Japanese Hobby

Great Text Books For Studying Japanese

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Japanese language learning materials have been migrating to the web in various forms including online courses, blogs, mobile app and videos to name a few. However, I still have some personal recommendations for great text books I have used to study Japanese in the past on my own and then at university as part of my degree. So, if you want to widen your repertoire of resources for learning Japanese and are tired of starring at a screen, these might be of use. Check out my personal list for the best text books for studying Japanese.</div>
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1) A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar.</h3>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/4789004546/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=httplearnjapa-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=4789004546" style="border: 0px; color: #557fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" border="0" class="alignleft" height="222" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51UFQc00dlL._SY300_.jpg" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: 0px; float: left; height: auto; margin: 10px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="150" /></a>If you are looking for something that is head and shoulders above the competition in Japanese grammar books, I would go for A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar<img alt="" border="0" class="mzotrhzgjwgpouddyzbu kzhpekjgbcpsdchijuay qqlvufakargpjtfxrcpy" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httplearnjapa-20&l=as2&o=1&a=4789004546&camp=217153&creative=399349" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: none !important; height: auto; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="1" /> published by the Japan times. These are thick books crammed with example sentences and well written explanations. If you are a complete beginner to the language and are looking for something to aid your Japanese class or prep for the JLPT, then this dictionary will be good for you. My personal favorite is “A Dictionary of Intermediate Grammar” as I think has best coverage of the language and is good for low intermediate to advanced students. Unfortunately, the Intermediate version seems to be unavailable on the US Amazon site. Why Amazon, why? Get “A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar” here on the Japanese Amazon website. </div>
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2) Essential Kanji</h3>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0834802228/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=httplearnjapa-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=0834802228" style="border: 0px; color: #557fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" border="0" class="alignleft" height="230" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51V05AQ3W9L._SY300_.jpg" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: 0px; float: left; height: auto; margin: 10px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="150" /></a>There are a lot of Kanji learning texts out there including Kodansha”s “Kanji Learner”s Dictionary” and “Kanji Pict-O-Graphix” to name just two. However I prefer Essential Kanji: 2,000 Basic Japanese Characters Systematically Arranged For Learning And Reference<img alt="" border="0" class="mzotrhzgjwgpouddyzbu kzhpekjgbcpsdchijuay qqlvufakargpjtfxrcpy" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httplearnjapa-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0834802228&camp=217153&creative=399349" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: none !important; height: auto; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="1" /> by P.G O’Neil mostly because of its simplicity and clear layout. It covers 2000 essential Kanji which roughly mirrors the Joyo Kanji, the standardized Kanji for basic literacy in Japanese. Each Kanji has examples written in both beautiful calligraphy and ballpoint pen including the stroke order.</div>
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The slight downside is some of the sentence examples can be a little esoteric and not used in daily life. I have got a few puzzled expressions from some Japanese people I have shown this to. However, most of the sentence patterns are OK, just try to check what is most commonly used and you’ll be fine.</div>
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Apart from that minor problem, I would recommend this as a nice, straight forward, compact dictionary for people learning Kanji.</div>
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3) 501 Japanese Verbs</h3>
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<img alt="" border="0" class="mzotrhzgjwgpouddyzbu kzhpekjgbcpsdchijuay qqlvufakargpjtfxrcpy" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httplearnjapa-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0764137492&camp=217145&creative=399349" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: none !important; height: auto; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764137492/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=httplearnjapa-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=0764137492" style="border: 0px; color: #557fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" border="0" class="alignleft" height="220" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51gIWvnFIXL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: 0px; float: left; height: auto; margin: 10px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="220" /></a>501 Japanese Verbs<img alt="" border="0" class="mzotrhzgjwgpouddyzbu kzhpekjgbcpsdchijuay qqlvufakargpjtfxrcpy" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httplearnjapa-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0764137492&camp=217153&creative=399349" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: none !important; height: auto; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="1" /> is a great reference guide for useful Japanese verbs and tables on how to conjugate them. Again, there are many good verb references out there in print form and on the internet, however I like it as it is easy to understand and use.</div>
