Japanophiles
Lovers of Nippon
Japanophiles are people with a strong affinity for Japanese culture—its food, art, language, technology, or entertainment.
The term often describes Westerners drawn to anime, manga, video games, or martial arts: The convention was packed with Japanophiles.
Unlike the more pejorative *weeaboo*, Japanophile suggests genuine appreciation rather than shallow obsession.
Vinegared rice with toppings
- ramenJapanese noodle soup
- izakayaJapanese bar with snacks
- kaisekiRefined Japanese multi-course cuisine
- umamiFifth taste sensation
sashimi · tempura · tonkatsu · matcha · bento · yakitori · nigiri · miso
Feudal Japanese military caste
- geishaJapanese arts entertainer
- kabukiRitualistic performance for show
- shogunJapan's military supreme commander
- sumoJapanese heavyweight wrestling
ikebana · bonsai · origami · koto · haiku · noh · bushido · ukiyo-e
Obsessive anime enthusiast
Japanese term for adorable
- lolitaJapanese Victorian-inspired fashion
- gothicDark, mysterious aesthetic
- streetwearSkate and hip-hop clothing
- cosplayDressing as media characters
Meditative calm
- meditationFocused attention practice
- zazenZen seated meditation
- satoriSudden spiritual awakening
- koanBuddhist mind-puzzle
temple · mindfulness · enlightenment · shinto · Buddhism · monk · shrine · torii
sushi
Vinegared rice with toppings
- ramenJapanese noodle soup
- izakayaJapanese bar with snacks
- kaisekiRefined Japanese multi-course cuisine
umami · sashimi · tempura · tonkatsu · matcha · bento · yakitori · nigiri · miso · soba
samurai
Feudal Japanese military caste
- geishaJapanese arts entertainer
- kabukiRitualistic performance for show
- shogunJapan's military supreme commander
sumo · ikebana · bonsai · origami · koto · haiku · noh · bushido · ukiyo-e · calligraphy
otaku
Obsessive anime enthusiast
kawaii
Japanese term for adorable
- lolitaJapanese Victorian-inspired fashion
- gothicDark, mysterious aesthetic
- streetwearSkate and hip-hop clothing
zen
Meditative calm
- meditationFocused attention practice
- zazenZen seated meditation
- satoriSudden spiritual awakening
koan · temple · mindfulness · enlightenment · shinto · Buddhism · monk · shrine · torii · purification
kanji
Chinese symbols in Japanese
- hiraganaJapanese phonetic alphabet
- katakanaJapanese phonetic writing system
- senseiJapanese word for teacher
immersion · honorifics · gaijin · expat