Discussing hobbies is a key part of making connections in Japan. Knowing how to ask about someone’s interests, and share your own, is a fantastic way to make friends. The Japanese word for hobby is “shumi” (趣味, しゅみ), and it’s a very common topic of conversation in daily life, from school to the workplace.
This guide provides an overview of popular hobbies in Japan, from quiet traditional arts to dynamic pop culture pursuits. We will cover the vocabulary you need to understand these activities and, most importantly, how to talk about your own “shumi”. With this guide, you’ll be ready to share your passions and connect with people on a new level.
How to Talk About Hobbies (趣味について話す)
Before diving into specific activities, let’s learn the essential phrases. The most common way to ask someone for their hobby is a simple question. When you answer, you can state your hobby directly, or say what you like (好き, suki) to do. Knowing these few phrases is the key to starting a friendly conversation and finding common interests.
— Asking About Hobbies —
趣味は何ですか。
しゅみはなんですか。
Shumi wa nan desu ka?
What is your hobby?
趣味 (shumi) = Hobby
は (wa) = Topic marker
何 (なん, nan) = What
ですか (desu ka) = (Makes it a question)
— Stating Your Hobby —
私の趣味は映画です。
わたしのしゅみはえいがです。
Watashi no shumi wa eiga desu.
My hobby is movies.
私 (watashi) = I / My
の (no) = Possessive marker
映画 (えいが, eiga) = Movie
です (desu) = Is
— Essential Hobby Vocabulary —
好き (すき, Suki) – To like (e.g., 映画が好きです – I like movies)
興味 (きょうみ, Kyōmi) – Interest (e.g., 興味があります – I have an interest)
特技 (とくぎ, Tokugi) – Special skill / talent
週末 (しゅうまつ, Shūmatsu) – Weekend
休みの日 (やすみのひ, Yasumi no hi) – Day off / Holiday
…をすること (o suru koto) – The act of doing… (e.g., 料理をすること – cooking)
Traditional Arts & Crafts (伝統芸能と工芸)
Many popular hobbies are rooted in centuries of Japanese history. These traditional arts (伝統芸能, dentō geinō) are often quiet, meditative practices. They require patience, discipline, and a deep appreciation for form and seasonal beauty. Participating in them is a fantastic way to connect with Japan’s rich cultural heritage.
— Talking About Traditional Hobbies —
週末に書道を習っています。
しゅうまつにしょどうをならっています。
Shūmatsu ni shodō o naratte imasu.
I am learning calligraphy on weekends.
週末に (shūmatsu ni) = On the weekend
書道 (shodō) = Calligraphy
を習っています (o naratte imasu) = Am learning
— Essential Traditional Arts Vocabulary —
書道 (しょどう, Shodō) – Calligraphy (the art of brush writing)
茶道 (さどう, Sadō) – Tea Ceremony (the art of preparing and serving tea)
生け花 (いけばな, Ikebana) – Flower Arranging
工芸 (こうげい, Kōgei) – Crafts (e.g., pottery, weaving)
伝統 (でんとう, Dentō) – Tradition
習う (ならう, Narau) – To learn (from a teacher)
Martial Arts as Hobbies (武道としての趣味)
In Japan, martial arts (武道, budō) are popular hobbies for people of all ages. These are practiced not just for self-defense, but for physical fitness, mental discipline (精神, seishin), and to learn respect. Many join a local “dōjō” (道場) or club to practice regularly.
— Talking About Martial Arts —
健康のために柔道を始めました。
けんこうのためにじゅうどうをはじめました。
Kenkō no tame ni jūdō o hajimemashita.
I started judo for my health.
健康 (kenkō) = Health
のために (no tame ni) = For the sake of
柔道 (jūdō) = Judo
を始めました (o hajimemashita) = I started
— Essential Martial Arts Vocabulary —
武道 (ぶどう, Budō) – Martial Arts
剣道 (けんどう, Kendō) – Kendo (Japanese fencing)
柔道 (じゅうどう, Jūdō) – Judo
空手 (からて, Karate) – Karate
弓道 (きゅうどう, Kyūdō) – Japanese archery
道場 (どうじょう, Dōjō) – Training hall
精神 (せいしん, Seishin) – Spirit / Mind / Discipline
Modern Pop Culture Hobbies (ポップカルチャーの趣味)
Japan’s vibrant pop culture has created a huge range of hobbies known around the world. These interests are a major part of modern Japanese life, especially for younger generations. These hobbies have strong communities (コミュニティ) both online and at events like Comiket.
