On November 12, the Tourism Business Class visited the Tori-no-Ichi Fair at Hanazono Shrine in Shinjuku. Before the visit, each group researched the history and origins of the Tori-no-Ichi, as part of a pre-study activity. This allowed students to deepen their understanding of Japanese festival culture before experiencing it firsthand. Upon arriving at Hanazono Shrine, […]
What is Shichi-Go-San ? Shichi-Go-San (七五三, “Seven-Five-Three”) is a traditional Japanese festival celebrated on November 15 each year, honoring the growth and well-being of young children. The name, “Shichi-Go-San,” comes from the ages of the children involved: seven (七, shichi), five (五, go), and three (三, san). Who celebrates Shichi-Go-San ? Boys typically celebrate at […]
On October 29, under the gentle autumn sunshine, students from the beginner class set out on a hike along the “Kamakura Tengoku Course.” They gathered at Shinjuku Station before 10 a.m. and took the train together to Kita-Kamakura Station. Even before departure, the students were full of smiles, and their excitement was easy to see. […]
Recently, a student from the Intermediate 2 Intensive Class treated us to a shamisen performance at the beginning of class. His journey with the shamisen began back in Taiwan, where he was fascinated by its sound and feel. After coming to Japan, he continued practicing, and now it has already been a year. Originally, the […]
On Sunday, August 31, the grand mikoshi parade took place in Takadanobaba. On this special occasion, our students joined local residents and members of the neighborhood committee to celebrate together. Our students wore the traditional festival attire embroidered with the school’s name: a happi coat fastened with an obi belt on top, and short festival […]
On July 25, 2025, students from Shinjuku Japanese Language School took a trip to Nikko City in Tochigi Prefecture. Their first destination was Nikko Toshogu Shrine, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Admiring the intricate carvings of the Yomeimon Gate and the famous Three Wise Monkeys, “see no evil, speak no evil, hear no […]
Yukata Day, an event organized for several years by the Shinjuku Japanese Language Institute, has allowed everyone to wear yukata, traditional Japanese garments that symbolize summer in Japan. For this special day, SNG invited all its students and staff to immerse themselves in Japanese culture. The yukata is a lightweight garment often worn during summer […]
On June 13, as part of their cultural experience, students from the Tourism Business class had the opportunity to take part in a traditional furin 風鈴 (Japanese wind chime) workshop at Shinohara Maruyoshi Furin Workshop (篠原まるよし風鈴). They could choose between two activities: glass blowing, where they made their furin from scratch, and/or furin painting. What […]
Hiko Mizuno Jewelry College Workshop On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, a workshop was held at SNG with Hiko Mizuno Jewelry College. This time, participants made keychains. There were nine participants in total: four from the USA, two from Germany, one from Singapore, one from Mexico, and one from Costa Rica. Two instructors from the college […]
The yukata is a lightweight garment often worn during summer festivals in Japan. Unlike the kimono, which is more formal and often more challenging to wear, the yukata is a more casual yet equally elegant outfit made of cotton and decorated with floral, geometric, or nature-inspired patterns. Historical background of yukata The yukata is a […]
