Nihongo fun and easy – if you travel to Japan that’s the quick guide to everyday conversations

<div><p>There are a bunch of different textbooks for learning Japanese and if you really want to start studying my main recommendation will always be <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/how-i-learn-japanese-my-essentials/">Genki</a>. But it takes a while until you will be able to communicate if you go down this route. This systematic approach towards the language is giving you a step by step overview about the language. You will learn grammar, vocab and kanji not after daily usefulness but more selected by difficulty and how they build up on one another (which is especially true for Kanji and thus the vocab you’ll learn).</p><p>And that’s exactly the problem why so many Japanese learners get discouraged from learning so quickly – because it can take ages until you will be able to actually use some of the Japanese you studied so hard for. Especially when you’re planning to visit Japan you want to be able to instantly use the stuff you learned. I vividly remember the time when I first went over to Japan. Studied by myself, went through the Kanji (still using the Heisig method back in the day) and couldn’t even order a meal. Maybe it was just me but I would’ve loved to get my hands on a book that’s so focused on daily usage like Nihongo fun and easy.</p><p>This book was made for Japanese beginners who’re planning to visit Japan and want to be able to function in daily conversations. No fancy grammar points or vocab. Just every day problems like asking for the next ATM around or ordering in a restaurant. Things you definitely want to do and how awesome is it if you can directly use that Japanese that you just studied (granted, you have to be in Japan for that). The first couple of pages are in full color and I instantly loved the food pictures which will come in quite handy if you’re heading out to grab your first couple of meals in Japan.</p><p>Just have a look at the pictures to get a feel for the individual lessons. I initially bought this for my next trip to Japan when you just want a quick view on how to do some daily things and don’t sound like a complete dork. And I think it’s a great book to have if you’re with someone who isn’t studying Japanese but is interested in the language. What better way to dive directly into that foreign language and try yourself ordering the next meal at the Izakaya nearby.</p><ul><li>Buy <strong>Nihongo fun & easy</strong> at <a href="http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/aff/click.cgi/PytJTGW7Lok/4756/A148868/product%2FNEOBK-883715">CDjapan</a><br> (If you buy the books through my links, I’ll get a small referral fee which will be used to buy even more awesome books for review)</li></ul><p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8230" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8230" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/nihongo-fun-and-easy-21.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8231" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8231" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/nihongo-fun-and-easy-22.jpg" width="1200"><ul><li>Buy <strong>Nihongo fun & easy</strong> at <a href="http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/aff/click.cgi/PytJTGW7Lok/4756/A148868/product%2FNEOBK-883715">CDjapan</a><br> (If you buy the books through my links, I’ll get a small referral fee which will be used to buy even more awesome books for review)</li></ul></div>

Nihongo fun and easy – if you travel to Japan that’s the quick guide to everyday conversations

There are a bunch of different textbooks for learning Japanese and if you really want to start studying my main recommendation will always b...

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Nihongo fun and easy – if you travel to Japan that’s the quick guide to everyday conversations

