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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
  • Strawberries and Snow: Haruto's Winter Discovery

    Strawberries and Snow: Haruto's Winter Discovery
    Feb 4 2026
    Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Strawberries and Snow: Haruto's Winter Discovery Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2026-02-04-08-38-20-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 田舎の村の市場には、賑やかな会話と笑い声が溢れていた。En: The market in the village was filled with lively conversations and laughter.Ja: 冬の野菜が並んだ屋台がいくつも並び、雪が舞う中、木造のかわいらしい家々の屋根には雪が軽く積もっていた。En: Several stalls lined up displaying winter vegetables, and amidst the falling snow, the roofs of the quaint wooden houses had a light dusting of snow.Ja: 春人は大学の冬休みの間に帰省し、一生懸命に家族の小さな農場を手伝っていた。En: Haruto had returned home during his university's winter break and was earnestly helping out at his family's small farm.Ja: 彼は責任感を持ちながらも、心の中では叶えられなかった夢の重みを感じていた。En: Although he carried a sense of responsibility, he also felt the weight of an unfulfilled dream in his heart.Ja: 今日は、母親を喜ばせるために市場で季節初物のイチゴを探すことに決めた。En: Today, he decided to look for the first strawberries of the season at the market to please his mother.Ja: しかし、イチゴの屋台にはたくさんの人が集まっていた。En: However, many people had gathered at the strawberry stall.Ja: 人気が高くて、在庫が少ない。En: They were in high demand, and the stock was limited.Ja: 春人はどうにかして一番良いイチゴを手に入れようと悩んでいた。En: Haruto pondered how he could manage to get the best strawberries.Ja: 市場を歩きながら、隣の農家のタケシに出会った。彼もイチゴを探していた。En: While walking through the market, he met Takeshi, who lived on a neighboring farm and was also searching for strawberries.Ja: タケシと話をしながら、春人はあるアイデアを思いついた。En: While talking with Takeshi, Haruto came up with an idea.Ja: 「君の畑の手伝いをするから、その代わりにイチゴを分けてもらえる？」春人は微笑んで言った。En: "If I help out at your field, would you share some strawberries with me?" Haruto said with a smile.Ja: タケシは少し考えた後、笑顔で頷いた。En: Takeshi thought for a moment and then nodded with a grin.Ja: しばらくして、春人は市場に戻ってきた。En: After a while, Haruto returned to the market.Ja: 偶然、幼馴染のアイコの声が聞こえた。En: By chance, he heard the voice of his childhood friend, Aiko.Ja: 「別の場所にイチゴがまだ残っているみたいだよ。」彼女は友達に話していた。En: "It seems there are still strawberries left somewhere else," she was saying to her friends.Ja: 春人はその話を聞いて急いでその場所へ向かった。En: Hearing this, Haruto hurried to that location.Ja: そこには隠れたイチゴの在庫があった。En: There he found a hidden stock of strawberries.Ja: 春人は無事にイチゴを手に入れ、アイコに感謝の言葉を伝えた。En: Haruto successfully acquired the strawberries and expressed his gratitude to Aiko.Ja: 二人は昔の思い出を語り合いながら、友情を取り戻した。En: As they shared stories of old memories, they rekindled their friendship.Ja: 帰り道、春人は協力の大切さを改めて感じた。En: On his way back home, Haruto once again felt the importance of cooperation.Ja: ただ競争するのではなく、助け合うことが大事だと悟った。En: He realized that it's important to help each other, rather than just compete.Ja: そして、自分の夢に向き合う新たな視点を得た。En: He also gained a new perspective on facing his dreams.Ja: 母親にイチゴを手渡した時、彼女はとても嬉しそうに微笑んだ。En: When he handed the strawberries to his mother, she smiled happily.Ja: 春日の空には、静かに雪が降り続ける。En: In the Kasuga sky, snow continued to fall quietly.Ja: 市場はまだまだ賑やかで、春人はその中を誇らしげに歩いていった。En: The market was still bustling, and Haruto walked through it proudly.Ja: 彼の心は暖かく、明日が少し楽しみになった。En: His heart was warm, and he was a bit excited for tomorrow. Vocabulary Words:quaint: かわいらしいearnestly: 一生懸命responsibility: 責任感unfulfilled: 叶えられなかったpondered: 悩んでいたmanage: どうにかしてgrin: 笑顔chance: 偶然hidden: 隠れたgratitude: 感謝rekindled: 取り戻したcooperation: 協力compete: 競争するbustling: 賑やかperspective: 視点initial: 初物searching: 探していたacquire: 手に入れるresponsibly: 責任感持ってpleased: 喜ばせるimportance...
