ON February 12, I had the chance to visit Sensei Sakoto Nourishirazi’s 5th period Japanese culture class, and it was an unforgettable experience. Even though I am not a student in the class, it was easy to see how special and meaningful Japanese traditions are—and how much passion Sensei Nourishirazi brings to her teaching. 

Sensei Nourishirazi shared her teaching philosophy with me, and it’s not just about the language—it’s about understanding the deep connection Japanese culture has with nature. “I want my students to not only learn the language but to appreciate the beauty and significance of Japanese culture”, she told me. Through hands-on activities, she helps students to engage with nature in a thoughtful way, and one of these traditions is Midori no Hi. 

Midori no Hi, or Green Day, is a Japanese holiday that celebrates the beauty of nature and raises awareness about environmental conservation. “Midori no Hi is a day when people reflect on the importance of nature, trees, and the environment,” Sensei Nourishirazi explained. In Japan, this is such an important date that it is a holiday that shows the importance of showing gratitude for nature. “It’s a day to be outside, to connect with nature, and to reflect on how we can protect and preserve it,” she said. For anyone who might be interested in learning about Japanese culture next year, I highly recommend it! Sensei Nourishirazi is an amazing teacher who has a lot to teach and even though I was in her class for only a short period of time, I left feeling more inspired to learn more about the world and appreciate nature around me!