Hi! I heard you want to create another identity as a Japanese person! Then I am your lady☺️
Welcome to my Jasmine in Japan Podcast.
Here I’m talking about not only Japanese culture but also about things from my Japanese perspective and my life!
If you’re interested in …
- Japanese culture
- Japanese language
- Establishing a good relationship with Japanese people
- Living in Japan
I am here for you! Come and stick around:)
Hi! Today, I’m sharing how you address yourself when having a conversation in Japanese. One of the fun facts in Japanese language is that we have many ways to call ourselves in conversations.
1. In business
-私(watashi)
It means “i”
-私(watakushi)
It also means “I” but extremely formal. It might sound too weird if you use it wrong. Be careful!
2. With family and friends
For girls and women
- your own name / short form of your name
Up until 20s, you can address yourself by your own name. If you’re older and address yourself by your own name, you could sound very childish.
- 私(watashi / atashi)
“Atashi” is broken form of “watashi”
For boys and men
- 俺(ore)
It sounds pretty casual and many guys use this to address themselves. But it can sound childish, bossy, and arrogant.
- 僕(Boku)
It sounds sophisticated. (Did I say it wrong in the episode?? Oops.) and elegant. But some kids also use this haha.
Well everything is about how you present yourself no?
3. Some funny ones
- 拙者(sessha)
This is used by ninjas:)
-わし(washi)
Grandpas.
-自分(jibun)
It means “myself.” You might sound intimidated and nerdy.
- 吾輩(wagahai)
From the novel of Soseki Natsume.
Whichever you use, don’t use ORE when talking to people in business situations!! BOKU is always elegant especially in Kansai dialect. (知らんけど😉)
19 Sept 2026
How to enjoy Japanese food
Rice sticking on your chopsticks? Oh this episode is for you!
After listening to this episode, you can’t be embarrassed by having Japanese cuisine in front of anybody.
So here are some Japanese words I used in this episode…
Hands together and say
- いただきます “itadakimasu”
- ごちそうさま（でした） “gochisousama(deshita)”
- 割り箸（わりばし） “waribashi” : wooden chopsticks
- 丼（どんぶり） “domburi” : a bowl of rice with some dish on top.
→Ex. 親子丼Oyakodon, 海鮮丼Kaisendon, etc…
I hope you’ll have a great Japanese restaurant experience😉
12 Jul 2026
Okinawa the island
I was on a one week vacation in Okinawa. I would love to share with you about this island loved by many Japanese.
I’ll keep the Japanese words I used in the episode here:)
- Ryukyu Kingdom: 琉球王国(Ryukyu oh-Koku)
-Okinawa Sanshin: 沖縄三線 is a musical instrument used in Okinawa songs.
- Shisa: シーサー is protecting houses and family and bringing happiness.
- Taco rice: タコライス
- Umi Budou: 海ぶどう is sea grapes/green caviar
- Soki soba: ソーキそば is noodle famous in Okinawa
- Po-Tama: ポーたま is onigiri with spam
- Uchinaa Time: うちなータイム is one of Okinawa culture that people tend to be late
Okinawa people call people from other prefectures in Japan ないちゃー. ないちゃー comes from the word 内地. And they call themselves うちなー.
Well just for your information since I’m from Kansai area😂
Please think that I say “知らんけど” at the end of all sentences in this episode😜
Ok bye
24 May 2026
When to use formal Japanese??
So, are you unconsciously using casual Japanese to those who you shouldn’t??
This podcast episode will solve a bit of that:)
タメ語（tame-go）or タメ口（tame-guchi）
→a casual way of speaking in Japanese
・タメ→same age. Ex. 「私ら、タメだね。」→”we are the same age.”
・語→language. Ex. 「日本語」→”Japanese”
・口→mouth. Usually it’s read like “kuchi.” But since the word タメ口 is combination of two words, so we read it “guchi.”
→if the relationship between you and one another is close even though they are older than you are, and they are comfortable you speaking in a casual way, then you can use タメ語 to them.
敬語（Kei-go）
→a formal way to speak in Japanese
敬語 has usually three types.
