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日本
Japan for language learners: live, study, travel
Japan has no law naming an official language, but Japanese is used everywhere. Ryukyuan languages and Ainu are endangered minority languages.
The short answer
Japan is a guide for learners who want to live, study or travel there. Main languages: Japanese, with regional dialects such as Kansai-ben. The page covers practical topics plus the words that help most on the ground.
Capital
Tokyo
Population
123.8 million
Official languages
Japanese (de facto; no law names an official language)
Also spoken
Ryukyuan languages (Okinawan and others), Ainu (critically endangered), Korean (Zainichi community)
Scripts
Kanji, hiragana, katakana (+ romaji)
Romanisation
Hepburn (official standard since the December 2025 cabinet notice, replacing Kunrei-shiki)
Currency
Japanese yen (JPY)
Proficiency test
JLPT
こんにちは konnichiwaHello
ありがとうございます arigatō gozaimasuThank you
Best city to study
Tokyo (also Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka)
Learner tip
Learn kana before you land; signs in big cities have English, menus in small towns do not.
Kungfucius says: Three scripts, four politeness levels, zero tolerance for talking on the train.
Festivals & phenomena
Japan · Pop Culture/ArtAnime and Manga アニメ / 漫画 (マンガ)Anime (Japanese animation) and manga (comics) are among Japan's biggest cultural exports, covering every genre for every age. Many learners first meet Japanese through them.Japan · Art Form|EntertainmentAnime Culture アニメAnime is Japan's animation industry and fandom, from children's shows to adult dramas. The modern TV era began with Astro Boy in 1963.Southeast Asia (also markets in China); rare in Japan, Korea and Taiwan shops · Social PracticeArt of HagglingHaggling is normal in many Southeast Asian markets and some Chinese markets, but not in Japan, Korea or most Taiwanese shops, where prices are fixed.Japan · Art/HorticultureBonsai 盆栽Bonsai (盆栽) is the Japanese art of growing miniature trees in containers through pruning, wiring and root care. It developed from Chinese penjing (盆景).Japan · SubcultureCosplay in Japan コスプレCosplay (コスプレ, kosupure) is dressing up as characters from anime, manga and games. The word was coined in Japan in 1983 or 1984 by Nobuyuki Takahashi.Japan · Social CustomDrinking with Coworkers 飲み会Nomikai (飲み会) are after-work drinking parties in Japan, used to bond and speak freely. They have become less obligatory since the pandemic.Japan · Religious CustomHidden Catholics (Goto Islands) 隠れキリシタンKakure kirishitan (隠れキリシタン) are Japanese Christians who practised in secret during the 1614 to 1873 ban, hiding prayers in Buddhist forms. Communities survived in the Gotō Islands and around Nagasaki.Japan · Social IssueHikikomori 引きこもりHikikomori (引きこもり) are people who withdraw from society and stay at home for six months or more. Japan's government estimated about 1.46 million cases among people aged 15 to 64 in 2023.Japan · Art/HorticultureIkebana 生け花Ikebana (生け花) is the Japanese art of flower arrangement, emphasising line, space and asymmetry over masses of blooms. It is also called kadō (華道), 'the way of flowers'.Japan · Art Form|CustomJapanese Tattoo 和彫り (入れ墨)Wabori (和彫り), or irezumi, is traditional Japanese tattooing, with large body suits featuring koi, dragons and waves. It boomed in the Edo period but still faces stigma.Japan · Social IssueKaroshi 過労死Karōshi (過労死) is death from overwork, such as heart attack, stroke or suicide linked to extreme hours. Japan recognises it officially and compensates families.Japan · Aesthetics/Pop CultureKawaii Culture かわいいKawaii (かわいい, 可愛い) is Japan's culture of cuteness, visible in fashion, mascots, packaging and even police posters. It took off in the 1970s and is a major soft-power export.Global (esp. Japan) · Cultural ConceptLost in Translation'Lost in translation' describes meaning that disappears between languages and cultures. Sofia Coppola's 2003 film set in Tokyo made it shorthand for foreigners' disorientation in Japan.Japan · Tourism|SubcultureMaid Cafes メイドカフェMaid cafés are themed cafés where staff in maid costumes treat customers as 'masters'. The first permanent one, Cure Maid Café, opened in Akihabara in 2001.Japan · FestivalPenis Procession かなまら祭りKanamara Matsuri (かなまら祭り) is a fertility festival at Kanayama Shrine in Kawasaki, held on the first Sunday of April with phallic portable shrines. Proceeds support HIV research.Japan · Social TrendPeople Disappearing 蒸発Jōhatsu (蒸発, 'evaporated people') are Japanese who deliberately vanish from their lives, often fleeing debt or shame, sometimes helped by 'night-moving' (夜逃げ) companies.Japan · Social NormReading the Air 空気を読むKūki o yomu, 'reading the air', is the Japanese expectation that you sense what others think and want without it being said. Someone who fails is jokingly called 'KY'.Japan · Art/BDSMShibari / Kinbaku 緊縛Kinbaku (緊縛), often called shibari in the West, is Japanese decorative rope bondage that grew out of Edo-period hojōjutsu (restraint techniques) and 20th-century erotic art.Taiwan/Philippines/Japan · Social PracticeTyphoon Survival 颱風 (台风)In Taiwan, the Philippines and Japan, typhoons are a seasonal routine: people stock up on instant noodles, tape windows and wait to see whether the local government will declare a typhoon day off (颱風假).Japan · Social/CrimeYakuza Offices 暴力団事務所 (ヤクザ事務所)Japan's yakuza groups are not banned outright, so some syndicates have long kept known offices, sometimes with nameplates. Since the 2011 nationwide anti-organised-crime ordinances, membership has fallen sharply and many offices have closed.
