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“A mother’s day trip that didn’t go as planned — what happened next?” My mother suddenly decided to go on a day trip by herself — and then she changed her mind. I hope you enjoy listening to her unexpected story. This episode's vocab list: 母の話をします。I will talk about my mother. [N5] 土日 Saturday and Sunday; the weekend [N5] 富士山を見に、for the purpose of seeing Mt. Fuji [N4] とてもきれいに富士山が見えたそうです。I heard that she could see Mt Fuji very clearly [N3] 鳥居 Shrine gate [N3] 観光 sightseeing [N3] 時間がまだ早かったです。 it was still early. [N3] ある考えが浮かびました。 One idea came to mind. [N2] 足を伸ばす to extend the journey; to go a bit further [N2] 突然のプラン sudden plan [N2] 1時間40分かける to spend 1 hour and 40 minutes [N4] ずっと all the way; the whole time  [N4] 当日 on that day; the same day  [N2] 当日ホテルをとったからかどうか分かりません。 I am not sure whether it was because she booked the hotel on the same day or not [N2] ホテル代 the hotel cost; hotel fee  [N3] 私が母の旅行のプランナーになろうと思っています。I’m thinking of becoming my mother’s travel planner. [N3] もうすでに already  [N4] 計画を立てています。I’m making a plan; I’ve already started planning. [N3] 日本のホテルを予約する to book a hotel in Japan [N4] どんなウェブサイト which website; what kind of website [N4] Please note that these levels are approximate, teaching-based estimates — they are meant to give a rough idea of difficulty, not an official classification. I hope this helps your learning, and feel free to focus on the words that are most interesting or useful to you!

‘Play’ in English isn’t just あそぶ in Japanese — find out why! In this episode, I explore how one English verb can be expressed using different verbs in Japanese. Before listening, try making one English sentence with this verb. I hope this episode helps you enjoy discovering how Japanese works. This episode's vocab list: 気が付いていましたか。Have you noticed? [N4] 英語の文をひとつ one English sentence [N5] たいてい usually [N4] アクションが違うと、日本語では使う言葉も違います。If the actions are different, the words used in Japanese are also different. [N3] 他のスポーツ other sports [N5] 間違える to make a mistake [N4] これは、英語の影響ですね。This is influenced by English. [N3] Kids playの意味が強い時 When meaning of “Kids play” is stronger, [N3] 残念ながら、どんな楽器でも「弾きます」を使うことができるわけではありません。Unfortunately, It doesn’t mean you can use the verb “hikimasu” for any instrument. [N2] 基本的に、弦楽器だけです。Basically, it’s only for stringedinstruments. [N3] 例外 exception [N3] 電子ピアノ electric piano [N3] つまり in other words [N3] 訳す to translate [N3] ただし however; but (common in explanations) [N2] 注意が必要です。You need to be careful. [N3] このように like this; in this way;  as mentioned above [N3] 集めてみる to try collecting [N4]

It’s been a long time since the last episode! Hope you’ve beenwell. 2026 has started, and I’d like to talk about my New Year’s resolution. This episode's vocab list [JLPT level]: 毎年恒例 annual event [N1] 新年の抱負 New Year’s resolution [N1] 健康に過ごすこと staying healthy [N3-4] 体力作り physical training; building physical strength [N2] 積極的に actively; proactively; with a positive attitude [N3] 気合いっぱい full of motivation; all fired up [N2] この目標を忘れずに without forgetting this goal [N3] 水泳 swimming  [N3] かなづち literally ‘a hammer’ but it means ‘can’t swim’ in this context  [N1] 苦手 my weak point; something I’m not good at [N4] 泳げるようになっています。I’m becoming able to swim. [N4] 暑い間は while it’s hot [N3] スタミナをつけたいです。I want to build up my stamina. [N3] ゴルフを始めようと思っています。I’m thinking of starting golf. [N4] いつか one day [N4] 報告できるといいなぁ。I hope I can let you know. [N3] 残念ながら unfortunately [N3] チャンスを逃してしまいました。I missed the chance. [N3] 珍しくunusually; rarely [N3] 初夏 the beginning of summer [N2] あんまり暑くないといいんですが。I hope it’s not too hot. [N4]

