Thanksgiving is one of the biggest holidays in the US.  It is typically observed on the fourth Thursday of November.  Family and friends get together and express their thanks for the year by sharing food. Do you know what the typical Thanksgiving meal is, how we spend the day, and what we enjoy as leftover foods?  Is Friendsgiving becoming the new Thanksgiving?  In this episode we talk about this very special day in US.  Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Send us your comments by E-mail.

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How is miso soup in America? We notice that there are some notable differences between how it is prepared and consumed in America compared to Japan. While there's nothing wrong with "American" miso soup, there are interesting variations in cultural preferences and ingredients. Should miso soup be served with the "appetizer", as part of the main course, or after the main course? What makes a good miso soup? We talk about our experiences with this traditional Japanese dish as well as confusion with other Japanese "appetizers" like squid and octopus. Tell us about your eating adventures.

Thank you!

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Based on listener comments, this episode focuses on providing advice on the best times and places to visit Japan when traveling there for the first time. We also make sure to let everyone know about the importance of visiting "convenience stores" (you will be amazed!).

For the best times, both spring and autumn are recommended. Spring is cherry blossom season when you can enjoy their beauty in full bloom. The cherry blossom season typically runs from late March to early April and is in a word stunning. Autumn is also a great time due to the colorful fall foliage, which can be observed in many places from October to November.

Among the best places to visit both Kyoto and Tokyo are fantastic choices. Kyoto boasts traditional Japanese culture and historical landmarks, including beautiful temples and gardens. In contrast, Tokyo blends modern and traditional aspects and offers a wide range of activities and attractions.

When it comes to convenience stores, they are an integral part of Japanese culture. Japanese convenience stores are incredibly convenient, offering a variety of foods, beverages, and everyday items. Many of them are open 24 hours, making them useful during your sightseeing. Well-known convenience store chains include 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart. You can enjoy various local bento boxes, sweets, onigiri (rice balls), and more. 

No matter which season or place you choose, you'll undoubtedly be able to experience captivating aspects of Japan. Enjoy your trip!!!

We love to hear from you, so please send us your comment. E-mail : [email protected]

When we visit Japan, we really start to sympathize with how difficult traveling there and communicating with the native Japanese people might be for foreigners. Indeed, there are many factors that can be challenging for non-Japanese speakers, such as a complex language with a unique writing system (Kanji/Hiragana/Katakana) that is not intuitive to read/understand and the relative absence of English translations as well as information overload, cultural symbols, directional complexity etc. Despite these difficulties and the fact that most Japanese people don't speak English fluently, Japan is a relatively international and foreigner-friendly destination due to the combination of politeness, technology, tourism services, and cultural acceptance. Foreigners are willing to communicate with Japanese people and we are sure Japanese people are willing to assist and accommodate visitors. Don't hesitate to communicate with each other! To non-Japanese speakers: Please be patient with Japanese people and speak slowly when you speak in English with them. To Japanese people: Please be brave and take one step forward to use your English. Enjoy talking in English! Thanks!

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This episode highlights the cultural differences between Japanese and American approaches to punctuality such as when to show up for parties or conferences videos. Should you arrive: 1) before the starting time, 2) on time, or 3) after the starting time? 

This cultural discrepancy reflects broader societal values, with Japanese people valuing punctuality as a sign of respect and consideration. Americans, in contrast, may adopt a more flexible approach to time management. Understanding and appreciating these cultural differences can help foster better cross-cultural communication and mutual respect in various social and professional settings.

We also use this episode to talk about the 1st episode and how much fun we had on our girls trip. Enjoy!

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In Episode 2, we talked about the challenges of converting Japanese Katakana words into English. Katakana is one of the three scripts used in the Japanese writing system and is primarily used for words "borrowed" from other languages, including English. Some Katakana words may sound similar to English words, but their meanings can be quite different. Even more, some Katakana words do not make sense to native Japanese speakers learning English. 

We agree that some Katakana words can seem completely unrelated to their original English counterparts, making it challenging to figure out their meaning and pronunciation. 

Today, we are going to share our past adventures (or misadventures) - they are embarrassing, funny, OMG, and no way! 

Let us know what you think about this episode. And, please share any experiences with Katakana words that you can look back on now with amusement and make you laugh. We are looking forward to your feedback! E-mail us at samuraigirlsinamerica.com