Author

Nana Takagi

Nana Takagi is a Japanese teacher and the creator of NihongoNana. She makes short, easy Japanese lessons for learners around the world on this blog, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, and teaches private online lessons.

Japanese grammar

Expressing Surprise in Japanese: Meaning and Usage of 〜なんて／〜とは

Learn how to express surprise in Japanese using 〜なんて and 〜とは. Clear examples, nuances, a practice quiz for N4–N3 learners.

December 7, 2025 3 min read

Japanese grammar

Stay Warm with Japanese! Easy Winter Vocabulary You Should Know

Learn essential Japanese winter vocabulary like snow, frost, ice, blizzard, and freeze, plus a simple story and examples to help you practice.

December 4, 2025 4 min read

Japanese grammar

〜ぐらい vs 〜ごろ – How to Express Approximate Amounts or Time

Learn the difference between 〜ぐらい and 〜ごろ in Japanese. Understand how to express approximate amounts and time with clear examples and practice.

December 2, 2025 2 min read

Blog in Japanese

ブラックフライデーは日本で人気？ Is Black Friday Really Big in Japan?

Learn how Black Friday in Japan is calmer and different from the U.S., with small sales at malls, supermarkets, and online shops. Did you buy anything this year?

November 29, 2025 2 min read

Blog in Japanese

日本の冬の定番「こたつ」- Why This Heated Table Is So Popular in Japan

Learn what a Japanese heated table is, how it works, why it saves energy, and why it’s so popular in winter. Simple guide with styles and price ranges.

November 27, 2025 2 min read

Blog in Japanese

冬のファッション – How to Survive Winter in Japan

Learn about Japan’s winter fashion, why Heattech is so popular, and how to use different Japanese verbs for “to wear” winter clothing.

November 25, 2025 3 min read

Blog in Japanese

Japan’s Labor Thanksgiving Day: Everything You Need to Know

Learn about Japan’s Labor Thanksgiving Day on November 23—a holiday to appreciate workers, relax, and say “thank you” to family, friends, and yourself.

November 22, 2025 2 min read