尊敬語→to respect one another
謙譲語→to lower your tone of language to respect one another / to be modest to describe your action
丁寧語→to describe nouns in an elegant way
Japanese language is so deep!!
26 Apr 2026
Tip for a better relationship with Japanese? Then learn how a personal space works in Japan!
Japanese people tend to have a bigger personal space than others. So, if you often wonder why your Japanese friend seems bothered when you speak to them, here’s why.
Learn how to keep a comfortable distance with Japanese people:)
4 Apr 2026
Kansai vs Kanto with Neppy
Which person are you? 関西（Kansai） which is western/southern part of Japan or 関東（Kanto）which is eastern/northern part of Japan.
Here are some Japanese we spoke in the episode
-McDonald: マクドナルド. In Kanto, they say マック. In Kansai, we say マクド.
-Starbucks: スターバックス. The intonation is different depending on where they are from.
-USJ: ユニバ. The intonation is different depending on where they are from.
-Manzai: comedy talks done by two people.
Also, Kansai expressions me and Neppy recommend you to try.
- おおきに: “ohkini” means “thank you.”
-おもろい: “omoroi” means “funny.”
- アホ: “aho” means stupid. In Kansai, it can mean as a compliment depending on how you deliver it.
- 知らんけど: “shirankedo” means “maybe.”
- しばく: “shibaku” literally means to hit or to punch or attack. But when you say 「茶しばこか」”cha, shibakoka,” it means “let’s grab some coffee.” It is an extremely frank and casual slang, so do not use this unless one another is your bestie who understands deeply and understands Kansai vibe 😉
If you have any questions, let me know:)
22 Mar 2026
How Japanese schools work. How much do you know??
Did you know Japanese students go to school by themselves from 6 years old?? In this episode, I’m sharing all about school systems in Japan! If you’re thinking about sending your children to Japanese schools, I’m covering some stuffs in here:)
Kindergarten
- 保育園（ho-iku-en）: long time in a day
- 幼稚園（yo-chi-en）: short time in a day
Elementary school 小学校（sho-gackou）
- ランドセル (randoseru): the backpack almost all students use
-給食（kyu-Shoku）: lunch that school serves to the students
Also, in school terms
- public : 公立（kou-ritsu）run by the city or prefecture
- private : 私立（shi-ritsu）run privately
Junior high school 中学校（chu-gackou）
- 先輩(senpai) : people who are older than you are or have more experience than you do. Please do not use this term to the teachers!! Teachers should be called by their name and 先生（sen-sei）
-後輩(kou-hai) : people who are younger than you are or have less experience than you do.
If you have any following questions, feel free to let me know:)
8 Mar 2026
Let’s go through a year in Japan with me! All seasons and events in japan:) how many do you know??
In Japan, we have many different seasons and events through the year. Let’s cover everything up here!
Specific words I’m going to talk about
- be allergic to pollen →花粉症（ka-hun-sho）
- doll festival on 3/3 →ひな祭り（Hina-matsuri）
- children day on 5/5→こどもの日（kodomo no hi）
- rainy season→梅雨（tsuyu）
- obon 8/13-15→お盆
- Momoji gari →紅葉狩り
Let me know if you have any questions!
I hope you’ll make the most of beauty in Japan :)
22 Feb 2026
Tips for better relationship with Japanese? Here is a treasure box for that😉
In this episode, I’m talking about 気遣い -kizukai- which is one of the most important Japanese cultures!!
「気」 -Ki- means “mind” or “energy.”
「遣い」 -Tsukai- means “to use.”
If you’re doing some of them already, you’re already nurturing Japanese identity in you:)
Let’s see how many Kizukai you know, and implement them in your life to respect others and yourself♡
7 Feb 2026
What is Japan? Get ready yourself for much information about Japan!
Welcome to the very first episode of my Jasmine in Japan Podcast☺️ I am your host Jasmine.
I will take you to the first lesson of Japan. If you have no idea what Japan is, let me share what I know about it😉
In this very first episode, I’ll talk about
1. A bit of myself
2. What Japan is
3. What to expect when visiting Japan
And more episodes about Japanese culture and things from my Japanese perspective are coming. So, stick around ❤️
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