How To Say ‘I’m Sorry’ in the Japanese Language
Apologizing in Japanese is more than just “sumimasen”. This article looks at how to say sorry in varied degrees of seriousness, and how to use them properly
Yvonne Tanaka
23 articles
Articles by Yvonne Tanaka
PokéPark Kanto to Open its Doors in Spring 2026
Pokémon fans around the world should mark this in their calendars — PokéPark Kanto will open its doors in spring 2026.
What are the Most Popular Dog Breeds in Japan?
In Japan, dogs are more than just pets; they’re part of the family. From small toy breeds like toy poodles, dachshunds, and Pomeranians to iconic Japanese dog breeds such as the Shiba Inu, you’ll see furry companions everywhere. Some have...
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Tips for Vegetarians and Vegans in Japan
Eating in a foreign country can be a bit of an adventure if you don't speak the language. And Japan is no exception. Thanks to Japan's three alphabets (kanji, hiragana, and katakana) understanding menus can be a real challenge, which...
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Tokyo With a Baby: Important Tips and Advice for Your Trip
Traveling with small children, and especially babies, can be challenging, not only for parents but also for the little explorers. Therefore, good preparation is key when traveling far away. But contrary to what you might think, Japan is the perfect...
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Earthquakes in Japan: Why are They Common and What to Do When One Happens
Anyone who has experienced an earthquake in Japan knows that most tremors are brief, barely noticeable and last only a few seconds. With approximately 5,000 minor earthquakes recorded annually — over half measuring between 3.0 and 3.9 on the Richter...
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Nintendo Museum in Kyoto: What Gaming Fans Should Know
In autumn 2024, the day that gaming fans had been waiting for finally arrived — the new Nintendo Museum opened in the city of Uji, located in Kyoto Prefecture. Voyapon is happy to reveal the first official details about the...
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My Japan: An Insight of Our Life as an International Family
Welcome to the next installment of Voyapon's My Japan series, in which we introduce you to our more or less everyday lives in the land of the rising sun. I’m Yvonne, the German editor and creative assistant of Voyapon. And...
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Exploring Hitoyoshi Kuma by Bicycle and Trying Local Cuisine Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans
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Explore the Jewels of Shizuoka City
Shizuoka Prefecture's fame comes from being the home to Japan's iconic volcanic mountain, Mt. Fuji, but this prefecture offers so much more than being one of the best viewing spots of this natural landmark. Its same-named capital, Shizuoka City (静岡市),...
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Imperial Palace East Gardens: What to See on the Grounds of the Former Edo Castle
Located in the center of Tokyo and on the grounds of former Edo Castle, the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace are awaiting you with over 210,000 m² of a wide variety of trees and flowers. Let’s check out the...
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How Do I Get an Internship in Japan?
In most cases, an internship is an essential part of studies or training. So-called mandatory internships are intended to help us determine which path we would like to take in our professional future by applying the theory from our studies...
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How To Live In Japan: A Guide To Different Types Of Long-Term Visas
How to live in Japan? Let’s be honest, who of us hasn’t asked this question before? And how often have we ultimately failed because of the bureaucratic jungle that denied us possible options for long-term visas? In this guide, we...
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Horses in Japan: From Divine Companions to Cult Objects
Us horse lovers all have something in common. Even on vacation in a foreign country, we feel we can't survive without sitting high up in the saddle of a horse or at least caressing the soft nostrils of our loyal...
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New Years in Japan: A Niigata Family Gathering to Celebrate the New Year
It’s that time of the year again. The New Year is awaiting us, and with it, one of the most traditional seasons in Japan is around the corner. Because what Christmas is for us in Europe and the US when...
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Japanese Cemeteries: The Traditions of Japanese Burial Sites
Japanese traditions contain numerous customs and rituals that may seem unusual to Westerners. However, these customs make sense when one considers the religious and philosophical teachings of Buddhism and Shintoism. The traditions surrounding Japanese cemeteries (墓場, hakaba) are, of course, no exception, and...
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Hitachi Seaside Park: A Blue Ocean of Nemophila
What would be Japan without its flowers? The list of flower-centered attractions is long: pink sakura blossoms, orchards of peach blossoms in Yamanashi, deep pink flame flowers at the Shibazakura Festival in Chichibu, and Nemophila at the Hitachi Seaside Park....
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Matsuyama, Japan – Shikoku Pilgrimage and Dogo Onsen
Matsuyama in Shikoku, Japan is known for the Dogo Onsen, but also as a stop on the Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail. We were lucky enough to experience the many facets of Matsuyama city in Shikoku during our three-day trip, and of...
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Tobe Ceramics and Sake – A Craft Experience
Already on our way to Tobe we discover the flagship craft of the city – Tobe ceramics! Japanese ceramics are popular worldwide, but the city of Tobe, Ehime on Shikoku, expresses its love for ceramic production on a whole new...
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Toon City – A Jewel in Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan
Toon city, located in the northwestern prefecture of Ehime in Shikoku, is one of the undiscovered jewels of the prefecture. With incredible hospitality, culinary highlights and impressive nature, we were lucky enough to visit Toon at the end of February....
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Cherry Blossoms Viewing Through Tokyo
The time has come: The cherry blossoms in Tokyo have reached their peak!But where can you best enjoy the white and pink splendor? That’s the same question I often ask myself so I went on an exploratory tour through Tokyo in...
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Top 6 Resorts with Beautiful Sea Views in Setouchi Area
Sponsored by SETOUCHI Tourism Authority. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, sit back and listen to the sounds of nature as you enjoy the combination of tradition and modernity. This is what makes the hotels...
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Experience Top 6 Luxurious Ryokans and Onsens in Setouchi Area
Sponsored by SETOUCHI Tourism Authority. What the Auberge is in France is the ryokan in Japan. The traditional guesthouses, which have been named after the Edo Period, have always made the special charm of Japan's hospitality. Accordingly, it is actually...
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