This is the second time NihongoUp has had the pleasure of hosting the Japan Blog Matsuri (see How to Japan), and based on the large number of quality submissions, I’m glad to see that you’ve appreciated the choice of this month’s topic. From learning Japanese, through teaching English in Japan, up to the Japanese educational system itself—you’ve covered it all, so let’s not waste any more time and jump right into this month’s submissions.

Blue Shoe of Just Another Day in Japan explores why when teaching English to Japanese natives, it is important to have at least a rudimentary knowledge of Japanese in order to better understands the mistakes that natives make when speaking and writing English.

Badboy in Japan writes about his experience teaching English in Japan (in his own school, no less); why he cares about determined students first and foremost, doesn’t give importance to what others think about his methods, and… why English teachers should not study Japanese.

Beth of Digital Dollhouse tells us about her motivations to travel to Japan, and how she uses NihongoUp to learn the Japanese language.

Shaun Hickox of Nippon on the Bus writes about the ‘lesson warmer’ that is used in English lessons in Japan, about how he had to learn a series of songs and accompanying dance moves to kick his classes off.

Dom of AccessJ has submitted an entertaining post focusing on five of his school lunches in Japan, rating his meals for the week whilst documenting their content and calorie count.

MMM-Fruit’s submission is all about the Japanese poetry form Haiku and how it has been used in an English language classroom in Japan with great success!

Tokyo Bounce shares a few unconventional learning methods for Japanese students—drink some nihonshu, jump in a cab, and you’ll speak Japanese before you can say “aa.”

Antti of Sebaattori comments on the lamentable state of language education in Japan, and compares the situation with his homeland of Finland.

Kathryn of Project Me writes about her experiences using the unconventional method of using learning materials aimed at Japanese children, rather than books specifically designed for Japanese as a second language.

Alice explains how shes uses a melon bear toy, music, and games in order to teach Japanese kids English the fun way.

Haikugirl tells of her experience working in an English language school in Japan, speaking about what she gained from the experience and issues with having to teach American English despite being British.

Qiquan of QQ’s Adventures in Japan gives his account of the new school year in Japan and all that it entails.

Thank you so much to all who submitted to the Matsuri. Apologies for the slight delay in publication—we hope after browsing through the entries you see that it was worth the wait!

Also, if you missed the previous Japan Blog Matsuri, be sure to check out Haikugirl’s Faces of Japan.