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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
  • Cherry Blossoms & Confessions: A Valentine's Day to Remember

    Cherry Blossoms & Confessions: A Valentine's Day to Remember
    Feb 13 2026
    Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Cherry Blossoms & Confessions: A Valentine's Day to Remember Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2026-02-13-08-38-20-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 桜の花びらが舞い落ちる公園は、美しく幻想的な雰囲気に包まれていました。En: The park, where cherry blossom petals danced to the ground, was enveloped in a beautiful, otherworldly atmosphere.Ja: 冬の冷たい風が、ほんのり甘い花の香りを運びます。En: The cold winter wind carried the subtly sweet scent of the flowers.Ja: 今日はバレンタインデー。En: Today is Valentine's Day.Ja: 桜祭りは賑やかで、恋人たちや家族でいっぱいです。En: The Sakura Matsuri is bustling and filled with couples and families.Ja: 春人、由依、大地は、小学生の頃の親友でした。En: Haruto, Yui, and Daichi were best friends from their elementary school days.Ja: 久しぶりに再会する機会を得た3人は、しばらく話し込んでいました。En: They had the opportunity to reunite after a long time and chatted for a while.Ja: 春人はしばしばカメラを構え、景色や友人たちの笑顔を写真に収めました。En: Haruto frequently raised his camera to capture photos of the scenery and his friends' smiles.Ja: 彼は昔から由依に恋心を抱いていましたが、ずっとその気持ちを伝えられずにいました。En: He had always harbored feelings for Yui, but had never been able to express them.Ja: 由依は、イベントプランナーとしての仕事に忙しく、必死に祭りの準備をしていました。En: Yui, busy with her job as an event planner, was working hard to prepare for the festival.Ja: それでも彼女は、友人たちとの再会を楽しみたいと思っていました。En: Despite her workload, she wanted to enjoy the reunion with her friends.Ja: しかし、大地が懐かしい思い出話を次々と持ち出すので、由依もついついそちらに気を取られがちです。En: However, Daichi kept bringing up nostalgic stories, and Yui was often distracted by them.Ja: 大地はエンジニアとして働いていて、仕事に追われる日々を送っていましたが、この日は特別な時間として大切にしていました。En: Daichi worked as an engineer and led a hectic life, but he cherished this special day.Ja: 夕暮れ時になると、桜公園は柔らかな灯籠の光で照らされ、ロマンチックなムードが漂います。En: As evening approached, the Sakura Park was illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns, creating a romantic mood.Ja: 春人は、由依が一本の美しい桜の木の下に一人立っているのを見つけました。En: Haruto spotted Yui standing alone under a beautiful cherry blossom tree.Ja: 彼はその瞬間をカメラに収め、意を決して由依に近づきました。En: He captured the moment with his camera and, steeling himself, approached Yui.Ja: 「由依、少し話してもいい？」春人は緊張しながら声をかけました。En: "Yui, can I talk to you for a moment?" Haruto asked nervously.Ja: 由依は微笑んで、「もちろん、春人」と答えます。En: Yui smiled and replied, "Of course, Haruto."Ja: 「実は…ずっと君のことが好きだったんだ」と春人は大胆に告白しました。En: "The truth is... I've liked you for a long time," Haruto confessed boldly.Ja: 彼の言葉はシンプルですが、真剣です。En: His words were simple, yet earnest.Ja: 由依は驚きましたが、同時に心に温かいものを感じました。En: Yui was surprised but simultaneously felt warmth in her heart.Ja: 「私も、同じ気持ちかもしれない…。でも、タイミングが分からなくて」と、彼女は素直に答えました。En: "I might feel the same way... but I just didn't know the right timing," she replied honestly.Ja: 二人はお互いに微笑み合いました。過去の思い出が交差し、新しい関係の始まりを感じました。En: The two exchanged smiles, feeling the intersection of past memories and the beginning of a new relationship.Ja: 桜の花びらが風に舞い、二人を優しく包み込みます。En: The cherry blossom petals swirled in the wind, gently enveloping them.Ja: 春人は自分の中の変化を感じました。En: Haruto felt a change within himself.Ja: 勇気を出して感情を伝えたことで、自信を持てるようになったのです。En: By mustering the courage to express his feelings, he had gained confidence.Ja: そして由依も、これからの道を二人で共に歩むことを決めました。En: And Yui decided that they would walk the path ahead together.Ja: 夜空には満天の星が輝き、桜の花もそれに答えるように美しく咲いていました。En: The night sky sparkled with countless stars...
