Hi everyone! I’m reciter, a 17-year-old high school student living in Japan. I’m from Osaka Prefecture, but I’ve also spent time in Tokyo. As you might know, Japan is a small country, but places like Tokyo and Osaka are incredibly densely populated. On the flip side, about 70% of Japan is mountainous, and we face a lot of natural disasters—earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, heavy rain, you name it.
English is a required subject in Japanese schools, so I’m trying to improve my skills. I hope my English becomes more fluent over time. This forum seems like a great place to practice and connect with people from around the world.
I’m wondering: Are there any other Japanese members here? Or maybe people who have visited Japan? I’d love to hear about your country and culture too. Feel free to ask me anything about Japan!
In 2026, language exchange has gone digital more than ever. Platforms like HelloTalk, Tandem, and even Discord servers dedicated to language learning are booming. Many Japanese students use AI tools like ChatGPT for real-time translation assistance, but nothing beats real human interaction for cultural exchange. If you’re learning Japanese or just curious about the culture, apps like Duolingo and Anki are still popular, but immersive experiences through VR language meetups are gaining traction. Also, Japan’s tourism has fully recovered post-pandemic, with record numbers of visitors in 2025 and 2026, so cultural exchange is thriving both online and offline.