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One thing you should be a little careful with is table layouts as  they suggests that the frequency of all verb conjugations is equal. Of course, you won’t use absolutely every single conjugation in this book in, say, everyday natural conversation.</div>
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However, this is only a small concern and if you keep that in mind and have an idea of how these verbs are used naturally in conversation and in print, then this is a great book to get.</div>
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4) Let’s Learn Hiragana<img alt="" border="0" class="mzotrhzgjwgpouddyzbu kzhpekjgbcpsdchijuay qqlvufakargpjtfxrcpy" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httplearnjapa-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0870117092&camp=217153&creative=399349" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: none !important; font-size: 19px; height: auto; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" class="mzotrhzgjwgpouddyzbu kzhpekjgbcpsdchijuay qqlvufakargpjtfxrcpy" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httplearnjapa-20&l=as2&o=1&a=4789004546&camp=217145&creative=399349" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: none !important; height: auto; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="1" /></h3>
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I have warm and fuzzy memories about using this book during my very first baby steps in learning Japanese. Sentimentality aside, why would I recommend a book for learning Hiragana when there are so many awesome online apps and websites for learning it (including our very own Kana Invaders Game… immodest cough)?</div>
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It’s beautifully laid out and well written. It includes practice sheets for you to try writing your own Hiragana which I would argue you can’t do so easily on a tablet device. This would be a wonderful present for complete beginners to Japanese or even kids learning to write for the first time. You can also check out their Let’s Learn Katakana: Second Book of Basic Japanese Writing<img alt="" border="0" class="mzotrhzgjwgpouddyzbu kzhpekjgbcpsdchijuay qqlvufakargpjtfxrcpy" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httplearnjapa-20&l=as2&o=1&a=087011719X&camp=217153&creative=399349" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: none !important; height: auto; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="1" /> too which is very good.</div>
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5) Japanese for Busy People</h3>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/4770030096/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=httplearnjapa-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217153&creative=399349&creativeASIN=4770030096" style="border: 0px; color: #557fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" border="0" class="alignleft" height="219" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/513D6Axs%2BWL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: 0px; float: left; height: auto; margin: 10px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="219" /></a><img alt="" border="0" class="mzotrhzgjwgpouddyzbu kzhpekjgbcpsdchijuay qqlvufakargpjtfxrcpy" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httplearnjapa-20&l=as2&o=1&a=4770030096&camp=217153&creative=399349" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: none !important; height: auto; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="1" />If you are beginning in Japanese and don’t know where to start then Japanese for Busy People<img alt="" border="0" class="mzotrhzgjwgpouddyzbu kzhpekjgbcpsdchijuay qqlvufakargpjtfxrcpy" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httplearnjapa-20&l=as2&o=1&a=4770030096&camp=217153&creative=399349" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: none !important; height: auto; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="1" /> is a good choice. It’s a classic book used by students of Japanese all over the world and has some nice conversation and grammar examples and explanations.</div>
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Avoid the romaji version of this book and go for the Kana version.When starting out in Japanese I believe it is better learn Hiragana and Katakana and drop Romaji as soon as possible as it will just get confusing. Also make sure to get the CD as that will really help you to practice your listening, pronunciation and fluency even if you don’t have a native teacher and are studying on your own.</div>
