Learning a foreign language is a complex endeavour. It is more than just learning the grammar and vocabulary. The cultural aspect of the language is important as well.
If you want to master a language it will be impossible to reach a decent level without learning about the culture and traditions of the country. Japanese language is no exception.
I studied English and French as foreign languages, and I have seen other people learn these and other languages. I am convinced that it helps to progress faster if you take interest in the traditions of the country.
Traditions are not only ways of the past, but also things that form the culture of the country today. They may be rooted in the past, or brought to life by recent TV shows or Internet memes. What is important is to note that cultural differences - that form cultural context - influence the language.
While the best way to familiarize with a country's culture is to actually live there, it is not a viable option for everyone. As an easy way to keep yourself in touch with the Japanese culture, we propose you our website, Akihabara.Tokyo. This is a place where you can exchange news and links to interesting articles about Japan. We believe that keeping in touch with the Japanese current events can help you learn the language.