THIS Is How Much Japanese I Needed During My First Month in Japan

In this video I'll be talking about how much Japanese I needed during my first month in Japan, after having learned Japanese every day for over 5 years.
Patreon follow-up post: www.patreon.com/posts/1008059...
Link to my Japanese tutorial series: • How to Learn Japanese ...
Link to my yearly Japanese progress reports: • I Learned Japanese 1 H...
MUSIC:
monodrone - 真夜のコーヒー
monodrone - サイレンに目が覚めた
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Visiting Japan after 5 years of learning Japanese
00:28 Using Japanese at the airport
1:50 Using Japanese at stores & gym
2:50 I can't handwrite anything
3:40 Address, health insurance, pension
4:27 The most difficult Japanese interaction: clinic
5:25 I'm glad I learned via by sentence mining KZbin
5:45 I'm glad I spent so much time on Anki
6:15 Visiting an event
6:36 Online and second hand shopping
6:54 Applying for a camera campaign and printing/sending stuff
7:55 Not everything always goes smoothly
8:30 Japanese customer service gave me a culture shock
8:55 I've ONLY used Japanese
9:20 The power of high levels of fluency
9:55 I didn't learn Japanese for using it in Japan
10:15 Learning Japanese to fluency is realistic
10:35 Final words
10:50 Outro
________________________________
Patreon: / livakivi
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Twitter: / livakivi
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Discord: / discord
Second Channel: / budgetlivakivi

[@ErekeBoranrich]

So your level of Japanese convinces locals into believing that you have already been living in Japan for several years, that would say is very cool!

[@Lapix-.]

It feels illegal to go to like the video and realize it only has 11 likes since it was posted literally a minute ago.. erm, I'll just continue watching.

[@Lord_Marquaad]

Keeps happening to me for livakivi

[@archaic1]

bro you are not a anime character there is no reason to be talking like that😭

[@Lapix-.]

@@archaic1 I honestly just didn't know what to comment man

[@ManfaceCult]

bro is tryna be the main character in an anime

[@Lapix-.]

@@ManfaceCult You wouldn't have anything better to say, I just went out on a limb bc I felt like I had to say smt

[@korterkaks]

"As long as you stay consistent and always keep going" 😩

[@saucy_tunes]

I've been waiting for this. It's so surreal to finally see you in Japan after watching your channel all the way from your first Japanese video

[@gotaro69]

Ikr, been following this channel since the jojo video, and I can't believe I saw the epic development unveil before my own eyes

[@grybx835]

It's so good to hear a first hand account of how native speakers of Japanese react to you speaking their language well. I really like that you've taken this slower more thoughtful approach, instead of going for reactionary content that a lot of Language learning focused youtube channels eventually go for, especially when it comes to Asian languages. Thank you for another lovely video! I eagerly await the next installment, whatever topic it happens to cover!

[@southcoastinventors6583]

He showing the real approach of language acquisitions which is a slow process especially for Japanese.

[@deliciousdishes4531]

I spent some weeks in japan too recently, after your videos inspired me to start learning it in mid 2022. I can't say I was able to talk much (just barely finished 2k6k at that time and didn't immerse all that much), but I was surprised how much it had helped with reading road signs

[@EddoWagt]

I've been learning since the end of 2022, so for 1,5 years now and am planning to go on a trip to japan in the end of the year. I spent a bunch of time immersing already, but can't imagine speaking much japanese yet. We'll see how it goes, watching Livavki progress and succeed is inspiring me to keep going

[@jhowie]

hi, how long did it take you to finish the core 2k anki deck?

[@deliciousdishes4531]

​@@jhowie from may 2022 to christmas 2023. Started out with 7 cards/day, then moved up to 10. Last 50 or so days I bumped it up to 20 new cards, which was quite tough. So overall I guess you could say roughly 1.5 years? On the side I did some minor sentence mining and some grammar decks too though. I now feel it would probably have been better had I immersed earlier, but who knows.