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 <span style="color: #2f2f2f; font-family: 'Titillium Web', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.387em;">6) Shin Nihongo No Kiso</span><img alt="" border="0" class="mzotrhzgjwgpouddyzbu kzhpekjgbcpsdchijuay qqlvufakargpjtfxrcpy" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httplearnjapa-20&l=as2&o=1&a=4906224512&camp=217153&creative=399349" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: none !important; color: #2f2f2f; font-family: 'Titillium Web', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; height: auto; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="1" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/4906224512/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=httplearnjapa-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217153&creative=399349&creativeASIN=4906224512" style="border: 0px; color: #557fae; font-size: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" border="0" class="alignleft" height="211" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51EgFrMhphL._SY300_.jpg" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: 0px; float: left; height: auto; margin: 10px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="150" /></a></h3>
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In the same league and type of beginners’ Japanese textbooks, I would also recommend Shin Nihongo No Kiso<img alt="" border="0" class="mzotrhzgjwgpouddyzbu kzhpekjgbcpsdchijuay qqlvufakargpjtfxrcpy" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httplearnjapa-20&l=as2&o=1&a=4906224512&camp=217153&creative=399349" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: none !important; height: auto; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="1" /> which includes great grammar, dialog and vocabulary examples. Much like “Japanese for Busy People”, this is a classic textbook used in universities and Japanese language schools as a solid material for students of an elementary level and upwards. You should note that there are extra accompanying books and materials such as the English translations and CDs if you need them.</div>
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7) Colloquial Kansai Japanese</h3>
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<img alt="" class="alignleft" height="220" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51rkYmTySXL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: 0px; float: left; height: auto; margin: 0px 1.618em 1em 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="220" />Learn Japanese Pod started out in Osaka in Kansai so wanted to get a good book to consolidate my knowledge of the Kansai dialect. Colloquial Kansai Japanese<img alt="" border="0" class="mzotrhzgjwgpouddyzbu kzhpekjgbcpsdchijuay qqlvufakargpjtfxrcpy" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httplearnjapa-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0804837236&camp=217153&creative=399349" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: none !important; height: auto; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="1" /> is a fun book for learning it although it”s better for consolidating what you already know.   I’ve gotten approval from some native Kansai people including Beb who helps me to record my podcasts. I can also start to decipher her heavy accent with this book.</div>
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It covers the basic common sentence patterns, verb endings and slang that you might hear in Kansai. It’s pretty simple, logically written and has a fair coverage of the language. You won’t be sounding like a native resident of Osaka with this book alone. However, as a general guide and reference to visiting Osaka and the greater Kansai region, it’s an interesting book to have.</div>
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8) Authentic Japanese: Progressing from Intermediate to Advanced<img alt="" border="0" class="mzotrhzgjwgpouddyzbu kzhpekjgbcpsdchijuay qqlvufakargpjtfxrcpy" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httplearnjapa-20&l=as2&o=1&a=4789009181&camp=217145&creative=399349" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: none !important; font-size: 19px; height: auto; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="1" /></h3>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/4789009181/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=httplearnjapa-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=4789009181" style="border: 0px; color: #557fae; font-size: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" border="0" class="alignleft" height="211" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51nfAs-eXsL._SY300_.jpg" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: 0px; float: left; height: auto; margin: 10px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="150" /></a></h3>
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Once you”ve progressed to an intermediate level of Japanese and want to get your teeth into something a little more substantial then Authentic Japanese: Progressing from Intermediate to Advanced<img alt="" border="0" class="mzotrhzgjwgpouddyzbu kzhpekjgbcpsdchijuay qqlvufakargpjtfxrcpy" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httplearnjapa-20&l=as2&o=1&a=4789009181&camp=217153&creative=399349" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: none !important; height: auto; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="1" /> is worth a look. It will mainly help you improve your reading skills but will also boost your general knowledge of Japanese. Arranged in interesting themes it contains various texts with comprehension and grammar exercises, Kanji and vocabulary lists and explanations.</div>
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As a text book it’s not too dry and should increase your motivation to continue studying Japanese even for those studying on their own.</div>
