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.
Hana
When I am meeting somebody for the first time, I love asking them the meaning behind their name. Even if it’s a name that doesn’t necessarily have a definition itself, I love hearing about the story that went into a parent choosing that name for their child. And in Japan, of course, names have strong meanings and imagery attached because we use kanji (Chinese characters).
For example, my name is Hana, which people generally assume uses this kanji: 花, which means flower. However, my kanji is actually 英, which carries meanings of excellence, distinction, and being outstanding (yes, an incredibly high bar to live up to, haha). My kanji is used in words like eiyu, which means “hero,” and even eikoku, which is the word for Great Britain.
I feel a little strange about choosing my own name as our word of the week, but I do think it speaks to the interesting culture around Japanese names! The next time you meet someone with a Japanese name, I urge you to ask them which characters they use and what they mean.
Hello there! I’m Hana, Editor-in-Chief of Deep Japan. Every Monday, I share a Japanese word, phrase, or expression with you.
Whether it helps enrich your Japanese vocabulary or simply gives you a new idea to reflect on, I hope it offers a little inspiration as we begin a fresh new week. We got this! Gambarimasho
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