Our Deep Japan storytellers, your Senpai.
Our Deep Japan storytellers,
your Senpai.
Our mission.
Deep Japan is a community-driven tourism platform offering authentic insights into Japanese culture, travel, and everyday life. Our diverse “Senpai” writers—many with over 20 years of living in Japan—share heartfelt stories, practical travel tips, and fascinating observations about the Japan they know and love.
Our mission is to shine a light on the thoughtful traditions and endearing quirks that define Japanese life, fostering a deeper appreciation for what makes this country so beautifully different.
Write for us. Tell your story.
Professional writing experience is not required—if you have lived in Japan for at least three years at any point, we welcome you to apply to join our Senpai writer community. Whether you first came to Japan to teach, study abroad, follow a partner, launch a new career, or simply chase a curiosity—we want to hear from you.
There are stories only you can tell, and at Deep Japan, we would be honored to give your voice a home.
Jigen
Have you ever heard of Doraemon?
He is one of the most iconic Japanese characters, like Pikachu, and he is a blue robot cat from the future (yes, it is a very fun and quirky premise, haha!). He has a yojigen poketto, or “four-dimensional pocket,” on his tummy, from which he can take out a whole bunch of futuristic inventions such as the ultra-iconic “Anywhere Door” (a bright pink door that can take you anywhere in the world) and the Take-copter (a bamboo head gadget that lets you fly). I think everyone in Japan has dreamed of using one or both of these gadgets at least once in their life.
This is all a long way to explain what this week’s word, jigen, means, which is “dimension.” In Doraemon’s case, his yojigen poketto implies that his gadgets come from outside normal space (or time, in this case).
It can also be used to express levels or planes. You can say jigen ga chigau, which is literally “it’s on another level,” to describe something so good or impressive that it feels unreal. Cool word, eh?
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