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 <span style="color: #2f2f2f; font-family: 'Titillium Web', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.387em;">9) All About Particles</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/4770027818/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=httplearnjapa-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=4770027818" style="border: 0px; color: #557fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" border="0" class="alignleft" height="220" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41hDGq0Sx7L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: 0px; float: left; height: auto; margin: 10px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="220" /></a><img alt="" border="0" class="mzotrhzgjwgpouddyzbu kzhpekjgbcpsdchijuay qqlvufakargpjtfxrcpy" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httplearnjapa-20&l=as2&o=1&a=4770027818&camp=217145&creative=399349" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: none !important; height: auto; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="1" />All About Particles<img alt="" border="0" class="mzotrhzgjwgpouddyzbu kzhpekjgbcpsdchijuay qqlvufakargpjtfxrcpy" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httplearnjapa-20&l=as2&o=1&a=4770027818&camp=217153&creative=399349" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: none !important; height: auto; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="1" /> is a great compact book which explains those devilish particles that western students of Japanese find rather challenging to master. I like the examples, the explanations and of course the size. It doesn’t waffle and is to the point with the basic information you need for both spoken or written Japanese. Check it out. Another good book by the same author, Naoko Chino, is A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Sentence Patterns (Kodansha Dictionary)<img alt="" border="0" class="mzotrhzgjwgpouddyzbu kzhpekjgbcpsdchijuay qqlvufakargpjtfxrcpy" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httplearnjapa-20&l=as2&o=1&a=4770026080&camp=217153&creative=399349" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="1" />which is worth a look. I should mention two general points about studying particles in Japanese. 1) Remember to not get too bogged down with particles. Along with this book, you should really try to learn particles in larger sentences in natural dialogs. 2) Native speakers often omit some particles from daily speech and colloquial Japanese. So this is a great book to study but don’t get too stuck in grammatical rules concerning particles when you should be practicing daily conversation.</div>
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 <span style="color: #2f2f2f; font-family: 'Titillium Web', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.387em;">10) Practical Business Japanese</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003IY5K3C/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=httplearnjapa-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217153&creative=399701&creativeASIN=B003IY5K3C" style="border: 0px; color: #557fae; font-size: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" border="0" class="alignleft" height="202" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/410H5JvhCnL._SY300_.jpg" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: 0px; float: left; height: auto; margin: 10px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="151" /></a><img alt="" border="0" class="mzotrhzgjwgpouddyzbu kzhpekjgbcpsdchijuay qqlvufakargpjtfxrcpy" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httplearnjapa-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003IY5K3C&camp=217153&creative=399701" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: none !important; font-size: 19px; height: auto; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="1" /></h3>
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One can only wonder at how anyone could have dreamed up such a horribly ugly cover for a text book. I mean seriously, look at it. It almost makes my eyes bleed and yet Practical Business Japanese<img alt="" border="0" class="mzotrhzgjwgpouddyzbu kzhpekjgbcpsdchijuay qqlvufakargpjtfxrcpy" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httplearnjapa-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003IY5K3C&camp=217153&creative=399701" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; border: none !important; height: auto; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="1" /> is probably one of the best Japanese text books I have ever used. This is definitely a case of not judging a book by its cover. If you are venturing into the world of Japanese business, and lord help you if you are, then this book is for you. It is crammed full of essential situational office dialogs including levels of politeness, male and female language and a nice light sprinkling of humour. Not only do you have conversations on how to answer the phone but also how to pretend that you are out of the office so you don’t have to. It’s also great to get a handle on learning Keigo or respectful Japanese language.For some reason, I lost this a few years ago but will be buying again as a reference to speaking Japanese in business and other formal situations.</div>
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Again, this is not an exhaustive list of all the Japanese text books out there however, I have personally used all the books listed here and thought they were worth their price tag. Also, as I mentioned earlier, although the internet has an increasingly large amount of online apps and websites for studying Japanese, it’s nice to have some dead tree media to pull oneself away from the computer screen. Happy Japanese textbook hunting everyone!</div>

