This fun book, from esteemed Japanese language school Coto Japanese Academy, was created from the idea that it would be great if you could study natural Japanese by presented with familiar scenes that reflect the various real-life encounters common to foreign residents in Japan.
The team behind the book selected 20 scenes that many international students are likely to experience upon arriving in Japan, and presented them so that you are able to carefully observe what kind of Japanese to use depending on the person you are speaking with and the scene in which you find yourself. From experience, the teachers at the Coto Japanese Academy have found that their students have improved their Japanese proficiency by deepening their knowledge of Japanese cultural etiquette, and so touch on this in each section of the book.
Each lesson consists of many expressions based on sentence patterns learned at the beginner to intermediate level, but also feature more realistic and natural expressions not introduced in usual Japanese textbooks.
There are 20 units that cover topics real-life such as cooking with friends, apartment-hunting, and even having an argument with a girlfriend or boyfriend. Each unit starts with a manga story, followed by a dialogue with keywords and expression, as well as an English translation. There are then some further useful phrases and drills, with bilingual Japanese/English explanations of these and related points about Japanese etiquette. A CD is provided to give you some listening and pronunciation practice.
If you are looking for something a little different from regular Japanese textbooks that will help you with life in Japan and the different relationships you will have with people in the country, then look no further.