The last day on Nakasendō Trail brought some unexpected moments including a sudden change of plans, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying every moment. Turn in to hear how the journey wrapped up!   This episode's vocab list: 実は actually 歩くのをやめました。I decided not to walk 山を越える to cross a mountain きっと surely; certainly 実際 actual condition; in reality; in practice オフシーズンだったため because it was off-season お店があんまり開いていませんでした。Many shops were not open. 有名な橋を渡りたかったです。 I wanted to cross the famous bridge 予定より時間が余りました。 We had more spare time than planned 松本のホテルまで移動する to head up to the hotel in Matsumoto 松本の観光 sightseeing in Matsumoto 旅行の予定を立てる to make a travel plan 臨機応変に depending on the circumstances; flexibly 変更できるようにしておく to make it possible to change 用意しておきましょう。It’s better to be prepared 何より more than anything 達成感 a sense of achievement 熊野古道 Kumano Kodo in Wakayama prefecture 四国のお遍路 the pilgrimage in Shikoku island

On Day 3, we took a one-day break from walking the Nakasendō Trail, but we unexpectedly caught a breathtaking view. Even without the trail, we discovered something truly special and worth sharing. Check it out!   This episode's vocab list: 中山道トレイルを中休みしました。We had a one-day break from walking the Nakasendo Trail. 2日目の夜から2泊しました。We stayed 2 nights from the 2nd night of the trip 最寄り駅 the nearest station 移動するto move (from one place to another); travel; head to とはいえ though we had a break; that said; even so 阿寺渓谷 Atera Valley; Atera Gorge エメラルドグリーン emerald green 素晴らしかったです。It was stunning; amazing; marvellous;breathtaking 川沿いalong the river 途中から from halfway 雪がたくさん積もっていました。A lot of snow had accumulated/piled up ひんやりしたchilly 冷たい空気 cold air 夏なら if it’s summer 次回 the next time 中山道トレイルの最終回 the final episode about our Nakasendo Trail journey

On Day 2, we walked to Tsumago-juku along the Nakasendō trail. It was a great experience. Check it out and enjoy my story!   This episode's vocab list: 大型連休 the long consecutive holidays 真っ最中 right in the middle 最初は in the beginning 上り坂 uphill slope 朝早くから出発しました。 we departed early in the morning 天候にも恵まれました。 we were blessing with good weather 新鮮な空気 fresh air 澄んだ青空 clear blue sky 印象的でした。It was impressive. 展望台 lookout point; observation deck 早くも already 随分前に a very long time ago 残り remaining 案の定 as expected 大きく転んでしまいました。I slipped and fell down badly. バックパックが守ってくれました。 my backpack protected me 怪我 injury 前日 the previous day 半分以上 more than half 昔の町並み historical streets of a town 残念でした That’s unfortunate. 充実感 a sense of fulfillment 達成感 a sense of achievement 引き続き continually この続きは次回をお楽しみに！Look forward to the continuation in the next episode.

We stayed one night at Magome Ryokan - a beautiful traditional inn that made us feel like we’d stepped back in time. It was a wonderful, invaluable experience full of charm and nostalgia. Tune in to hear all about it!   This episode's vocab list: 4連休 a 4-day long weekend 予定 plan 先週お話したように as I mentioned last week 初めての体験 first experience; new experience そのうちの1つ one of them 旧中山道 Old Nakasendo あぜ道 pathway between rice fields 住宅が並んでいました。 residential buildings lined along the streets 一日目 the first day 中津川駅 Nakatsugawa station 歩き始めるTo start walking 中津川宿 Nakatsugawa, a former post town on the Nakasendō 宿場町a post town 普通の田舎町 a typical regional town 近づいていく to get closer and closer 実感できます。You can really feel it おさむらいさんたち Samurai warriors 不思議な気持ちになるto have a miraculous sense of connection. 着こむ to wear a lot 目的地 the destination; the goal 馬籠宿 Magome, a former post town on the Nakasendō お店も並んでいます。 Shops are also lined up. 気に入りました。I like it now. 観光バス tour bus またこの続きは来週をお楽しみに！Look forward to the continuation next week.