<div> <p>There are a bunch of different textbooks for learning Japanese and if you really want to start studying my main recommendation will always be <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/how-i-learn-japanese-my-essentials/">Genki</a>. But it takes a while until you will be able to communicate if you go down this route. This systematic approach towards the language is giving you a step by step overview about the language. You will learn grammar, vocab and kanji not after daily usefulness but more selected by difficulty and how they build up on one another (which is especially true for Kanji and thus the vocab you’ll learn).</p> <p>And that’s exactly the problem why so many Japanese learners get discouraged from learning so quickly – because it can take ages until you will be able to actually use some of the Japanese you studied so hard for. Especially when you’re planning to visit Japan you want to be able to instantly use the stuff you learned. I vividly remember the time when I first went over to Japan. Studied by myself, went through the Kanji (still using the Heisig method back in the day) and couldn’t even order a meal. Maybe it was just me but I would’ve loved to get my hands on a book that’s so focused on daily usage like Nihongo fun and easy.</p> <p>This book was made for Japanese beginners who’re planning to visit Japan and want to be able to function in daily conversations. No fancy grammar points or vocab. Just every day problems like asking for the next ATM around or ordering in a restaurant. Things you definitely want to do and how awesome is it if you can directly use that Japanese that you just studied (granted, you have to be in Japan for that). The first couple of pages are in full color and I instantly loved the food pictures which will come in quite handy if you’re heading out to grab your first couple of meals in Japan.</p> <p>Just have a look at the pictures to get a feel for the individual lessons. I initially bought this for my next trip to Japan when you just want a quick view on how to do some daily things and don’t sound like a complete dork. And I think it’s a great book to have if you’re with someone who isn’t studying Japanese but is interested in the language. What better way to dive directly into that foreign language and try yourself ordering the next meal at the Izakaya nearby.</p> <ul> <li>Buy <strong>Nihongo fun & easy</strong> at <a href="http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/aff/click.cgi/PytJTGW7Lok/4756/A148868/product%2FNEOBK-883715">CDjapan</a><br> (If you buy the books through my links, I’ll get a small referral fee which will be used to buy even more awesome books for review)</li> </ul> <p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8212" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/lazy-images/images/1x1.trans.gif" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8212" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/nihongo-fun-and-easy-3.jpg" width="1200"> <p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8213" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/lazy-images/images/1x1.trans.gif" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8213" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/nihongo-fun-and-easy-4.jpg" width="1200"> <p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8214" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/lazy-images/images/1x1.trans.gif" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8214" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/nihongo-fun-and-easy-5.jpg" width="1200"> <p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8215" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/lazy-images/images/1x1.trans.gif" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8215" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/nihongo-fun-and-easy-6.jpg" width="1200"> <p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8216" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/lazy-images/images/1x1.trans.gif" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8216" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/nihongo-fun-and-easy-7.jpg" width="1200"> <p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8217" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/lazy-images/images/1x1.trans.gif" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8217" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/nihongo-fun-and-easy-8.jpg" width="1200"> <p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8218" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/lazy-images/images/1x1.trans.gif" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8218" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/nihongo-fun-and-easy-9.jpg" width="1200"> <p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8219" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/lazy-images/images/1x1.trans.gif" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8219" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/nihongo-fun-and-easy-10.jpg" width="1200"> <p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8220" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/lazy-images/images/1x1.trans.gif" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8220" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/nihongo-fun-and-easy-11.jpg" width="1200"> <p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8221" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/lazy-images/images/1x1.trans.gif" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8221" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/nihongo-fun-and-easy-12.jpg" width="1200"> <p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8222" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/lazy-images/images/1x1.trans.gif" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8222" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/nihongo-fun-and-easy-13.jpg" width="1200"> <p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8223" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/lazy-images/images/1x1.trans.gif" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8223" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/nihongo-fun-and-easy-14.jpg" width="1200"> <p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8224" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/lazy-images/images/1x1.trans.gif" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8224" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/nihongo-fun-and-easy-15.jpg" width="1200"> <p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8225" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/lazy-images/images/1x1.trans.gif" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8225" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/nihongo-fun-and-easy-16.jpg" width="1200"> <p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8226" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/lazy-images/images/1x1.trans.gif" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8226" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/nihongo-fun-and-easy-17.jpg" width="1200"> <p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8227" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/lazy-images/images/1x1.trans.gif" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8227" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/nihongo-fun-and-easy-18.jpg" width="1200"> <p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8228" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/lazy-images/images/1x1.trans.gif" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8228" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/nihongo-fun-and-easy-19.jpg" width="1200"> <p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8229" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/lazy-images/images/1x1.trans.gif" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8229" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/nihongo-fun-and-easy-20.jpg" width="1200"> <p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8230" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/lazy-images/images/1x1.trans.gif" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8230" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/nihongo-fun-and-easy-21.jpg" width="1200"> <p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8231" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/lazy-images/images/1x1.trans.gif" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8231" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/nihongo-fun-and-easy-22.jpg" width="1200"> <ul> <li>Buy <strong>Nihongo fun & easy</strong> at <a href="http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/aff/click.cgi/PytJTGW7Lok/4756/A148868/product%2FNEOBK-883715">CDjapan</a><br> (If you buy the books through my links, I’ll get a small referral fee which will be used to buy even more awesome books for review)</li> </ul> </div>

Nihongo fun and easy – if you travel to Japan that’s the quick guide to everyday conversations

There are a bunch of different textbooks for learning Japanese and if you really want to start studying my...