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    14 mins
  • From Frost to Friendship: A Winter Tale in Nishimachi

    From Frost to Friendship: A Winter Tale in Nishimachi
    Feb 3 2026
    Fluent Fiction - Japanese: From Frost to Friendship: A Winter Tale in Nishimachi Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2026-02-03-23-34-02-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 冬のある日、東京の郊外にある美しい町、にしまちには、薄い雪が静かに降り積もっていました。En: On a winter day, in a beautiful town in the suburbs of Tokyo, Nishimachi, a light snow was quietly accumulating.Ja: 伝統的な家が並ぶ静かな通りを歩くと、遠くに東京のスカイラインが見えました。En: Walking along a quiet street lined with traditional houses, the Tokyo skyline could be seen in the distance.Ja: オリーブの木と雪に覆われた茂みが景色を引き立てています。En: Olive trees and snow-covered bushes accentuated the scenery.Ja: 町の一角に住むカズキは、静かな生活を愛する中年の男性でした。En: In one corner of the town lived Kazuki, a middle-aged man who cherished a quiet life.Ja: 彼の庭は、細心の注意を払って手入れされており、冬でもその美しさを保っていました。En: His garden was meticulously maintained, preserving its beauty even in winter.Ja: 過去の経験から、新しい人間関係を築くことに慎重な彼は、本当はどこかで友情を望んでいました。En: From past experiences, he was cautious about building new relationships but secretly longed for companionship.Ja: この冬、にしまちに新しく引っ越してきた若い女性、ユイは、地域の人々と友好関係を築きたがっていました。En: This winter, a young woman named Yui moved to Nishimachi with the desire to build friendly ties with the local people.Ja: 彼女は文化的な伝統を学ぶことに熱心で、新しい生活への期待と不安が入り混じっていました。En: She was enthusiastic about learning cultural traditions, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety about her new life.Ja: 2月3日、ユイは節分を祝う準備をしていました。En: On February 3rd, Yui was preparing to celebrate Setsubun.Ja: 彼女は豆をまいて悪霊を追い払おうとしていましたが、勢い余って豆がカズキの大切な庭に飛んでいってしまいました。En: She attempted to drive away evil spirits by tossing beans, but in her enthusiasm, the beans flew into Kazuki's precious garden.Ja: カズキはそれが彼の平和な生活を乱すものだと感じ、ユイに抗議しました。En: Kazuki felt this disrupted his peaceful life and protested to Yui.Ja: このことで、二人の間には緊張が走りました。En: Tensions arose between the two because of this incident.Ja: しかし、ユイはすぐに謝罪し、庭を一緒に掃除することを申し出ました。En: However, Yui quickly apologized and offered to help clean the garden.Ja: カズキもまた、ユイの誠実さを見て、自分の反応が過剰だったことを反省しました。En: Seeing her sincerity, Kazuki reflected on his overreaction.Ja: そして、彼はユイと一緒に節分のお祝いをすることに決めました。En: He then decided to celebrate Setsubun with Yui.Ja: 豆まきをしながら、カズキとユイは趣味や経験を語り合いました。En: As they scattered beans, Kazuki and Yui shared stories about their hobbies and experiences.Ja: カズキはガーデニングの話をし、ユイは新しい環境での生活について話しました。En: Kazuki talked about gardening, while Yui discussed life in her new environment.Ja: この自然な会話の中で、二人は共通の話題を見つけ、不意に友情が芽生えました。En: Through this natural conversation, they found common topics, and unexpectedly, a friendship blossomed.Ja: その日が終わる頃、カズキとユイはこれからの友情を約束しました。En: By the end of the day, Kazuki and Yui promised to nurture their newfound friendship.Ja: ユイはカズキの庭仕事を手伝うことを提案し、カズキはユイに地元の伝統を教えることを約束しました。En: Yui proposed to assist with gardening, and Kazuki promised to teach her about local traditions.Ja: こうして、カズキは少しずつ人とのつながりに心を開き、ユイは新しい環境での自信と居場所を見つけたのでした。En: In this way, Kazuki gradually opened his heart to connecting with others, and Yui found confidence and a sense of belonging in her new environment.Ja: にしまちの静かな通りは、これまでと同じように雪に覆われていましたが、そこに住む人々の心は暖かく包まれていました。En: The quiet streets of Nishimachi remained covered in snow as before, but the hearts of the residents were warmly embraced. Vocabulary Words:accumulating: 降り積もっていましたskyline: スカイラインaccentuated: 引...
