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Fluent Fiction - Japanese

Fluent Fiction - Japanese

By: FluentFiction.org
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Are you ready to supercharge your Japanese listening comprehension? Our podcast is the perfect tool for you.

Studies show that the key to mastering a second language is through repetition and active processing. That's why each episode of our podcast features a story in Japanese, followed by a sentence-by-sentence retelling that alternates between Japanese and English.

This approach not only allows you to fully understand and absorb the vocabulary and grammar but also provides a bilingual support to aid your listening comprehension.

But we don't stop there. Research in sociolinguistics highlights the importance of culture in language learning, which is why we provide a list of vocabulary words and a transcript of the audio to help you understand the cultural context of the story. And for your convenience, we also include a transcript of the audio to help you refer back to any parts you may have struggled with.

And our podcast is not just for language learners, it's also for travelers or people who want to connect with their roots. Are you planning a trip to Japan? Maybe you want to speak Japanese with your friends from Tokyo? Our podcast will give you the cultural and linguistic background to fully immerse in Japanese.

Our podcast is based on the latest research in linguistics, sociolinguistics, psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, and education to provide the most effective method for mastering Japanese listening comprehension. Don't miss this opportunity, give our podcast a try and see the results for yourself.

今日から私たちの日本語のストーリーであなたのリスニング力を向上させましょう！Copyright FluentFiction.org Language Learning
Episodes
  • Harmony in Tokyo: A New Year’s Tale of Friendship and Decor

    Harmony in Tokyo: A New Year’s Tale of Friendship and Decor
    Jan 14 2026
    Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Harmony in Tokyo: A New Year’s Tale of Friendship and Decor Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2026-01-14-23-34-02-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 冷たい冬の朝、東京の高級ゲート付きコミュニティに雪がちらほら降る。En: On a cold winter morning, snowflakes gently fall in a luxurious gated community in Tokyo.Ja: 愛子は温かいコートを羽織り、今年こそ隣人を驚かせようと新年の飾り付けを考えていた。En: Aiko, wrapped in a warm coat, was contemplating decorations for the new year to impress her neighbors this time.Ja: 特に、手強い隣人のケンジを。彼はいつも豪華な飾りでみんなの注目を集めている。En: Especially her formidable neighbor, Kenji, who always catches everyone's attention with his lavish displays.Ja: 愛子の家の周りは、古風ながらもモダンな家々が整然と並び、葉を落とした桜の木が風に揺れていた。