Hot springs
Japan · KushiroAkankohan Onsen 阿寒湖畔温泉Akankohan Onsen (阿寒湖畔温泉) is a lakeside onsen town in Akan-Mashū National Park, home to an Ainu kotan (village) and the famous marimo algae balls.🌡 38-80°C · Tattoos: Case-by-case (check with hotel) · Mixed: Both options availableMap ↗
Japan · KobeArima Onsen 有馬温泉Arima Onsen (有馬温泉) is one of Japan's oldest hot spring towns, known for its rust-coloured kinsen (gold water) and clear ginsen (silver water).🌡 50-98°C · Tattoos: No (in public baths Kin-no-Yu and Gin-no-Yu) · Mixed: SeparateMap ↗
Japan · AtamiAtami Onsen 熱海温泉Atami Onsen (熱海温泉) is a seaside onsen city on the Izu coast, under an hour from Tokyo by shinkansen.🌡 32-98°C · Tattoos: Case-by-case (check with hotel) · Mixed: Both options availableMap ↗
Japan · BeppuBeppu Onsen 別府温泉Beppu Onsen (別府温泉) has the largest volume of hot spring water in Japan and is famous for its eight sightseeing 'hells' (jigoku meguri).🌡 40-100°C · Tattoos: Case-by-case (many places allow) · Mixed: Both options availableMap ↗
Japan · MatsuyamaDogo Onsen 道後温泉Dogo Onsen (道後温泉) is one of Japan's oldest onsen, centred on the Dōgo Onsen Honkan public bathhouse built in 1894 and often linked to Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away.🌡 42-55°C · Tattoos: No (in main building) · Mixed: SeparateMap ↗
Japan · GeroGero Onsen 下呂温泉Gero Onsen (下呂温泉) is a riverside onsen town in Gifu, counted with Arima and Kusatsu among Japan's three famous springs.🌡 55°C · Tattoos: Case-by-case (some ryokan allow) · Mixed: Both options availableMap ↗
Japan · ObanazawaGinzan Onsen 銀山温泉Ginzan Onsen (銀山温泉) is a Taishō-era onsen street of wooden ryokan along the Ginzan River, most famous for its snowy evenings under gas lamps.🌡 55-60°C · Tattoos: Case-by-case (check with individual ryokan) · Mixed: Mostly separateMap ↗
Japan · HakoneHakone Onsen 箱根温泉Hakone Onsen (箱根温泉) is a cluster of around 17 hot spring areas in the mountains southwest of Tokyo, with Mount Fuji views on clear days.🌡 20-80°C · Tattoos: Case-by-case (many ryokans with private onsen allow) · Mixed: Both options availableMap ↗
Japan · IbusukiIbusuki Onsen 指宿温泉Ibusuki Onsen (指宿温泉) is a seaside onsen town at the southern tip of Kyushu, famous for its naturally heated sand baths (sunamushi).🌡 50-100°C · Tattoos: Yes (for sand baths cover-up may be needed for onsen) · Mixed: Mixed-gender (sand baths) separate (onsen)Map ↗
Japan · SapporoJozankei Onsen 定山渓温泉Jozankei Onsen (定山渓温泉) is a riverside onsen resort in the mountains of southwestern Sapporo, popular for autumn foliage.🌡 60-80°C · Tattoos: Case-by-case (check with hotel) · Mixed: Both options availableMap ↗
Japan · ToyookaKinosaki Onsen 城崎温泉Kinosaki Onsen (城崎温泉) is a willow-lined canal town where guests walk between seven public bathhouses in yukata and geta.🌡 35-80°C · Tattoos: Yes (all 7 public onsen are tattoo-friendly) · Mixed: SeparateMap ↗
Japan · NikkoKinugawa Onsen 鬼怒川温泉Kinugawa Onsen (鬼怒川温泉) is a river canyon onsen resort north of Tokyo, close to the Nikkō shrines.🌡 37-50°C · Tattoos: Case-by-case (check with hotel) · Mixed: Both options availableMap ↗
Japan · MinamioguniKurokawa Onsen 黒川温泉Kurokawa Onsen (黒川温泉) is a carefully preserved mountain village of around 30 ryokan, famous for its rotenburo (outdoor baths) and wooden bath-hopping pass (nyūtō tegata).🌡 42-90°C · Tattoos: Case-by-case (some allow small tattoos) · Mixed: Both options availableMap ↗
