Know the language.
Know the culture.
Enjoy Japan More.
日本をもっと深く。
1. Explore My Tokyo
Tokyo guides, travel advice, places, food, and things a local would want visitors to know
Practical Japanese, lessons, vocabulary, and cultural context
Practical help and tools before & during the trip
Practical tools and ideas to stay connected with Japan
More About Japan
Unpacking the the things Japan doesn’t alway explain.
Hi, I’m Moto!
About me
I'm a native Japanese living in the U.S. After many people helped me understand English and American culture, I created Motokyo as my way of returning the favor—sharing the language, culture, and little things about Japan that aren't always explained.
My passion
Explore My Tokyo
Discover Ueno, Asakusa and the neighborhoods around where I grew up—from local food and old streets to places visitors often miss.
My Ueno, My Tokyo, Yours to Explore
Learn Japanese from Moto
LEARN JAPANESE
Practical Japanese for travelers and beginners, explained with the cultural context that textbooks don't always teach.
Start with simple Japanese grammar and sentence structure.
Japanese you actually hear. Discover the real meaning behind the words.
Test yourself with vocabulary quizzes and quick exercises.
Travel Tools
The little things that make traveling Japan a lot easier.
From using Suica and riding trains to onsen etiquette and everyday rules, find practical tips for navigating Japan with more confidence—and fewer surprises.
Bring Japan Home
Things to learn with, travel with, and keep with you.
From practical travel tools and Japanese learning resources to words and ideas worth keeping, these are things I’ve created to help you stay connected with Japan.
Why is 1本 “ippon” instead of “ichihon”? Learn how Japanese counters work, discover the most useful counting patterns, and test yourself with interactive quizzes.