En: Around Aiko's house, traditional yet modern homes stood in neat rows, with cherry trees, now bare, swaying in the wind.Ja: 新年に向けて、愛子は完璧な飾りを探しに出かけることを決意した。En: As the new year approached, Aiko decided to go out and search for the perfect decorations.Ja: しかし、人々が慌ただしく買い物をする中、愛子は理想の飾りを見つけるのに苦戦していた。En: However, amidst the bustling crowds shopping busily, she was struggling to find the ideal ornaments.Ja: 「どうしよう、時間がないわ。」愛子は漏らした。En: "What should I do? I'm running out of time," Aiko muttered.Ja: その時、友人の美香が愛子に声をかけた。En: Just then, her friend Mika called out to her.Ja: 「愛子、知ってる？隠れた名店があるの。でも、ちょっと遠いの。」美香のアドバイスに従い、愛子は少し離れたところにある高級ブティックへと足を運んだ。En: "Aiko, you know what? There's a hidden gem of a store. But it's a bit far." Following Mika's advice, Aiko headed to a high-end boutique located a little distance away.Ja: 店内は静かで洗練された雰囲気。En: Inside the store, the atmosphere was quiet and sophisticated.Ja: そこで、愛子は息をのむほど美しい中心飾りを見つけた。En: There, Aiko found a breathtakingly beautiful centerpiece.Ja: それは全員の目を引く特別なものであった。En: It was something special that would draw everyone's eyes.Ja: しかし、彼女がその飾りに手を伸ばした瞬間、後ろから声がした。En: However, just as she reached out for the decoration, a voice came from behind.Ja: 「それは俺が見つけたやつだ。」振り返ると、そこにはケンジがいた。En: "That's the one I found first." Turning around, there stood Kenji.Ja: お互いに一歩も譲れない状況に緊張が走る。En: Tension ran through the situation where neither could back down.Ja: しかし、愛子は思い切って提案した。「これは二人で分け合おう。どうかしら？」En: However, Aiko boldly proposed, "How about we share this between us?"Ja: ケンジは意外にも笑顔を見せ、「そうだな、仲良くしよう。」と賛成した。En: Surprisingly, Kenji smiled and agreed, "That's right, let's be friends."Ja: 二人は飾りを分け合い、それぞれの家を飾った。En: They split the decoration and each adorned their own home.Ja: 新年の夜、愛子の家とケンジの家は見事に調和した飾りで照らされていた。En: On New Year's Eve, both Aiko's and Kenji's houses were illuminated with their impressively harmonized decorations.Ja: 人々は感心し、二人の友情にも感動した。En: People were impressed and touched by their friendship.Ja: 愛子はその時気づいた。競争よりも、協力し合うことの方がずっと楽しいし、価値があることを。En: In that moment, Aiko realized that cooperating was far more enjoyable and valuable than competing.Ja: 新しい年は、共に分かち合う素晴らしい年になりそうだった。En: The new year seemed likely to be a wonderful year of sharing together. Vocabulary Words:contemplating: 考えていたformidable: 手強いlavish: 豪華なornaments: 飾りmuttered: 漏らしたsophisticated: 洗練されたcenterpiece: 中心飾りbreathtakingly: 息をのむほどtension: 緊張boldly: 思い切ってproposed: 提案したilluminated: 照らされていたharmonized: 調和したcooperating: 協力し合うvaluable: 価値があるluxurious: 高級gated: ゲート付きbare: 葉を落としたbustling: 慌ただしくideal: 理想hidden gem: 隠れた名店boutique: ブティックadorned: 飾ったimpressed: 感心したtouched: 感動したcompeting: 競争sharing: 分かち合うcherry trees: 桜の木catch: ...
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    14 mins
  • Harmony of Tradition and Innovation: A Kyoto New Year Tale