Great Text Books For Studying Japanese

Japanese language learning materials have been migrating to the web in various forms including online courses, blogs, mobile app and videos...

Good Sites that Japanese Learners Should Bookmark

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I hope that at least one of these links is helpful to you.</div>
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<a href="http://www.hiragana.jp/en/" style="border: 0px; color: #773333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Furigana Webglasses">1. Furigana Webglasses</a></h3>
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I’ve had this link in this site’s sidebar for a long, long time. Hopefully some of you have discovered it already.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Furigana Webglasses</strong> (<a href="http://www.hiragana.jp/en/" style="border: 0px; color: #dd2222; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.hiragana.jp/en/</a>) is a site which can add furigana (you know, the little hiragana pronunciation guides over the top of kanji) to any website you want. It’s not perfect (especially when it comes to personal names), but it’s damn good and a real lifesaver for learners. And it’s free.</div>
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Of course, it can’t add furigana to text embedded inside images, but that’s to be expected.</div>
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<a href="http://www.alc.co.jp/" style="border: 0px; color: #773333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2. Alc.co.jp</a></h3>
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(<a href="http://www.alc.co.jp/" style="border: 0px; color: #dd2222; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.alc.co.jp/</a>) This site is an advanced learner’s/translator’s best friend. Different from a dictionary, it searches an index of short translations. It always seems to give you plenty of useful results, often including some context that helps you better understand the meaning and usage. You can even search things like proverbs and multi-word expressions.</div>
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The site itself is in Japanese, but you can search both English or Japanese and get great results.</div>
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<a href="http://imabi.net/" style="border: 0px; color: #773333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3. Imabi.net</a></h3>
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(<a href="http://imabi.net/" style="border: 0px; color: #dd2222; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">http://imabi.net</a>) Looking for free lessons on any topic, offering awesome detail and tons of examples? I found this site a few months ago, and it’s impossible not to be impressed at the sheer volume of what’s available here. I’ve seen a lot of sites that offer free Japanese lessons, but nothing that compares to this.</div>
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It’s designed as an ordered course that will take you from absolute beginner to Japanese nerd-master (seriously, the lessons even get into classical Japanese eventually). If you’re familiar with the content or have a little patience, you can also locate some specific topic or lesson you’re interested in.</div>
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The guy who made and maintains the site (a prodigy/student from the University of Texas) is really helpful too, so you might want to sign up for the forums.</div>
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<a href="http://japanese.stackexchange.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #773333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4. Japanese.stackexchange.com</a></h3>
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(<a href="http://japanese.stackexchange.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #dd2222; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">http://japanese.stackexchange.com</a>) This site is the ultimate learner’s Q&A forum. Need a question about Japanese answered? I’ve not found a better platform for getting a quick and satisfactory response than this site. You don’t even need to register in order to use it.</div>
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Of course, you’re often in the dark about the qualifications of whoever answered your question, but from what I’ve seen on the site the information is generally very accurate.</div>
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<a href="http://www.google.co.jp/imghp?hl=ja&tab=wi" style="border: 0px; color: #773333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5. Google Japan Image Search</a></h3>
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(<a href="http://www.google.co.jp/imghp?hl=ja&tab=wi" style="border: 0px; color: #dd2222; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.google.co.jp/imghp?hl=ja&tab=wi</a>) Google Japan image search can be extremely helpful for words (or phrases, even) that you’re having trouble understanding.</div>
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For example: <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">殺風景</strong> (<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">sappuukei</em>). The dictionary defines it as “tasteless, dreary”, but it’s hard to get a real grasp of the meaning until you actually see some images which are described as being <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">殺風景</strong> (<a href="http://www.google.co.jp/search?num=10&hl=ja&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1053&bih=865&q=%E6%AE%BA%E9%A2%A8%E6%99%AF&oq=%E6%AE%BA%E9%A2%A8%E6%99%AF" style="border: 0px; color: #dd2222; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">click here to see the results</a>). Think of it as the world’s biggest picture dictionary.</div>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page" style="border: 0px; color: #773333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Wikipedia (English site)">6. Wikipedia</a></h3>
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Yeah, I know. You’ve already got this one bookmarked. Why even mention it? Well, whenever I need to know the correct Japanese rendering of words like “Los Angeles”, “Mila Jovovich” or “The Emancipation Proclamation”, I first look it up on English Wikipedia, then switch to the corresponding Japanese page (the language links are in the sidebar on the left).</div>
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So I use it as a dictionary of proper nouns, or of words that aren’t in the dictionary, if that makes any sense. Remember this trick the next time you need to know the title of  “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows” in Japanese.</div>

Good Sites that Japanese Learners Should Bookmark

I hope that at least one of these links is helpful to you. 1. Furigana Webglasses I’ve had this link in this site’s sidebar for a l...

Cool and Neat Japanese cheat sheet from NihonShock

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Nihonshock.com’s Japanese Cheat Sheet Pack is an ultra-concise collection of all the information most vital to mastering Japanese, from JLPT N5 to N1 and beyond.</div>
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Grammar, verb forms, numbers, spoken forms, fluency tips, onomatopoeia, keigo, kanji… It’s all here, organized elegantly and intuitively on ten beautiful sheets.</div>
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Get your Cheat Sheet Pack today and watch your Japanese ability skyrocket! </div>
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Cool and Neat Japanese cheat sheet from NihonShock

Nihonshock.com’s Japanese Cheat Sheet Pack is an ultra-concise collection of all the information most vital to mastering Japanese, from JLP...

