Fluent Fiction - Japanese Podcast By FluentFiction.org cover art

Fluent Fiction - Japanese

Fluent Fiction - Japanese

By: FluentFiction.org
Listen for free

Get 3 months for $0.99 a month
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 Bonds: A Winter Reunion Beneath Mount Fuji

    Rekindling Bonds: A Winter Reunion Beneath Mount Fuji
    Dec 3 2025
    Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Rekindling Bonds: A Winter Reunion Beneath Mount Fuji Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-12-03-23-34-02-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 静かな冬の日、川口湖のそばにある雪に覆われた富士山がその雄大さを誇示していました。En: On a quiet winter day, Mount Fuji, covered in snow, was displaying its grandeur beside Lake Kawaguchi.Ja: 秋田市から移住して東京で働く中年男性、アキラは久々に故郷に戻ってきました。En: Akita City native Akira, a middle-aged man who had moved to work in Tokyo, returned to his hometown for the first time in a long while.Ja: 彼は都会の生活に追われ、家族と過ごす時間がめっきり減ってしまっていました。En: Chased by the bustle of city life, he had significantly less time to spend with his family.Ja: 今日、彼は特別な贈り物を手に、長い間会っていなかった妹のユキに会うため、一歩一歩家に近づいていきます。En: Today, with a special gift in hand, he is taking steps towards home to meet his younger sister, Yuki, whom he hasn't seen in quite some time.Ja: ドアを開けると、温かみのある木の香りとともにユキの声が聞こえました。En: When he opened the door, the warm scent of wood accompanied Yuki's voice welcoming him.Ja: 「アキラ、お帰りなさい。En: "Welcome back, Akira."Ja: 」少しの無言の後、二人はお互いの顔を見つめ、微笑みます。En: After a brief moment of silence, they looked at each other's faces and smiled.Ja: そこには言葉にならない安心感と、微かな緊張が交錯していました。En: There was an indescribable sense of relief mixed with a faint tension.Ja: アキラは週末を生かして、家族みんなと特別な夕食を計画していました。En: Akira used the weekend to plan a special dinner with the whole family.Ja: このプランは、普段忙しい彼の生活から一瞬抜け出し、家族の絆を再び深めるためのものです。En: This plan was a way for him to momentarily escape his normally busy life and rekindle the family bonds.Ja: 夕飯の準備中、アキラはユキと話しました。En: During dinner preparations, Akira spoke with Yuki.Ja: 「ユキ、全部一人でやらせてごめんね。En: "Sorry for making you do everything by yourself, Yuki.Ja: 都会での生活が忙しくて…」ユキは静かに笑いましたが、その言葉の裏には少しの苦しみも隠されていました。En: Life in the city has kept me busy..." Yuki quietly laughed, but there was a hint of pain hidden behind her words.Ja: 「アキラ、お兄ちゃんの仕事や夢は大切だとわかってる。En: "I understand that Akira, your work and dreams are important.Ja: でも、たまには顔を見せてほしいの。En: But sometimes, I want you to show your face.Ja: 両親も寂しいし、私も…」その晩、夕飯を囲んで親しい会話が続きました。En: Our parents feel lonely, and so do I..." That evening, intimate conversations continued around the dinner table.Ja: アキラは東京の話をし、ユキは田舎の生活の苦労を語り合いました。En: Akira talked about life in Tokyo, while Yuki shared the hardships of rural life.Ja: 暖かな灯りの下で、心の壁が少しずつ崩れていきました。En: Under the warm light, the emotional walls between them slowly began to crumble.Ja: 食後、ユキはアキラに話しかけました。En: After the meal, Yuki spoke to Akira.Ja: 「たまには私も東京に行ってみたいわ。En: "I would like to visit Tokyo sometimes.Ja: お兄ちゃんの生活を見て、直接話し合えたらいいわね。En: It would be nice to see your life, and we could discuss things directly."Ja: 」その瞬間、アキラは彼女を見つめる目が優しく、頼もしいものとなりました。En: In that instant, Akira's gaze turned gentle and reassuring.Ja: 「もちろんだよ、ユキ。En: "Of course, Yuki.Ja: これからはもっと頻繁に来るし、君も東京に遊びに来るといい。En: I will come more often, and you should visit Tokyo as well."Ja: 」二人は久しぶりの和解と再会の喜びで、心が満たされました。En: Their hearts were filled with the joy of reconciliation and reunion after such a long time.Ja: 外には雪が静かに降り続き、穏やかな冬の夜が二人を優しく包み込んでいました。En: Outside, snow continued to fall quietly, enveloping the two gently on a peaceful winter night.Ja: アキラとユキはそれぞれの道を歩みながらも、いつでも家族という繋がりが心の中に強く残っていることを感じたのでした。En: Akira and Yuki felt a strong sense of their family connection remaining in their hearts as they each continued on their ...
    Show more Show less
    15 mins
  • Haruto's Path: Finding Beauty in Tea and Imperfection

