Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
In this video, I talk about how I learned Japanese while living in Osaka.
00:00 Living with Yoshi and His Mom
02:47 Taking YMCA Japanese Lessons
04:42 After Textbooks: The Next Step
05:56 Structure and Application for Learning Japanese
07:00 Osaka-ben and Hawaiian Pidgin English
09:58 Learning Osaka-ben
12:48 Osaka People and Osaka-ben
16:21 Short-Term-Longer-Stays in Foreign Countries
I studied grammar at the Dojima YMCA, but most of what I learned came from daily life—especially from Okaasan, who spoke Osaka-ben. At first, it was difficult to understand her, but over time, my Japanese improved, and we were able to communicate.
I also talk about how I began learning Osaka dialect, and how it reminded me of Hawaiian Pidgin English—both fast, local, and tied to identity. But just like in Hawaii, I came to understand when and where certain ways of speaking belong.
More importantly, I share what I believe is essential for learning any language: structure and application. You need both.
Finally, I talk about the idea of “short-term long stays”—spending 1 to 3 months living in another country—and why that may be one of the most valuable experiences you can have.
This isn’t a lesson.
Just something I learned over time.
🎬 Watch the full series:
▶️ Part 1 – How I Came to Japan
youtu.be/LPbMTe--8Jc
▶️ Part 2 – Life as a Salaryman
youtu.be/MebJTIfCluc
▶️ Part 3 – Learning Japanese in Osaka
youtu.be/zTpXNuXoevQ
▶️ Part 4 – She Never Came
youtu.be/ptksxRsAd4g
▶️ Part 5 – My Big Mistake
youtu.be/NZcfQTYbk3g
▶️ Part 6 - Second Chance
youtu.be/O080q74-wuU
▶️ Part 7 - I Thought the Ashley Chapter Was Over...
youtu.be/-z2dpNkYqFQ
▶️ Part 8 - I Broke My Rule
youtu.be/nc0r5Uud7_Y
▶️ Part 9 - I Took a 4-Hour Train Ride to Say Goodbye
youtu.be/cjdKipjwNfE
▶️ Part 10 - The Last Time I Saw Her
youtu.be/Hg8R1DSSBIk
▶️ Part 11 - Trapped
youtu.be/TUv1XUjyGww
Channel T-shirts ▶︎ bit.ly/48M89Bd
Channel URL:
youtube.com/@MikeMatsuno
#LivingInJapan #LearnJapanese #OsakaLife #lifeinjapan
In this video, I talk about how I learned Japanese while living in Osaka.
00:00 Living with Yoshi and His Mom
02:47 Taking YMCA Japanese Lessons
04:42 After Textbooks: The Next Step
05:56 Structure and Application for Learning Japanese
07:00 Osaka-ben and Hawaiian Pidgin English
09:58 Learning Osaka-ben
12:48 Osaka People and Osaka-ben
16:21 Short-Term-Longer-Stays in Foreign Countries
I studied grammar at the Dojima YMCA, but most of what I learned came from daily life—especially from Okaasan, who spoke Osaka-ben. At first, it was difficult to understand her, but over time, my Japanese improved, and we were able to communicate.
I also talk about how I began learning Osaka dialect, and how it reminded me of Hawaiian Pidgin English—both fast, local, and tied to identity. But just like in Hawaii, I came to understand when and where certain ways of speaking belong.
More importantly, I share what I believe is essential for learning any language: structure and application. You need both.
Finally, I talk about the idea of “short-term long stays”—spending 1 to 3 months living in another country—and why that may be one of the most valuable experiences you can have.
This isn’t a lesson.
Just something I learned over time.
🎬 Watch the full series:
▶️ Part 1 – How I Came to Japan
youtu.be/LPbMTe--8Jc
▶️ Part 2 – Life as a Salaryman
youtu.be/MebJTIfCluc
▶️ Part 3 – Learning Japanese in Osaka
youtu.be/zTpXNuXoevQ
▶️ Part 4 – She Never Came
youtu.be/ptksxRsAd4g
▶️ Part 5 – My Big Mistake
youtu.be/NZcfQTYbk3g
▶️ Part 6 - Second Chance
youtu.be/O080q74-wuU
▶️ Part 7 - I Thought the Ashley Chapter Was Over...
youtu.be/-z2dpNkYqFQ
▶️ Part 8 - I Broke My Rule
youtu.be/nc0r5Uud7_Y
▶️ Part 9 - I Took a 4-Hour Train Ride to Say Goodbye
youtu.be/cjdKipjwNfE
▶️ Part 10 - The Last Time I Saw Her
youtu.be/Hg8R1DSSBIk
▶️ Part 11 - Trapped
youtu.be/TUv1XUjyGww
Channel T-shirts ▶︎ bit.ly/48M89Bd
Channel URL:
youtube.com/@MikeMatsuno
#LivingInJapan #LearnJapanese #OsakaLife #lifeinjapan