[@jhowie]

@@deliciousdishes4531 i still struggle with 20 cards a day. Will try 10 or less.. i think it doesnt matter how long it took as long as the retention is there. What jdrama or anime are you immersing now and how is your japanese level? Been wanting to have ITalki lessons but still not sure if it can help with my current level and i'm an extremely shy person when it comes to conversing face to face.😅

[@gillyboy3415]

At school, will watch at home

[@edmundironside9435]

Keep us updated

[@purp3870]

RIP

[@gillyboy3415]

I will watch it now

[@edmundironside9435]

@@gillyboy3415Phew, glad to know you made it home, gillyboy

[@vtuberfanjames]

As someone who's about to go live in Japan in a few months, I've been looking forward to this!

[@JeetFN]

Waiting for Livakivi to upload is like the most stressful thing but when he actually does, I feel relieved lol

[@Aquwus]

Its incredible that I first saw you 3 years ago, and now you are in Japan.

[@MarveyPlayz]

It's great to hear a story from someone who literally didn't know any Japanese 5 years ago and now actually moving there and speaking Japanese fluently. As a lover and an admirer of the Japanese culture and its language, I really appreciate you and your hard work and devotion to learn the language and moving there. This really gives me the motivation to keep working hard on my dream to moving in Japan and to learn the language. Great video and keep up the great work you are already doing!🙌♥

[@coolbrotherf127]

Very cool, you were very influential for me to get truly dedicated to learning Japanese with your older videos. Someday when I can hopefully go to visit Japan, it's great to see that my years of study won't be in vain.

[@Alex43198]

damn...bittersweet moment. feel like this is unofficially the last video on your japanese language journey. I will continue to follow everything else you do, but the occasional japanese video really boosts my motivation. Hope you still post some here or somewhere else. Thanks for the all the motivation over the years liba

[@panamka6489]

thank you very much for keeping us updated!!!!!

[@Lost_Programmer1010]

Always look forward to your videos

[@Lapix-.]

It's just crazy to watch this video as an Estonian that wants to learn Japanese. I guess the best thing to say would be that you're sort of an inspiration for me? I'm a slow learner but your videos definitely have helped me as I moved from using duolingo to using Anki (which was surprisingly easy to setup). I've also been wanting to visit Japan, so knowing some certain words and sentances that are used often definitely will prove useful in the long run when I actually make it to Japan. Thanks for the video as always.

[@sada4483]

It's already impressive enough being bilingual. I felt an improvement with my Japanese from when I started, but there's still sooooo much to learn. I'm a slow learner too, apparently.

[@aestheticdecadence]

@@sada4483 yo Eesti gang here

[@pyrogenic]

>Liva's learning Japanese guide was released over 2 years ago My perception of time must be significantly worsening for me to be surprised by this

[@user-hw9nc8yz1m]

No one realises just how much the Lockdowns affected everyone's time perception.

[@neight227]

thanks for the upload

[@mathiaslovnes2667]

What you’ve accomplished is very impressive🎉 keep the updates coming!

[@carlospolesso6649]

Very happy for you, all the best man

[@TheCCBoi]

I’m so happy for you man and looking forward to your Japan content.

[@weebomusic9926]

Finally...Amazing vid as always

[@tamagoval]

You are a huge inspiration Livakivi. Keep going!

[@user-th3ty7dg1d]

this is super inspirational! hard work does pay off

[@cyberuser0]

You are a legend. Thank you so much for enlightening us to the process that you are going thru in japan and your Japanese learning experience. I hope you have fun there ! Keep making videos bud, they are great

[@gobgob2150]

Good job. You made it!! Proud of you, man.

[@ThomasGB123]

Very useful video, thank you! I hope you enjoy Japan!

[@L1ghTx]

love this channel, love these videos. keep it going.