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    16 mins
  • Silent Shores: Unraveling the Lakeside Mystery

    Silent Shores: Unraveling the Lakeside Mystery
    Feb 12 2026
    Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Silent Shores: Unraveling the Lakeside Mystery Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2026-02-12-23-34-00-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 湖畔に立つと、冷たい冬の風が吹いてきた。En: As they stood by the lakeside, a cold winter wind blew.Ja: 琵琶湖は一部凍っていて、静かな雪に覆われた岸辺が広がっている。En: Biwako was partially frozen, and the quiet, snow-covered shoreline stretched out.Ja: 霧が湖から立ち上り、静かな空気を一層神秘的にした。En: A mist rose from the lake, making the tranquil atmosphere even more mysterious.Ja: 優紀は岸辺に立って、遠くを見つめていた。En: Yuki stood by the shore, gazing into the distance.Ja: 冒険心にあふれ、いつも問題や謎を解決することを楽しんでいる彼女は、今日も心が弾んでいた。En: Full of a spirit of adventure, she always enjoys solving problems and mysteries, and today her heart was bouncing with excitement.Ja: そこには、作業をやめたまま漂う不思議な空のボートがあったのだ。En: There was a mysterious empty boat drifting aimlessly.Ja: 「大地、あれを見て！」優紀は彼女の幼なじみ大地に声をかけた。En: "Daichi, look at that!" Yuki called out to her childhood friend, Daichi.Ja: 彼は優紀とは対照的に、現実的で慎重な性格だ。En: Unlike Yuki, he has a realistic and cautious nature.Ja: ボートを見ても、彼の顔には少し心配の色が浮かんだ。En: Even seeing the boat, a hint of worry appeared on his face.Ja: 「優紀、気をつけなきゃ危ないかもしれないよ。En: "Yuki, you need to be careful, it might be dangerous.Ja: 何が起こったかわからないんだから」と大地は警告する。En: We don't know what happened," warned Daichi.Ja: 「でも、何が起こったのか知りたいの。En: "But I want to know what happened.Ja: 行こうよ。En: Let's go.Ja: 何か手がかりがあるかもしれない」と優紀は言った。En: There might be some clue," said Yuki.Ja: 彼女は絶対に調査をやめるつもりはないようだ。En: It seemed she had no intention of giving up the investigation.Ja: 大地はしばらく考えた。En: Daichi thought for a moment.Ja: 彼は優紀の好奇心に感心していたが、自分の心配も捨てきれなかった。En: He admired Yuki's curiosity but couldn't shake off his own concerns.Ja: でも、最終的に彼女を一人残すことはできないと決めた。En: Ultimately, he decided he couldn't leave her alone.Ja: 「わかったよ、優紀。でも気をつけるんだよ」と彼は言った。En: "Alright, Yuki, but be careful," he said.Ja: 二人はそっとボートに近づいた。En: The two of them approached the boat quietly.Ja: 丁寧に中を調べていると、優紀は何かを発見した。En: As they carefully investigated inside, Yuki discovered something.Ja: 「大地、見て。En: "Daichi, look.Ja: このボートには秘密の棚がある！」En: This boat has a hidden compartment!"Ja: そこには古い文書と写真があった。En: Inside were old documents and photos.Ja: その写真には、近隣の村で語られている伝説に関係する人物たちが写っていた。En: The photos depicted people related to a legend spoken of in the nearby village.Ja: 「これは、あの伝説とつながっているかもしれない」と大地は言った。En: "This might be connected to that legend," Daichi said.Ja: 二人は興奮し、どんどん調べを進めた。En: Excited, the two continued their investigation further.Ja: 最終的に、彼らは地元の警察に発見を報告することにした。En: Eventually, they decided to report their findings to the local police.Ja: 警察は二人の情報を確認した後、その伝説について話してくれた。En: After confirming the information provided by the two, the police told them about the legend.Ja: 長年解決されなかった謎が、彼らの発見でようやく一部解明されたのだ。En: Thanks to their discovery, a mystery that had remained unsolved for years was finally partially unraveled.Ja: 優紀はその日、探究心と同様に、慎重さも大切だと気づいた。En: That day, Yuki realized that caution is just as important as a questing spirit.Ja: 大地もまた、優紀の冒険心に触発され、少しだけ不確実性を楽しむ心を受け入れることができた。En: Daichi too, inspired by Yuki's adventurous spirit, managed to embrace a little uncertainty.Ja: 湖畔は再び静かだったが、彼らの心には新しい理解が生まれた。En: The lakeside was silent once more, but a new understanding had formed in their hearts.Ja: そして、二人はまた新たな冒険を探しに行くことでしょう。En: And the two of them will...
