Holly-sensei

16/04/2026

April in Japan means spring is in full swing, and with it comes many signs of the season. I love going to Hanami picnics with my friends and enjoying the cherry blossoms while eating lots of tasty snacks, especially Hanami-dango!🍡

Want to learn more about Japanese language and culture? Be sure to follow me! And if you’re ready to take the next step and start learning Japanese, visit my website okonomigal.com where you can sign up for one-on-one language lessons, group Zoom classes, and more! 💖

02/04/2026

Hi everyone! 久しぶりですね！Long time, no see! I have been busy making a big move overseas, and I’m currently spending time in the UK with my husband’s family, and soon I’ll be back in the States as I wait for my UK visa. It’s a lot of traveling, but the good news is I can teach and study from anywhere! 👩🏻‍🏫
Recently, I’m going back and reviewing kanji I learned several years back just to make sure I haven’t forgotten them, as I’m preparing to take a refresher course for non-native Japanese teachers. Then I’ll be attempting JLPT N2 again in December- this time I’ll definitely pass! 💪🏻 What are your language goals for this year?

04/10/2025

Kanji of the Day: 時（とき / じ） – Time, Hour, Moment
The character 時 is composed of 日 (sun/day) and 寺 (temple), hinting at how time was traditionally measured by temple bells.
It’s used in common words like:
・時間（じかん）– time span
・時々（ときどき）– sometimes
・一時（いちじ）– one o’clock
Understanding 時 helps learners grasp both grammar and cultural context.
📚 What’s one phrase with 時 you’ve seen or heard recently?

💼 LinkedIn (Professional & Insightful)
Kanji of the Day: 時 — Time as Structure and Symbol
In Japanese, 時 (とき / じ) represents more than just hours—it’s a foundational concept in scheduling, grammar, and cultural rhythm.
Etymology: 日 (sun) + 寺 (temple) = a historical reference to timekeeping via temple bells.
Applications:
・時間管理（じかんかんり）– time management
・時制（じせい）– verb tense
・時代（じだい）– era or period
At Okonomigal, we teach kanji not just as symbols, but as gateways to deeper understanding.
#時

Would you like me to help you build a reusable caption template for future kanji posts? I can also help you create a mini glossary or carousel-style content for Instagram to boost engagement and retention.

03/10/2025

Kanji of the Day: 出 — Emerge, Exit, Expand

19/09/2025

Don't miss your chance to sign up! Enrollment ends soon for classes beginning next week!

02/09/2025

27/08/2025

Did you know? Shinto shrines can be found in the most unexpected places!

From mountaintops to roadside corners, Japan’s Shinto shrines (神社 jinja) aren’t just tucked away in forests or perched beside famous temples—they pop up in places you’d never expect:

🔹 A torii gate rising from the middle of Lake Biwa at Shirahige Shrine, glowing at night like a floating portal
🔹 Tiny shrines nestled between vending machines in Tokyo alleyways
🔹 Sacred sites built to honor volcano deities, like Kawaguchi Asama Shrine near Mt. Fuji
🔹 Even shrines inside shopping malls or train stations, offering commuters a moment of reflection

These hidden gems remind us that in Shinto, the divine can dwell anywhere—nature, stone, silence, or even the bustle of daily life. So next time you’re exploring Japan, keep your eyes open… you might just stumble upon a sacred space where you least expect it.

🧭 Have you spotted a shrine in an unusual place? Share your story below!

27/08/2025

Group class options for Fall 2025 are now available!

Japanese Fundamentals for Beginners- No prior knowledge necessary!
Meets for 1.5 hours weekly x12 weeks, you can choose from a weekday or weekend option.
Classes begin Friday, September 19th 10:00AM JST (Thursday, Sept. 18th PM in the US)
or the weekend class begins Sunday, September 21st 8:00AM JST (Saturday, Sept. 20th PM in the US)

JLPT N5 Prep Course
Meets 2 hours weekly x11 weeks beginning Tuesday, September 23rd 8:00PM JST

JLPT N4 Prep Course
Meets 2 hours weekly x11 weeks beginning Monday, September 22nd 8:00PM JST

All classes include downloadable homework assignments and a free online resources guide for supplemental practice, personalized feedback to help students pinpoint learning targets, and practical advice and study strategies so that students feel confident on exam day.

Enrollment ends on September 14th, so don't wait!
Can't find a class that fits your schedule? Visit okonomigal.com/learn to see all of the class options, including flexible one-on-one lessons!

15/08/2025

Thank you so much to my sweet student for writing this glowing review! I am so grateful to be able to make learning fun for you! This makes my teacher heart so happy! 💖💖💖

17/07/2025

Japan Fun Fact: All-Male Kabuki Theater!

Did you know that Kabuki—Japan’s dramatic and dazzling form of traditional theater—has been performed exclusively by male actors since the 1600s?
Originally, Kabuki was founded by a woman, Izumo no Okuni, but early performances stirred concerns about public morality. Eventually, the Tokugawa shogunate banned women from the stage… and that ban still stands today!

Instead of using female performers, male actors called onnagata (女形) take on women’s roles, mastering gestures, movements, and vocal tones to portray femininity with incredible artistry.
It’s not just a tradition—it’s a highly respected craft passed down through generations.
Have you ever seen a Kabuki performance live? I was fortunate enough to see a kabuki performance at the National Kabukiza in 2017, and I've always wanted to see another one since then!

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16/07/2025

👑 Kanji of the Day: 長 (ながい) — "Long / Leader"

From long hair to leadership titles, 長 shows up in all sorts of useful words:
社長 (しゃちょう - company president)
部長 (ぶちょう - department manager)
長い髪 (ながいかみ - long hair)

Bonus fact: 長所 means someone’s “strong point”—the kind of trait we should all celebrate more often!