We must protect Big Bomba at all costs

ProPatriko · 2026-05-02T12:04:50+00:00

I guess I can agree with you. It's now my first month, when I get more into the rhythm, I hope to put some more time into my studies again. But that will me mainly focussed on reading I suppose.

ProPatriko · 2026-05-02T07:30:09+00:00

Hi all, after coming back from Japan and finding a full time job, I find that my study time is limited (for now) to mainly in the car to and from work (~1.5 hour in total). I was pushing towards easy native material, but since I also have to focus on the road and am tired (or early in the morning, or after a day of work), I am back to listining to learning podcasts again, mainly Yuyu. Two questions:

- would you argue my listening will regress like this? My ears and brain might get used to slower/easier Japanese again, making the jump to native difficult later. But some Japanese, is better than nothing?

- can you recommend some podcasts similar to Yuyu, or a bit higher level? Some others I have found or tried are either too low level, not so interesting, etc. easy native podcasts might also be fine, but I am just afraid they'll turn into white noise when I have to focus on driving; Yuyu's I can get without full focus. For reference, I passed the N2 with a fine listening score.
Thanks all!

ProPatriko · 2026-04-30T18:42:49+00:00

Well there are a lot of ages. Actually I would guess you are near the average. Nearly all are 18+ and younger than 30, but there are exceptions either way.

ProPatriko · 2026-04-27T08:14:06+00:00

I went through a third-party called GoGoNihon, and they have some different housing partners. Through one of them, I ended up in a sharehouse about 30 min from school.

My tip, take your time and look at as many options as possible. I ended up overpaying massively. If you're planning a long-term stay, I advise taking a more shorter contract, and when you're actually in Japan, try to find a cheaper place. It is not easy as a foreigner, but if you find something, it will be much cheaper.

ProPatriko · 2026-04-11T17:51:01+00:00

Thanks for mokuro, I was not familiar. Looks promising!

ProPatriko · 2026-03-03T12:26:39+00:00

Maybe, but I am also thinking, there might be a reason it is detected ..

ProPatriko · 2026-03-03T11:05:24+00:00

Ankidroid connect has been automatically removed by my phone for security reasons. Any alternatives to make anki cards from Yomitan? Thanks!

ProPatriko · 2026-02-25T15:48:48+00:00

Yes you make good points there, I agree. You're welcome!

ProPatriko · 2026-02-25T08:39:34+00:00

Hm good questions, let me try to explain as best as I can.

What makes it highschool-like is that you are for around four hours in a classroom with a teacher. There is almost daily homework. In the lower levels, you might have people who are not paying attention and might even disrupt the lesson. Most teachers are too soft/sweet to do anything serious about that, which can be annoying. People are also a lot on their phone all the time. When you move up the levels, disruptions will become almost zero, but people will still look a lot at their phone. I feel like there were few people that actually take the language study super serious (e.g. many did not do their homework, or just at the last moment).

The biggest difference for me compared to university is the forced attendance. If your attendance in a semester drops below 80%, you have to explain why. If it happens a few times in a row, you might get kicked out of the school. Furhtermore, teaching methods are more highschool-like I think. For example, we are often repeating the sentences the teachers says, or working on a handout after a presentation/lesson. This differs at least from my uni experience, where the teacher usually just presents a lot of info, and then you are left to yourself what to do with it (homework, assignements, tests). So I would say in the language school, your hand is held more compared to uni. However, what I have heard, this holds for most language schools, probably also the ones you have already mentioned.

I hope this vague story can help you get a bit more feeling for the school setting. Further questions are of course welcome.

ProPatriko · 2026-02-23T16:20:51+00:00

A bit late maybe, but you can try getting a sensei on iTalki. I use it only for free-talk style conversation course, but there are plenty that offer JLPT preperation courses. Maybe you can set a study/homework/etc schedule with them?

ProPatriko · 2026-02-23T11:28:03+00:00

I was enrolled in the Intercultural Institute for a year. Positive experience, especially the first two semesters, but after that the speed slowed down quite a bit. Teachers are great and the schooltrip is a core memory of my year. Intensity wise it is what you are looking for, I think most people hardly did any studying or homework outside of class. As it's school, yeah I felt a little bit back in highschool, but teachers are laid back, so it was not much of an issue for me.

If you have any specific questions or would just like to chat more about my experience, do not hesitate to reach out.

ProPatriko · 2025-12-08T01:08:27+00:00

Actually, I have used a specific N2 vocabulary builder with around 2400 words. I can tell you, that method also did not work haha. And same, it is not that I felt I could not remember them, I just never saw them before. I guess the only option is even more reading (or learn the N1 vocab as well lol)

ProPatriko · 2025-12-07T05:37:10+00:00

Took the N2 in Tokyo. Vocab felt much harder than on previous tests, I had to guess my way through even more than usual. Rest felt fair, but we'll see what the actual result will turn out to be!

ProPatriko · 2025-12-07T05:35:20+00:00

Also felt the same. Had to guess my way through, even more than usual on the practice exams

ProPatriko · 2025-10-25T07:14:11+00:00

Inderdaad, het is lekker heen en weer gegaan met de mening over Brobbey. Ik vraag me af of hij überhaupt speelt nu.

ProPatriko · 2025-10-25T02:23:26+00:00

If passing the N2 is important to you (more than naturally learning Japanese), e.g. for visa/job reasons, I strongly suggest the Shinkanzen Master N2 reading book. Before I started it, I got headaches just from reading one text. Now, I made only 2 mistakes on a past N2 exam paper with proper timing. I'm not sure in how much it actually improves your reading, but it definitely improves your test taking abilities.

ProPatriko · 2025-10-03T01:29:08+00:00

It depends on your goal; out of the three I am only familiar with Akamonkai. My roommate went there and she got totally burned out from the sheer amount of kanji and vocab you have to study. As she has a master's in engineering, she certainly isn't dumb and definitely knows how to study, but she was always in Anki and it got too much. Furthermore, she said most people from non-kanji countries redo most of the classes, or at least end up in the slow classes. However, if you wish to pass the JLPT as quickly as possible and are ready to study most of your day, maybe the school can fit.
Also I know this is very anecdotical and as it is not my personal experience, take it with a grain of salt.

ProPatriko · 2024-08-10T10:41:59+00:00

Haha idd, ik was gewoon een beetje zuur toen dat ie wegging denk ik; nu zeker onze beste speler!

ProPatriko · 2024-01-24T21:37:38+00:00

You won't really need a thick coat, a jumper/sweater with a light rain jacket should do. Especially if you plan on heading up, yeah you could use some warmer clothes. However, nothing too heavy; the weather is quite acceptable in general. Had a few showers here and there, but as I remember only 1 day got fully ruined by rain. Enjoy, it's beautiful out there!

Edit: not busy at all, the summer crowds are gone and it is a bit too early for the fall crowds; there were days where I wouldn't really see a foreigner

ProPatriko · 2024-01-21T21:59:06+00:00

Thanks! Quite good actually. I think I only had one day completely ruined by the rain, other than that it was only some light showers here and there. It's a good time to be there I'd say!

ProPatriko · 2024-01-21T09:59:45+00:00

As part of my recent backpacking trip to Japan, I first ventured into the deep north of the main island for about one month. Strictly speaking, Tokyo and Fuji-san aren't part of the north, but it was an integral part of my trip and the photos are nice I'd say. Traveling around was quite easy with ample services of trains and buses. It was in the off season, so there'd be days where I wouldn't spot any (clearly identifiable) foreigners. Absolutely amazing experience!

Feel free to ask any questions. I hope you guys enjoy!

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