Yesterday the Haru Basho (spring tournament) kicked off in Osaka. 🇯🇵 Sumo Fact The 土俵 (どひょう / dohyo) is the raised clay ring where sumo matches take place. Before the matches begin, wrestlers perform the 土俵入り (どひょういり / dohyo-iri) — literally “entering the ring.” This ceremony is important because the dohyo is considered sacred in Shinto tradition, and the ritual shows respect for the sport and its history. Have you ever watched a dohyo-iri ceremony before? Here is the link to the NHK site for the highlights and I've attached a YouTube version as well (although it may get taken down). https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo/tournament/202603/day1.html

Yesterday’s winner was… ラーメン (Ramen)! 🍜🔥 The king of noodle bowls charges into the next round! Today’s battle is a fascinating one — two everyday staples of Japanese life. 🔥 Japanese Food Tournament — Round 2 Matchup 🔥 🍙 Onigiri vs 🍞 Shokupan Rice icon versus fluffy bakery favourite. Only one moves on. 🍙 Onigiri (おにぎり) Simple, portable and endlessly comforting, onigiri is one of Japan’s most iconic foods. Hand-shaped rice balls filled with ingredients like salmon, tuna mayo, umeboshi or kombu, often wrapped in crisp nori. From homemade lunches to convenience stores across the country, onigiri is a daily companion for millions. Why it’s strong in this round: The ultimate Japanese grab-and-go food Endless filling combinations Nostalgic and comforting Deeply rooted in everyday Japanese life This is Japan in the palm of your hand. 🍞 Shokupan (食パン) Soft, pillowy and lightly sweet, shokupan is Japan’s famous milk bread. Perfect for thick toast, sandwiches, or simply enjoyed fresh from the bakery, shokupan’s airy texture and gentle sweetness make it a comfort food staple. Why it’s a strong contender: Cloud-soft texture Loved in bakeries across Japan Versatile for sweet or savoury toppings A modern everyday classic This is bakery perfection. 🗳️ Time to Vote! Which one advances? The iconic rice comfort of onigiri? Or the pillowy softness of shokupan? Vote now and defend your favourite! 🍙🍞 Round 2 is getting intense…

Yesterday’s winner was… 食パン (Shokupan)! 🍞🔥 Soft, fluffy bakery perfection rises to the next round! Today’s matchup is a fried food showdown… 🔥 Japanese Food Tournament — Round 2 Matchup 🔥 🥩 Tonkatsu vs 🍗 Karaage Golden cutlet versus crispy chicken. Only one moves on. 🥩 Tonkatsu (とんかつ) A thick pork cutlet coated in panko breadcrumbs and fried until perfectly golden and crunchy. Served with shredded cabbage, rice, miso soup and rich tonkatsu sauce, this dish is hearty, satisfying and a staple of Japanese set meals. Why it is competitive this round: Crunchy outside, tender inside Deeply satisfying comfort food A full meal experience A classic restaurant favourite This is golden indulgence. 🍗 Karaage (唐揚げ) Juicy chicken marinated in soy sauce, garlic and ginger, then fried to crispy perfection. Whether served at festivals, in bento boxes or as a snack with friends, karaage is one of the most loved comfort foods in Japan. Why it’s a serious contender: Crispy, juicy perfection Bold savoury flavour Easy to snack on and share A universal crowd-pleaser This is irresistible fried chicken done the Japanese way. 🗳️ Time to Vote! Which one moves forward? The crispy pork powerhouse tonkatsu? Or the juicy fried favourite karaage? Vote now and defend your favourite! 🥩🍗 Round 2 is getting deliciously brutal.

✏️ Goal: Write a short diary entry in Japanese 🗒️ Topic: A good day ✅ Beginner 今日、高校で日本語を教えました。 Kyō, kōkō de Nihongo o oshiemashita. Today, I taught Japanese at high school. 今年の新しい生徒にたくさん会いました。 Kotoshi no atarashii seito ni takusan aimashita. I met many new students. 生徒はとても熱心でした。 Seito wa totemo nesshin deshita. The students were very enthusiastic. 日本語を学ぶ楽しさを、みんなと分かち合いたいです。 Nihongo o manabu tanoshisa o, minna to wakachiaitai desu. I want to share the fun of learning Japanese with everyone. 高校生は時々失礼なこともあります。 Kōkōsei wa tokidoki shitsurei na koto mo arimasu. Sometimes high school students can be rude. でも、今日はとても良い日でした。 Demo, kyō wa totemo yoi hi deshita. But today was a very good day. ✅ Advanced 今日は高校で日本語を教え、今年初めて多くの新しい生徒たちに会いました。 みんなとても前向きで、学ぶ意欲が感じられました。 日本語を学ぶ楽しさや、自分の情熱をこれから共有していけることが楽しみです。 高校生は時々、失礼だったり思いやりに欠けることもありますが、 今日はそれ以上に前向きなエネルギーを感じる一日でした。 🫵 Your Turn Write 3–5 sentences about your day. You can start with: 今日、＿＿＿をしました。 ＿＿＿は＿＿＿でした。 とても良い日でした。 Short and simple is perfect 😊 Post your diary below — I’ll give feedback.

Anyone else having troubles with. ツシンソ😅😂?