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The Monocle travel guide to Tokyo

<div> <p>There are tons of books and travel guides about Tokyo out there, a lot are published in Japan and even in English we have quite a decent collection to choose from. Unfortunately none, or few of these, actually show you the interesting spots of a city. The places locals who share your taste and interests would tell you about. That’s what makes the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/3899555740/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=3899555740&linkCode=as2&tag=japateas-20&linkId=K5X2FMA6OIVQPDSB">Monocle guide to Tokyo</a> so different from the rest of the bunch because that’s exactly what it does. At least for me.</p> <p>When I find an interesting book about Japan or Japanese cuisine I usually end up buying it. I love books and always try to show you the best ones which are Japan related here on the blog. But I got a little tired of it lately because it doesn’t take you long to get the feeling that you’ve “seen it all” when it comes to standardized travel books and recipes. You already know how to make Tempura and Tonkatsu and you really don’t care about the Tokyo tower. (Another fun guide is the one by <a href="http://japanesetease.net/kyary-pamyu-pamyus-guide-to-kawaii-tokyo/">Kyary Pamyu Pamyu about kawaii Tokyo</a>)</p> <p>When I visited Tokyo I went to the marvelous three-building Tstutaya store in Daikanyama. We were wandering around the area and got lucky discovering the most beautiful bookstore I have ever been to.</p> <p>The selection of art books and magazines from all over the globe is huge in this Tsutaya and they even carry Cds and Dvds on the first floor. But apart from all that (which was already pretty awesome) they have a very cosy lounge inside the heart of the store. We had some cocktails there which were very delicious just sitting around in this pretty luxurious space inside the most beautiful bookstore.</p> <p>Here are some pictures I made back then. Unfortunately none of the lounge itself but at least we got the Cocktail.</p> <p><img alt="tsutaya bookstore daikanyama" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7692" height="800" src="http://japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/DSC_0173-4.jpg" width="1200"></p> <p><img alt="tsutaya bookstore daikanyama 2" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7693" height="800" src="http://japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/DSC_0177-4.jpg" width="1200"></p> <p><img alt="tsutaya bookstore daikanyama 4" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7694" height="800" src="http://japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/DSC_0178-7.jpg" width="1200"></p> <p><img alt="tsutaya bookstore daikanyama 3" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7695" height="800" src="http://japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/DSC_0180-5.jpg" width="1200"></p> <p>This store is exactly the reason why the Monocle travel guide to Tokyo is so great. Because one of my absolute top spots in the city which I always recommend is in there. Not that I’m by any means an expert when it comes to Tokyo but the Tsutaya store in Daikanyama has been one of the many things I really like to think back to.</p> <p><img alt="monocle guide tokyo-4" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7703" height="800" src="http://japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/monocle-guide-tokyo-4.jpg" width="1200"></p> <p><img alt="monocle guide tokyo-5" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7704" height="800" src="http://japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/monocle-guide-tokyo-5.jpg" width="1200"></p> <p><img alt="monocle guide tokyo-6" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7705" height="800" src="http://japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/monocle-guide-tokyo-6.jpg" width="1200"></p> <p><img alt="monocle guide tokyo-7" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7706" height="800" src="http://japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/monocle-guide-tokyo-7.jpg" width="1200"></p> <p><img alt="monocle guide tokyo-8" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7707" height="800" src="http://japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/monocle-guide-tokyo-8.jpg" width="1200"></p> <p><img alt="monocle guide tokyo-9" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7708" height="800" src="http://japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/monocle-guide-tokyo-9.jpg" width="1200"></p> <p><img alt="monocle guide tokyo-10" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7709" height="800" src="http://japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/monocle-guide-tokyo-10.jpg" width="1200"></p> <p>Unfortunately I haven’t had this guide at my last trip and missed a lot of great places but it’s always nice to have something to look forward to, right.