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    15 mins
  • Haruto and Ayumi's Bunkasai Breakthrough: A Winter Tale

    Haruto and Ayumi's Bunkasai Breakthrough: A Winter Tale
    Feb 3 2026
    Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Haruto and Ayumi's Bunkasai Breakthrough: A Winter Tale Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2026-02-03-08-38-20-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 冬の朝、静かな郊外の町には雪がしんしんと降り積もっていた。En: On a winter morning, snow was steadily piling up in the quiet suburban town.Ja: その町の中心には高校があり、そこでは文化祭の準備が進められていた。En: At the center of the town was a high school, where preparations for the bunkasai were underway.Ja: 文化部の部長であるハルトは、一つの疑問に悩んでいた。En: Haruto, the head of the Cultural Club, was troubled by one question.Ja: 「どうしたらこの文化祭をみんなのために成功させられるだろうか」。En: "How can we make this bunkasai a success for everyone?"Ja: ハルトの心には責任という重みがあった。En: In Haruto's heart was the weight of responsibility.Ja: クラスメートのアユミは静かで、でも心の中にはたくさんのアイデアを持っている少女だった。En: His classmate Ayumi was a quiet girl, but inside her, she had many ideas.Ja: アユミは何かを提案したい気持ちがあったが、彼女の声が本当に聞かれるかどうか不安だった。En: Ayumi wanted to propose something but was anxious about whether her voice would truly be heard.Ja: ある日、アユミは思い切って提案をした。En: One day, Ayumi boldly made a suggestion.Ja: 「セツブンをテーマにしたイベントをやってみようよ。En: "Let's have an event themed around Setsubun.Ja: みんなで豆まきをして、ステージでパフォーマンスをしよう」。En: We can do mamemaki together and have performances on stage."Ja: ハルトは少し驚いたが、すぐに笑顔になった。En: Haruto was a bit surprised but quickly smiled.Ja: 「それはいい考えだね。En: "That's a great idea.Ja: でも時間も資源も限られている。En: But time and resources are limited.Ja: どれだけできるか試してみよう」。En: Let's see how much we can do."Ja: 準備は大忙しだった。En: The preparations were hectic.Ja: 数日後、天気予報は冬の嵐を予見していた。En: A few days later, the weather forecast predicted a winter storm.Ja: ハルトとアユミ、そして他の生徒たちは、夜通しで準備をすることに決めた。En: Haruto, Ayumi, and the other students decided to prepare all night.Ja: 雪が窓を叩く音を聞きながら、彼らの決意はますます固くなっていった。En: As they listened to the sound of snow hitting the windows, their determination grew stronger.Ja: 嵐の翌朝、空は晴れて美しい青が広がっていた。En: The morning after the storm, the sky cleared up to reveal a beautiful blue.Ja: 文化祭の日がやってきた。En: The day of the bunkasai had arrived.Ja: ハルトは緊張しながらも、ステージの準備を確認した。En: Haruto, nervous yet determined, checked the stage preparations.Ja: そして、セツブンの豆まきが始まると、予想以上に多くの人が楽しんでいた。En: When the Setsubun mamemaki began, more people than expected were enjoying it.Ja: 笑顔と笑い声が校庭に響き渡った。En: Smiles and laughter echoed in the schoolyard.Ja: アユミの考えたパフォーマンスも、観客の心をつかんでいた。En: The performance Ayumi conceived also captivated the audience's hearts.Ja: そのとき、ハルトは思った。「みんなの力を合わせることがこんなにも大切なんだ」。En: At that moment, Haruto thought, "It's so important for everyone to come together."Ja: アユミも自信を持てた。En: Ayumi also gained confidence.Ja: 「私の意見も価値があるんだ」と思った。En: "My opinions have value," she thought.Ja: こうして、文化祭は無事に成功を収めた。En: In this way, the bunkasai ended successfully.Ja: ハルトは他の人々の意見をもっと大切にすることを学び、アユミは自身の創造力を信じることを学んだ。En: Haruto learned to value others' opinions more, and Ayumi learned to trust in her creativity.Ja: 彼らの友情と協力は、これからも続くだろう。En: Their friendship and cooperation will continue from now on.Ja: 静かな郊外のその町では、今日も笑顔が溢れている。En: In that quiet suburban town, smiles abound today as well.Ja: セツブンの豆まきから始まったこの冬の物語は、少し暖かい春へと続いていく。En: This winter story that began with the Setsubun mamemaki continues on to a slightly warmer spring. Vocabulary Words:steadily: しんしんとpiling up: 降り積もってsuburban: 郊外のpreparations: 準備underway: 進められていたresponsibility: 責任anxious: 不安...
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    15 mins
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