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Noriko Matsubara

Are you looking for a beginner’s Japanese course that’s effective, engaging, and fun? Join Noriko, creator of the popular YouTube channel Bocchi & Pocchi: Japanese Learning Adventures, as she guides you step-by-step through essential Japanese vocabulary, phrases, and cultural insights.

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Are you looking for a beginner’s Japanese course that’s effective, engaging, and fun? Join Noriko, creator of the popular YouTube channel Bocchi & Pocchi: Japanese Learning Adventures, as she guides you step-by-step through essential Japanese vocabulary, phrases, and cultural insights.

This course is perfect for anyone who is planning a trip to Japan, passionate about its culture, or starting your language journey. Whether you're already a fan of Bocchi & Pocchi or just discovering them, this course is designed to meet your needs. It builds on themes introduced in Noriko’s YouTube videos and offers interactive, visually engaging lessons that are ideal for children, teens, and adults.The course covers a range of topics, including:

  • Japanese Writing System and Pronunciation

  • Greetings, Nationalities, and Occupations

  • Numbers, Time, and Dates

  • Colors, Everyday Objects, and Adjectives

  • Japanese Food Culture and Ordering at Restaurants and Cafés

  • Transportation and Train Station Communication

  • Yatai Dining and Cultural Etiquette

By completing this course, you will:

  • Understand the Japanese writing system and master basic pronunciation

  • Confidently introduce yourself, greet others, and use essential classroom expressions

  • Understand numbers, tell the time, and discuss dates, seasons, and days of the week

  • Describe everyday objects using colours and adjectives

  • Explore Japanese food culture, identify foods and drinks, and order confidently in restaurants and cafés

  • Use demonstratives like “this” and “that” to ask and answer questions

  • Navigate Japanese transportation and communicate effectively at train stations

  • Experience cultural aspects like yatai dining, and ordering food, and using counting systems correctly

This course equips you with practical language skills and cultural knowledge to navigate Japan confidently and make the most of your experience. Enrol today to begin your Japanese learning adventure.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Foundations of japanese: pronunciation, writing system basics, and greetings
  • Everyday conversations: self-introductions, common phrases, and simple dialogues
  • Practical japanese: numbers, dates, telling time, and asking prices
  • Getting around & dining out: public transport, ordering food, and shopping

Syllabus

Welcome!
Introduction to this course
Lesson 1: Introduction
Japanese Writing System: Introduction
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a strong foundation in Japanese pronunciation, writing systems (Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji), and basic grammar, which are essential for beginners
Covers practical topics like transportation, ordering food, and navigating restaurants, which are useful for travelers
Builds on themes introduced in the creator's YouTube channel, offering a familiar and engaging learning experience for existing fans
Includes lessons on cultural etiquette, such as yatai dining and using counting systems, which enhances cultural understanding
Focuses on essential vocabulary and phrases for everyday conversations, enabling learners to communicate in simple dialogues
Requires learners to understand romaji syllabary, which may be confusing for learners who prefer to learn kana and kanji directly

