly rich source of proverbs. GaijinPot investigates how to “say it with ogres."
Kooky Kanji: The Surprising Origin Stories of Some Famous Characters
Kanji is fascinating when it's used in strange or unusual ways. GaijinPot looks at how the history of kanji may be even more interesting than you thought.
Sweat the Small Stuff: 5 Tips for Passing the JLPT
Don’t be a stressed mess, learn how to pass your next level test on your journey up the Japanese language proficiency ladder.
Local Search Tips for Planning a Trip in Japan
Whether it’s a month-long vacation or quick weekend getaway, instead of jetting off abroad, how about traveling within Japan? GaijinPot gives you advice on how to research your trip and get the best out of it.
Beyond Air Conditioners: A Pro’s Guide to Keeping Cool this Summer
With a hot and humid summer already in full swing, it’s time to take some cool precautions. GaijinPot looks at “Cool Japan” from the air conditioner to other, more esoteric, devices.
Japanese Words Made for Earthquakes and Other Disasters
Following the magnitude 6.1 earthquake that recently hit Kansai, the floods and landslide in western Japan and the current nationwide heatwave, it’s time to look at some words for these terrifying natural occurrences.
