Festivals and the year
The Japanese year runs on events: New Year, cherry blossom, Obon, summer festivals, the year-end clean. Everyone asks what you did for each one. This lesson gives you the names, what people do, and how to talk about it. Tap to hear any line. The bar at the bottom plays a hands-free drill for walking.
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25 words for the year
Each card shows an event or word and a line about what people do. Ten reuse words from Everyday Japanese 1 and 2 and Lessons 2 and 3.
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The year at a glance
The main events in order, with what people do. Dates are the usual ones; some places differ (central Tokyo holds Obon in July).
| When | What | What people do |
|---|
- お on events. Many events take お: , , , . Everyone says them that way.
- Holidays mean crowds. Trains, roads and shops are packed over New Year, Golden Week (late April to early May) and Obon. Book early.
- Festivals need helpers. Local festivals are usually run by the . Helping out is one of the best ways to meet neighbours.
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Four patterns to use today
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Say it in Japanese
Say each one out loud before you reveal the answer. Getting close counts.