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English Learning Diaries 9: Combi Cafe, Fuji Rock Festival & Night Museum


Learning English Diaries 9 - Summer With Emma


ESL Listening and Reading Skills are essential for language comprehension and proficiency, introducing new vocabulary, grammar, and expressions.


Listening helps improve your speaking and comprehension by recognising sounds, intonation, and pronunciation.


Reading improves understanding, vocabulary, and grammar skills.




Summer With Emma - Kombi Cafe, Fuji Rock Festival & Night Musuem


Join Emma as she explores the vibrant summer activities in Japan!


A summer night museum in Japan
A Night Musuem visit



From the charming Kombi Café to the exhilarating Fuji Rock Festival and a magical night at the National Museum, this adventure is filled with cultural insights and  exciting experiences.








Checkout the YouTube Video:


Watch and Learn! For video lessons that bring this content to life, subscribe to our YouTube channel.


Perfect for English learners, this video will help you practice listening skills while learning about Japanese culture.




Let's Get Started!



Diary Entry:


Date: July 27th


Dear Diary,


Today was an adventure-packed day, filled with unforgettable experiences. My summer stay in Japan has been nothing short of amazing, and today added some extra magic to my journey.



A cafe in a vintage van.
A Combi / Kombi cafe

Kombi Café:

In the morning, I decided to visit a

cosy little kombi café in the heart of

the city.



The café was set inside a vintage Volkswagen van, painted in cheerful pastel colours. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and homemade pastries filled the air.









A barista serving coffee.
A friendly barista

I ordered a matcha latte and a fluffy melon bun. As I sipped my latte and savoured the sweet bread, I couldn't help but admire the café's unique charm.




The friendly barista even taught me a few Japanese phrases, making the experience even more delightful.









A combi cafe at a scenic spot.
Quirky and nostalgic

Cultural Insight:



Kombi cafés are popular in Japan for their quirky and nostalgic appeal.



They often pop up in scenic spots and offer a relaxed, hip atmosphere where people can enjoy a quick bite or a drink.







Diary Entry


Fuji Rock Festival:

In the afternoon, I made my way to the Fuji Rock Festival, one of the most iconic music festivals in Japan.

A music festival surrounded by lush mountains
Fuji Rock Festival


The festival takes place in the

picturesque Naeba Ski Resort,

surrounded by lush mountains.




As I arrived, the vibrant energy of the festival was contagious. The stages were set amidst the natural beauty, and the sound of music echoed through the valley.




I danced to my favourite bands, enjoyed the festival's eclectic food stalls, and even made some new friends.


The highlight of the day was watching the sunset over the mountains while listening to live music – it was pure bliss.


Young woman posing for photo at the festival.
Celebrate music, nature and community



Cultural Insight:

The Fuji Rock Festival is renowned for its diverse lineup, featuring both international and Japanese artists. It’s a celebration of music, nature, and community, attracting thousands of music lovers each year.








Diary Entry


Night Museum Visit:

As the evening set in, I decided to end my day with a visit to a local museum that offered special night tours during the summer.


The museum’s architecture was strikingly beautiful, illuminated under the night sky. Walking through the dimly lit galleries, I felt a sense of wonder and serenity.


A museum interior softly illuminated at night
beautiful illumination

The exhibits seemed to come alive in the soft glow of the lights. The museum guide shared fascinating stories behind the artifacts, and I found myself immersed in Japan’s rich history and culture.


The peaceful ambiance of the night visit added a magical touch to the whole experience.





Cultural Insight:

Night museum visits are a unique way to experience cultural sites in Japan. The tranquil atmosphere allows visitors to appreciate the exhibits in a different light, literally and figuratively.




Reflection:

An open travel journal on a table.
Reflection Time

Today was a perfect blend of relaxation, excitement, and cultural immersion.




From the quaint kombi café to the electrifying Fuji Rock Festival and the serene night museum visit, I experienced the diverse facets of Japan’s culture and lifestyle.






Writing down in a journal
Capturing each moment in travel journal


Each moment was a reminder of why I love traveling and exploring new places.



I can’t wait to see what tomorrow holds!


Until next time...








Vocabulary Review: Word Meaning & Example Sentence


(a) Matcha - A finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves.


Example: I ordered a matcha latte, which had a rich, earthy flavour.



(b) melon bun - A type of sweet bread from Japan, with a crispy exterior and soft interior, often flavoured with melon.


Example: The melon bun I tried was perfectly sweet and had a delightful texture.



(c) festival - A series of performances, exhibitions, or other events typically held in one place.


Example:

The Fuji Rock Festival featured a diverse lineup of musicians from around the world.



(d) contagious - likely to spread and affect others


Example: The energy at the Fuji Rock Festival was contagious, with everyone dancing and singing along to the music.



(e) lineup - a list of people or groups scheduled to perform or appear at an event.


Example: This year's Fuji Rock Festival had an impressive lineup, including some of Japan's most popular bands and international artists.



(f) exhibit - A public display of works of art or items of interest, often held in a museum.


Example: The museum's night tour allowed us to see the exhibits in a new light.


A gallery at the night museum
A night museum tour


(g) tranquil - calm and peaceful.


Example: The tranquil atmosphere of the night museum visit made it a memorable experience.





(h) illuminate - light up; make (something) visible or bright by shining light on it.



Example: The museum was beautifully illuminated under the night sky.



(i) artifact - an object made by a human being, typically of cultural or historical interest.


Example: The guide explained the history behind each artifact in the museum.



(j) immersed - deeply engaged or involved; absorbed.


Example: I felt completely immersed in the music and atmosphere of the Fuji Rock Festival.



(k) nostalgic - longing for or thinking fondly of a past time or condition.


Example: The kombi café's vintage decor gave me a nostalgic feeling.



Speaking Practice

Say your answers out loud. Or write it down in your notebook.


Check Your Understanding:


(1) What unique feature defines a kombi café?

(2) What is the Fuji Rock Festival known for?

(3) Why are night museum visits special?

(4) What kind of ambiance can you expect at a night museum visit?

(5) How does the Fuji Rock Festival celebrate both music and nature?



Don't forget to check the links below for more related posts.


Thank you for reading & Happy Learning!


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