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Fluent Fiction - Japanese
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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
  • Rekindling Connections at Tokyo Tower: A Tale of Reunion

    Rekindling Connections at Tokyo Tower: A Tale of Reunion
    Feb 27 2026
    Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Rekindling Connections at Tokyo Tower: A Tale of Reunion Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2026-02-27-08-38-20-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 夕焼けが東京タワーを染め始めた中、春人（はると）はカバンの中から謎の手紙を取り出した。En: As the setting sun began to paint Tokyo Tower, Haruto took out a mysterious letter from his bag.Ja: その手紙は彼の机に置かれており、筆跡は見覚えのないものだった。En: The letter had been left on his desk, and the handwriting was unfamiliar.Ja: 「夕方、東京タワーに来てください。」En: "Please come to Tokyo Tower in the evening."Ja: 短いが、意味深な一文が書かれていた。En: It was a short but intriguing sentence.Ja: 春人は少し不安だった。En: Haruto felt a bit uneasy.Ja: 冗談かもしれない、あるいは罠かもしれない。En: It could be a joke, or perhaps a trap.Ja: しかし、長年の友人が繋がる可能性も捨てられなかった。En: However, he couldn't dismiss the possibility of reconnecting with a long-time friend.Ja: 結局、彼は心を決め、夕方の東京タワーに向かった。En: In the end, he made up his mind and headed to Tokyo Tower in the evening.Ja: 塔の下に着くと、空はすでにオレンジ色に変わり始めていた。En: Upon arriving at the base of the tower, the sky had already started to turn a shade of orange.Ja: 観光客の笑顔、カメラのシャッター音、そして都会のざわめきが混ざり合う中、春人は展望台へ向かった。En: Amidst the smiles of tourists, the sound of camera shutters, and the city's hustle and bustle, Haruto made his way to the observation deck.Ja: 階段を上る春人の心は、過去と向き合うために高鳴っていた。En: As he climbed the stairs, Haruto's heart raced, preparing to confront the past.Ja: 彼にとって、東京タワーは多くの思い出が詰まった場所だ。En: To him, Tokyo Tower was a place filled with many memories.Ja: 高校時代の修学旅行もここだった。En: It was even the destination of his high school field trip.Ja: その時一緒にいた仲間、特にある一人──赤音（あかね）──彼女のことがふと頭をよぎった。En: His mind briefly wandered to the companions who were with him then, especially one person—Akane.Ja: 展望台に到着すると、夕日が都心を一望に染めていた。En: Upon reaching the observation deck, the sunset spread over the city center.Ja: その景色に見惚れていると、声が聞こえた。「春人、久しぶりね。」En: As Haruto gazed at the captivating scene, a voice called out, "It's been a long time, Haruto."Ja: 振り向くと、そこには赤音が立っていた。En: When he turned around, Akane was standing there.Ja: 時が経っても、彼女の笑顔と眼差しは変わらない。En: Despite the passage of time, her smile and gaze remained unchanged.Ja: 彼女は春人に歩み寄り、手紙の背景を語り始めた。En: She approached Haruto and began to explain the background of the letter.Ja: 「実は...昔のことだけど、今になって分かったことがあってね。」En: "Actually... it's about something from the past, but I've come to understand it now."Ja: 赤音は、学校時代の誤解や未解決の出来事について話し始めた。En: Akane started to talk about old misunderstandings and unresolved incidents from their school days.Ja: 過去に埋もれていた真実、友人関係の亀裂。En: Buried truths and cracks in their friendships.Ja: 赤音はそれを解決しようとしていた。En: She was trying to resolve them.Ja: 春人は当時の自分を思い出し、反省もした。En: Haruto recalled his past self and reflected on his actions.Ja: しかし、赤音の声に耳を傾け、彼女と一緒に過去と向き合おうと決心した。En: Yet, he listened to Akane's voice and resolved to face the past with her.Ja: その場で向き合い、涙と共に過去のしこりを解きほぐした二人は、再び笑い合うことができた。En: Together, they confronted their history and, with tears, unraveled the knots of the past, allowing them to laugh together once more.Ja: 「これからまた、一緒に頑張ろうね。」赤音が言った。En: "Let's work hard together from here on out," Akane said.Ja: 「うん、ありがとう。ここから始めよう。」春人の心は、これまでにない開放感で満たされた。En: "Yeah, thank you. Let's start from here." Haruto felt an unprecedented sense of liberation in his heart.Ja: 青い夜空に浮かぶ東京タワーの明かりが、春人と赤音の新たな一歩を優しく照らしていた。En: The lights of Tokyo Tower, floating in the blue night sky, gently illuminated the new beginning...
