Yesterday’s winner was… ひつまぶし (Hitsumabushi)! 🍚🔥 Nagoya’s eel masterpiece swims into the Final Four! Now we have a fascinating clash of everyday Japanese comfort foods… 🔥 Japanese Food Tournament — Round 3 (Final 8) 🔥 🍜 Ramen vs 🍞 Shokupan Legendary noodle bowl versus cloud-soft milk bread. Only one moves on. 🍜 Ramen (ラーメン) Few dishes represent Japanese comfort food like ramen. Deep, flavourful broth, springy noodles and toppings like chashu pork, egg, bamboo shoots and green onions create a bowl that can be endlessly varied. From rich tonkotsu in Fukuoka to miso ramen in Hokkaidō, every region brings its own personality. Why it’s dangerous this round: Deep, layered flavours Huge regional variety Global icon of Japanese cuisine Comfort food in its most satisfying form This is obsession in a bowl. 🍞 Shokupan (食パン) Soft, fluffy and slightly sweet, shokupan is Japan’s beloved milk bread. Whether toasted thick with butter, turned into sandwiches or enjoyed fresh from the bakery, its cloud-like texture makes it a staple of daily life. Why it’s still standing: Ultra-soft texture Gentle sweetness Bakery comfort at its best Perfect for both sweet and savoury dishes This is simplicity baked to perfection. 🗳️ Time to Vote! Which one reaches the Final Four? The deep comfort of ramen? Or the pillowy softness of shokupan? Cast your vote and defend your favourite! 🍜🍞 The Final Four is almost set…

ようこそ！Youkoso!!🙇‍♂️ Welcome to all our new members over the last week. This community is for us to learn Japanese together. There is a lot to master, but if we support each other in going step by step, we can do it! This week's question is: 猫か犬？🐈🐕 ねこかいぬ？ Cats or dogs? Quiet companion, or Man's best friend? This question is open to all! Arigatou, Joe Sensei. Welcome: @Natalie O @Shigeru Jiro @Jong Woo @Cecilia Parks @Md Mehran @Tsuki Michi @Sudharsan Kanthan @Brent Rex @Shiv Monga @May Tan @Milton Almarza @Alessandra Sun @Juliet Crosby @Teresa Morales @Abdulhadee Shaikh @Nathan Zhang

Starting this week, we’re launching Japan Fact Friday 🎉 Every Friday, I’ll share one short, interesting fact or story from Japanese history or culture — something memorable, easy to read, and a great conversation starter. Let’s begin with one of the most famous figures in Japanese history. 🏯 Japan Fact Friday Tokugawa Ieyasu and the Bird That Wouldn’t Sing Tokugawa Ieyasu was the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, which ruled Japan for over 260 years. He is often remembered not for flashy battles, but for his patience, long-term thinking, and self-control. There’s a famous story used to describe three great leaders of the time, involving a bird that refuses to sing: Oda Nobunaga: “If it won’t sing, kill it.” Toyotomi Hideyoshi: “If it won’t sing, make it sing.” Tokugawa Ieyasu: “If it won’t sing… wait.” Ieyasu waited. He endured setbacks, survived rivals, and played the long game — and in the end, he won everything.

Japan is world famous for its good culture! Whether it is street food yakisoba or high-end restaurant sashimi, Japan provides a wide variety of delicious delicacies. So, which is our favourite Japanese food? There is only one way to decide!!!! A Japanese Food Tournament!!! In order to find out the ultimate Japanese food, we will pit our suggestions against each other in a battle to the death in which only one can survive. Please make your suggestions below. There are no wrong answers! There is only your favourite foods or meals from Japan! Let the battle begin!!! Joe Sensei.

Hi everyone! I’m looking for suggestions on things I can do to help me recognise written and spoken words and phrases. I have seen people watch movies/TV shows with Japanese dubbed with English subtitles (and vice versa), listening to Japanese music and reading books in Japanese. Have you felt this has helped you or have you found another way that suits you better?