| Living in Japan is the best way to learn how to | | | | This is evident in the many famous shrines and |
| speak Japanese because you have the bonuses | | | | temples such as the Takisan and Daijuji temples, |
| of having first hand experience of Japanese | | | | and the renowned Okazaki Castle. The Okazaki |
| culture, the country and its people. But before | | | | castle was the birthplace of the famous Japanese |
| you leave, you need to get your brain ready to | | | | military leader Tokugawa Iyeyasu. He was |
| take on Japanese and Japan. To lessen culture | | | | portrayed in James Clavell's novel Shogun based |
| shock and fortify your acquisition of Japanese, it | | | | on historical figures and events of Japan in the |
| would be wise to learn to speak Japanese online | | | | 1600s. However, Okazaki is most famous for |
| simply because it is convenient and affordable. | | | | their fireworks. The city proudly showcases these |
| Plus the faster you can master the hiragana and | | | | fireworks with amazing firework displays during |
| katakana (two standard syllabaries that are used | | | | the three-day Summer Festival in August, which is |
| in the Japanese writing system), the faster you'll | | | | attended by people nationwide. |
| be able to grasp the reading and writing in the | | | | Because Okazaki is smaller, it is cheaper to live in |
| textbooks and hence jump start your learning. | | | | and accommodations that are close to the school |
| Choosing a city depends on whether you're a city | | | | college are easier to find. In addition, Okazaki |
| or a country person, or a bit of both. For those | | | | language colleges include free cultural workshops |
| of you who enjoy the city and country life, | | | | such as making arts with Washi (origami paper) |
| Okazaki is the perfect city for you to learn | | | | and weekend excursions, such as trips to Kyoto, |
| Japanese fluently and experience Japan. | | | | to visit and explore the old Imperial city. Or you |
| Okazaki is located in the eastern part of the Aichi | | | | could opt to plan your own excursions. |
| Prefecture (district) in central Japan. It is about a | | | | All work and no play make you a burned out |
| 2-hour ride on the Shinkansen (bullet train) | | | | student. So you should take advantage of using |
| between both Tokyo and Osaka, and Kyoto and | | | | your free time to interact with the locals by: |
| Mount Fuji. The main part of the city is bicycle | | | | · Checking out the Okazaki bars and restaurants |
| friendly, and to the east are the many hills and | | | | that specialize in tempura or in fugu(blowfish) or |
| the forests that cover them. Okazaki has milder | | | | udon and kishimen noodle dishes or the world |
| overall temperatures compared to most of Japan, | | | | famous Okazaki Hatcho miso soup that is known |
| the spring and autumn months are the best times | | | | for its medicinal and health benefits. |
| to visit. Also, Okazaki is not as populous as most | | | | · Checking out the Okazaki nightlife that offers |
| other cities. The city has many outdoor recreation | | | | many Karaoke bars and local Japanese lounges |
| facilities and parks for the outdoor enthusiast. For | | | | called izakaya where you can eat and drink. |
| those of you who are in need of more | | | | Remember the best way to learn Japanese easily |
| contemporary and urban stimulation, the city of | | | | is in Japan. However, before you go you need to |
| Nagoya is only a 30-minute train ride away to the | | | | educate yourself with regards to its history, |
| usual big city hustle, bustle, and exciting nightlife. | | | | culture and etiquette, and at least learn basic |
| Okazaki is a prefect symbosis of the old and | | | | Japanese. If you want the best of both worlds, |
| modern world, of the city and country. This | | | | then Okazaki is the ideal city to study Japanese. |
| enables you to experience traditional as well as | | | | Okazaki offers you a chance to experience a |
| contemporary Japan. Furthermore, despite its | | | | truly Japanese experience without the often |
| recent economic growth, Okazaki has being able | | | | daunting "bigness" and fast-paced pulse of a city |
| to preserve its historical traditions and character. | | | | like Tokyo. |