[@ezrareed8132]

This might be my video of yours and I can't wait to see more of your videos in Japan. Thank you so much for the amazing content over the last few years and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

[@dups1]

I've been watching your videos ever since you uploaded your first one, and the circle feels complete now. Thanks for all the tips throughout the years, and congratulations on putting in the hard work to achieve what you have achieved! That must feel good!

[@Pablo-wi9iw]

Seeing your videos showing the progress you have made with the language keeps me motivated to keep trying hard to achieve my own goals related to learning japanese! Thank you so much for these videos! Greetings from spain

[@Synest2]

Very nice video, another youtuber I watch recently went to Japan as well and also made a video, not necessarily on how much Japanese he needed, but on his experiences using only Japanese for the first time, so it's good to see multiple perspectives on that! Really love your content, to the point you're one of the few channels I feel bad not being able to support as of now since I'm unemployed right now and still looking for a job while living off of my savings and some family help... Really eager for the next videos, they all motivate me to keep studying, training (though I do calisthenics, not lifting) and following my passions!

[@gabrielmorais1594]

Love your content, I've learned so much from your experience and hope to be able to output sometime this year.

[@NEVERGIV3UP.]

I love your content!

[@noahcortolezis3085]

bro you're such an inspiration. glad you're doing so well over there. enjoy your stay

[@cito2820]

This is awesome! I've been watching your channel since around early 2021, and I can happily say your videos are some that I look forward to watching the most. It's funny too, since not soon after discovering your videos, I gave up on Japanese for French. I always have a funny feeling when I watch your content, however, as it makes me wish I had more time, so I could study Japanese. Just wanted to say I really, reaaaally appreciate your content. You're dedicated to everything you do and it fills all of us with joy! I hope all your travels go well and that you have a great time in Japan.

[@kyokusei]

i feel that your journey of learning Japanese on this channel to where you are now is the single most interesting endeavor documented on this platform. you're my motivation for my own language journey!

[@cakes1831]

God, all your videos are so inspiring and motivational. I've been struggling recently in burn out to my anki but have been forcing myself to not miss a day but whenever I see any of your videos I feel a lot better about learning and want to strive harder. Thank you for all the videos you make on every topic, I love them all so much.

[@Natezo]

Yessss this is so cool. I’m coming up on my first full year of learning Japanese and I probably wouldn’t have made it without your videos! Love your stuff! 😄😄😄

[@rodthedigger2902]

Great video!

[@thatonehispanic175]

I'm not into language learning but these videos are so fun to watch!

[@CosmizEve]

Aye thanks for the video!!! I haven't watched it yet (cause it's been like 1 minute lol) but this is a intresting topic that I'll probably need to know one day haha

[@user-ft9ec4dv1t]

I've recently stumbled upon your video from 3 years ago. It's nice to see that you are still chasing your goal. Very inspiring really. Go, you!

[@ijustwannacomment5078]

Love your videos bro

[@kingjulian1202]

Glad you got to spend so much time in Japan already and are enjoying it. I'll also be going to Japan in May, though I've only been learning for 3 years.

[@cammacfan9964]

It's crazy to see you in Japan after watching you for a couple years now, good job man, youre living our dream

[@analogpark8059]

Pleased to hear how well it's going for you! 👍

[@Gohgo]

good stuff! happy to hear you got by in japan, must have felt really nice :) I've been motivated to push my daily japanese grind a bit more seriously from your videos, and I've been doing anki core 2k/6k since oct 1 2023 daily. there's still much more I can do, (reading/watching native content is my biggest opportunity) so I hope I can start doing that soon lol

[@starlight-rw]

Proud of you!

[@ollietipper]

I started learning Japanese a year ago and so have been watching your channel for about the same amount of time… I went back and watched a lot of your older videos of when you started out and to see now that five years later you are basically fluent in the language and can use it so well, it has refueled my motivation and shown me that it is possible to get to your level one day. The road ahead is long but I’m already 1/5 of the way there I guess. Thanks for showing what’s possible!

