Dallen Nakamura

Dallen Archive

Two stacks of notebooks and folders with a bunch of color mini Post-It notes scattered all around. The the center is a white flashcard with the word, "apple" written on it in red. There is also a hand-drawn picture of an apple and Japanese characters on the same flashcard, also in red. Someone's hand can be seen holding a red pen.

The Best Way to Learn Japanese: 15 Ways To Supercharge Your Learning

August 3, 2017 • Dallen Nakamura • 5 Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons

What is the best way to learn Japanese? If you want to know how to learn Japanese fast …

A woman's hands are holding a book open. Inside the book is a flag of Japan with a blue "enter" button and the text, "Learn Japanese" written at the top. In the background is a desk with other notebooks, pens, rulers, and a tablet on it.

Where to Start Learning Japanese

July 27, 2017 • Dallen Nakamura • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons

Chapter II: Where to Start Learning Japanese In this chapter, we’ll show you what you should study for …

Two young girls and a young man are standing side by side, each holding a book and looking up. Above them is an illustration of a pencil, book, and light blub. Above this, at the top is the text, "MASTERING LANGUAGE"

5 Steps to Mastering Japanese (Or Any Language)

July 27, 2017 • Dallen Nakamura • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons

Chapter III: 5 Steps to Mastering Japanese (Or Any Language) In Chapter I, you learned the basic formula …

A young woman with long brown hair is carrying a laptop/note in her hands in front of her. She looks scared or shy.

How to Speak to People in Japanese if You’re Shy

July 27, 2017 • Dallen Nakamura • 1 Comment • Useful Japanese Lessons

How to Practice Speaking Japanese if You’re Shy What if I’m too afraid or shy to speak Japanese …

A young woman with dirty blonde hair is sitting down at a desk with an open book. She is hold a sign in front of her face that reads, "HELP."

Trouble Learning Japanese: Answers to Common Problems and Concerns

July 24, 2017 • Dallen Nakamura • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons

Chapter IV: Common Questions and Frustrations About Studying Japanese You’ll probably have lots of questions about learning Japanese. …

An illustration of a desk, with a computer, books, a globe, pencil, ruler, glasses, headphones, graduation cap, and Japanese flag on it. The text on it reads, "LEARNING JAPANESE ONLINE."

Best Resources for Learning Japanese

July 22, 2017 • Dallen Nakamura • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons

Here are all of the resources I have used to learn Japanese. I have tried a lot of …

A close-up of a woman's open mouth with her right hand cupped in front of it to "amplify" her voice.

How to Practice Speaking Japanese Alone

June 25, 2017 • Dallen Nakamura • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons

5 Ways to Practice Speaking Japanese on Your Own If you have already read our “best way to …

Chinese children learn to write Chinese characters, calligraphy is the traditional culture of China. Someone is writing some characters with a black brush on a piece of paper.

How to Learn Kanji: The Best Method

June 15, 2017 • Dallen Nakamura • 2 Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons

How to Learn Kanji in Record Time Kanji. Just hearing that word brings fear and intimidation to many …

A green blackboard with a light brown wooden from with the words "LEARN JAPANESE" on it. There are various chalk drawings of computers, notebooks, pens, etc. around the words.

How to Learn Japanese: A Guide for Absolute Beginners

August 26, 2016 • Dallen Nakamura • 3 Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons

7 Steps to Start Mastering the Japanese Language If you are beginning your journey to learn Japanese, an exciting …

2 Japanese style of teishoku (set meal) boxes. In each section of the box (6 in total, 3 in each box) there is a different food item or sauce in it). A saucer of soy sauce and a cup of green tea is next to the boxes, and a pair of disposable chopsticks at the opposite corner.

21 Must-Try Foods in Japan – The Ultimate Food Guide

May 3, 2016 • Dallen Nakamura • 1 Comment • Food Adventures

The Best Foods That You Can Find Easily Anywhere in Japan Japan has some of the best food …

An older Asian man wearing a cooks uniform is writing something down on a restaurant order sheet inside of a restaurant.

How to Order Food in Japanese

September 12, 2015 • Dallen Nakamura • 2 Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons

Dining Out in Japan: How to Order Food in Japanese like a Pro Japan has some of the …

Miyajima Floating Torii Gate with a sunrise/sunset in the background.

Miyajima Island Japan

July 14, 2015 • Dallen Nakamura • No Comments • Places to Visit

Itsukushima, or more commonly known as Miyajima, is home to a giant torii gate which is a world …

Japanese High School Students in uniforms standing in a line and posing for a picture.

Working for The JET Program – A Typical Day

July 14, 2015 • Dallen Nakamura • 6 Comments • Living in Japan

If you got accepted to the JET Program as an ALT, congratulations! All of your hard work and …

6 pieces of nigiri Sushi displayed in a line. (Fish, imitation crab, cucumber, salmon, shrimp, and unagi sushi).

The Best Sushi in Japan

July 13, 2015 • Dallen Nakamura • No Comments • Food Adventures

The Best Sushi in the World…Is Not Where You Think It Is If you have seen the documentary, …

Nagano Japan Yudanaka Valley in winter. The buildings and ground is covered in a light blanket of snow.

Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen

July 9, 2015 • Dallen Nakamura • No Comments • Places to Visit

There are many places in Japan that I absolutely love, and the Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen area are …

Jigokudani Monkey Park Japan

July 9, 2015 • Dallen Nakamura • 1 Comment • Places to Visit

If you have ever seen a picture of a monkey bathing in an outdoor hot spring surrounded by …

A folded pair of grey pants with a black belt on top, a pair of black dress shoes, three folded button up shirts, a pair of glasses, a smartphone, a wallet, a longer pocket wallet, a electronic tablet and cash on a white surface.

JET Program Packing Guide

July 8, 2015 • Dallen Nakamura • No Comments • Living in Japan

Things to Bring on JET Getting ready to move to Japan with the JET Program is both exciting …

A red suit case with travel stickers on it. A pair of sunglasses, a hat, a map, green slippers, a beach ball, a small model airplane, a yellow bottle, thumb tacks and a blue passport book with two tickets inside are also shown.

Working for the JET Program – Pre-Departure

July 6, 2015 • Dallen Nakamura • No Comments • Living in Japan

Working for the JET Program – 7 Things You Need to Do before Coming to Japan 1. …

A young white male wearing a grey suit with a red tie and black glasses is opening his shirt to reveal a blue shirt underneath. Random mathematical symbols are show behind and around him.

JET Program Advice – How to Be a Great ALT

July 6, 2015 • Dallen Nakamura • No Comments • Living in Japan

7 Essential Tips on How to Be a Great ALT – JET Program 1. Be Super Chill and Go …

A group of 5 people of all different ethnicities dressed in business suits. There are 2 males and 3 females. They are all sitting down at a long table, looking like they are evaluating something. 4 of them have a clipboard and a pen. The woman on the left end has a laptop open in front of her.

The JET Program Interview – Tips and Sample Questions

June 29, 2015 • Dallen Nakamura • No Comments • Living in Japan

Congratulations! You made it past the first round! Honestly, completing the application and essay is by far the …

3 pieces of Pitan, or Chinese Century Eggs. On is unshelled, one is in its shell, and the other is covered in some kind of brown material.

Chinese Century Eggs – Don’t Do It!

June 28, 2015 • Dallen Nakamura • 7 Comments • Food Adventures

I have tried many weird and crazy foods in Japan. Some of them were absolutely delicious, while …

A woman with black hair is soaking in a Japanese Rotenburo (open air bath) while looking at the snow and trees all around her.

Japanese Onsen Etiquette

June 24, 2015 • Dallen Nakamura • No Comments • Living in Japan

In addition to the amazing food, wonderful culture, and helpful people, onsen, or hot spring baths, are another …

An Old Man with white hair is in a bathtub, and is completely covered in soap bubbles. He is looking off to the side. The background is blue tile with a sponge and long blue scrubbing brush next to the man.

My Japanese Onsen Experience – A Not So Subtle Stalker

June 22, 2015 • Dallen Nakamura • 4 Comments • Living in Japan

I love Japanese onsen. Soaking in a hot, natural bath takes away all of my stress and fills …

Close up of a pen on top of a Job Application

The JET Program Application – Tips and Advice to Make You Succeed

June 21, 2015 • Dallen Nakamura • 22 Comments • Living in Japan

If you want to get accepted into the JET program, you’ve come to the right place. I was accepted …

Disneyland at night with fireworks going off.

Is Tokyo Disneyland Worth It?

June 18, 2015 • Dallen Nakamura • No Comments • Places to Visit

Disneyland. The place where dreams come true and magic is made. Tokyo Disneyland was the first Disney park …

A young woman lying down on the ground holding a black pencil in her right hand. Her elbows are on the ground, her hands cupping her face. Stacks of books surround her, and a light brown teddy bear is also seen in the background.

Best JLPT N2 Books

June 16, 2015 • Dallen Nakamura • 37 Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons

Best Books for the JLPT N2 (Or Any Level) If you’re planning to take the JLPT N1 …

A scantron test answer sheet with the bubbles filled in. There is an "A+" that is circled, written in red on the test answer sheet. A yellow pencil is on top on the sheet as well.

How to Pass the JLPT N2 on Your First Try

June 7, 2015 • Dallen Nakamura • 99 Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons

*Updated November 15th, 2020 Is it possible to pass the JLPT N2 on your first try? You bet …

Japanese Counting System Kanji Chart (numbers 1 - 10)

How to Count in Japanese – Numbers You’ll Actually Use

May 24, 2015 • Dallen Nakamura • No Comments • Useful Japanese Lessons

Normal Counting – Sino-Japanese Number Japanese – Romaji Kanji Hiragana Katakana 0 rei, zero 零れい、ぜろレイ、ゼロ 1 …

A display of various types of seafood in Styrofoam containers at a Japanese market.

10 Weird Japanese Foods You Should Try

May 23, 2015 • Dallen Nakamura • 3 Comments • Food Adventures

1. Natto (Fermented Soybeans) This lovely treat made from fermented soybeans is packed full of nutrients…if you can …

Grilled Shirako, or Fish Sperm on a plate with a sudachi citrus fruit cut in half next to it on the plate. The shirako is on top of a piece of konbu, or seaweed.

Fish Sperm in Japan – Put It in Your Mouth, Swallow, and Gag

July 24, 2008 • Dallen Nakamura • No Comments • Food Adventures

Here’s another adventure from Japan. Grab some popcorn, a cold one, and let’s start reminiscing about my times …