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    16 mins
  • Sparks Over Coffee: A Kyoto Tale of Friendship and Folklore

    Sparks Over Coffee: A Kyoto Tale of Friendship and Folklore
    Feb 26 2026
    Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Sparks Over Coffee: A Kyoto Tale of Friendship and Folklore Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2026-02-26-23-34-02-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 冬の日、京都の小さなコーヒーロースタリーに、あたたかいコーヒーと焙煎された豆の香りが漂っていました。En: On a winter day, the aroma of warm coffee and roasted beans wafted through a small coffee roastery in Kyoto.Ja: 紙灯篭や鬼の面が飾られ、節分の季節が訪れているのを感じさせました。En: Decorated with paper lanterns and oni masks, it gave a feeling of the Setsubun season approaching.Ja: 空（そら）はカウンターに座っていました。En: Sora was sitting at the counter.Ja: 彼はここによく来る常連客で、執筆のインスピレーションを探しに来ていました。En: He was a regular who often came here looking for inspiration to write.Ja: しかし、最近は筆が進まない日々が続いていました。En: However, recently he had been experiencing days where he couldn't write much.Ja: 彼の目は、お客さんと楽しそうに話すアスカにいつも釘付けになります。En: His eyes were always glued to Asuka, who was chatting happily with the customers.Ja: アスカはこの店のバリスタで、地元の伝説や民話に興味がある熱心な若い女性です。En: Asuka was a barista at this shop, an enthusiastic young woman interested in local legends and folktales.Ja: ある日、空の親友のケンタがやって来ました。En: One day, Sora's best friend Kenta came by.Ja: ケンタはいつも空を「夢見がちだ」とからかいます。En: Kenta always teased Sora for being a "dreamer."Ja: 「なあ、アスカと話したらいいのに」とケンタは言います。En: "Hey, you should talk to Asuka," Kenta said.Ja: でも空は恥ずかしがり屋で、なかなか話しかけられません。En: But Sora was shy and found it difficult to start a conversation.Ja: 節分の日がやって来ました。En: Setsubun day arrived.Ja: 店では小さな鬼を模したおにぎりや、福茶がふるまわれています。En: The shop served onigiri shaped like little oni and fortune tea.Ja: 空はこの機会に乗じて、勇気を出してアスカに話しかけようと決意しました。En: Sora decided to seize this opportunity and muster the courage to speak to Asuka.Ja: アスカはニコニコしながら、節分についての話を空にしました。En: Asuka smiled warmly as she talked to Sora about Setsubun.Ja: 「この店での豆まきは楽しいですよね」とアスカ。En: "The bean-throwing here is so much fun, isn't it?" she said.Ja: すると空は、自分も書いている物語で鬼の話を取り入れていることを話しました。En: Then Sora revealed that he was incorporating a oni story in the tale he was writing.Ja: 「あ、私もそういう話が好きです！」とアスカは目を輝かせました。En: "Oh, I love those kinds of stories too!" Asuka exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.Ja: 「誰かと一緒に作品を作るのも楽しいかもしれませんね。」En: "It might be fun to create something with someone else."Ja: 会話は弾み、二人はすぐに時間を忘れて話し込みました。En: Their conversation flowed naturally, and they soon lost track of time talking.Ja: その日をきっかけに、空とアスカはさらに親しくなりました。En: This day marked the beginning of a closer friendship between Sora and Asuka.Ja: ふたりはカフェの外でも会うことに決め、物語を一緒に作ることにしました。En: They decided to meet outside the café and work on a story together.Ja: 空は、自分の力を信じ、自信を持てるようになってきました。En: Sora started to believe in his abilities and gain confidence.Ja: 彼はアスカとの時間を通じて、他者とつながることの大切さを学びました。En: Through his time with Asuka, he learned the importance of connecting with others.Ja: 冬の終わりに向かって、二人の新しい物語が始まったのです。En: As winter drew to a close, a new story for the two of them began. Vocabulary Words:aroma: 香りroastery: ロースタリーlanterns: 灯篭masks: 面approaching: 訪れているinspiration: インスピレーションincorporating: 取り入れているfortunes: 福enthusiastic: 熱心legends: 伝説folktales: 民話teased: からかいますconversation: 会話opportunity: 機会seize: 乗じてmuster: 勇気を出すcourage: 勇気sparkling: 輝かせnaturally: 自然にconfidence: 自信connecting: つながるcounter: カウンターglued: 釘付けshy: 恥ずかしがり屋mest: ふるまわれますrevealed: 話しましたincorporating: 取り入れてmarked: きっかけbelieve: 信じabilities: 力