Nakasendō is one of Japan’s historic trails, and is still populartoday. I walked just a small part of it. Even though it was off- season, I still enjoyed the experience. On the first day, I walked from Nakatsugawa JR station up to Magome-juku, a post town along the Nakasendō. Check it out!   This episode's vocab list: 4連休 a 4-day long weekend 予定 plan 先週お話したように as I mentioned last week 初めての体験 first experience; new experience そのうちの1つ one of them 旧中山道 Old Nakasendo あぜ道 pathway between rice fields 住宅が並んでいました。 residential buildings lined along the streets 一日目 the first day 中津川駅 Nakatsugawa station 歩き始めるTo start walking 中津川宿 Nakatsugawa, a former post town on the Nakasendō 宿場町a post town 普通の田舎町 a typical regional town 近づいていく to get closer and closer 実感できます。You can really feel it お侍さんたち Samurai warriors 不思議な気持ちになるto have a miraculous sense of connection. 着こむ to wear a lot 目的地 the destination; the goal 馬籠宿 Magome, a former post town on the Nakasendō お店も並んでいます。 Shops are also lined up. 気に入りました。I like it now. 観光バス tour bus またこの続きは来週をお楽しみに！Look forward to the continuation next week.

I’m back! Thank you so much for your patience. In this episode, I’ll share what I’ve been up to during the past month. Please check it out!   This episode's vocab list: 一か月以上 more than one month くことをお知らせしようと思っていました。 I was planning to let you know 出発前 before departing; before leaving 想像以上に more than I imagined 初めての体験 first experience 昔々 long time ago 道 pathway 一部 one part スノーシュー snowshoe 雪の森 snowy forest 着いた所 place where we got to 雪の池 snow-covered pond 雪と言うより氷の滝 waterfalls with ice rather than snow 言葉では表せないくらい素敵でした。It was so wonderful that words can’t describe it. お寺 temple ホテルゲストのように泊まる to stay like a hotel guest 瞑想meditation 朝のお経 morning prayer service with chants 参加するTo participate 精進料理 vegetarian cuisine ひとつずつ one by one 詳しくお話したいです。 I want to talk about it in detail

Valentine’s Day is coming! What do you usually do in your country? Do you know what people do in Japan on this day? Listen to this episode to learn more about Japanese Valentine’s Day traditions. Happy Valentine’s Day!   This episode's vocab list: バレンタインデー Valentine’s Day 日本人らしいイベント an event that matches Japanese characteristics 一番最初にバレンタインデーが日本に紹介されたのは、The first time the Valentine’s Day was introduced to Japan was 神戸 Kobe city チョコレートメーカー a chocolate manufacturer 宣伝 advertisement; promotion; campaign 最初に興味を示したのは、 The first group to show interest was それが1970年代。That was in the 1970s. 女の子が男の子に愛を告白する girls confess their love to boys 常識が生まれました。This common knowledge was born. 大人たちに浸透していくTo spread among adults 日本風にin the Japanese style

Shopping and enjoying Japanese food are probably some of your top reasons for visiting Japan, right? Make sure you are well prepared to fully enjoy them. I hope this episode helps with both your travels and your Japanese learning.   This episode's vocab list: 払う to pay PINと呼ばれる暗証番号 a passcode called PIN サインをする to sign; to put your signature 3月末まで until the end of March 暗証番号がないと without the passcode 支払い payment 原則 in principle 普段から regularly 国によって depending on the country 登録されていない to not be registered これまで通り as before; as usual; the way it has been so far 本人確認 identity verification 1万円未満 less than 10,000 yen 4月以降 from April onwards