Amanohashidate: Japan’s “Heavenly Bridge”

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<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanohashidate" rel="wikipedia" style="border: 0px; color: #dd2222; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Amanohashidate">Amanohashidate</a> (天橋立 – Japan’s “heavenly bridge”) is one of the renowned <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Views_of_Japan" style="border: 0px; color: #dd2222; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Three Views of Japan (Wikipedia)">three views of Japan</a> (日本三景), yet due to its location on the often-neglected Sea of Japan coast it often doesn’t make the cut for many sightseers’ itineraries. Most Japanese haven’t even been there, and a surprising number aren’t exactly sure where it is. But after going there myself I can declare that it’s one of the most pleasant excursions I’ve been on and more than worth the effort.</div>
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What’s special about Amanohashidate?</h3>
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<a class="lightboxlink" href="http://nihonshock.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/amanohashi.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #dd2222; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Amanohashidate view" class="alignright wp-image-1511 size-medium" height="225" src="http://nihonshock.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/amanohashi-300x225.jpg" style="border: 0px; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="300" /></a>The main attraction is of course that long, straight sandbar that stretches straight across the bay. You’ll want to check out the view from Kasamatsu Park, which is the scenic point on the end opposite from where the train station is; the view is the one you see most often on post cards, pamphlets and such, and getting there is half the fun.</div>
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But it’s the plus-alpha elements that really sold me on Amanohashidate. First of all, it’s not overcrowded. I suppose that’s the upside of a location that’s a little hard to access. So many tourist spots around Japan are so extremely dense, lines are long and you just feel rushed. You’re by no means alone in Amanohashidate, but you can explore at your own pace and really have room to breathe.</div>
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<a class="lightboxlink" href="http://nihonshock.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/discthrow.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #dd2222; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="discthrow" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1512" height="150" src="http://nihonshock.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/discthrow-150x150.jpg" style="border: 0px; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="150" /></a>There’s a bunch of fun little things to see and do as you tour the area, too. I highly recommend renting a bicycle for the day to get across and back. The ski-lift-style ride up to and down from the overlook is tranquil and adorable, and at the top there’s a hoop that people try to throw clay discs through, great for children and inner children alike. (but I’ll warn you it’s much more difficult than it looks) <img alt=":-)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://nihonshock.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></div>
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It’s interesting to watch all the people bending over to see the view upside-down; supposedly looking at it this way makes it seem like the peninsula is ascending through the sky to heaven. Sure, you could just turn a post-card upside down, but where’s the fun in that?</div>
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<a class="lightboxlink" href="http://nihonshock.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/nozokidai.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #dd2222; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="nozokidai" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1513" height="219" src="http://nihonshock.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/nozokidai-300x219.jpg" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="300" /></a></div>
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Of course there are cute tourist shops too. Preserved porcupine fish seem to be a popular souvenir. And there’s a shop that specializes in Japanese (grape) wine, which you don’t usually see a lot of even in Japan. Naturally, there’s nice temple (Chionji) before you cross and a nice shrine (Kono) on the far side which keep the traditional Japanese travel atmosphere alive.</div>
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<a class="lightboxlink" href="http://nihonshock.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/trail.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #dd2222; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="trail across sandbar" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-1518" height="150" src="http://nihonshock.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/trail-150x150.jpg" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="150" /></a> <a class="lightboxlink" href="http://nihonshock.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/smallshrine.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #dd2222; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="small shrine" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-1517" height="150" src="http://nihonshock.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/smallshrine-150x150.jpg" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="150" /></a> <a class="lightboxlink" href="http://nihonshock.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/beach.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #dd2222; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="beach" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-1514" height="150" src="http://nihonshock.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/beach-150x150.jpg" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a class="lightboxlink" href="http://nihonshock.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/konoshrine.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #dd2222; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="kono shrine" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-1519" height="150" src="http://nihonshock.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/konoshrine-150x150.jpg" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="150" /></a> <a class="lightboxlink" href="http://nihonshock.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/lift.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #dd2222; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="lift" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-1516" height="150" src="http://nihonshock.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/lift-150x150.jpg" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="150" /></a> <a class="lightboxlink" href="http://nihonshock.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/harifugu.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #dd2222; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="harifugu" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-1515" height="150" src="http://nihonshock.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/harifugu-150x150.jpg" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="150" /></a></div>
