Best Japanese Learning Tools – Part 1: Books

Photo by afrowolf on Flickr

I realize that any “best Japanese learning tools” type of post will be subjective at best. It all depends on your learning style and your circumstances.

So while these tools may not end up being your favorites, they should give you a good sampling of what works well for learning the Japanese language. Please keep in mind that I’ve been learning the language almost completely devoid of native speakers or immersion possibilities. So these tools are compiled with the home learner in mind.

So let’s get at it!

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Review: Marceline Smith’s Kawaii Japan

A while ago, Marceline from askingfortrouble.org kindly sent us a couple of her guides she has developed from her visits to Japan. In finally getting around to reviewing it, I discovered it had already been replaced by a new guide. Marceline kindly sent me her newer one for me to review. And while she has sent me a couple to review, you know I have to start with “Kawaii Japan.” (Thanks for the updates Marceline and sorry it has taken me so long to review.)

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Japanese Phrase Book Review

Photo by JoeBenjamin on Flickr

A well put together phrase book can be a life saver for any traveller. While getting to know a few key words and expressions in Japanese is always recommended, before long you’ll find yourself venturing far outside your comfort zone, and that’s where a good Japanese phrasebook is worth its weight in gold.

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Book Review: 100えんｸﾞﾂｽﾞでｾﾝｽのいい

Here is another review of one of the books/magazines I purchased while in Japan. This one also came from Book-Off (link) for only 105 yen.

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Bookoff Craft Section

One thing I didn’t mention in my article earlier were the sections I perused in the book store. So if you are interesting in crafts you may want to look for the sections that say:

手芸 (,手＝hand、芸＝skill)
Pronunciation: syugei しゅげい
or
kurafuto クラフト
(craft)

Just a little note that may make the bookstores a little easier to get around.

Places to Shop in Japan: BookOff

I like books. A lot. You might have noticed that =) And as I have mentioned over and over, I like books as mementoes and souvenirs. And I specifically like craft books or magazines. Trav had heard about a second hand book store in Japan, so we decided to check it out.

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Japan Craft: Hat Making Book Review

Once again, Japan fills a niche that I found lacking back home. I love hats….pretty much any style, or colour of hat. However, in Canada I have always felt like making a hat, is way beyond the skills of the average person. And only professionals could be capable of making hats. In Japan though, I found a book that made me believe that I too could make a hat.

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Cute Things From Japan: Sewing Book Review

Photo by EssG on Flcikr

So I guess you get the idea that my favourite souvenirs are books…lots of books. I like that I can remember where I bought them, and they aren’t just a knickknack, but rather actual useful information. And hopefully, the information in that book showcases Japan in some way.

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Book Review: NHK Marutoku Magazine

ＮＨＫまる得マガジン, 自分を磨く立ち居振る舞い スマートなマナー
(translation by Google: NHK Marutoku Magazine – Hone their deportment and manners Smart)

I love NHK. It is Japan’s public broadcasting network. Of course, I do like most countries public broadcasting networks, but I digress. The NHK has published a book on manners and deportment.

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Looking For The Lost – Book Review

I don’t know what it is about Alan Booth that makes me enjoy his writing so much. After reading his book The Roads to Sata, a story of walking the distance of Japan, I knew I had to read his other novel Looking for the Lost: Journeys Through a Vanishing Japan.

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