[@southcoastinventors6583]

Best part of his video is that he actually breaks down how many actually Japanese words you need to know and the relative time frame although he is using one of the most boring ways of reviews so not everyone could do anki for that long.

[@jordendarrett1725]

It's wild to think how some people believe learning Japanese is actually impossible because it's "too complicated a language". Hell, before I discovered immersion/ALG/CI or whatever term you want to use, I had given up on my dream of learning it, thinking it would take at least 10 years to get good or something. Don't stop uploading!

[@southcoastinventors6583]

It is impossible because most people are not actively watching Japanese content and instead rely on passing a test with no actually spoken section but with AI it actually pretty streamlined especially if you get a good transcript.

[@ganqqwerty]

@@southcoastinventors6583 AI? how is it related?

[@southcoastinventors6583]

@@ganqqwerty Using AI in subtitle can allow you to place English words/phrase next to the Japanese so you can follow the word order. 突然(Suddenly)、託された(entrusted to me)死神の力(the power of a Soul Reaper) as an example from bleach. Can watch and learn no looking up needed very streamlined.

[@jordendarrett1725]

@@southcoastinventors6583 that would be helpful in the beginning but I wouldn’t use it for too long

[@southcoastinventors6583]

@@jordendarrett1725 That is what anki cards are except you have to stop plus you can change out the English to hiragana as well useful at any level plus you can resize the text. It is total comprehensible Japanese over time plus speaking/typing then lastly being able to fill out forms. AI allows you to bypass making cards or preparing study materials.

[@rendiggietydog]

it is so so SO COOL to see you go to Japan and have fluent interactions there after getting to watch your videos for a couple years now!! I feel like the hardest part of doing anything is the consistency but getting to see your journey is so motivating, thank you for documenting your entire process of learning Japanese!! I feel lucky to have been able to see such a real experience with going from anki mining to real fluency!

[@stanlessm5611]

Man, I've been following you since your first video about learning Japanese, my English back then was really bad I couldn't even understand you, and now that I've been constantly trying to improve it for over 5 or 4 years now, it's been an incredible journey, and I'm glad i didn't quit, thanks ivaki for inspiring me! ❤

[@Livakivi]

Awesome! You've come a long way it seems!

[@atifansari9166]

Seeing your videos for the past 4 years. Started learning japanese a year after you started. Your guide to Nihongo Jouzu Mastery really works. I'm so proud of you that you have finally achieved what you set out for

[@NoFuqinIdea]

Thanks as always for your very insightful and most importantly motivating content. Learning japanese can feel like a complete drag or even outright impossible at times and it is very important to keep reminding yourself that it's all just in your head and it is possible if you stay consistent enough. ...and I am actually starting to see results. When watching japanese news I get better and better at understanding and I always have a general Idea what is being talked about now.

[@dashi3l]

I noticed a lot of similar overlaps from your video to my experience in Japan when I was there for 1 month. Fortunately I had practiced writing quite a bit because I have to for school but there were definitely some vocab that I thought I would never ever use but surprisingly came up all the time in Japan. Epic video as usual and its so surreal that your first month in Japan has already passed.

[@margacvm6581]

Discovering your channel several months ago, without exagerating, saved my life, or better say my lifestyle. I was yet again at a low point and nothing seemed interesting and worth fighting for, but your form of thinking, perceiving the world, the way you structure and create your videos, the way you present your own experience, and even your speech, felt so familliar to my self, that without noticing my questions where answered, I saw the light in the fog. I started studying japanese in 2018, and had abandoned it, I was shocked to find that so many of your interests matched mine. It probably sounds funny, but I dont know how else to explain it, it felt like falling in love, appreciating your videos, made me appreciate me. I never feel necessary to comment, and still think it is not, as I failled to express a burden of emotions, however, огромное спасибо за твою работу)

[@Livakivi]

Thank you for the comment! I'm glad to hear my videos have had such a crazy impact, please always keep going!