    Harmony of Tradition and Innovation: A Kyoto New Year Tale
    Jan 14 2026
    Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Harmony of Tradition and Innovation: A Kyoto New Year Tale Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2026-01-14-08-38-20-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 冬の京都。En: Winter in Kyoto.Ja: 高級感のあるゲート付きのコミュニティは静かで美しい庭園が広がります。En: Within the high-end gated community, there are tranquil and beautiful gardens.Ja: 伝統的な日本建築が背景にある中、新年の準備が進む。En: Amidst the backdrop of traditional Japanese architecture, preparations for the New Year are underway.Ja: コミュニティセンターは畳の床と障子があり、カラフルな正月の飾りで飾られていて、住民たちを歓迎する準備ができています。En: The community center, with its tatami mat flooring and shoji screens, is adorned with colorful New Year decorations and ready to welcome the residents.Ja: 晴れた朝、ハルキはセンターの入り口に立ち、リストをチェックしていました。En: On a clear morning, Haruki stood at the entrance of the center, checking a list.Ja: 「これで完璧なイベントになるはずだ」と彼は自分に言いました。En: "This should become the perfect event," he told himself.Ja: 彼の目標は、この集まりを通じて評判を高め、次の仕事の機会をつかむことでした。En: His goal was to enhance his reputation through this gathering and seize his next job opportunity.Ja: その隣にはユミがいました。En: Next to him was Yumi.Ja: 彼女は創造的で、ちょっとした工夫をイベントに加えたいと思っていました。En: She was creative and wanted to add a touch of innovation to the event.Ja: 「これにもっと個性を出せたら、私も自分の道を見つけられるはず」と彼女は考えました。En: "If I can infuse more personality into this, I should be able to find my own path," she thought.Ja: しかし、ハルキとユミは意見がぶつかりました。En: However, Haruki and Yumi clashed in their opinions.Ja: ハルキは計画通りにしたいが、ユミはもっと色や自由さをイベントに加えたいと思っていました。En: Haruki wanted to stick to the plan, while Yumi wanted to add more color and freedom to the event.Ja: 「もっと紙飾りを増やしませんか？En: "How about increasing the number of paper decorations?"Ja: 」ユミは提案しました。En: Yumi suggested.Ja: 「それは時間がかかりすぎるよ」とハルキは答えました。En: "That will take too much time," Haruki replied.Ja: その時、ユミは新しい考えを思いつきました。En: At that moment, Yumi came up with a new idea.Ja: 「ハルキさん、全てじゃなくても、いくつかの部分に変化をつけることはできますよね？En: "Haruki-san, even if it's not everything, can we make changes to some parts?"Ja: 」ユミの積極的な姿勢にハルキはちょっと考えました。En: Inspired by Yumi's positive approach, Haruki thought about it for a moment.Ja: 「わかった、一部だけやってみよう」と譲歩しました。En: "Alright, let's try it on just a part," he conceded.Ja: イベント当日、住民たちが次々と入ってきました。En: On the day of the event, the residents started pouring in.Ja: 突然、電気が消えてしまいました。En: Suddenly, the electricity went out.Ja: 人々は驚きました。En: People were surprised.Ja: ハルキとユミは力を合わせて問題を解決することに。En: Haruki and Yumi decided to work together to solve the problem.Ja: 「まずはキャンドルを使おう」とユミが言いました。En: "Let's use candles first," Yumi said.Ja: ハルキはそれを受け入れ、すぐに対応しました。En: Haruki accepted the suggestion and acted quickly.Ja: キャンドルの灯りで温かい雰囲気が広がり、住民たちは楽しみ始めました。En: With the candlelight creating a warm atmosphere, the residents started enjoying themselves.Ja: そして、ハルキの計画とユミの創造性がうまく融合し、イベントは素晴らしいものになりました。En: The fusion of Haruki's planning and Yumi's creativity made the event wonderful.Ja: 参加者は満足し、喜びの声が上がりました。En: The participants were satisfied, and expressions of joy were heard.Ja: イベントの終わりに、ハルキはユミに感謝しました。En: At the end of the event, Haruki thanked Yumi.Ja: 「君のアイディアがなければ、成功しなかっただろう」と。En: "It wouldn't have succeeded without your ideas."Ja: ユミも、ハルキに感謝しました。En: Yumi also expressed her gratitude to Haruki.Ja: 「私ももっと自信がつきました」と微笑みました。En: "I've gained more confidence too," she smiled.Ja: この...
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    16 mins
  • From Office Lights to Northern Skies: A Tokyo Dream Realized

