In episode 4-2 of our Japanese dating culture series, we explore the most infamous Japanese date spots with our bilingual Japanese guests. Going to Tokyo Disneyland or Disney Sea too early in a relationship can end things before they even start. But why? And aquariums are THE most popular date spot in Japan!? Birthdays AND Christmas are both more romantic than Valentine's Day?? The shocking cultural differences keep coming.

🎁 FREE 75-page Guide: Planning Dates in Japan

https://www.gogenlanguages.com/date-guide

Ad for our free Date Guide @ 26:00

The Disneyland "curse" is REAL in Japan - but not for the reason you think.

IN THIS EPISODE:

- Why aquariums are the #1 date spot in Japan (水族館 / suizokukan)

- The mega importance of Christmas lights and the illumination season (イルミネーション / irumineeshon)

- Birthday expectations that shock Americans

- When (and when NOT) to meet the parents

- The planetarium date debate

- Disneyland: Religion for Japanese women?

- The Disney compatibility test that ends relationships

- Why Disney Sea is the romantic option

🎁 FREE 75-PAGE GUIDE: "Planning Dates & Date Spots in Japan"

This comprehensive guide covers:

- The Japanese cultural foundation: what's expected vs. what foreigners do

- Date spot strategies that actually work

- Venue breakdowns: where to go and where NOT to go

- Seasonal & special occasions (cherry blossoms, Christmas, birthdays)

- Real-world logistics: trains, seating, budgeting

- Indirect communication patterns & reading between the lines

Download: https://www.gogenlanguages.com/date-guide

(Extracted from our full course "14-Day Dating in Japan")

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ABOUT THIS SERIES:

This is Part 2 of our 3-part Date Spots series, where we break down where Japanese couples actually go on dates - and the cultural rules foreigners miss (check out #4-1, the first part).

Hosted by: B - American linguist living in Tokyo

Our Japanese Guests:

- Kikokushijo (returnee) who lived in New York (ages 0-9), current college student

- Recent college grad, newly 社会人 (working full-time), studied abroad in England and the USA

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KEY JAPANESE TERMS:

- 水族館 (suizokukan) - Aquarium

- イルミネーション (irumineeshon) - Illumination/light displays

- ジンクス (jinkusu) - Jinx, curse

- 告白 (kokuhaku) - Confession of romantic feelings

- リア充 (riajū) - Someone satisfied with their life/relationships

- 非リア (hiria) - Single and miserable

- 社会人 (shakaijin) - Working adult

- 結婚を前提に (kekkon o zentei ni) - "With marriage in mind"

- 親紹介 (oya shōkai) - Introducing to parents

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CONNECT WITH US:

Website: https://www.gogenlanguages.com/

YouTube Podcast: @GoGenLanguages

YouTube (Education): @GoGenJapanese

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gogenlanguages/

Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/77hb4wt5