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Reviews summary

Fun beginner japanese with bocchi & pocchi

According to learners, this course offers a positive and engaging introduction to Japanese, especially for absolute beginners, travelers, and fans of Bocchi & Pocchi. Students appreciate the fun teaching style and practical focus on everyday situations like ordering food and using transportation. While it covers the foundational writing systems and basic grammar, some note it provides a solid starting point rather than comprehensive fluency, suggesting it may be too basic for those with prior experience. The course builds effectively on the creator's YouTube content, making the learning adventure accessible and enjoyable.
Learn phrases for real-life situations.
"The focus on practical phrases for travel and dining out is exactly what I needed for my upcoming trip to Japan."
"I can actually use the greetings, numbers, and ordering phrases I learned immediately."
"Knowing how to navigate train stations and order food makes me feel much more confident about traveling there."
Instructor is fun, clear, and motivating.
"Noriko's teaching is so energetic and clear! It made learning feel less like a chore and more like fun."
"I loved how engaging the instructor was. Her enthusiasm for the language is contagious."
"The way the lessons were presented kept me hooked. It never felt boring or dry."
Ideal starting point for those new to Japanese.
"This course is perfect if you're starting from scratch; it doesn't assume any prior knowledge and builds things up nicely."
"As an absolute beginner, I found the pace and content incredibly easy to follow and absorb."
"I had no experience with Japanese before this, and I feel confident with basic phrases and pronunciation now."
Pace and content are slow for non-beginners.
"If you already know some Japanese basics, this course might move a bit too slowly for you."
"Coming in with a little bit of prior study, I found myself skipping through some sections that were very repetitive."
"This course is clearly designed for absolute newcomers; intermediate learners won't find much new here."
Introduces scripts, but isn't in-depth.
"It gives you a good overview of Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji basics, which is a helpful start."
"While it touches on the writing systems, don't expect to master them just from this course; it's more of an introduction."
"I appreciated learning about the scripts, but I know I'll need more dedicated practice elsewhere to really read and write."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Learn Japanese with Bocchi & Pocchi's Creator with these activities:
Review Hiragana and Katakana
Strengthen your foundation by reviewing Hiragana and Katakana before starting the course. This will make learning new vocabulary and grammar much easier.
Browse courses on Hiragana
Show steps
  • Download or create Hiragana and Katakana charts.
  • Practice writing each character multiple times.
  • Use online resources to check your pronunciation.
Read 'Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese'
Supplement your learning with a comprehensive textbook. This book provides a more structured and detailed approach to learning Japanese.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese'.
  • Work through the first few chapters, focusing on grammar and vocabulary.
  • Complete the exercises in the textbook to reinforce your understanding.
Create Flashcards for New Vocabulary
Reinforce vocabulary learned in each lesson by creating flashcards. This active recall method will improve retention and make it easier to use new words in conversation.
Show steps
  • After each lesson, identify new vocabulary words.
  • Create flashcards with the Japanese word on one side and the English translation on the other.
  • Use the flashcards regularly to test yourself.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Practice Japanese Pronunciation with Online Tools
Improve your pronunciation by practicing with online tools and resources. This will help you speak more clearly and confidently.
Show steps
  • Find online resources that offer pronunciation practice.
  • Listen to native speakers and try to imitate their pronunciation.
  • Record yourself speaking and compare it to the native speaker.
Write a Short Journal Entry in Japanese
Practice writing in Japanese by keeping a short journal. This will help you solidify your understanding of grammar and vocabulary.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic to write about, such as your day or your hobbies.
  • Write a few sentences in Japanese, using vocabulary and grammar learned in the course.
  • Review your entry and correct any mistakes.
Read 'A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar'
Deepen your understanding of Japanese grammar with a comprehensive grammar dictionary. This book will help you understand the nuances of the language.
View Melania on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar'.
  • Use it to look up grammar points that you find confusing.
  • Read the explanations and examples carefully.
Watch Japanese Cooking Videos with Subtitles
Immerse yourself in the language by watching Japanese cooking videos. This will expose you to natural speech patterns and new vocabulary related to food and cooking.
Show steps
  • Find Japanese cooking videos on YouTube or other platforms.
  • Watch the videos with Japanese subtitles.
  • Pay attention to the vocabulary and grammar used.

