Deep Japan

Our Deep Japan storytellers, your Senpai.

Our Deep Japan storytellers,
your Senpai.

Our mission.

Deep Japan is a community-driven tourism platform offering authentic insights into Japanese culture, travel, and everyday life. Our diverse “Senpai” writers—many with over 20 years of living in Japan—share heartfelt stories, practical travel tips, and fascinating observations about the Japan they know and love. 

Our mission is to shine a light on the thoughtful traditions and endearing quirks that define Japanese life, fostering a deeper appreciation for what makes this country so beautifully different.

Write for us. Tell your story.

Professional writing experience is not required—if you have lived in Japan for at least three years at any point, we welcome you to apply to join our Senpai writer community. Whether you first came to Japan to teach, study abroad, follow a partner, launch a new career, or simply chase a curiosity—we want to hear from you.

There are stories only you can tell, and at Deep Japan, we would be honored to give your voice a home.

Word of the Week

Kocho kocho

In Japan, we are huge fans of onomatopoeia. It is often used to describe food textures, for example, describing melty cheese as toro toro, crunchy wafers as saku saku, or chewy dumplings as mochi mochi.

There are so many good ones, but I think my favorite might be…kocho kocho! It actually has nothing to do with food…can you guess what it means?

Kocho kocho means to tickle (or be tickled). Yes, very random, but does it not sound so cute!?

Right Now in Tokyo

Tokyo, JP

15°C

December’s Read

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  Tips

  Class is always in session: Lessons from living in Japan

  When you move to a different country, especially if the language is different, you can expect to learn a lot (including, hopefully, the language). In Japan, every day is a school day: there is always something new to find out about the c…

  

  Tobias Waters