にほんの田舎暮らし (Japanese Rural Life Adventure)

Have you heard of the game Japanese Rural Life Adventure?

I recently started playing it. I love farming sims like Stardew Valley, but I ended up giving up on it because the fishing mechanic was way too difficult. While this game isn't on as large a scale as Stardew Valley, the core gameplay systems are similar and the controls are much easier.

Set in the Japanese countryside, you grow vegetables to make tofu and soy sauce, keep dogs and cats, and interact with the local community, all while experiencing traditional Japanese culture and customs throughout the year.

It has a wonderfully authentic Japanese feel, so I highly recommend it to anyone who loves Japan!

For details, please check the official website below.

Japanese Rural Life Adventure (Official Website - English)

NHK ラジオ体操（たいそう）

 NHK Radio Callisthenics (known in Japanese as Rajio Taiso) is a series of simple exercise routines broadcast by Japan's public broadcaster, NHK. The program has been on the air since 1928 and is one of Japan's longest-running fitness traditions. The exercises are designed to improve flexibility, posture, circulation, and overall physical health. They are easy to follow, require no equipment, and take only about three minutes to complete. Many people in Japan, including children, adults, and seniors, do Radio Callisthenics at home, in schools, workplaces, and parks, especially during the summer holiday.

It is more than just exercise—it is also a cultural tradition that encourages healthy habits and brings communities together.

NHK ラジオ体操 script

Key Rules for Writing Kanji

 Key Rules for Writing Kanji 

Here are the essential rules for writing Kanji accurately and beautifully.

1. Follow the Correct Stroke Order 

Writing Kanji in the proper order helps you balance the character beautifully.

• General Rule: Usually, strokes go from top to bottom and left to right.

• ⚠️ Important Note: Strokes do not always go from top to bottom! Some characters have strokes that flick or move upward. Always check the specific order for each Kanji.

2. Check the Correct Stroke Count 

Make sure you count and write every single stroke accurately. Some Kanji have fewer strokes than they appear.

• Example: The Kanji for mouth, 「口」, is written in 3 strokes, not 4! (The top and right sides are written together as one continuous stroke.

 3. Pay Attention to "Tome," "Hane," and "Harai" 

The way you finish each stroke completely changes how clean and readable your Kanji looks:

• Tome (Stop): Bring your pen to a firm, clean stop.

• Hane (Hook): Flick or hook the pen upward slightly.

• Harai (Sweep): Gradually lift your pen to let the stroke fade out smoothly.

4. Keep the Overall Balance 

Many Kanji are made of multiple smaller parts. Make sure all the parts fit together nicely like a puzzle, keeping the entire character well-centred inside your writing space.

Reference: Marugoto Plus A1 - Introduction fo Japanese - Kanji

      

Key Rules for Writing Katakana

 Key Rules for Writing Katakana

• Follow the correct stroke order (Kakijun かきじゅん) 

  Just like Hiragana, using the correct stroke order is essential for good balance. It also helps differentiate similar-looking characters (like シ/shi and ツ/tsu).

  • For ツ (tsu) and ソ (so): Write the strokes from top to bottom. 

  • Forand シ (shi) ン (n): Write the strokes from left to right. 

• Pay attention to "Tome" (Stop) and "Harai" (Sweep) 

  Katakana relies heavily on sharp finishes. Make sure to clearly distinguish between stopping firmly and sweeping smoothly.

• Keep your lines straight and corners sharp 

  Unlike the curvy lines of Hiragana, Katakana consists of crisp, straight lines and defined angles.

   

          

Key Rules for Writing Hiragana

 Key Rules for Writing Hiragana

• Follow the correct stroke order (Kakijun かきじゅん). 

  Writing Hiragana in the proper order helps you balance the characters correctly and makes your handwriting look natural and beautiful.

• Pay attention to "Tome" (Stop), "Hane" (Hook), and "Harai" (Brush-off/Sweep). 

  These three movements are essential in Japanese calligraphy and writing:

  • Tome (Stop): Bring your pen to a clean, distinct stop at the end of the stroke.

  • Hane (Hook): Flick or hook the pen upward slightly at the end of the stroke.

  • Harai (Sweep): Gradually lift your pen to let the stroke fade out smoothly.

    
    

        

Japanese Te-Form Verb Conjugation Guide

Learning the Te-form doesn't have to be a headache! The easiest way to learn it is by breaking verbs into three groups. Here is a concise guide you can use.

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1. Group 1: Masu-form endings (i, chi, ri...)

This group is the trickiest because the ending changes based on the last syllable of the verb.

Ending	Change to...	Example
~i ~chi, ~ri	~tte	Kaimasu → Katte
~ni, ~bi, ~mi	~nde	Nomimasu → Nonde
~ki	~ite	Kikkimasu → Kiite (Exception: Ikimasu → Itte)
~gi	~ide	Oyogimasu → Oyoide
~shi	~shite	Hanashimasu → Hanashite

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2. Group 2: ~imasu and ~emasu verbs

These are the easiest! Just drop the ~ru and add ~te.

• Tabemasu (To eat) → Tabete

• Mimasu (To see) → Mite

• Nemasu (To sleep) → Nete

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3. Group 3: Irregular Verbs

There are only two you need to memorize:

• Shimasu (To do) → Shite

• Kimasu (To come) → Kite

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💡 Pro-Tip for Learners

"Te-form Song" 

Sing to the tune of Oh My Darling, Clementine. It’s a classic way for English speakers to memorize the Group 1 changes!

"I, chi, ri... tte! 

Ni, bi, mi... nde! 

Ki... ite, gi... ide!

Hanashimasu, hanashite

Ikimasu, itte"

Verb Conjugation Table (printable sheets)

Song : Sora kara no okurimono

「空からのおくりもの」 Song Video （和語の数え方①　ひとつ、ふたつ…）

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GJucQyRuR0UtVO4CFLSc_VHjOCdlnOw9/view?usp=sharing

Song : Ashita wa watashi no tanjoobi

「あしたはわたしの誕生日」Song Video（和語の数え方② ついたち、ふつか…）

Ashita wa watashi no tanjoobi (Google document)

Song : Suzuki-san no gokazoku

「鈴木さんのご家族」Song Video（漢語の数え方② ～歳＆家族の呼び方）

You can download the song lyrics from here,

Suzuki-san no gokazoku lyrics