My Sweetie Is Japanese
Explores everyday Japanese culture as seen through the eyes of a foreigner married to a Japanese woman. (This series is an homage to the wonderful manga ダーリンは外国人, My Darling is a Foreigner.)
The narrator introduces his wife, a modern and cosmopolitan woman who is also very particular about certain traditional foods.
Notes: This article is written in an upbeat and polite style that feels like Japanese you might hear in a public speaking situation (for example, a TED talk). It features polite verbs and straightforward, well-formed sentences. Direct quotations of story characters reflect more casual speech.
| Editions | Status | Difficulty |  |
| Standard | Unread | 3.6(759 votes) |
Japanese families can be quite self-deprecating, which can sometimes lead to awkward moments.
Notes: Featuring well-formed sentences and straightforward grammar, this article contains useful vocabulary relating family life and marriage.
| Editions | Status | Difficulty | |
| Standard | Unread | 2.9(430 votes) |
Pro
The narrator is caught off-balance by his mother-in-law's comment, leading to an uneasy moment.
Notes: This article contains excellent vocabulary and expressions, such as "lines (that an actor might deliver)" and "making a (funny, angry, happy, etc) face."
| Editions | Status | Difficulty | |
| Standard | Unread | 2.9(197 votes) |
Pro
Getting to know your spouse's parents can always be a little nerve-wracking. But are you ready for some one-on-one naked time with your new father-in-law?
Notes: This article contains straightforward grammar plus a few useful cultural tidbits.
| Editions | Status | Difficulty | |
| Standard | Unread | 2.8(187 votes) |
Pro
The narrator heads to the onsen with his wife's father.
Notes: This article contains lots of useful vocabulary, such as the words for imitating someone, soaking in a tub, and heading somewhere.
| Editions | Status | Difficulty | |
| Standard | Unread | 2.6(182 votes) |
Pro
The narrator enjoys a quiet moment and reflects on his journey into Japanese culture.
Notes: This article should be mostly straightforward, but the last paragraph, with its reflection on lessons learned, might be slightly more challenging.
| Editions | Status | Difficulty | |
| Standard | Unread | 3.2(163 votes) |
Pro
Our narrator discovers that while Japan is in some respects very modern, in other ways it can still be quite traditional.
Notes: This episode contains lots of useful vocabulary and grammar notes, such as ones about the word hazu, the pattern for "assisting" someone with a task, and a common way of saying you are confident in your abilities.
| Editions | Status | Difficulty | |
| Standard | Unread | 2.9(149 votes) |
Pro
The narrator experiences the eye-popping volume of food that is a traditional Japanese breakfast.
Notes: This article contains lots of good vocabulary, including a breakdown of two similarly-named dish types, as well as a discussion of the gurai that means "just about only."
| Editions | Status | Difficulty | |
| Standard | Unread | 2.8(147 votes) |
Pro
The narrator is simultaneously nervous and excited about meeting the gang from his wife's former office.
Notes: This episode contains two extensive notes, one about different words that refer to polite language, and one about the "storytelling present."
| Editions | Status | Difficulty | |
| Standard | Unread | 2.6(58 votes) |
Pro
The narrator learns an important lesson about speaking as peers for the evening.
Notes: This episode contains a note on the word sasuga, as well as a long breakdown of bureikou and some tips for partaking responsibly.
| Editions | Status | Difficulty | |
| Standard | Unread | 3.2(52 votes) |
Pro
The narrator considers the reluctance of Japanese people to use English.
Notes: This episode contains notes on the use of wa after an amount, plus a breakdown of a very challenging sentence.
| Editions | Status | Difficulty | |
| Standard | Unread | 3.6(55 votes) |
Pro
The narrator relates an experience that sheds light on his question.
Notes: This episode contains a note on the word sore-zore, plus a breakdown of a long sentence with two special uses of wa.
| Editions | Status | Difficulty | |
| Standard | Unread | 3.5(40 votes) |
Pro
The narrator lays out his answer to the original question.
Notes: This episode contains a note that analyzes the essay to determine what the author's main point is.
| Editions | Status | Difficulty | |
| Standard | Unread | 3.4(38 votes) |
Pro
The narrator marvels over food quality at various establishments.
Notes: This episode demonstrates a useful suffix that means "freshly-; just- (made, etc)."
| Editions | Status | Difficulty | |
| Standard | Unread | 3.1(38 votes) |
Pro
The narrator arrives at an ideas about why Japanese restaurants are so good.
Notes: This episode contains a note that breaks down a long sentence, as well as one that takes up the pattern sono X, sono X and a derivative of it.
| Editions | Status | Difficulty | |
| Standard | Unread | 3.4(35 votes) |
Pro
The narrator gets a lesson on an important part of the New Year's holiday.
Notes: This episode contains lots of interesting cultural notes.
| Editions | Status | Difficulty | |
| Standard | Unread | 2.9(29 votes) |
Pro
The narrator grapples with what to think of this custom, but putting himself in the place of the kids helps him to come to terms with it.
Notes: This episode contains a great example of the word mon/mono being used in a special sense.
| Editions | Status | Difficulty | |
| Standard | Unread | 3.1(27 votes) |
Pro
The narrator describes a surprise he experienced on his birthday.
Notes: This episode contains notes on an expression that means "to nearly (do something)" and a use of the word tonikaku for emphasis.
| Editions | Status | Difficulty | |
| Standard | Unread | 3.0(35 votes) |