    Haruto's Path: Finding Beauty in Tea and Imperfection
    Dec 3 2025
    Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Haruto's Path: Finding Beauty in Tea and Imperfection Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-12-03-08-38-20-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 京都の嵐山竹林は、静かで荘厳な雰囲気を持っています。En: The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in Kyoto holds a serene and majestic atmosphere.Ja: 高さのある竹が自然の大聖堂を作り、冬の柔らかな光が緑の天蓋を通して降り注ぎます。En: The tall bamboo creates a natural cathedral, with the soft winter light filtering through the green canopy.Ja: 冷たい空気には、しっとりとした葉の香りが漂っています。En: The scent of damp leaves lingers in the chilly air.Ja: 心地よいこの場所で、春斗は伝統的な茶道のデモンストレーションの準備をしていました。En: In this pleasant place, Haruto was preparing for a traditional tea ceremony demonstration.Ja: 春斗は茶道を愛する情熱的な茶師です。En: Haruto is a passionate tea master who loves the tea ceremony.Ja: 伝統を守るため、彼は完璧を目指します。En: To preserve tradition, he strives for perfection.Ja: しかし、最近は自信が持てなくなっています。En: However, recently he has been losing confidence.Ja: 師匠の高い期待に応えたい気持ちは強いですが、彼はよく夢で失敗する悪夢に悩まされます。En: He strongly desires to meet his master's high expectations, but he is often plagued by nightmares of failure.Ja: その日の朝、春斗は竹林の中で深呼吸をしました。En: That morning, Haruto took a deep breath in the bamboo grove.Ja: 彼は一人の僧侶と出会いました。その僧侶は知恵と安らぎで知られていました。En: He encountered a monk known for wisdom and tranquility.Ja: 「春斗さん、どうしましたか？」と僧侶が優しく尋ねました。En: "Haruto-san, what's troubling you?" the monk gently inquired.Ja: 「完璧にしたいのですが、失敗が怖いです。」春斗は正直に打ち明けました。En: "I want to be perfect, but I'm afraid of failing," Haruto confessed honestly.Ja: 僧侶は微笑み、「完璧は幻想ですよ。本当の美しさは不完全さの中にあります。」と答えました。En: The monk smiled and replied, "Perfection is an illusion. True beauty lies in imperfection."Ja: これに勇気をもらった春斗は、練習に没頭しました。En: With this encouragement, Haruto immersed himself in practice.Ja: 彼はその日のために何度も何度もお茶を点てました。En: He made tea over and over for that day.Ja: とうとう、茶会の日がやってきました。En: Finally, the day of the tea gathering arrived.Ja: 竹林の中で、師匠や多くの観客が見守る中、春斗の手は緊張しながらも優雅に動きました。En: Amid the bamboo grove, under the watchful eyes of his master and many spectators, Haruto's hands moved gracefully, albeit with tension.Ja: しかし、ふと、小さな間違いに気づきました。En: Suddenly, he noticed a small mistake.Ja: 緊張とともに、心の中で静かに決心しました。En: Along with his tension, he quietly resolved in his heart.Ja: 春斗は少し微笑み、「お茶も竹と同じです。不完全でも美しいものです。」と一言言いました。En: Haruto smiled slightly and said, "Tea is like bamboo. Beautiful even in its imperfection."Ja: 観客は笑い出し、場が和みました。En: The spectators laughed, and the atmosphere eased.Ja: 春斗は落ち着いて間違いを正しました。En: Haruto calmly corrected his mistake.Ja: その瞬間、師匠からの認めるような目線を感じました。En: At that moment, he felt a recognizing gaze from his master.Ja: 春斗は悟りました。完璧さよりも大切なのは、そこにいる自分であること。En: Haruto realized that more important than perfection is being oneself in the moment.Ja: そして、真実の美は自然体でいることから生まれるのです。En: And true beauty emerges from being natural.Ja: 春斗はその後も茶道に専念し、竹林のように伸び続けました。En: After that, Haruto continued to devote himself to the tea ceremony, growing like the bamboo grove.Ja: 彼の中の不安は、いつしか静かな自信へと変わっていったのでした。En: The anxiety within him gradually transformed into a quiet confidence. Vocabulary Words:serene: 静かでmajestic: 荘厳なcanopy: 天蓋lingers: 漂っていますchilly: 冷たいpassionate: 情熱的なdemonstration: デモンストレーションstrives: 目指しますperfection: 完璧plagued: 悩まされますnightmares: 悪夢encountered: 出会いましたtranquility: 安らぎillusion: 幻想immersed: 没頭しましたgracefully: 優雅にspectators: 観客gathering: ...
    Show more Show less
    15 mins
  • Finding Meaning in Kyoto's Bamboo Grove: A New Year Journey