Japan · KusatsuKusatsu Onsen 草津温泉Kusatsu Onsen (草津温泉) is one of Japan's most famous onsen towns, built around the steaming Yubatake (hot water field) and the yumomi water-cooling performance.🌡 51-94°C · Tattoos: Case-by-case (most public baths do not allow) · Mixed: Mostly separateMap ↗
Japan · TsumagoiManza Onsen 万座温泉Manza Onsen (万座温泉) is one of Japan's highest hot spring areas at around 1,800 m, with strongly sulphurous milky water.🌡 80°C · Tattoos: Case-by-case (check with hotel) · Mixed: Both options availableMap ↗
Japan · NoboribetsuNoboribetsu Onsen 登別温泉Noboribetsu Onsen (登別温泉) is Hokkaido's best-known onsen town, fed by the volcanic Jigokudani (Hell Valley) and offering around nine types of spring water.🌡 45-90°C · Tattoos: Case-by-case (many hotels have strict rules) · Mixed: Mostly separateMap ↗
Japan · NozawaonsenNozawa Onsen 野沢温泉Nozawa Onsen (野沢温泉) is a ski village with 13 free public bathhouses (soto-yu) maintained by local residents.🌡 40-90°C · Tattoos: Generally no in public soto-yu baths · Mixed: SeparateMap ↗
Japan · SembokuNyuto Onsen 乳頭温泉郷Nyuto Onsen (乳頭温泉郷) is a group of seven rustic inns deep in the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, with Tsurunoyu the most famous.🌡 50-80°C · Tattoos: Case-by-case (Tsurunoyu allows in mixed bath) · Mixed: Both options availableMap ↗
Japan · TakayamaOkuhida Onsen Villages 奥飛騨温泉郷Okuhida Onsen Villages (奥飛騨温泉郷) is a group of five onsen villages in the Northern Japan Alps, including Hirayu and Shin-Hotaka, with many large outdoor baths.🌡 25-95°C · Tattoos: Case-by-case · Mixed: Both options availableMap ↗
Japan · YamanouchiShibu Onsen 渋温泉Shibu Onsen (渋温泉) is a traditional onsen street with nine public bathhouses (soto-yu) for overnight guests, near the Jigokudani snow monkeys.🌡 60-90°C · Tattoos: No (in the 9 public bath houses) · Mixed: SeparateMap ↗
Japan · ShirahamaShirahama Onsen 白浜温泉Shirahama Onsen (白浜温泉) is a seaside onsen resort on the Kii Peninsula, counted among Japan's three oldest hot springs, with the Saki-no-Yu seaside bath.🌡 32-85°C · Tattoos: No (in most public baths) · Mixed: Both options availableMap ↗
Japan · MinakamiTakaragawa Onsen 宝川温泉Takaragawa Onsen (宝川温泉) is a riverside ryokan with some of Japan's largest outdoor baths, mostly mixed-gender with compulsory bathing wraps.🌡 45-68°C · Tattoos: Yes · Mixed: Mixed-genderMap ↗
Japan · MatsueTamatsukuri Onsen 玉造温泉Tamatsukuri Onsen (玉造温泉) is one of Japan's oldest recorded onsen, mentioned in the 8th-century Izumo Fudoki and marketed for skin-beautifying water.🌡 42°C · Tattoos: Case-by-case (check with hotel) · Mixed: SeparateMap ↗
Japan · YufuYufuin Onsen 由布院温泉Yufuin Onsen (由布院温泉) is a rural onsen town at the foot of Mount Yufu, known for its boutique ryokan and the misty Lake Kinrin.🌡 42-98°C · Tattoos: Case-by-case (more relaxed than other areas) · Mixed: Both options availableMap ↗
Japan · YamagataZao Onsen 蔵王温泉Zao Onsen (蔵王温泉) is a highly acidic sulphur spring at a ski resort in Yamagata, best known for its winter 'snow monsters' (juhyō).🌡 45-60°C · Tattoos: No (in most public baths) · Mixed: SeparateMap ↗
Events and festivals