My new hobby: Zero waste! Am I stingy? I don’t mind. I’m enjoying zero waste now. This episode's vocab list:  テレビ局 TV station リサイクル recycle いわゆる what is called リメイク remake 材料 material 布 fabric 帯 belt worn with kimono ボロボロになる to become worn out or ragged そのまま as it is ボタン button 紐 string; cord 取って置く to set it aside; keep it for later これこそ This is けち stingy; not generous with money みみっちい stingy; mean 逆に on the contrary もったいない wasteful; what a waste ミニマリスト minimalist 流行っている to be trending 物を減らすために in order to lessen things or reduce clutter 使い切る to completely use it まさに一石二鳥です！It is truly a case of killing two birds with one stone.

Sad news, but I believe Japan can find a way to solve this problem!   This episode's vocab list: 猛暑日extreme heatwave days 雨が降ってほしいと願っています。I’m wishing for rain soon. スキー場がにぎわっています。 Ski resorts are crowded and lively. その反面 on the other hand スキー場を含め including ski resorts 観光地 tourist areas 問題 issue; problem ゴミ rubbish; garbage; trash ゴミ箱が少ないです。 There are few rubbish bins その結果かどうかは分かりません。 I’m not sure if it happens as a result 道にゴミを捨てる人は、ゴミ箱がないから道に捨てるんでしょうか。Do you think people throw rubbish on the street because there are no bins? 私の持論 my fixed opinion; my firm belief ゴミ箱がなければ持って帰る to take it home if there’s no bin ゴミ箱があってもなくても it doesn’t matter whether there is a bin or not 捨てる人は捨てます。 People who throw rubbish would throw it anyway ゴミが出る所 the places where rubbish ends up 必ずゴミ箱はあります。 There should always be a rubbish bin 食べ歩き eating as you stroll 立って食べる to eat while standing 紙に包む to wrap it up in paper 入れておくTo put it in and leave it there. 次にゴミ箱を見つけた時に、捨てればいいんです。You can throw it away when you find a bin next time: it’s not a big deal. Just do it! 少し協力するだけ only a small amount of cooperation どうしたらいいと思いますか。What do you recommend they do to solve the problem? 日本のよさをそのままに by preserving the best aspects of Japan このゴミ問題を解決する方法 the way to solve this rubbish problem

This episode is far from scary! It’s all about quite positive thinking and mindset. Check it out and let the good vibe flow!   This episode's vocab list: 病院の救急外来 emergency outpatient department at the hospital 辛い数日 a few painful days 湿疹 skin rash 両腕 both arms 両脚 both legs 痒い itchy 耐えられませんでした。I couldn’t stand it 氷で痒い所を冷やす to cool the itchy parts with ice すぐ痒みが止まります。The itching stops quickly. また痒みが出ます。The itch will come back again 年始早々 Right at the beginning of the New Year 縁起が悪い inauspicious; unlucky; bad omen これで厄払いできました。I was able to drive out Evil Spirits with this; This helped me drive away bad luck. 苦しい事struggles, difficulties, challenges 辛い事 tough time, painful experiences, hardships 大変な事 difficult situations, tough matters, challenging things 追い出す to force out; drive out; expel; kick out 実際に見えるものではない invisible 宗教的に聞こえます。it sounds like religious 同じ状況でも even in the same situation or circumstances どんな気持ちでいるかによって depending on how you feel; depending on the emotions you’re experiencing

New Year’s Greetings: I hope we can share more time together this year through this podcast.   This episode's vocab list: お正月 New Year’s Day and the days that follow どのように過ごしましたか。How did you spend your time? 体中 all over my body 虫に刺されました。 I got bitten by bugs いろいろな面で in various aspects 準備をしっかりする to make thorough preparation そうは言っても、Even so; That being said 挑戦したいです。I want to take on a challenge 言葉にすると、目標に近づけます。By putting it into words, you will get closer to your goal. 見返す to look back at it; to review it メイトさんと繋がっている to stay connected with you