    Finding Meaning in Kyoto's Bamboo Grove: A New Year Journey
    Dec 2 2025
    Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Finding Meaning in Kyoto's Bamboo Grove: A New Year Journey Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-12-02-23-34-02-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 京都の竹林の中に、冷たい冬の空気が漂っていました。En: In the bamboo grove of Kyoto, the cold winter air was lingering.Ja: 新年が近づき、竹林の道には提灯が灯り、伝統的な工芸品の屋台が立ち並んでいます。En: As the new year approached, bamboo grove paths were lit with lanterns, and stalls selling traditional crafts lined the way.Ja: そこには、ハルキと彼の親友のサクラが歩いていました。En: Haruki and his close friend Sakura were walking there.Ja: 「おばあちゃんにぴったりの贈り物を見つけたいんだ」とハルキは言いました。En: "I want to find the perfect gift for my grandmother," Haruki said.Ja: 「何か特別で、伝統的で、心からのものを。」En: "Something special, traditional, and heartfelt."Ja: 「そうね、でもそれは簡単じゃないわね」とサクラは微笑みました。En: "Yes, but that's not an easy task," Sakura smiled.Ja: 「でも、思い出や気持ちを大切にしてみたら？」En: "But maybe you should cherish the memories and feelings instead?"Ja: 屋台を一つ一つ見て回る二人。En: The two wandered from stall to stall.Ja: しかし、どれもハルキの心には響きませんでした。En: However, none of them resonated with Haruki.Ja: 飾り物やお菓子、和紙で作られた人形や花札。En: Decorations, sweets, dolls made of washi, or hanafuda cards.Ja: たくさんの選択肢に圧倒されて、彼はますます迷っていました。En: Overwhelmed by so many options, he became more and more confused.Ja: 「どうしよう…」とハルキはつぶやきました。En: "What should I do..." Haruki murmured.Ja: 「おばあちゃんは特別だから、贈り物も特別じゃないと。」En: "My grandmother is special, so the gift has to be special too."Ja: 夕方が近づき、竹の影が長くなり始めました。En: As evening approached, the shadows of the bamboo began to lengthen.Ja: その時、ふと見た屋台に、手描きの扇子が並んでいました。En: Just then, at one of the stalls, he spotted hand-painted fans.Ja: それぞれの扇子が物語を語っているようで、ハルキは足を止めました。En: Each fan seemed to tell a story, causing Haruki to pause.Ja: その中の一つ、鶴と松の絵が描かれた扇子が彼の目を引きました。En: Among them, a fan painted with crane and pine caught his eye.Ja: 鶴は長寿の象徴であり、松は不屈のシンボルです。En: The crane is a symbol of longevity, and the pine is a symbol of resilience.Ja: それは、彼が子供の頃、祖母からよく聞いた物語を思い出させました。En: It reminded him of the stories he often heard from his grandmother when he was a child.Ja: 「これだ…」ハルキは心の中で確信しました。En: "This is it..." Haruki knew in his heart.Ja: 「この扇子はぴったりだ。」En: "This fan is perfect."Ja: 扇子を購入し、新年の日に祖母に贈りました。En: He purchased the fan and gifted it to his grandmother on New Year's Day.Ja: 祖母はその美しさと共に、ハルキの思いやりを深く感謝しました。En: His grandmother deeply appreciated its beauty and Haruki's thoughtfulness.Ja: 「贈り物の価値は、豪華さではなく、その意味と愛情にあるんだね。」ハルキはそう悟りました。En: "The value of a gift lies not in its luxury, but in its meaning and love," Haruki realized.Ja: 竹林は冬の静けさに戻り、ハルキは新しい年を迎える心の準備をしながら、サクラと共に家路につきました。En: The bamboo grove returned to its winter tranquility, and Haruki, preparing his heart for the new year, headed home with Sakura.Ja: 彼の心は温かく、鮮やかな冬の記憶となる贈り物の意味を理解しました。En: His heart was warm, understanding the meaning of gifts that would become vivid winter memories. Vocabulary Words:grove: 竹林linger: 漂うpath: 道stall: 屋台craft: 工芸品cherish: 大切にするoverwhelmed: 圧倒されるwaves: 波resonate: 響くdoll: 人形washi: 和紙hanafuda: 花札murmur: つぶやくlengthen: 長くなるhand-painted: 手描きのfan: 扇子crane: 鶴pine: 松longevity: 長寿resilience: 不屈remind: 思い出させるpurchase: 購入するgift: 贈り物appreciate: 感謝するluxury: 豪華さmeaning: 意味tranquility: 静けさvivid: 鮮やかなsymbol: シンボルrealize: 悟る
    Show more Show less
    14 mins
No reviews yet