Ottawa Japanese Language School

Happy Showa Day (昭和の日)! 🇯🇵

Today marks the official start of Golden Week, one of the most anticipated times of the year in Japan. While it’s a wonderful day off, it carries a deep significance as a time for reflection.

Showa Day is dedicated to the Showa Era (1926–1989)—a period of 63 years that saw Japan move through immense challenges toward a time of great cultural and economic prosperity. The era’s name, Showa, translates to "Enlightened Peace," reflecting a hope that remains relevant as we look toward the future today.

A few quick facts about today:
• 🌱 Nature Roots: It was originally celebrated as "Greenery Day" to honor Emperor Showa’s passion for biology and the natural world.
• 🕊️ Reflecting to Grow: The holiday encourages us to learn from the resilience of the past to continue building a better tomorrow.
• 🎍 Nostalgia: For many in Japan, this day is also about "Showa Retro"—celebrating the unique fashion, food, and architecture of the 20th century.

How are you kicking off the Golden Week holidays? Whether you are studying, traveling, or relaxing, we hope your day is filled with Heiwa (peace)!

Learn the Kanji:
• 昭和 (Showa) – The era name
• 平和 (Heiwa) – Peace
• 復興 (Fukko) – Reconstruction/Revival

#昭和の日

☀️ Registration is open on May 4th: 2026 Japanese Summer School! 🇯🇵

Ready to make this summer unforgettable? Registration for the Ottawa Japanese Language School (OJLS) summer program is officially underway!

⚠️ Please Note: Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. Our classes tend to fill up quickly, so we encourage you to register as soon as possible to secure your spot!

🗓️ Key Dates & Information:
• Registration Window: Monday, May 4th – Monday, May 18th
• Program Dates: Every Saturday from June 13th to July 25th
• Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
• Location: Ottawa Japanese Cultural Centre (OJCC)
📍 2285 St. Laurent Blvd. Unit B16

Whether you are a returning student or brand new to the language, our summer sessions offer a great environment to build your skills and connect with the local Japanese community.

✍️ How to Sign Up:
Click the link below to access our registration portal:
https://www.ojls.ca/post/summer-2026-course-information

Questions? Feel free to leave a comment below or send us a private message. We can't wait to see you there!

Congratulations to all the participants of the 6th Annual OJLS Speech Contest! 🎤✨

It was an inspiring day at the Ottawa Japanese Language School! We were blown away by the talent, dedication, and courage shown by all our speakers. Seeing the community come together to celebrate Japanese language and culture is what makes this event so rewarding every year.

A heartfelt thank you to our panel of judges for their time and expertise, and to our wonderful volunteers who kept everything running smoothly (and kept us fed!).

We also want to express our sincere gratitude to our sponsors. This event would not be possible without your generous support:

🌸 HHR inc.

🌸 Telus

🌸 NERA

🌸 Kinton Ramen 🍜

お疲れ様でした！(Well done!) We are incredibly proud of our students' progress and look forward to seeing everyone again next year! 🇯🇵🇨🇦

見て見てください‼️

Are you a fan of Japanese pop culture looking for new ways to engage with cosplay or manga? The World Cosplay Summit in Japan and the Japan International Manga Award might just be the annual events for you! Tune in to the 24th World Cosplay Summit in Japan to watch cosplayers from over 40 countries showcase the hard work they put into their costumes and performances. Keep an eye out on the website for tickets to attend in person, or tune into the livestream to watch representatives of over 40 countries compete in cosplay performances! The Japan International Manga Award has been honouring manga artists from around the world since 2007, and the 20th edition of the Award will open applications soon for artists to submit their works!

Learn more about the World Cosplay Summit:
https://worldcosplaysummit.jp/en/

Learn more about the Japan International Manga Award:
https://www.manga-award.mofa.go.jp/index_e.html

🐣🌸 Easter in Japan: A Unique Spring Celebration!

Did you know that Easter isn't a traditional holiday in Japan? 🇯🇵 Instead of the classic traditions you might be used to, Japan has given the holiday a uniquely "kawaii" twist!

In Japan, Easter is a vibrant celebration of the arrival of spring. It’s all about:
✨ Dreamy pastel colors
🎀 Adorable "kawaii" decorations
🍰 Delicious bunny-themed treats

Major destinations like Tokyo Disneyland transform into a spring wonderland, focusing on the universal spirit of the season: renewal, joy, and new beginnings. 🌷🏰
At the Ottawa Japanese Language School (OJLS), we love exploring these moments where language and culture connect in such colorful and meaningful ways!

🌍 COMMUNITY QUESTION: If you could celebrate Easter anywhere in the world this year, where would you go? Let us know in the comments! 👇

🇯🇵 ハッピーイースター！ 🐣
春の訪れとともに、素敵な新しい始まりを楽しみましょう🌸

Big shout out to our top fan! 💎

Saskia Walker

Drop a comment to congratulate them to for big a big supporter of our community,

Did you know this famous Japanese proverb? 🌸🍱

"Hana yori Dango" (花より団子) Literally: "Dumplings rather than flowers." 🍡

While the cherry blossoms are breathtaking, this classic saying is a playful nod to those who prefer the tasty snacks of a picnic over the view itself. It’s a great reminder that joy comes in many forms—sometimes it's a beautiful petal, and sometimes it's a delicious stick of dango!

At OJLS, we believe in enjoying the best of both worlds. 🌸📖 Practice your Japanese while soaking up the spring sunshine!

Tell us below: Are you a "Hana" person or a "Dango" person? 🌸 vs 🍡 We’d love to hear from you! #はなよりだんご

It’s officially Hanami (花見) season! 🌸✨

In Japan, spring is more than just a change in the weather—it’s a nationwide celebration of renewal and the "fleeting beauty" of the cherry blossoms. Whether you’re strolling under a pink canopy in the afternoon or enjoying the glowing lanterns of Yozakura (夜桜) at night, there is truly no better time to experience Japan! 🇯🇵

Check out the images below to learn 3 essential Japanese words for your next spring stroll! 📸👇

Today’s Vocabulary Spotlight:
🌸 Sakura (桜) — Cherry Blossoms
🌸 Mankai (満開) — Full bloom!
🌸 Hana-fubuki (花吹雪) — The magical "flower snowstorm" of falling petals.

📢 CHALLENGE FOR OUR LEARNERS:
Let’s practice together! Pick one of the words above and write a sentence in the comments. ✍️

Example:
公園で桜を見ます。
(Kōen de sakura o mimasu.)
I look at the cherry blossoms at the park.

We can’t wait to see your sentences! Leave yours below and we’ll give you some feedback! 👇✨

Big shout out to our newest top fan! 💎

Saskia Walker

Drop a comment to welcome them to our community,

Thanks for being a top engager and making it on to the weekly engagement list! 🎉

Anibal Parra, Yoichi Mukai, Lisa Chenier, Edward Chang

We were honoured to welcome the Councillor of Vanier to the Ottawa Japanese Language School for a special visit!

From stepping into our classrooms to connecting with our dedicated teachers and vibrant students, the visit was a wonderful opportunity to share the heart of what we do—building community through language and cultural exchange.

During the visit, our students also explored a fun cultural crossover: the Japanese version of “Since You’ve Been Gone”—a creative and engaging way to experience language through music 🎶

It was especially meaningful to see the enthusiasm, curiosity, and connection that fills our classrooms every week. Moments like these remind us how language learning goes far beyond words—it brings people together.

Thank you for taking the time to visit, learn with us, and support our school community. We look forward to continuing to grow and share Japanese language and culture here in Ottawa 💮