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    16 mins
  • Snowy Confrontation in Sakura Park: Friendship vs. Duty

    Snowy Confrontation in Sakura Park: Friendship vs. Duty
    Feb 12 2026
    Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Snowy Confrontation in Sakura Park: Friendship vs. Duty Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2026-02-12-08-38-20-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 冬の日、雪が舞い降りる桜公園は静かだった。En: On a winter's day, Sakura Park, where snow was falling, was quiet.Ja: 葉のない桜の木が白い雪に覆われ、静けさが広がっていた。En: The leafless cherry trees were covered in white snow, and tranquility spread throughout.Ja: ハルカは自分の心に重いメッセージを抱きながら、公園の道を歩いていた。En: Haruka was walking along the park's path, burdened with a heavy message in her heart.Ja: リクに伝えなければならない重要なメッセージ。En: It was an important message she had to convey to Riku.Ja: それがリクの将来を左右するかもしれない。En: It might affect Riku's future.Ja: ハルカは緊張していたが、決意っていた。En: Haruka was nervous, but she was determined.Ja: 「リクに絶対伝えなければ」と心の中で誓いながら歩みを進めた。En: With a vow in her heart, "I must tell him," she continued to walk.Ja: しかし、ハルカの進む先には、少し離れたところでミユが待ち受けていた。En: However, Haruka saw that Miyu was waiting a little distance away on the path she was taking.Ja: 彼女の微笑みはいつも通りだったが、その瞳には隠せない嫉妬の色があった。En: Miyu's smile was as usual, but there was an undeniable hint of jealousy in her eyes.Ja: ミユはハルカがリクと特別な絆を持つことを羨ましがっていた。En: Miyu envied the special bond Haruka had with Riku.Ja: 「やっぱり、ハルカからの手紙なんて渡せない」と思い、ミユはハルカを止めにかかった。En: Thinking, "I really can't hand over a letter from Haruka," Miyu set out to stop Haruka.Ja: 「ハルカ！」とミユの声が静けさを破った。En: “Haruka!” Miyu’s voice broke the silence.Ja: 彼女はハルカの前に立ちはだかり、「リクへのメッセージって何？」と問いただした。En: She stood in Haruka’s way and demanded, “What’s the message for Riku?”Ja: ハルカは一瞬、冷たい風の中で立ち止まった。En: Haruka stopped in her tracks for a moment in the cold wind.Ja: 直接対決するべきか、それとも他の方法でリクに伝えるべきか、心の中で葛藤があった。En: She was torn about whether to face this confrontation directly or find another way to tell Riku.Ja: その時、空から予想外の雪が降り始めた。En: At that moment, unexpected snow began to fall from the sky.Ja: 会話が雪の中で凍るように静かになった。En: The conversation grew quiet as if frozen in the snow.Ja: 「このメッセージは、リクにとって本当に大切なんだ」とハルカはミユに言った。En: “This message is truly important for Riku,” Haruka said to Miyu.Ja: ミユの目に戸惑いが広がった。En: Confusion spread across Miyu’s eyes.Ja: 「私たちの友情より大切なの？」とミユが聞くと、ハルカは静かにうなずいた。En: “More important than our friendship?” Miyu asked, and Haruka quietly nodded.Ja: 「友情も大事だけど、リクは今決断に迷っている。En: “Friendship is important too, but Riku is currently unsure of a decision.Ja: 彼の幸せのためにも、伝えなければならないことなんだ」とハルカは説明した。En: I have to tell him for his happiness,” Haruka explained.Ja: その言葉にミユは立ち止まった。En: At those words, Miyu paused.Ja: 「もしかしたら、私の嫉妬が彼に悪い影響を与えていたかも」と、内心自分に問いかける。En: "Maybe my jealousy was having a negative effect on him," she inwardly questioned herself.Ja: しばらくの沈黙の後、ミユは静かに道を開けた。En: After a brief silence, Miyu quietly stepped aside.Ja: 「ハルカ、早く行って。彼に伝えて」と優しい声で言った。En: "Haruka, go quickly. Tell him," she said in a gentle voice.Ja: ハルカは驚きで目を見開いたが、すぐに微笑み返し、「ありがとう、ミユ」と感謝を込めて言った。En: Haruka's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly smiled back and said, "Thank you, Miyu," with gratitude.Ja: ハルカは雪の積もり始めた公園を走り、リクの元へと急いだ。En: Haruka started running through the snow that had begun to accumulate in the park, hurrying to Riku's side.Ja: ミユは少し離れた場所でその光景を見つめ、心に変化が芽生えた。En: Miyu watched from a distance, and a change began to bud in her heart.Ja: 「友情は競争じゃないんだ」と悟ったのだった。En: She realized, "Friendship is not a ...
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    17 mins
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