Konnichiwa from the Japan Switch Team!

It's almost February and we hope your Japanese is going well!

This week, we wanted to look at some less traditional, but more interesting ways to level up your Japanese.

Let's get straight into it!

Ultimate Guide to Japanese Yoga

Most people think yoga is yoga until they encounter Japan’s version. And the poses do look familiar. But what’s happening underneath is different enough that many people don’t realize they’re missing it.

In Japan, there’s a system called shin-shin-toitsu-do, which treats yoga less like a fixed routine and more like seasonal tuning. Practices shift across the year, focus on specific meridians, and are designed around how the body is meant to function right now, not how flexible it can become. It’s part wellness, part philosophy, and very Japanese in its precision. If this is the year you focus more on your fitness and wellbeing, read on!

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Ultimate Guide to Otaku Culture

Most people think otaku is just a fancy word for anime or manga fans. In Japan, that word has a complicated history and layers of meaning most outsiders never even guess at. The term used to be a social slur, then evolved into a badge of immersion, and today spans everything from collecting rare media to cosplay, community rituals, themed cafes, and even economy-driving fandom events like Comiket. Read on to see what otaku culture really looks like, how the insiders think about it, and why being a casual fan and being an otaku are not the same thing!

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Ultimate Guide to Japan's Batsu Game

You’ve probably seen a batsu game online before, even if you didn’t know the name. A group of people sitting in a row, all smiling a little too nervously. They all take a bite of something at the same time. One person freezes, starts coughing, eyes watering, while everyone else bursts out laughing.

That is a classic batsu setup. Students play this game too, and it's called ハズレたこ焼き (hazure takoyaki), where one takoyaki is secretly filled with wasabi or mustard and everyone has to eat one to see who drew the losing piece.

If you're looking to spice up game night with your friends, read on to learn more!

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Side note: If you're serious about visiting or living in Japan, check out Japan Switch's affordable online and offline Japanese lessons and make sure you're ready to make the most of your time here!

For more information or other updates and tips on life in Japan, be sure to check out our blog here.

Your Friends,

The Japan Switch Team