Career center

Learners who complete Learn Japanese with Bocchi & Pocchi's Creator will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Tour Guide
A Tour Guide leads visitors through attractions, providing information and insights about history, culture, and local customs. This course helps one prepare to lead tours in Japan or for Japanese speakers. It covers useful phrases for greetings, self introductions, asking prices, transportation, and ordering food, which are essential for interacting with tourists. The cultural insights offered by this course, particularly regarding food and dining etiquette, may be very helpful for offering a richer tourist experience. The course’s focus on practical language skills and cultural knowledge makes it a solid starting point for anyone aspiring to be a tour guide in Japan.
Cultural Exchange Coordinator
A Cultural Exchange Coordinator organizes and manages programs that promote cross cultural understanding and collaboration. This role involves planning events, facilitating communication, and supporting participants from diverse backgrounds. This course helps one gain a foundation for understanding Japanese culture and language, which is essential for coordinating exchanges involving Japan. It covers practical skills in greetings, self introductions, and understanding numbers, time, dates, and food culture. The cultural insights provided may be helpful for creating meaningful and respectful exchange experiences. This course is useful for those looking to work in cultural exchange programs, particularly those involving Japanese participants.
Hospitality Manager
A Hospitality Manager oversees the operations of a hotel, restaurant, or other accommodation facility, ensuring excellent customer service and satisfaction. This course helps one prepare for working in the hospitality industry in Japan or for Japanese speaking clients. It covers practical skills in greetings, ordering food and drinks, and handling numbers and prices, which are all essential for daily interactions with guests. The course’s focus on food culture and dining etiquette may be helpful for managing restaurants or catering to Japanese tastes. This course is useful for those aspiring to a hospitality management career, especially with Japanese clientele.
Study Abroad Advisor
A Study Abroad Advisor assists students in planning and preparing for study abroad experiences. This role requires strong communication skills, knowledge of international education systems, and cultural sensitivity. This course helps students prepare for advising students for study abroad in Japan. It covers essential topics such as the Japanese writing system, greetings, transportation, and ordering food, which are all important for students living in Japan. The cultural insights offered by this course can enable the advisor to provide more informed and culturally sensitive guidance. The course is useful for those wishing to support students studying in Japan.
Travel Consultant
A Travel Consultant advises clients on travel arrangements, including destinations, transportation, and accommodations. This role requires strong communication skills, destination knowledge, and customer service skills. This course helps build a foundation for advising clients planning trips to Japan. It covers essential travel related topics, such as transportation, ordering food, dealing with numbers, and telling time which are very important for travelers. Gaining an understanding of Japanese culture and language can help a travel consultant offer more tailored and informed recommendations. The course’s focus on practical skills and cultural insights makes it useful for travel consultants specializing in Japanese destinations.
Japanese Translator
A Japanese Translator converts written material from Japanese to another language, or vice versa. This role involves understanding cultural nuances and specific terminology to ensure accuracy and context. This course helps build a foundation by covering essential Japanese vocabulary, phrases, and cultural contexts, such as food culture and transportation, that are useful for everyday communication and understanding. The course also covers the Japanese writing system, greetings, and useful phrases which may be useful to a translator as a base for understanding written text and everyday interactions. A translator may benefit from the course’s focus on practical language skills, particularly in dining and transportation.
Japanese Interpreter
A Japanese Interpreter facilitates spoken communication between individuals or groups who do not share a common language. This role requires strong listening skills, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to think quickly. This course helps build a foundation by providing practical skills in greetings, self introductions, and common phrases. The course also covers essential vocabulary and phrases, particularly regarding food, dining, and transportation, and may be helpful for interpreting everyday interactions. This course is useful for those aspiring to be interpreters, especially the focus on practical conversations and cultural insights related to Japanese daily life.
Customer Service Representative
A Customer Service Representative provides support to customers, addressing inquiries, resolving complaints, and ensuring satisfaction. This role requires excellent communication skills, empathy, and problem solving abilities. This course helps build a foundation for providing customer service to Japanese speaking clients or in Japan. It covers practical skills in greetings, self introductions, and common phrases which are essential for effective communication. The course’s cultural insights may be helpful for understanding customer needs and expectations, leading to improved service. The course’s focus on language and culture makes it helpful for customer service roles.
Japanese Language Instructor
A Japanese Language Instructor teaches Japanese to students of various ages and skill levels. This role involves creating lesson plans, assessing student progress, and fostering a supportive learning environment. The course helps build a foundational understanding of basic Japanese, covering pronunciation, writing systems, greetings, and essential phrases. It offers instruction on numbers, time, dates, and everyday objects, which are helpful concepts for beginner learners. Moreover, the insights into Japanese food culture and dining etiquette can enrich cultural instruction. This course lays a beginner foundation for aspiring Japanese instructors.
Localization Specialist
A Localization Specialist adapts products and content for specific target markets, ensuring cultural relevance and linguistic accuracy. This role requires language proficiency, cultural awareness, and project management skills. This course may be helpful as it provides a grounding in Japanese language and culture, which is useful for localizing content for the Japanese market. It covers the writing system, everyday objects, and many useful cultural references. The course may be particularly valuable for those focusing on the food or travel industries, given its attention to those subjects. This course may be useful for anyone looking to specialize in the Japanese market.
Content Creator
A Content Creator develops and produces engaging content for various platforms, such as YouTube, blogs, or social media. This course may be helpful for English speaking content creators by providing a foundation in Japanese language and culture. It covers practical skills in greetings, self introductions, and understanding numbers, time, and dates, which can be incorporated into content. The cultural insights offered by this course may be useful for creating content that resonates with Japanese audiences or focuses on Japanese themes. The course is helpful for content creators seeking to expand their reach in Japan.
International Marketing Specialist
An International Marketing Specialist develops and implements marketing strategies to promote products or services in foreign markets. This role requires creativity, analytical skills, and cultural sensitivity. This course may be helpful if you wish to target the Japanese market, as it provides a foundation in Japanese language and culture. The course covers practical skills in greetings, self introductions, and understanding numbers, time, and dates, which are helpful for communicating with potential customers. The course’s cultural insights may be very useful for crafting marketing campaigns that resonate with Japanese consumers.
International Business Development Manager
An International Business Development Manager identifies and develops new business opportunities in international markets. This role requires strong negotiation skills, cultural sensitivity, and an understanding of global business practices. This course may be useful for business development managers looking to expand into Japan. It covers practical skills in greetings, self introductions, and understanding numbers, time, and dates, which are helpful for initial interactions and negotiations. The course’s cultural insights, particularly regarding dining etiquette and communication styles, may be useful for building strong business relationships.
ESL Teacher
An ESL Teacher instructs non-native speakers in English language skills. This role involves creating engaging lesson plans, assessing student progress, and fostering a supportive learning environment. This course may be useful for ESL teachers who work with Japanese speakers, as it introduces them to aspects of Japanese language and culture, which can help them better understand students. Additionally, the course covers the Japanese writing system, greetings, and many useful phrases, offering insights into potential language transfer challenges that Japanese students might face. For those wishing to teach English to Japanese speakers, this course provides a valuable cultural and linguistic foundation.
Librarian
A Librarian is responsible for curating, organizing, and managing information resources, as well as assisting patrons with their research needs. This course may be useful for librarians working with collections of Japanese language materials or serving Japanese speaking patrons. While this course may not provide advanced level language skills, this course may be helpful for assisting patrons with basic inquiries. It also offers a foundation for understanding the cultural context of Japanese materials. The course may be helpful for librarians looking to better support Japanese language and culture within their libraries.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Learn Japanese with Bocchi & Pocchi's Creator.
Genki widely used textbook for beginner Japanese learners. It provides a comprehensive introduction to grammar, vocabulary, and culture. While not required for this course, it serves as an excellent supplementary resource for those seeking a more in-depth understanding. It is particularly helpful for reinforcing grammar concepts and expanding vocabulary.

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