[@benia1908]

this video is so good, I stopped learning Japanese because I couldn't get a single reason why I'd like to keep going, sadly, but I'm so glad that life has been different with you and you have succeeded, gratz

[@LostTerminalVideos]

This video was great as always! I'm planning to take a working holiday trip to Japan later this year, but have only been studying for a little over 2 months. I know it will cause problems for me, but I'm still hopeful that my stay will be enjoyable.

[@bobbywhite5319]

It’s amazing to witness your efforts transfer to real life experiences. I’m navigating the N3 plateau now but won’t really test it officially until I feel like I’m around N1

[@7ADR]

What I'm taking away from this video is this; If you're in Japan able to actually speak Japanese, people will be more likely to accept you as being "Japanese" rather then a "gaijin". This just made me feel like learning Japanese BEFORE one arrives in Japan is even more important then it was before. Honesty, I want to thank you for your video series on how to learn Japanese and your own struggles/gains from doing it that way. I learned a lot from you on how to study properly for it. While I'm no where close to being 日本語上手 like you are, I'm feeling confident that if I put in the time you did, I'll be just that in no time. I hope you're going to enjoy your time in Japan, and I really hope on more updates on how its going.

[@bk8488]

I am proud of you and so is everyone else.

[@JacksawWorld]

Wooohoo! Love you livakivi

[@barganon1321]

I have been learning japanese for a year now and watching your videos in general (no just about learning japanese) has been trully inspiring and motivating. Thank you for making them! I will be going in march 2025 to Japan and I hope by the two year mark I will be fluent enough to make some meaningful conversations with japanese natives. Cheers

[@user-ev4vz4bh7k]

Incredible work, I've been going for 1.5 years now and have about 5k words, can really feel how possible learning this language is now. I'm reading a few books and it's challenging, but getting way easier as I go. Definitely feel like I can be N1 ish if I keep going until end of next year. You're incredible, we're cheering for you 100 % from the sidelines.

[@snibbers]

Damn going there will be a chore with my Duolingo Japanese 😅

[@clipfischistbesser]

"So I asked for directions at the airport, which was scary at first but ultimately worked out. Then I wrote a japanese PHD thesis, which was tough initially, but was no problem in the end. Then, I had to cancel a date with a friend, it was uncomfortable but I got through that interaction just fine. I campaigned for public office, which was kind of tricky but felt almost natural after a while. After that I ordered an ice cream, here my practice became really useful because some of the flavors used really obscure kanji."

[@ivanhuguez]

thanks for the video bro, you inspires me each day for improve a litle in japanese ;D. Now i studying english (i understood your video but i'm trying to speak fluen in this languague for comunicate witch other people) and japanese im a litlle bit but is funny and hard study :D, one day i will get it. bye, im brave of you

[@korkad_]

Sounds like my artistic inclination to write kanji I learn won't go to waste if I end up experiencing something like you do lol. Great video

[@oxleygreive6003]

Thanks Liva very epic

[@poljento]

More videos on using Japanese in Japan, please!

[@hecate6834]

"How many years have you been living in Japan" is the next step after 日本語上手 :D! This was especially funny in my first year where I usually only responded with "Since January" and they be like "Which year?" well yeah this year lol. You should join some clubs or something, I started training BJJ in Japan and made some great friends along the way :). Great job and enjoy your time in Japan!

[@wifestealer3291]

the goat is back

[@karenea3577]

Tus videos son increíbles! Saludos desde México🇲🇽

[@Hi.uhhhhh]

I’m not joking you are actually my favorite KZbinr, I’m only 72 days into Japanese but I’m hoping to get to your level!

