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Manga-style illustration for the Hokkaido-ben (北海道弁) article in Simple Gaijin's The Many Voices of Japan series, featuring snowy Sapporo scenery, two anime characters, a map of Hokkaido, and regional expressions including なまら, したっけ, しばれる, and めんこい.

Hokkaido-ben (北海道弁): How Japan's Northernmost Prefecture Speaks Japanese

What makes Japanese spoken in Hokkaido different from standard Japanese? Explore regional expressions, distinctive grammar, historical influences, and the linguistic diversity of Japan's northernmost prefecture.

Mike Viscusi

26 minutes ago11 min read

Comic-style illustration of a Japanese language student returning to studying after a long break, with old Genki textbooks and kana notes contrasted against a fresh study plan, progress bar, and checklist for rebuilding Japanese skills.

How to Start Learning Japanese Again After a Long Break

Haven't studied Japanese in months or even years? Before you dust off your old textbooks, discover how to assess your current skills, identify what you've forgotten, and decide whether to restart or pick up where you left off. Simple Gaijin also provides a practical four-week plan to help returning students rebuild their confidence and study habits.

Mike Viscusi

Feb 9, 202514 min read

Comic-style illustration of a fictional tattooed Japanese gangster in a neon-lit Kansai setting, surrounded by vocabulary cards showing yakuza terms such as 親分, 若頭, シノギ, カタギ, シマ, and チャカ.

Yakuza Japanese: Lesson 3 — Vocabulary, Slang & Underworld Terminology

Ever wondered what Japanese gangsters are talking about in movies and video games? In Lesson 3 of Simple Gaijin's Yakuza Japanese series, explore the colorful vocabulary of Japan's underworld, from organizational ranks and criminal slang to police jargon, territory, and loyalty. Discover the meanings behind expressions heard in Japanese crime films and Sega's Like a Dragon series.

Mike Viscusi

Jul 31, 202418 min read

Comic-style illustration of a fictional Japanese gangster with a koi tattoo, standing in a neon-lit Kansai street. Bold lettering reads “Yakuza Japanese” and highlights slang, grammar, and Kansai dialect.

An Introduction to Yakuza Japanese: Understanding the Language of Japan's Underworld

Ever wondered why Japanese gangsters sound so different from the Japanese taught in textbooks? Explore the world of Yakuza Japanese, from rough grammar and gangster slang to Kansai dialect and the colorful dialogue of Japanese crime films and Sega's Like a Dragon series. Discover what makes this distinctive speaking style so fascinating.

Mike Viscusi

Jul 30, 202410 min read

Comic-style illustration of the Simple Gaijin Weekly Japanese Study Plan, featuring a seven-day study calendar, Genki textbooks, Japanese writing materials, and a checklist of vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities. Bold lettering highlights the 75-minute daily study routine.

The Simple Gaijin Weekly Japanese Study Plan: Just 75 Minutes a Day

Struggling to organize your Japanese studies? The Simple Gaijin Weekly Japanese Study Plan helps you improve vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, reading, and writing in just 75 minutes a day. Discover a practical seven-day schedule, beginner-friendly JLPT N5 activities, and flexible study routines that fit your lifestyle.

Mike Viscusi

Dec 15, 202213 min read