    From Office Lights to Northern Skies: A Tokyo Dream Realized
    Jan 13 2026
    Fluent Fiction - Japanese: From Office Lights to Northern Skies: A Tokyo Dream Realized Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2026-01-13-23-34-02-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 冬の冷たい風が渋谷のスクランブル交差点を吹き抜ける時、数え切れない人々が道を横切っていた。En: On the cold winter wind that blew through the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, countless people were crossing the road.Ja: 光り輝くネオンの広告が、東京の忙しい街並みに色を添えていた。En: The shining neon advertisements added color to the busy streets of Tokyo.Ja: この日、成人の日、街は特ににぎやかだった。En: This day, coming of age day, the city was especially lively.Ja: ヒロシはカメラを手に、完璧な一瞬をカメラに収めようとしていた。En: Hiroshi was holding a camera, trying to capture the perfect moment.Ja: 彼は会社員だったが、心の中では写真家になりたかった。En: He was a company employee but secretly wanted to become a photographer.Ja: 彼の隣に立っていたのはユキ。En: Standing next to him was Yuki.Ja: 彼女もまた、自分のカメラで瞬間を追っていた。En: She too was chasing moments with her own camera.Ja: ユキは自由な魂を持つ芸術家で、日本各地を旅してインスピレーションを探していた。En: Yuki was an artist with a free spirit, traveling all over Japan searching for inspiration.Ja: ふとした瞬間、二人の視線が交わった。En: In an unexpected moment, their eyes met.Ja: "すごい人ですね。" ユキが微笑んで言った。En: "So many people, aren't there?" Yuki said with a smile.Ja: "本当に。でも、いい写真が撮れそうです。" ヒロシはカメラを持つ手を少し緊張させて答えた。En: "Indeed. But it looks like we can take some good photos," Hiroshi replied, his hand holding the camera slightly nervously.Ja: 話しているうちに、二人はお互いの共通点に気づき始めた。En: As they talked, they began to notice their common interests.Ja: どちらも写真が好きだった。En: Both loved photography.Ja: どちらも、この瞬間を大切にしたかった。En: Both wanted to cherish this moment.Ja: やがて、彼らはカフェに入り、お互いの作品を見せ合いながら温かいコーヒーを楽しんだ。En: Eventually, they entered a cafe, enjoying warm coffee while showing each other their work.Ja: 時間が過ぎるにつれ、ヒロシは毎日が同じに感じる会社の仕事に戻ることをためらい始めた。En: As time went by, Hiroshi began to hesitate about returning to his company job, which felt the same every day.Ja: ユキは自由に旅をし、アートに身を捧げていた。En: Yuki traveled freely, dedicating herself to art.Ja: 彼もそんな風に生きたいと思った。En: He wanted to live like that too.Ja: しかし、会社にはミカがいた。En: However, kaisha had Mika.Ja: ミカはヒロシの同僚で、密かに彼に思いを寄せていた。En: Mika, Hiroshi's colleague, secretly had feelings for him.Ja: ヒロシはこのことを知らなかったが、ミカは彼が会社を辞めることを知っていたらどう感じるだろうかと心配だった。En: Although Hiroshi was unaware of this, he worried about how Mika would feel knowing he might quit the company.Ja: ある日、ユキはヒロシに言った。"私と一緒に北へ旅しませんか？そこには美しい自然があるんですよ。"En: One day, Yuki said to Hiroshi, "Would you like to travel north with me? There’s beautiful nature there."Ja: ヒロシは返事に困った。En: Hiroshi hesitated with his answer.Ja: 仕事を辞めるのは怖かったが、冒険をしたい気持ちを止めることができなかった。En: Quitting his job was scary, but he couldn't stop his desire for adventure.Ja: 最終的に、成人の日が来た。En: Finally, coming of age day arrived.Ja: ヒロシは手紙を持ち、上司の机に向かった。En: Hiroshi held a letter as he approached his boss’s desk.Ja: "これが、僕の決断です。" ヒロシは心の中でつぶやいた。En: "This is my decision," Hiroshi whispered to himself.Ja: 彼はついに辞表を提出し、ユキの待つ場所へと歩き出した。En: He finally submitted his resignation and started walking to the place where Yuki was waiting.Ja: ユキは彼を迎え、笑顔を見せた。En: Yuki welcomed him with a smile.Ja: "これからの旅が楽しみですね。"En: "Looking forward to our journey," she said.Ja: ヒロシは頷き、新しい人生の一歩を踏み出した。En: Hiroshi nodded, taking his first step into a new life.Ja: ヒロシは変わった。En: Hiroshi had changed.Ja: 彼は自由になり、自らの情熱を追い求める決意を持った。En: He was free,...
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    16 mins
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