Talking about hobbies is one of the easiest ways to start conversations in Japanese, make new friends, and boost your language skills at the same time. Whether you're into anime, photography, or sports, sharing what you love is a great way to connect with people in Japan.

If you're planning to study abroad in Japan, knowing how to talk about your hobbies will help you break the ice with classmates, impress locals, and make every interaction more fun and natural. So, let’s dive into the must-know vocabulary, phrases, and cultural tips for talking about your interests in Japanese!

Essential Vocabulary for Talking About Hobbies in Japanese

Before you can start chatting about your hobbies, you need to know the words! Here’s a quick breakdown of some common hobbies in Japanese.

General Interests

• 旅行 (ryokō) – Traveling

• ゲーム (gēmu) – Gaming

• 読書 (dokusho) – Reading

• 料理 (ryōri) – Cooking

• 写真 (shashin) – Photography

• 映画を見る (eiga o miru) – Watching movies

• ダンス (dansu) – Dancing

Sports & Outdoor Activities

• 野球 (yakyū) – Baseball

• サッカー (sakkā) – Soccer

• テニス (tenisu) – Tennis

• マラソン (marason) – Marathon

• ハイキング (haikingu) – Hiking

• 釣り (tsuri) – Fishing

Creative Hobbies

• 絵を描く (e o kaku) – Drawing/Painting

• 陶芸 (tōgei) – Pottery

• 書く (kaku) – Writing

• 手芸 (shugei) – Handicrafts

• 音楽を作る (ongaku o tsukuru) – Making music

How to Talk About Your Hobbies in Japanese (Like a Native!)

Now that you’ve got the vocabulary, it’s time to put it into sentences and actually talk about your hobbies. Here are some easy and natural ways to express what you love doing.

Saying "I Like ___"

Super simple. Just plug in your hobby and you’re good to go!

✅ 私は___が好きです。 (Watashi wa ___ ga suki desu.) – I like ___.

👉 私はゲームが好きです。 (Watashi wa gēmu ga suki desu.) – I like gaming.
👉 私は旅行が好きです。 (Watashi wa ryokō ga suki desu.) – I like traveling.

Saying "I’m Into ___"

This sounds a bit more natural in conversation.

✅ ___にハマっています。 (___ ni hamatteimasu.) – I’m into ___.

👉 最近、写真にハマっています。 (Saikin, shashin ni hamatteimasu.) – Lately, I’m really into photography.
👉 今はダンスにハマってる！ (Ima wa dansu ni hamatteru!) – Right now, I’m super into dancing!

Saying "I’m Interested in ___"

Want to sound a little more sophisticated? Use this phrase.

✅ 私は___に興味があります。 (Watashi wa ___ ni kyōmi ga arimasu.) – I’m interested in ___.

👉 私は日本のアートに興味があります。 (Watashi wa Nihon no āto ni kyōmi ga arimasu.) – I’m interested in Japanese art.
👉 日本の伝統文化に興味があるよ！ (Nihon no dentō bunka ni kyōmi ga aru yo!) – I’m interested in Japanese traditional culture!

How to Ask Someone About Their Hobbies (Without Sounding Like a Textbook)

Conversations are a two-way street, so if you want to sound natural and friendly, ask about the other person’s hobbies too!

The Classic "What’s Your Hobby?"

✅ 趣味は何ですか？ (Shumi wa nan desu ka?) – What’s your hobby?

👉 A: 趣味は何ですか？ (Shumi wa nan desu ka?) – What’s your hobby?
👉 B: 料理が好きです！ (Ryōri ga suki desu!) – I love cooking!

Asking What They Like to Do in Their Free Time

✅ 暇な時に何をしますか？ (Hima na toki ni nani o shimasu ka?) – What do you do in your free time?

👉 A: 暇な時に何をしますか？ (Hima na toki ni nani o shimasu ka?)
👉 B: よく映画を見ます！ (Yoku eiga o mimasu!) – I often watch movies!

Getting More Specific

✅ どんな___が好きですか？ (Donna ___ ga suki desu ka?) – What kind of ___ do you like?

👉 どんな音楽が好きですか？ (Donna ongaku ga suki desu ka?) – What kind of music do you like?
👉 どんな本を読みますか？ (Donna hon o yomimasu ka?) – What kind of books do you read?

Tips for Sounding More Natural in Conversations

✔ Avoid using "anata" (you). Instead, call the person by their name + -san (e.g., "Tanaka-san wa?").

✔ Elaborate on your answers. Instead of just saying "I like photography," add some details!

👉 私は写真が好きです。最近はフィルムカメラを使っています！ (Watashi wa shashin ga suki desu. Saikin wa firumu kamera o tsukatteimasu!) – I love photography. Lately, I’ve been using a film camera!

✔ Use casual speech with friends! If you're chatting with classmates, drop the polite です/ます and keep it casual.

👉 最近、ゲームにめっちゃハマってる！ (Saikin, gēmu ni meccha hamatteru!) – I’m super into gaming lately!

Why Talking About Hobbies Helps You Learn Japanese Faster

Practicing hobby-related conversations isn’t just fun—it’s a game changer for your Japanese skills! Here’s why:

🚀 You’ll actually WANT to practice – Talking about things you love makes learning enjoyable.
🎭 It helps with real-world interactions – From making friends to small talk at work, hobbies are an easy way to connect.
📚 You’ll pick up useful vocabulary naturally – Instead of memorizing random words, you’ll focus on the ones that matter to you.

And the best part? You can start using these phrases right away!

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Start talking about your hobbies in Japanese today, and soon enough, you'll be making real connections in Japan!