Hi there,

Interested in experiencing Japanese culture? Are you seeking up-to-date information on Japan? Are you planning to visit Japan anytime soon? Do you want to teach English in Japan? Or do you simply want to learn more about the unique and amazing country that is Japan?

Talksushi.com is a Japanese language learning site. We want to make this site a fun and quirky guide to Japan! My wife (yes, she is Japanese) and I are dedicated to giving you a taste of Japan from the perspective of a Japanese and a Gaijin (outsider) so that you can get the best of both worlds and plan your next vacation to Japan!

We will help you discover and uncover:

• great online Japanese lessons
• the best and most affordable accommodation – from the big hotels in all the major cities to beautiful Japanese Inns you wouldn’t find without local knowledge
• the cheapest flights to Japan
• foods that will tantalize your taste buds
• the best places to visit for each of Japan’s beautiful season
• festivals and special cultural events
• unique cultural insight into the Japanese people
• special experiences that usually Japanese only enjoy
• and heaps more

We have plenty of resources to help you plan and book your holiday or visit to Japan.

Why Should You Visit Japan

Many thanks,

Nick & Kaoru

Learning Japanese is certainly a challenge. With complex grammar, Hiragana, Katakana , Kanji , Keigo (polite language) and cultural customs to learn and understand it is understandable why Japanese is considered one of the most difficult languages in the world.

I remember my first few months of studying Japanese to be very frustrating and slow going. I was studying quite hard but felt I was going nowhere. That was 15 years ago. I created this website to help students progress quickly with their Japanese with free lessons and product recommendations and reviews.

I have produced several of my own Japanese language learning programs – an intermediate Japanese language learning program and practice test for the JLPT. I don’t usually recommend competitor products, but if you are a beginner student then you will get a lot out of the Rocket Japanese language course.

Click Here To Try Rocket Japanese

What I like About Rocket Japanese

What I like about Rocket Japanese is the fact that it was designed  teach you to learn and speak conversational Japanese. Unlike other courses, it really engages you to participate and practice what you learn. The online program builds on each lesson and there is plenty of revision so that you retain what you learn. The membership interface is well designed and easy to use. You can print out and download lessons easily. You can also keep track of your progress a progress tracker.

What is in the course?

The Rocket Japanese Premium course consists of 31 interactive audio lesson. The lessons are about 20min in length and focus on modern, everyday conversations. The structure of the lesson are friendly and engaging, sort of like a radio program. They are not false and formalized like most language learning programs are. In total you are looking at about 13 hours of great audio content. Also, you don’t need to be in front of your computer to listen to the lessons. You can pop them into you iPod or MP3 player and listen on the go.

Included in the course are simple, but effective quizzes that will help you build your vocabulary and reinforce what you learn with the audio program.  They are quite fun to do. And the best part is that you’ll know that you are making progress.

The help and Support section of the membership area ensures that you can get the most out of the course. I’ve never had any problems with Rocket Japanese to write a support ticket, but I have looked through the FAQ’s. Everything from how to download the Interactive Audio Course to upgrading to a Premium account is covered.

Rocket Japanese Community and Forum

Creating on online community is quite a commitment as questions have to be answered within 24 hours to keep members happy.  It is something I have been unable to do with my own products because I don’t have the time or resources to maintain an active forum, but Rocket Japanese does.  You’ll find that many of the questions or concerns you have about learning Japanese are already answered in the forum. You also find words of encouragement from other members which makes you feel that you are not alone in your desire to become a fluent speaker of Japanese.

Rocket Japanese Results

Rocket Japanese is the most popular online Japanese learning program on the web.  The program has helped hundreds of people achieve their learning goals.

“What a relief it was to hear friendly voices teaching a wonderful language in such an easy to follow, easy to learn format. Words cannot explain how simple it is to learn Japanese with this program…No more useless memorizations or boring drills, just the facts of what you need to know in an understandable format.”  - Lucas Broadway 
Kentucky, U.S.A

“I have wanted to learn Japanese for a while now but never thought I would find something so amazing and rewarding to help get me through it quickly. Not only are the lessons easy to understand, but affordable.  They are set up in a way that is fun and easy to learn.  The games are also very helpful in learning certain words and characters. Whether you need to learn it for travel, or you just want to learn it for fun I think there is no better choice than the Rocket Japanese system. “ - Molly Arnold
 MO, U.S.A

Advantages of Rocket Japanese

• Over 13 hours of quality audio lessons
• Active support forum – your question are answered within 24 hours
• Course regularly updated – video lessons
• 60 day money back guarantee

Disadvantages of Rocket Japanese

• May be too basic if you have studied Japanese before
• At times too much revision in certain lessons
• Physical CD version quite expensive

Rocket Japanese make it really easy to order and access their Online Japanese Course! Even if you have never ordered or downloaded anything online before, it is super easy. When you click on their Red Button button below you’ll order form and enter your name and email address.