Japan · nature & seasonsCherry Blossom Season (Hanami)Hanami is the custom of viewing cherry blossoms in parks, along rivers and at temples across Japan each spring. There are no fixed dates: the bloom is tracked by forecasts and usually lasts about one to two weeks in each city.annual, forecast-based; bloom moves north from late March (Tokyo, Kyoto) to late April or early May (Sapporo)Japan · culture & traditionSapporo Snow FestivalThe Sapporo Snow Festival shows large snow and ice sculptures at three sites in Sapporo: Odori Park, Susukino and Tsudome. It has been held every winter since 1950.Next: 2027-02-04 to 2027-02-11Japan · culture & traditionTakayama Spring Festival (Sanno Matsuri)The spring half of the Takayama Festival is the annual festival of Hie Shrine, held in the southern part of Takayama's old town. Twelve ornate yatai floats are displayed, some with mechanical marionette performances, and there is an evening float procession.Next: 2027-04-14 to 2027-04-15Japan · culture & traditionAoi MatsuriAoi Matsuri is the festival of Kyoto's Shimogamo and Kamigamo shrines. Its main event is a procession in Heian-period court dress from the Kyoto Imperial Palace to Shimogamo Shrine and on to Kamigamo Shrine.Next: 2027-05-15Japan · pride & communityTokyo PrideTokyo Pride is Tokyo's main LGBTQ+ pride event, with a two-day festival at Yoyogi Park and a parade through Shibuya and Harajuku. It is organised by the NPO Tokyo Rainbow Pride.Next: 2027-06-05 to 2027-06-06Japan · culture & traditionGion MatsuriGion Matsuri is the festival of Yasaka Shrine and runs through the whole of July in central Kyoto. Its main events are two processions of yamahoko floats and the Yoiyama evenings before each of them.Next: 2027-07-01 to 2027-07-31Japan · culture & traditionAomori Nebuta FestivalThe Aomori Nebuta Festival is a summer festival in which large illuminated paper floats are pulled through central Aomori, accompanied by drummers, flute players and haneto dancers.Next: 2027-08-02 to 2027-08-07Japan · culture & traditionAwa Odori (Tokushima)Awa Odori is a traditional dance festival held in Tokushima during the Obon period. Dance groups called ren perform in the streets and in seated viewing areas in the city centre.Next: 2027-08-11 to 2027-08-15Japan · music & partyBurning JapanBurning Japan is the official Japanese regional event of the Burning Man network, held since 2012. It is a volunteer-run camping event with participant-built art and theme camps and is active.Next: 2027-10-07 to 2027-10-11Japan · digital nomadColive FukuokaColive Fukuoka is a digital nomad and remote work gathering held in Fukuoka every October, combining conference sessions, community events and regional trips. It runs alongside the RAMEN TECH startup conference.annual, October (main programme about 10 days from 1 October)Japan · languageJALT International Conference52nd Annual International Conference on Language Teaching and Learning and Educational Materials Exhibition, 20 to 22 November 2026 at WINC Aichi, Nagoya. Theme: 'Beyond the Classroom: From Local Voice to Global Impact'.Next: 2026-11-20 to 2026-11-22Japan · culture & traditionTakayama Autumn Festival (Hachiman Matsuri)The autumn half of the Takayama Festival is the annual festival of Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine, held in the northern part of Takayama's old town. Eleven yatai floats belong to the festival, with a marionette performance and an evening procession.Next: 2027-10-09 to 2027-10-10Japan · languageJALT2027JALT's annual international conference on language teaching and learning, announced for 5 to 7 November 2027 at Granship in Shizuoka City.Next: 2027-11-05 to 2027-11-07