In this episode, we dive into the colorful world of Japanese onomatopoeias — words that describe sounds, textures, and even feelings in a way English often can’t. From smooth and light to rough and heavy, these expressions are everywhere in everyday Japanese.

We break down the two main categories of onomatopoeias: feeling-based expressions and sound-based expressions, and explore how small changes — like switching か (ka) to が (ga) — can instantly make a word feel harsher, heavier, or more intense.

Amber explains how these words are actually used in real conversations, while Kade tries to guess some of the English meanings.

Grab a coffee and join us for another relaxed deep dive into everyday Japanese language and culture.

In this episode of Kanji & Coffee, we talk about emotions in Japanese, focusing on everyday words like うれしい (ureshii), 怒る (okoru), and 悲しい (kanashii). We explore how these feelings are expressed in real conversations, how natives use Onomatopoeias, and how emotions are often communicated indirectly in Japanese.

This episode is perfect for Japanese learners, Japanese listeners interested in English, and anyone curious about how emotions are talked about in daily life in Japan.

Grab a coffee and join us for another relaxed deep dive into everyday Japanese language and culture.

In this episode, we explore how New Year is celebrated in Japan and why it’s considered the most important holiday of the year.
From hatsumōde to osechi and temple bells, we take a closer look at the customs that shape the Japanese New Year experience.

If you’ve ever wondered how Japanese people welcome the new year, what traditions they follow, or how it differs from Western celebrations, this episode will give you a clear and cultural insight into it all.
Grab a coffee and join us for a relaxed deep dive into everyday Japanese language and culture.

In this special Christmas episode, we look at how Japan celebrates the holiday in a completely different way from the West.
From romantic Christmas Eve dates and strawberry shortcake traditions to the famous KFC boom, we dive into why Christmas in Japan feels more like a celebration for couples than families, and how the holiday became what it is today.

If you’ve ever wondered why Japan celebrates Christmas without Santa, stockings, or turkey dinners—this episode will clear it up.
Grab a coffee, get cozy, and join us for a festive deep dive into Japanese culture, Christmas history, and holiday surprises.

In this episode, we break down some of the most confusing parts of Japanese grammar: particles.
From は (wa) vs. が (ga) to に (ni) vs. へ (he), we explain what each one really means, how they’re used in everyday conversation, and how choosing the right particle can change the nuance of a sentence. We even have a small quiz in the end where you can try to make sentences together with Kade!

If you’ve ever wondered why Japanese needs so many particles, or which one you should use in different situations, this episode will make everything feel much simpler.
Grab a coffee and join us for another relaxed deep dive into everyday Japanese language and culture.

In this episode, we take a closer look at some of the most common greetings in Japanese.
From konnichiwa and ohayō to mata ne, okaeri, and more, we explore what these expressions really mean, when to use them, and how their nuance changes depending on formality, relationship, and everyday context.

If you’ve ever wondered how Japanese people choose the right greeting—or how to sound more natural when speaking—this episode will guide you through the essentials.
Grab a coffee and join us for another relaxed deep dive into everyday Japanese language and culture.

In our very first episode, we break down the many ways to say “I” and “you” in Japanese.
From watashi, boku, and ore to anata, kimi, and omae, we explore what these pronouns really mean, when to use them, and how they can change depending on gender, personality, and social context.

If you’ve ever wondered why Japanese has so many options, or which one you should use, this episode will clear it up.
Grab a coffee and join us for a relaxed deep dive into everyday Japanese language and culture.