</p> <h3>What Monocle’s guide to Tokyo is not</h3> <p>Like everybody I read some reviews first before buying the guide and I had to notice <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/3899555740/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=3899555740&linkCode=as2&tag=japateas-20&linkId=K5X2FMA6OIVQPDSB">some bad reviews</a> who obviously didn’t quite get the whole point of Monocle’s guide in comparison to the more traditional ones. This is a luxury guide for people who enjoy quality and know that you get what you pay for. The hotels presented are no budget ones but more or les the obvious choice for a well situated person who wants to spend a relaxing time in Japan’s capital.</p> <p>This guide is much more about beauty and style than about practicality. And that’s not a bad thing. You don’t have to buy into high price designer clothing by Thom Brown to enjoy the outstanding <a href="http://japanesetease.net/thom-browne-aoyama-flagship-store-by-wonderwall/">interior design by Wonderwall</a> or the <a href="http://japanesetease.net/bape-exclusive-store-aoyama-2/">Bape stores</a> for that matter (both in Toyama btw and both designed by Masamichi Katayama’s agency Wonderwall. He even wrote an essay for the book).</p> <p>The Monocle guides are written with a very specific traveler in mind. one who is interested in the quality and heritage of things and wants to discover all the quality places a city has to offer.</p> <p>If you’re just looking for a cheap, practical place to crash or have some quick lunch, TripAdvisor is your best friend. At least it’s my go-to internet destination when I’m in a foreign city and want to get a first feel for the place. But what you rarely find there, or better said, what you rarely find there if you don’t know what you’re searching for are the mentioned stores, restaurants and places with a lot of heritage and passion.</p> <p></p> <h3>Take some walks in Tokyo and find the perfect route</h3> <p>I love walking and discovering a city on foot and I really like taking pictures while doing so. When I last visited Tokyo I had a small book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/3837066282/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=3837066282&linkCode=as2&tag=japateas-20&linkId=QC4H6ZHXZNAJP6JG">Labyrinth Tokyo</a> with me which contains 38 tours (on foot) around Tokyo. Unfortunately it’s only available in German but it really has been a great help to discover the various districts of Tokyo with it.</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/3899555740/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=3899555740&linkCode=as2&tag=japateas-20&linkId=K5X2FMA6OIVQPDSB">Monocle’s Tokyo guide</a> features four tours as well through Daikanyama, Sendagaya, Tomigaya and Yanaka. The walks are much more specific than the ones in Labyrinth Tokyo and will lead you to the top spots of the districts explaining every step you need to take.</p> <p><img alt="monocle guide tokyo-11" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7710" height="800" src="http://japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/monocle-guide-tokyo-11.jpg" width="1200"></p> <p><img alt="monocle guide tokyo-12" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7711" height="800" src="http://japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/monocle-guide-tokyo-12.jpg" width="1200"></p> <p><img alt="monocle guide tokyo-13" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7712" height="800" src="http://japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/monocle-guide-tokyo-13.jpg" width="1200"></p> <p><img alt="monocle guide tokyo-14" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7713" height="800" src="http://japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/monocle-guide-tokyo-14.jpg" width="1200"></p> <p><img alt="monocle guide tokyo-15" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7714" height="800" src="http://japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/monocle-guide-tokyo-15.jpg" width="1200"></p> <p><img alt="monocle guide tokyo-16" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7715" height="800" src="http://japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/monocle-guide-tokyo-16.jpg" width="1200"></p> <p>When I started Japanese Tease I wanted to show you my version of Japan and share all the great things I discover about this fascinating country. I like manga but I’m also heavily into design and architecture and always felt that the internet was lacking a site which combined all the things I like so very much about Japan.</p> <p>It was always either fashion or manga/anime or the latest crazy things and novelties released in Japan. If I were to make a guide of my own I wanted it to turn out exactly like the guys over at Monocle did it. No matter what city   the approach to present the most beautiful places and aim for the ones which have a story behind them. Will the definitely buy all the other entries of Monocle’s city guides as well.</p> <ul> <li>Buy <b>The Monocle Travel Guide To Tokyo </b>at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/3899555740/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=3899555740&linkCode=as2&tag=japateas-20&linkId=K5X2FMA6OIVQPDSB">Amazon</a><br> If you buy the book through my link I’ll get a small referral fee which will help to support the site. Thank you!</li> </ul> </div>

The Monocle travel guide to Tokyo

There are tons of books and travel guides about Tokyo out there, a lot are published in Japan and even in ...

Read more »