Language
"Arigatou gozaimasu" translates to this polite English phrase.
Thank you
This traditional, T-shaped garment literally translates to "a thing to wear" and is often worn at formal events.
Kimono
This style of Japanese animation has become a massive global phenomenon.
Anime
This globally popular dish specifically refers to the vinegared rice it is made with, rather than the raw seafood often served with it.
Sushi
This bustling metropolis is the capital of Japan and the most populous metropolitan area in the world.
Tokyo
In Japanese, counting "Ichi, Ni, San" is counting to this number.
Three
This indigenous religion of Japan focuses on ritual practices to connect with kami, or nature spirits.
Shinto
This iconic "kaiju" (giant monster) first destroyed Tokyo on the silver screen in 1954.
Godzilla
These thick, chewy wheat noodles are often served hot in a mild broth.
Udon
Standing at 3,776 meters, this iconic, nearly perfectly symmetrical stratovolcano is Japan's highest peak.
Mount Fuji (Fuji-san)
Of Japan's three writing systems, this angular one is used primarily for foreign loanwords and names.
Katakana
These historical military nobles and warriors lived by a strict code of conduct known as Bushido.
Samurai
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, this 2001 Studio Ghibli masterpiece won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Spirited Away
Meaning "how you like it grilled," this savory cabbage pancake is famously associated with street food in Osaka and Hiroshima.
Okonomiyaki
Famous for its organized chaos, this intersection in Tokyo sees thousands of pedestrians cross the street from all directions at once.
Shibuya Crossing
Adding this three-character suffix to a verb stem indicates that the action is "easy to do" (e.g., tabe-________).
"~yasui" (~やすい)?
This classical Japanese dance-drama is known for its highly stylized performances and the elaborate kumadori makeup worn by the actors.
Kabuki
Meaning "boy," this demographic category of manga and anime includes massive action hits like One Piece and Naruto.
Shonen
These fermented soybeans are a highly nutritious breakfast staple, infamous for their sticky texture and pungent smell.
Natto
Japan is an archipelago made up of four main islands: Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and this northernmost main island famous for its harsh winters and snow festivals.
Hokkaido
Written with the kanji 禁煙 (kinnen), you will see this word on signs where this specific activity is prohibited.
No Smoking
Deeply rooted in Zen Buddhism, this aesthetic philosophy finds beauty in things that are imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.
Wabi-Sabi
Created by Osamu Tezuka, this classic series features a robot boy and heavily influenced the "large eyes" style of modern manga art.
Astro Bot (鉄案アトム）
Chefs must undergo years of rigorous training to get a special license to safely prepare this highly toxic pufferfish.
Fugu
Located in Kyoto, this spectacular Zen Buddhist temple is officially named Rokuon-ji, but is far better known by a nickname referencing the precious metal covering its top two floors.
Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion)