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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
  • Finding Courage in Kyoto: Haruto's Heartfelt Quest

    Finding Courage in Kyoto: Haruto's Heartfelt Quest
    Nov 24 2025
    Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Finding Courage in Kyoto: Haruto's Heartfelt Quest Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-11-24-08-38-20-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 京都の秋。En: Autumn in Kyoto.Ja: 鮮やかな紅葉が街を彩り、伝統的な日本建築が現代の景色と調和している。En: The vibrant autumn leaves color the city, and the traditional Japanese architecture harmonizes with the modern scenery.Ja: 高校生の春人は、学校の遠足で京都を訪れていた。En: Kokoosei Haruto was visiting Kyoto on a school trip.Ja: 彼は新しい場所を探検するのが好きだが、実は迷子になることと一人になることに少し恐れていた。En: He liked exploring new places, but he was a little afraid of getting lost and being alone.Ja: いつも妹のことを考える優しい兄である春人は、この旅で病気の妹にぴったりな土産を見つけようと思っていた。En: Haruto, a kind brother who always thinks of his younger sister, wanted to find a perfect souvenir for his sick sister on this trip.Ja: クラスメートたちと一緒に嵐山を訪れた。En: He visited Arashiyama with his classmates.Ja: 美しい竹林と大きな天竜寺を見学した。En: They toured the beautiful bamboo forest and the large Tenryuji Temple.Ja: 空気は冷たく、秋の香りが漂う。En: The air was chilly, carrying the scent of autumn.Ja: しかし、時間はあまりなかった。En: However, there was not much time.Ja: バスはすぐに出発する予定だった。En: The bus was scheduled to depart soon.Ja: 春人は決心した。En: Haruto made up his mind.Ja: 少しだけグループを離れ、自分の直感に従って特別な土産店を探すことにした。En: He decided to leave the group for a bit and follow his instincts to search for a special souvenir shop.Ja: 「妹に喜んでもらいたい！」そう思いながら、彼は人ごみを抜けて商店街に向かった。En: "I want to make my sister happy!" With that thought in mind, he made his way through the crowd towards the shopping street.Ja: 狭い道を進むと、小さな店を見つけた。En: As he proceeded down a narrow path, he found a small store.Ja: 店の入り口には「京みやげ」と書かれた看板がかかっていた。En: A sign at the entrance read "Kyo-miyage."Ja: 中に入ると、水引の置物や色とりどりの和蝋燭が並ぶ。En: Upon entering, he was greeted by displays of mizuhiki ornaments and colorful Japanese candles.Ja: 春人は心をときめかせながら、店の奥にある手作りの人形を見つけた。En: With his heart pounding with excitement, he found handmade dolls in the back of the store.Ja: それはまさに妹が喜びそうな優しい表情の人形だった。En: It was a doll with a gentle expression, just the kind that his sister would be thrilled to see.Ja: 「これだ！」彼は心の中で叫んだ。En: "This is it!" he exclaimed to himself.Ja: 人形を購入してふと気がつくと、時間がほとんどなかった。彼は急いでバスの集合場所に戻らなければならなくなった。En: Realizing he was running out of time after purchasing the doll, he had to hurry back to the bus meeting point.Ja: 京都の街は複雑で、迷路のようだったが、春人は自分を信じることにした。En: The streets of Kyoto were complex, like a maze, but Haruto decided to trust himself.Ja: 彼は地図を使わず、来た道を覚えながら、早歩きで駅へと向かった。En: Without using a map, he remembered the way he'd come and briskly headed towards the station.Ja: 慌てた気持ちを抑え、足を早める春人。En: Suppressing his anxious feelings, Haruto quickened his pace.Ja: ついに、クラスメートたちが集まるバスが見えた。En: Finally, he saw the bus where his classmates were gathering.Ja: 「よかった…間に合った！」心の中で安堵のため息をついた瞬間、バスの扉が開き、友達のユキとマイが手を振っているのが見えた。En: "Thank goodness... I made it!" He breathed a sigh of relief in his heart as the bus doors opened, and he saw his friends Yuki and Mai waving at him.Ja: 「すごいね、春人。君、どこに行っていたの？」ユキが笑顔で尋ねた。En: "Wow, Haruto, where did you go?" Yuki asked with a smile.Ja: 春人は妹に買った人形をそっと見せた。En: Haruto quietly showed the doll he had bought for his sister.Ja: 「この土産を探してたんだ。」En: "I was looking for this souvenir."Ja: 友達らと並んでバスに乗り込む春人は、知らず知らずのうちに少し自分を信じることができるようになっていた。En: Boarding the bus alongside his friends, Haruto found himself able to believe in himself a little bit more.Ja: 京都の秋の空...