[@Karumizai]

That stroke order is certainly very odd lol. Thankfully that's easily fixable as long as you remember to start lines and radicals top to bottom and left to right (obviously not perfectly applicable to all characters, but works for a good majority). First priority should be the kana tho :D Glad to hear your experience has been overwhelmingly positive :)

[@tcoren1]

Very interesting goal. Considering how well things went for you I think I'll also set my ultimate anki goal to 20k words

[@Ramu-10]

This feels very rewarding, even for the viewer. I've got a bit less than a 1k cards left on my 2k/6k deck so I'll soon start sentence mining! I will most definitely use your Migaku link since I'm very grateful for your videos. Have a wonderful rest of your time in Japan!

[@Kenshu01]

The monodrone music… 👍

[@Zorgot.]

I just wish I started earlier and kept going at it instead of having little bursts of wanting to do it and then giving up after a month or so. I keep thinking about how far I could've been if I actually did start and kept at it, but oh well. Better late than never I suppose lmao. ;-; Seeing how much progress you've made within 5 years is insane and you're pretty much getting by just fine now in Japan. That is so impressive!

[@Junsesuleyk]

I once had to go to a phone repair shop when my phone screen broke while I was in Japan. I could barely speak and it was super stressful, but the employee was super nice and I got it done with in the end with no problem.

[@NoC4k3]

Awesome Video as usual. It's absolute hilarious that the only 2 people from Estonia I know are both in Japan rn. But this video also scares me alot. I've been learning Japanese for a little over 4 years, but not as consistent as you (best daily streak was like 2 months) and I'm no where near your level and probably wouldn't even pass N2. I'm super scared that when im going to Japan in may for 3 months, that my language ability is too bad to really communicate with anybody 😢

[@Livakivi]

You can communicate at that level as long as you have to courage and patience to do so :)

[@funni2883]

heres a tip for writing kanji: the stroke order goes from left to wright up to down, however there are exceptions rarely. I'm chinese and i think it's the same in Japanese too. I'm also studying Japanese.

[@quackbilliam]

sounds good

[@FatherTullys_Temperance]

I'll add it to the collection for when the doubts hit. It will be next to what if you had started earlier, on finding passions, managing expectations, Jojo 50 times, 950 days with anki, 10 motivation tips, 3 years of learning every single day

[@tinywest]

Posting to boost the video :P

[@gumerzambrano]

I just stayed there for a month recently too but I just looked up what I needed when I was there and was fine

[@Bardakus]

I was also unprepared for all the forms and rules I had to read and sign when signing up for a gym membership in Japan, including having to write down an emergency contact 😅 But it did make it feel like an accomplishment when I was able to do it entirely in Japanese.

[@z-miner8290]

Just thinking about when livakivi was gonna upload when this got uploaded

[@Jona69]

Holy crap that paper work looks like hell.

[@TheHyGuy0o0]

I’m glad they got those messages. Your friend must have written the addresses on em perfect

[@Livakivi]

Hopefully they'll read them though 😔

[@MajiYabaiyo]

Do you have your Anki flashcards for download? Awesome update btw. I am so inspired I need to get back into my studies again!

[@OxysLokiMoros]

That would be fantastic

[@wifestealer3291]

thanks for inspiring and motivating us :D have fun in Japan

[@wifestealer3291]

Obrigado!

[@Livakivi]

Thank you very much, WifeStealer3291!

[@Furnive]

It blows my mind how difficult

[@Wmann]

I’m currently studying it now, and I’m sure the only thing I’ve gotten 100% covered is writing… I grew up in a Chinese school, so of course I have less problems with Kanji, and basically no problems with writing in Japanese. It felt kind of painful seeing you try to write in this video lol, and I do wanna go to Japan someday myself.

[@DJHASDIMONDS]

Literally just parked my car and this was uploaded

[@jimmyrustle3753]

When you have become so good in Japanese that you don't get nihongo jouzu'd anymore. Dogen was truly right lmao. Excited to see more of your life in Japan!

[@AniRayn]

Thank you! This is very inspiring to me. I started learning around the same time as you, averaging around 20-30min every single day. I feel I can pass an N3, though not perfectly. How much did you study each day on average?

[@RigoVids]

3:10 god damn watching that stroke order hurt