Get redirected to the Rocket Japanese online member’s area, where you have lifetime access to your Rocket Japanese Premium package!

 Final Verdict

If you are a complete beginner or are struggling to learn the fundamentals of the Japanese language I highly recommend this course. It comes with a no-hard feelings, no-hassle 60 Day guarantee. In fact, you can trail the program for 6 days completely free. So there is no risk for you to give this program a go. Go get started and take the trail now.

Click Here To Start Learning Japanese With Rocket Japanese

Are you taking the Japanese Language Proficiency Test for the first time this year? If you are, the chances of you passing are not good especially if you are taking the test outside of Japan. Across all 5 levels only 36.6 % passed the July 2011 test. Only 36.6%! One of the biggest reasons why so many students fail the JLPT is because of the lack of quality study materials. Most students can only get there hands on grammar reference books, practice test books and kanji lists,. However, there is one product that can help you pass the JLPT – Japanese Proficiency Power.

If you are looking for JLPT study materials and are wanting to know if Japanese Proficiency Power will help you pass, then read this review to get all the facts on this multimedia study program.

Click Here To Try Japanese Proficiency Power

What Are Your Chances of Passing the JLPT?

Here is a screen shot of the breakdown of the percentage of students who passed the JLPT level by level. Note that failure percentage is much higher for students who took the test outside of Japan.

Why Students Fail the JLPT

The reason why less than 50% pass all levels of the JLPT is because of two min reasons:

• Students don’t get enough test practice under real test conditions
• Students have no real strategies to answer questions they have trouble with. They don’t know how to analyse questions and choose the best multiple choice option by a process of elimination.

What is Japanese Proficiency Power?

Japanese Proficiency Power is a multimedia JLPT practice program for level 4 and 5.  The program gives you three practice tests to take that are very similar to the JLPT test format.The real part of the program are the 40 screen caputre videos that go through all three practice tests teaching you how best to answer each question.

The teachers of the program are a husband and wife team. You get the perspective of someone who has taken the test and a native Japanese to explain the intracies of Japanese grammar and cultural.

Click Here To Try Japanese Proficiency Power

JLPT Results

“Nick’s program is perfect anyone taking the JLPT test. Having a native speaker to assist him makes the experience even better. I’ve already recommended it to my fellow classmates.” – Josh Gitter, Sunnyvale, California

“This isn’t for Japanese “newbies.”  This is a highly targeted program that is meant for people that know a bit of Japanese and they are preparing to take the JLPT exam. If you go through this material, you will be completely prepared for every sneaky curve ball that they try to throw at you.  You can use this program to easily pass this test now and move on with your life, instead of waiting for next December to come so you can try again.” – Billy Buchanan www.icanspeakjapanese.com

“Try Nicholas Kemp’s ‘Japanese Proficiency Power’, an innovative audio-video course for passing the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). … Since 1997, he’s been teaching students the best ways to ace the JLPT using his own custom designed courses and tutorials.” - Yahoo Answers

Advantages of Japanese Proficiency Power

• It is the only program that actually shows you how to answer JLPT questions
• Gives hints on things to watch out for with the multiple choice questions
• Offers mnemonic devices and unique ways to remember easily confused kanji and grammar rules
• Was created by a someone who has experienced and passed several levels of the JLPT – i.e they understand the test taker’s perspective.
• Comes with a 60 day money back guarantee

Disadvantages of Japanese Proficiency Power

• The program only covers levels 4 and 5
• The program doesn’t cover the listening section in great detail, but instead provides a list of useful resources and some sample conversations.

The Final Verdict

Whenever I talk to people about the ten years I lived in Japan, the conversation usually touches on the fact that Japanese is a very difficult language to learn because it is so polite and formal. While this is true, everyday conversational Japanese isn’t as formal as most people perceive. In fact, it is Japanese slang, colloquialisms, and regional dialects that make learning the language a challenge.

During my ten years in Japan I lived in a number of cities and smaller towns. The hardest thing I found was deciphering the different local dialects and colloquialisms. This made learning Japanese interesting yet laborious. At times I found it almost impossible to understand the local country bumpkins in my neighbourhood. Unfortunately, this meant most of my wife’s family.

Why You Should Learn Japanese Slang

Like with most languages, you’ll only discover Japanese slang in Japan. While there are books and websites dedicated to the subject, you need to see Japanese slang in use in order to understand it. I don’t think I knew a word of Japanese slang before I left for Japan many years ago. Now, I find most of my Japanese conversations are littered with slang words. My wife is so funny! She’ll be speaking slang all day for months to me and my son, but whenever she she meets a Japanese person for the first time she is all polite and bowing like a chicken.

