を皮切りに means starting with ~; one after another; beginning with ~. It is a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar pattern used to mark the first in a sequence of similar events or actions that spread successively from that starting point.
This grammar point often appears in news reports, business announcements, press releases, and formal writing. If you want to express that something begins in one place or time and then similar things happen in many places or times one after another, を皮切りに is a pattern you’ll need — it adds a natural sense of momentum and sequence to your Japanese.
What does を皮切りに mean?
Use を皮切りに when you want to say that an action, event, or phenomenon starts at a particular location, moment, or event, and then spreads or repeats in a sequential manner. It is not just a “start” but a first step that leads to a series of similar activities.
Natural translations include:
- starting with ~; one after another; beginning with ~; as a start, then successively; kicking off with ~
The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to notice the writer’s or speaker’s purpose: are they announcing a tour, a campaign, a series of store openings? Choose the English phrase that fits that context.
How to form を皮切りに
The pattern attaches only to nouns. The most common form is the noun directly followed by を皮切りに（して）. No other conjugation is needed.
Examples of the pattern:
The optional して makes the construction slightly more formal, but both are correct. In JLPT questions, wrong answer choices often try to attach the pattern to a verb or an adjective — be careful.
When is を皮切りに used?
Use を皮切りに in situations like:
- announcing a series of concerts, lectures, store openings, or promotional events
- describing a trend that started in one city or market and spread nationwide or globally
- reporting on a sequence of similar developments (e.g. a new product launched in Japan first, then Asia, then worldwide)
Tone and register:
- slightly formal to formal; very common in written Japanese, such as newspaper articles and business documents
- can appear in spoken presentations and announcements, especially when you want to sound polished
Because it implies a planned or observed sequence, it is not used for accidental or random events that happen to occur in a row without a clear connection.
を皮切りに example sentences
In each case, the noun before を皮切りに is the very first step, and the rest of the sentence describes the chain that follows.
Nuance of を皮切りに
The key nuance is a starting point that triggers a visible, sequential spread.
This matters because learners often treat it as just “beginning with,” but it carries a stronger sense of momentum and succession. The pattern implies that the initial event is not isolated — it sets off a series that is expected or planned.
For example:
- If a singer says 東京を皮切りに全国ツアー, the emphasis is not only on Tokyo being first, but on the idea that the tour will then move to city after city in a predictable chain.
- If you only want to say “I started at Tokyo Station and then went somewhere,” を皮切りに would be too strong. You’d use a simple time-sequence expression instead.
Compared with similar patterns, を皮切りに sounds more deliberate and systematic. It is perfect for press releases, business plans, and news reports.
を皮切りに vs をきっかけに
Both を皮切りに and をきっかけに can express that something starts with a particular trigger, but they are different in important ways.
If you say 東京を皮切りに when you really mean 東京での経験をきっかけに, the listener will expect a chain of events that may not exist. Always check: is there a clear series of similar activities after the first? If yes, を皮切りに is your pattern.
Common mistakes with を皮切りに
Watch out for these mistakes:
Is を皮切りに on the JLPT?
Frequency: moderate — appears in reading sections and grammar‑choice questions.
Test focus: distinguishing from をきっかけに and recognizing the series‑of‑events meaning.
On the JLPT N1, を皮切りに is tested in context. You’ll see it in passages about business expansion, event announcements, or cultural trends. A typical question asks you to choose the correct particle phrase or to understand why a series occurred.
Practice questions for を皮切りに
Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the sequential nuance becomes clear.
Learning path for を皮切りに
To learn を皮切りに efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.
Related grammar to review next
- を踏まえて — because it also uses the ~を pivot to build a sentence around prior information
- を経て — because it also marks a pathway or sequence of stages before a result
- を控えて — because it also situates an event relative to a subsequent action or situation
- を良いことに — because it shares the を + noun structure and adds a nuance of taking advantage of a situation
Learn を皮切りに with Hane
If you want to review を皮切りに together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
Browse more lessons here:
FAQ about を皮切りに
What does を皮切りに mean in Japanese?
を皮切りに means “starting with ~; one after another; beginning with ~” in Japanese. It is an N1 grammar point, and this lesson explains its formation, nuance, example sentences, common mistakes, and similar grammar.
Is を皮切りに on the JLPT?
を皮切りに is taught as N1 Japanese grammar in Hane's grammar lesson archive. Review it with examples, usage notes, and related N1 patterns.
How should I practice を皮切りに?
Read several example sentences, identify the form before and after を皮切りに, then make your own short sentences and compare it with nearby grammar points.