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Getting there and back</h3>
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If you’re starting from Kyoto/Osaka or even Nagoya (provided you take the shinkansen to Kyoto), you can do Amanohashidate as a day trip, but if your base of operations is in Tokyo, you’d better make it an overnighter. Day-trippers should also be advised against trying to walk the sandbar; definitely go for the bicycle.</div>
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The 2-hour-long somewhat scenic train ride starts from Kyoto station. If you buy your tickets normally (don’t have a <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.japanrailpass.net/" rel="homepage" style="border: 0px; color: #dd2222; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Japan Rail Pass">JR pass</a>), there isn’t a problem. But if you’re traveling with a JR pass, note that it only gets you as far as Fukuchiyama station, after which you’ll need 1520 yen each way (but you won’t need to change trains, just pay the attendant that comes through the cabin).</div>
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Trains to Amanohashidate leave about once every hour before noon, so no problem there. However, be sure to get a reserved seat ticket and make it clear you’re going to Amanohashidate. Why? The train will split at Ayabe station, and you need to be on the correct train car.</div>
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On your return, the train you want is the <a href="http://ekikara.jp/newdata/detail/2701071/55353.htm" style="border: 0px; color: #dd2222; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="JR Limited Express Hashidate #10 timetable">JR Limited Express Hashidate #10 (JR特急はしだて１０号)</a>, which departs Amanohashidate at 18:46. That link is in Japanese but isn’t too hard to figure out, “天橋立” (the top of the station list) is Amanohashidate and “京都” (Kyoto) is at the bottom.</div>
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If you miss that train, your route back to Kyoto becomes much more confusing, so don’t. Note that this schedule might have changed by the time your read this article, so be sure to double-check before you go.</div>
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After leaving the station, it’s about a 3-minute walk to the sightseeing zone. You need to go right for a short distance and then make a 135° left turn, where you’ll enter a nice pedestrian street with touristy shops and restaurants (you’ll want to rent your bicycle from somewhere around here). There’s a map at the bottom of this post to help you figure it all out. Most of the other people who got off the train with you will be headed that direction too.</div>
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Tips for visiting Amanohashidate</h3>
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<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Don’t plan too far in advance. Good weather is a requirement for enjoying Amanohashidate. If they’re forecasting rain, cut your losses and try again another time.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In warm weather seasons, consider bringing a swimsuit!</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">There’s a small <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">onsen</em> (public bath house/hot spring) facility right next to the station that’s great for washing off sweat and/or salt water after a day of play or just killing some time and relaxing while you wait for your train. And if you ask, the station attendants will give you a coupon for a small discount at the onsen.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">There’s two major scenic points to view the sandbar from, one (Mt. Moju) is on the same side as the station, but the one I recommend (Kasamatsu Park) is on the opposite side of the bay. The view isn’t necessarily any better, but getting there is so much fun!</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Find a place that rents bicycles for all-day (終日: <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">shuujitsu</em>) use, many of the rentals are for 2.5 or 3 hours, which is enough time if you know what you’re doing but not quite enough to really relax and explore. I rented my all-day bicycle from the wine shop for about 500 yen (sorry, I don’t remember the exact price). There was no id check or paperwork or anything, and it’s easy enough to find an appropriate place to park your bike before going up the lift on the other side. I left mine with a bunch of other bicycles at the entrance to Kono shrine.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bring a bento (buy it in Kyoto)! You’ll probably arrive right around lunchtime and are unlikely to come across any better location or opportunity for a picnic anywhere in Japan. The sandbar is a park and there are tables and seating to use as you walk or bike across. Or you can just set up wherever you like on the grass or sand. And yes, there are even garbage cans! (if you’re in Japan or have ever been, you know finding a receptacle can be a nightmare)</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">After going up on the lift (I only recommend the cable car if you can’t lift your feet, since you need to do this at a couple points on the ascent), you can optionally hike up further or take a bus to Kasamatsu Temple. I skipped the temple, but am told it’s quite a hike; unless you’ve got a room in town for the night you’re probably better off with the bus.</li>
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Map</h3>
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<a class="lightboxlink" href="http://nihonshock.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/map.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #dd2222; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="amanohashidate map" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-1520" height="385" src="http://nihonshock.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/map-580x385.jpg" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="580" /></a></div>