Learn Japanese Slang

You should learn Japanese slang. It will really do wonders for you conversational ability and impress Japanese. Most Japanese slang isn’t rude language, it is just very casual and expressive language. I must say I miss listening to the many hundred’s of colloquialisms and slang words Japanese say and invent. Also, learning Japanese slang will give you a better understanding of the Japanese mindset and how certain social situations require a certain different language.

Examples of Japanese Slang

Here are a few Japanese slang words you must know. Just be careful of when and who you say them to.

Baka = A fool / idiot / imbecile
Dasai = Nerdy, out of fashion
Darui = Sluggish
Busu = An ugly looking girl
Debu = A fatso
Kakkoii = Cool

Sugoi  = Cool, fantastic, wow!

Pittari = A perfect fit
Maa maa = So so
Kusojiji = An old fart
Kusotare = A shithead
Ijiwaru = Cruel
Mechakucha = Huge / extremley
Shibui = Smart, fancy
Chikushou = Shit!
Hentai = Pervert
Sukebe = pervert

Japanese Slang Expressions

Damare! = Shut up!

Baka yarou! = You are really stupid!

Masaka! = No way! / That can’t be!

Yatta! = I did it!

Kusoooo! = Shit!

Chikushou! = Shit! / Damn it!

Shimatta! = Damn it!

Hayaku shine! = Drop dead, bastard!

Uso tsuki! = Liar!

Busu! = You’re so ugly!

Bikkuri shita! = WOW! (Total shock or surprise)

Hottoke! = Lay off! / Stop bugging me! / Bug off!

Baka!  = You idiot!

Baka mitai! = You really look stupid!

Gaman dekinai yo! =I can’t stand it!

Nani sun da yo! = What the hell are you doing?

Tanoshimi yo! = Let’s Party!

Well, that should be enough to get you started. Learning and using Japanese slang is lots of fun. Enjoy!

My favourite way to learn Japanese years ago was with Japanese audio lessons. I would sit on the train going from Nerima to Shibuya with my “discman” and listen to a Japanese audio course I had borrowed from a private Japanese school. I can’t remember the name of the course. The course was from a Canadian university and focused on polite conversational Japanese. At the time it was the only Japanese audio program I could get my hands on.

For someone starting to learn Japanese in this century, there is an abundance of Japanese learning programs giving students of the language a choice to study what they want. Back in the 90′s there was very little in the way of quality Japanese audio courses. Most of them were still on tape and cost several hundred dollars. Now you can learn Japanese for free with the many Japanese language podcasts on  iTunes and hundreds of Japanese lessons on Youtube. The problem is no longer a lack of choice, but an over abundance of resources.

The Best Japanese Audio Lessons

The old expression “you get what you pay for” holds true with most online content for learning languages. While there are some great free audio lessons and podcasts out on there web, most fall short of providing what students really need – quality audio lessons that build upon each other in sucession. For example, you’ll find most Japanese youtube lessons are just random monologues of people sharing what they know of the Japanese language. I haven’t found a Youtube channel that provides concise lessons that build on each other.

There are a number of paid programs which I have tried including:

• Rocket Japanese
• Pimsleur Japanese
• Rosetta Stone
• Japanese Podcast 101

Rocket Japanese Audio Lessons

Rocket Japanese, in my opinion, still remains as the best paid Japanese audio program on the web. The lesson build on each other and reinforce past learnings. If you like talking your lessons on the go then you will be very happy with Rocket Japanese.

The product is unpdated often and has a great support forum where your questions about the Japanese language will be answered within 24 hours by the moderators.

There are also games and quizes with the program and a very helpful progress tracker.You also learn about Japanese culture and how it relates to everyday lagnuage and conversation.

Here is how Rocket Japanese compares with other competitors.

Visit Rocket Japanese Now and Take Advantage of Their Special Offer – an exclusive Rocket Japanese Survival Kit
worth $79.90, FREE with your order!

Free Japanese Lessons

If you are wanting some quality free Japanese lessons then check out NHK World’s Yasashi Nihongo Lessons. You can download the audio and text of each lesson free. No sign is  up required. They update their site with a ten minute lesson every week. The lessons are top notch and well worth your time. Like with most things in life, we tend to undervalue what we can get for free.

Why You Should Check Out NHK World

• The lessons are free and you can learn Japanese whenever you want.
• The lessons are concise and easy to understand so even kids can learn without getting bored.
• You learn Japanese from native speakers – it’s important to listen to the pronunciation of native speakers and practice by imitating the way they speak
• MP3 Downloads – You can download lessons onto your MP3 player and listen to them on your way to work or school.
• PDF textbook –  you can read the contents of all the lessons at once.