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    14 mins
  • Brewed Bonds: Love and Healing in a Tokyo Café

    Brewed Bonds: Love and Healing in a Tokyo Café
    Feb 26 2026
    Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Brewed Bonds: Love and Healing in a Tokyo Café Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2026-02-26-08-38-20-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 東京の真ん中にある小さなコーヒー焙煎所は、まるで冬の寒さから逃れるための隠れ家のようでした。En: In the heart of Tokyo, there was a small coffee roasting house that felt like a hideaway to escape the winter chill.Ja: 木の温かい内装と新鮮なコーヒー豆の豊かな香りが、訪れるすべての人に心地よい安らぎをもたらしていました。En: The warm wooden interior and the rich aroma of fresh coffee beans brought a comforting tranquility to everyone who visited.Ja: ここで働くのは、情熱的なバリスタの晴人でした。彼は毎日、完璧な一杯のコーヒーを提供するために心を込めていました。En: Working there was Haruto, a passionate barista who poured his heart into serving the perfect cup of coffee every day.Ja: 晴人の友達、ユキは、この焙煎所によく訪れていました。En: Haruto's friend, Yuki, frequently visited this roasting house.Ja: 実は、最近ユキは原因不明の頭痛に悩まされていましたが、それを晴人に話すことを避けていました。En: Recently, Yuki had been suffering from inexplicable headaches, but she avoided telling Haruto about it.Ja: 「心配をかけたくない」それがユキの本音でした。En: "I don't want to worry him," was Yuki's true feeling.Ja: ある冬の日、焙煎所の窓から見える雪景色を眺めながら、ユキは暖かいカフェラテを飲んでいました。En: One winter day, as she gazed at the snowy landscape from the roasting house window, Yuki was sipping on a warm cafe latte.Ja: しかし、突然強烈な頭痛が彼女を襲いました。En: Suddenly, she was hit by an intense headache.Ja: 彼女は痛みに顔をしかめましたが、晴人には悟られないよう、必死に微笑みました。En: She winced in pain but tried her best to smile so Haruto wouldn't notice.Ja: それを見逃すわけもなく、晴人はユキの異変に気づきました。En: Of course, Haruto didn't miss it and noticed Yuki's change.Ja: 「ユキ、大丈夫？」と優しい声で尋ねました。En: "Yuki, are you okay?" he asked gently.Ja: ユキは「ただの疲れよ」と答えましたが、その目は痛みに苦しんでいました。En: Yuki replied, "It's just fatigue," but her eyes were filled with struggle against the pain.Ja: 晴人は心配でした。En: Haruto was worried.Ja: 「ユキ、これはただの頭痛じゃなさそうだ。」彼の声には隠しきれない焦りがありました。En: "Yuki, this doesn't seem like just a headache." There was unmistaken concern in his voice.Ja: 「一度お医者さんに行ってみた方がいいと思う。」En: "I think you should see a doctor."Ja: ユキは少しだけ黙りましたが、その後無理に笑顔を見せました。En: Yuki was silent for a moment, then forced a smile.Ja: 「大丈夫よ、晴人。心配いらないわ。」彼女は再び言いました。En: "I'm fine, Haruto. You don't have to worry," she repeated.Ja: しかし、晴人はあきらめませんでした。En: However, Haruto didn't give up.Ja: その午後、焙煎所が静かになった頃、頭痛が再びユキを襲いました。En: That afternoon, when the roasting house had quieted down, the headache struck Yuki again.Ja: 今回は、まるで嵐のように激しいものでした。En: This time, it was as fierce as a storm.Ja: 彼女は耐えきれず、椅子に崩れ落ちました。En: Unable to endure it, she collapsed into a chair.Ja: 晴人は急いでユキのところに駆け寄り、彼女を支えました。En: Haruto quickly rushed to Yuki's side and supported her.Ja: 「ユキ、お願いだからお医者さんに行って。」その目は真剣そのものでした。En: "Yuki, please, go see a doctor." His eyes were earnest.Ja: ユキは、それを見てようやく自分の体調が彼に与える不安を悟りました。En: Seeing this, Yuki finally realized the anxiety her condition was causing him.Ja: 観念したように、彼女はうなずきました。En: Resigning herself, she nodded.Ja: 「わかった、晴人。行くわ。」彼女は本当に痛みに耐えられない以上に、晴人を心配させたくないと思いました。En: "Okay, Haruto. I'll go." More than enduring the pain, she didn't want to make Haruto worry.Ja: 数日後、ユキは診察を受け、お医者さんの指導通りに治療を始めました。En: A few days later, Yuki had a consultation and began treatment as instructed by her doctor.Ja: 晴人はその報告を聞き、心底安堵しました。En: Hearing this report, Haruto was deeply relieved.Ja: ユキも、健康を優先...
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    17 mins
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