I was in Aichi Prefecture, about a thirty-minute train ride from Nagoya Station, on my way to visit the Momotarō Shrine when, on a whim, I got off at Inuyama Yuen Station. As I emerged, a colorful, flashy, psychedelic building jumped out at me. My… …continue reading

    

In Japan, before the cherry blossoms come the plum blossoms! Called “ume” (梅) in Japanese, plum blossoms are associated with the start of spring in Japan, as they start to bloom all around the nation in February and March. Here are 10 places that are famous throughout Japan for their incredible plum blossoms.

1. Tsukigase Plum Valley (月ヶ瀬梅渓)

The Tsukigase Bairin (Tsukigase Plum Valley) spreads along the valley of the Satsuki River that runs through Mt. Tsukigase-oyama, and contains about 13,000 plum trees. This plum-viewing haven is said to have started when plum trees were first planted in the grounds of a temple in the area around 800 years ago. On a clear day, from the very early morning until sunrise, fog rises from Satsuki River as the air cools, creating a fantastic view.

Where: Tsukigase-Nagahiki, Nara City, Nara Prefecture

Best time: Mid-March

There is a plum festival held every year from mid-February through the end of March in which visitors can enjoy events, food, and other festivities amongst the plum blossoms.

Tsukigase Plum Valley Plum Festival Website

2. Kairaku-en (偕楽園)

Kairaku-en (偕楽園) is a 32-acre park known for its plum varieties, bamboo forest & monuments. It is regarded as one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. It is also home to the famous Mito no Ume Matsuri (Mito Plum Festival), which has a history of over 120 years. During the festival period, around 100 varieties of plums in park seem to compete to see which can bloom the brightest in a beautiful scene that signals the coming of spring.

The Mito Plum Festival usually begins in mid-February and lasts until the end of March.

Where: Kairakuen, Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture

Best time: mid-February to end of March

Mito Plum Festival Website

3. Soga Bessho Bairin (曽我別所梅林)

Photo: …continue reading

    

Do you like trendy shopping? How about cool architecture? Are you interested in Japanese history? In trains?

If you answered “yes” to any (or all) of these questions, you’ll want to visit mAAch ecute Kanda Manseibashi, a historic Tokyo train station… …continue reading

    

「DLPT （犬語能力試験）1級 合格したよ。」

= DLPT (Inugo nouryoku shiken) ikkyuu goukaku shitayo.

= Hey, I passed DLPT (Dog Language Proficiency Test) Level 1.

「なんか、得意げだね。」

= Nanka, tokuige dane.

= You look so proud.

Hi everyone! I’m Cookie.

I am in charge of the first lesson of the year.

First of all, I have a big announcement to make.

I passed DLPT (Dog Language Proficiency Test ) N1! It is more difficult than JLPT test. I bet none of you could pass it. No offense.

OK, today I will teach you the usage of ~ げ ( = ge)

A lot of time you see it in hiragana but the kanji for げ ( = ge) is 気 which means “atmosphere/feelings, etc.”

* How to form:

★adjective + げ ( = ge)

* i-adjective

Delete い ( = i) and add げ ( = ge)

Ex. 楽しい = たのしい= tanoshii = fun

→楽し = たのし ( = tanoshi) + げ ( = ge)

→楽しげ = たのしげ = tanoshige

Note:

いい ( = ii) ／よい ( = yoi)

→(irregular) よさげ ( = yosage)

* na-adjective

Delete な ( = na) and add げ ( = ge)

Ex. 不安な = ふあんな = fuanna = uneasy, anxious

→不安 = ふあん ( = fuan) + げ ( = ge)

→不安げ = ふあんげ = fuange

★verb + げ ( = ge)

masu-stem + げ ( = ge)

Ex. ある ( = aru) = there is/are, to have

→masu formあります = arimasu

→(masu stem) あり ( = ari) + げ ( = ge)

→ありげ ( = arige)

Note:

ない ( = nai) →(irregular) なさげ ( = nasage)

Vたい ( = tai) = want to do ~

→delete い ( = i) and add + げ ( = ge)

Ex. 言う= いう = iu = to say

→言いたい = いいたい = iitai = want to say

→言いた = いいた = iita + …continue reading