If you are a beginner and are not want to spend any money on online lessons then you’ll find more than enough resources at NHK World.

Are you taking the JLPT this year? If you are and it is your first time be careful of the listening section. Studying for the Kanji section and the Grammar and Reading sections while time consuming is very easy. You just have to put in the hard hours remembering and self testing all the kanji and grammar rules you need to master.

JLPT Listening Section

The listening section on the other hand is a challenge because unlike the other sections you have to answer the questions of the listening section within 5 to 10 seconds and move on to the next one. There is no chance to stop or go back and look at your answers. This can add a lot of pressure because  if you spend too much time trying answer a question you risk missing the important start of the next question.

In the video below I explain everything you need to know about taking the JLPT listening section.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUZJ66BdgS8

Are you taking levels 5 or 4 of the JLPT this year? Yes?

How would you like an easy to follow multimedia program that will ensure you give yourself the best chance to pass the JLPT?

When living in Japan I found myself in many situations where I would struggle to converse despite being a fairly confident speaker. Going to the post office was one such situation. I wouldn’t go to the post office more than once or twice every few months so having a parcel or letter sent was always a bit of a challenge. More often than not it wasn’t that I didn’t understand what was being said, it was an inability to decipher the polite language and respond quickly. In most customer service situations Japanese will use a lot of polite language and speak quickly.

My wife and I created a 2-part lesson explaining what language you’ll need to understand when going to the post office. With this Japanese lesson below you’ll be able to handle any post office situation.

Japanese Lesson -- Part 1

www.youtube.com/watch?v=S39BsmhZ1cQ

Want to learn more about Speak Japanese Fluently? Visit the website now http://speakjapanesefluently.com

If you would like to watch part 2 and access all 32 lessons then take action click the button below.

If you have read my post Speak Japanese - the importance of verbs you’ll know that Japanese often speak with just verbs, dropping the subject or object if they are understood by both the speaker and listener. For this reason Japanese speakers can come across as being very vague or indirect to a Western mindset or way of thinking.

I still struggle to understand my beautiful, lovey wife at times.  She will often say a word or two, usually a verb, and drop all context - the subject and object. It is not that I don’t understand the word or words she says. There is just no reference for me to work out what her point is. Then I’ll have to ask for more detail to work out what she wants to communicate.  This a general trait Japanese conversation. Japanese are quite conscious of how they present or say things to avoid conflict or confrontation. It is also a habitual trait that Japanese develop at a very young age. More often that not saying less communicates more in Japanese culture.

So it is really important to learn verbs and understand and accept how Japanese communicate. Learn as many verb forms and verbs as you can. So get started on the plain form basic Japanese verbs video lesson below. If you find it helpful leave a comment or if you have any questions on learning Japanese ask away.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pyjmJqMDs8

A lesson for beginners -- Days of the week in Japanese. I have fond memories of when I first started learning Japanese. For me, the Japanese language seemed so cultured and  mysterious. I found it very attracting and desperately wanted to learn. Yet, learning the basics wasn’t easy. Just trying to learn the days of the week seemed like a challenge. Eventually, I discovered that the more I studied the easier it became for me to retain words and progress. But those early days were hard. Getting my head around the backwards grammar, polite Keigo language and those long greetings took quite a lot of study and effort.

I think the hardest aspect to learning the Japanese language is breaking through what I call the “basics threshold”. Most people stop learning a language because they feel that they are not progressing. The basics overwhelm them and they give up. So if you are struggling with the basics of Japanese DON’T GIVE UP. Persist and study everyday for a few more months and you’ll be surprised by how much your understanding of the language will improve. You must allow for some time for the old grey matter to adjust to learning a different language. Study for short periods everyday and do lots of revision to retain what you learn.

Enjoy the lesson -- Days of the week in Japanese.

If you want learn how to read Japanese check out -- http://readjapanesefast.com

If you are looking for something a bit more challenging check out our intermediate course -- http://speakjapanesefluently.com

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjqFn44Qi8M

I have decided to create a series of basic Japanese lessons that will focus on how to read Kanji, Hiragana and Katakana. I will also include some basic Japanese conversaitonal lessons and sample videos of our products.

In this lesson you’ll learn the various readings of the kanji for the word “day”. When I recorded this lesson I had a cold and wasn’t quite as enthusiastic as I ususaly am when I teach Japanese, so please excuse my uninspiring voice. Anyway, I am sure you will learn quite a few readings from this lesson.

Lets jump in and start learning how to read Japanese.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLaUvxNCSqc

Want to learn more? Check out our product Read Japanese Fast  If you are serious about learning to read Japanese -- actually reading Kanji in context then this is the product for you -- http://readjapanesefast.com

If you have an questions or would like share your thoughts about this lesson leave a comment below.