— Talking About Pop Culture —
アニメを見るのが大好きです。
あにめをみるのがだいすきです。
Anime o miru no ga daisuki desu.
I love watching anime.
アニメ (anime) = Anime
を見る (o miru) = To watch
のが大好きです (no ga daisuki desu) = I love (doing…)
— Essential Pop Culture Vocabulary —
漫画 (まんが, Manga) – Comics
ゲーム (ゲーム, Gēmu) – Video game
コスプレ (コスプレ, Kosupure) – Cosplay
声優 (せいゆう, Seiyū) – Voice Actor
アイドル (アイドル, Aidoru) – Idol (pop star)
オタク (オタク, Otaku) – Geek / Enthusiast
Outdoor & Active Pursuits (アウトドアと活動的な趣味)
With its mountainous terrain and beautiful coastlines, Japan is a paradise for outdoor (アウトドア) hobbies. Many Japanese people take advantage of the country’s rich nature (自然, shizen) to stay active. These hobbies are especially popular for appreciating the changing seasons.
— Talking About Outdoor Hobbies —
趣味は写真を撮ることです。
しゅみはしゃしんをとることです。
Shumi wa shashin o toru koto desu.
My hobby is taking pictures.
写真 (shashin) = Photograph
を撮ること (o toru koto) = The act of taking
です (desu) = Is
— Essential Outdoor Vocabulary —
登山 (とざん, Tozan) – Mountain climbing / Hiking
釣り (つり, Tsuri) – Fishing
写真 (しゃしん, Shashin) – Photography
キャンプ (キャンプ, Kyanpu) – Camping
自然 (しぜん, Shizen) – Nature
温泉 (おんせん, Onsen) – Hot spring (often part of a trip)
Collecting & “Otaku” Culture (収集と「オタク」文化)
The act of collecting (収集, shūshū) is a very serious hobby for many in Japan. This is often associated with “otaku” (オタク) culture, which simply means having a deep, passionate interest in a specific topic. This can range from model trains and anime figures to limited-edition (限定, gentei) stamps or capsule toys.
— Talking About Collecting —
ガンダムのプラモデルを集めています。
がんだむのぷらもでるをあつめています。
Gundam no puramoderu o atsumete imasu.
I collect Gundam plastic models.
ガンダム (Gundam) = Gundam
の (no) = ‘s (of)
プラモデル (puramoderu) = Plastic model
を集めています (o atsumete imasu) = Am collecting
— Essential Collecting Vocabulary —
収集 (しゅうしゅう, Shūshū) – Collection / Collecting
フィギュア (フィギュア, Figyua) – Figure / Figurine
プラモデル (プラモデル, Puramoderu) – Plastic Model
ガチャポン (ガチャポン, Gachapon) – Capsule Toy
限定 (げんてい, Gentei) – Limited Edition
集める (あつめる, Atsumeru) – To collect / To gather
Everyday & Social Pastimes (日常と社会的な趣味)
Not all hobbies are intense disciplines or collections. Many of the most common hobbies are simply everyday (日常, nichijō) pastimes that people enjoy alone or with friends. These are often the easiest hobbies to share and are a big part of social life in Japan.
— Talking About Social Hobbies —
今度、一緒にカラオケに行きませんか。
こんど、いっしょにからおけにいきませんか。
Kondo, issho ni karaoke ni ikimasen ka?
Would you like to go to karaoke with me next time?
今度 (kondo) = Next time
一緒に (issho ni) = Together
に行きませんか (ni ikimasen ka) = Won’t you go…?
— Essential Pastime Vocabulary —
カラオケ (カラオケ, Karaoke) – Karaoke
旅行 (りょこう, Ryokō) – Travel
料理 (りょうり, Ryōri) – Cooking
カフェ巡り (カフェめぐり, Kafe Meguri) – Cafe hopping
映画鑑賞 (えいがかんしょう, Eiga Kanshō) – Movie appreciation
買い物 (かいもの, Kaimono) – Shopping
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