Amanohashidate: Japan’s “Heavenly Bridge”

Amanohashidate (天橋立 – Japan’s “heavenly bridge”) is one of the renowned three views of Japan (日本三景), yet due to its location on the ofte...

Stunning Underground Parking System for Bicycles in Japan

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I’ve spotted some fantastic looking bikes in Tokyo time and time again. All fixies (that’s what we call bikes in Germany without any fancy stuff), plain and simple rides for the city. A friend of mine is very much into bikes as well and got one which is pretty similar to the white one on the picture down below. Always makes me envious that I’m not into the technical stuff with bikes. The problem which comes with a looking one is that you can’t just leave it on the street. I bet there is much less stuff being stolen in general in Japan but still. You wouldn’t want to leave such a treasured item where you invested so much time and money in on the street. And there comes the new fully automated bike storage in handy. It’s good to know that it’s stored absolutely save in a place where not even rain can touch your treasured bike.</div>
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Automated underground parking systems are already around for a couple of years in Japan but I didn’t know that they had an equivalent for bikes as well. Unfortunately I could’t find much more information on this only that it’s located in Tokyo. The whole process only takes a mere 16 seconds which makes it really quick to use. Nearly the same as if you would just lock it with a key.</div>
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Would you store your bike in a place like this? I still own a vintage Honda Dax which is in perfect shape. Unfortunately I solely use it these days because I just can’t leave it anywhere. Even with a solid lock. Two persons could just grab it and load it into their car. Note to Tokyo. You need storage space like this for motorbikes as well.</div>

Stunning Underground Parking System for Bicycles in Japan

I’ve spotted some fantastic looking bikes in Tokyo time and time again. All fixies (that’s what we call bikes in Germany without any fanc...

Learn to read Manga with Mangajin

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I love Japanese the manga way and couldn’t resist buying the book which started it all. Or rather the collected articles which started it all. <em>Mangajin </em>was once a manga magazine which had a little column inside which was called <em>Basic Japanese</em>. It stands to reason how basic the topics discussed really were but to be frank everything Genki I and II can easily be considered “basic Japanese”.  Unfortunately the magazine itself is long gone but there is still a <a href="http://www.mangajian.net/" style="color: black;">website</a> floating around. The best way to learn a language is always with real life examples. What applies to learning new vocabulary applies to Grammar as well. Learn it in context. And if you like manga then it’s a great idea to learn Japanese grammar with some comic scripts.</div>
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Mangajin is basically the same as Japanese the manga way. Both in terms of layout and the way the topics were chosen. And that’s where we come to the difficulty of the grammatical quirks discussed in this first volume of Mangajin (there are two in total available). You shouldn’t use this for your very first steps in Japanese neither does this book aim to replace a real textbook like Genki. It’s meant as a fun supplement which rather wants to explain <em>when</em>some grammar terms are used than <em>how</em>. Japanese is just so different compared to a Roman-language that you can’t just express yourself in the same manner you would in English or German or French for that matter. Maybe you read my review about Japanesepod101 where I always stress the importance of getting to know the certain “rhythm” of a language. And that’s basically what Mangajin is doing on paper with a detailed deconstruction of real Japanese manga material.</div>
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If you like reading manga in Japanese and still feel that you don’t really “get” most titles, maybe Mangajin can help. <em>Japanese the manga way </em>is equally awesome there is just no better way to say this. Both feature different content but are using the exact same approach.</div>
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<b><i>Source: <a href="http://japanesetease.net/" target="_blank">japanesetease</a></i></b></div>

Learn to read Manga with Mangajin

I love Japanese the manga way and couldn’t resist buying the book which started it all. Or rather the collected articles which started it a...