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    16 mins
  • Embracing Friendship: Haruka's Autumn Awakening in Kanazawa

    Embracing Friendship: Haruka's Autumn Awakening in Kanazawa
    Nov 23 2025
    Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Embracing Friendship: Haruka's Autumn Awakening in Kanazawa Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-11-23-23-34-02-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 紅葉が鮮やかに色づく秋の日、金沢の兼六園は美しい景観に包まれていました。En: On an autumn day when the leaves are vividly colored, Kenrokuen in Kanazawa was enveloped in beautiful scenery.Ja: 空は澄み渡り、澄んだ空気が心地よく、訪れる人々はみな、労働感謝の日を楽しんでいます。En: The sky was clear, and the crisp air was pleasant as everyone visiting enjoyed Labor Thanksgiving Day.Ja: 植物学に情熱を持つ若い女性、はるかは、この美しい公園に来ていました。En: A young woman passionate about botany, Haruka, came to this beautiful park.Ja: 彼女は珍しい紅葉を集め、植物アートのインスピレーションにしたいと考えていました。En: She wanted to collect rare autumn leaves for inspiration in her botanical art.Ja: しかし、彼女には過去に失神の経験があり、身体が心配でした。En: However, she was concerned about her health because she had fainted in the past.Ja: 「あ、セイヨウカエデだ。素敵な色ね。」はるかは色鮮やかな葉を見つけ、興奮しました。En: "Oh, a Seiyo Kaede. What a lovely color." Haruka was excited to find a vividly colored leaf.Ja: しかし、その直後、突然めまいが彼女を襲いました。En: But right then, she was suddenly hit by dizziness.Ja: 彼女の視界が揺れ、足元がふらつきました。En: Her vision blurred, and her feet wobbled.Ja: 「まずい…」と彼女は思いましたが、なんとか落ち着こうと深呼吸しました。En: "This is bad..." she thought, but she tried to calm herself with deep breaths.Ja: その時、友人のけんたとまいが側に来ました。En: At that moment, her friends Kenta and Mai came by her side.Ja: 「大丈夫？」けんたが心配そうに声をかけました。En: "Are you alright?" Kenta asked worriedly.Ja: 「もし倒れたら、すぐに連絡するよ。」彼はスマートフォンを取り出し、緊張した様子でした。En: "If you collapse, I'll contact someone immediately." He pulled out his smartphone, looking tense.Ja: 「少しだけ休むわ。」はるかはベンチに座り、ゆっくりと呼吸を整えました。En: "I'll just rest for a bit." Haruka sat on a bench, slowly calming her breathing.Ja: 周りの景色を眺めながら、冷静になろうとしていました。En: She tried to regain composure while gazing at the scenery around her.Ja: しばらくして、はるかはゆっくりと立ち上がりました。En: After a while, Haruka slowly stood up.Ja: 輝く紅葉の木々に囲まれた彼女は、その美しさに感動し、涙が浮かびました。En: Surrounded by the glowing autumn trees, she was moved by their beauty, tears welling up in her eyes.Ja: 「一人で頑張るつもりだったけど、助けを受けるのも悪くないわね。」彼女は静かに決意しました。En: "I intended to do this on my own, but accepting help isn't so bad," she quietly resolved.Ja: まいが提案しました。「一緒に葉っぱを集めよう。みんなで楽しいよ！」En: Mai suggested, "Let's gather leaves together. It'll be fun with everyone!"Ja: はるかはうなずき、新しい気持ちで彼女の友人たちと紅葉を探しました。En: Haruka nodded and, with a fresh outlook, searched for leaves with her friends.Ja: 彼女たちは力を合わせて美しい葉を集めました。はるかは、友人たちと一緒にいることの楽しさを感じました。En: Together, they gathered beautiful leaves, and Haruka felt the joy of being with her friends.Ja: 受け入れることで、新しい強さを見つけることができたのです。En: By accepting help, she found new strength.Ja: その日、はるかは自分の強さを再発見し、友情の大切さを心から感じました。En: That day, Haruka rediscovered her own strength and deeply felt the importance of friendship.Ja: 彼女は友人たちに感謝し、これからも支え合っていくことを心に誓いました。En: She thanked her friends and vowed in her heart to continue supporting each other in the future. Vocabulary Words:autumn: 秋vividly: 鮮やかにenveloped: 包まれていましたcrisp: 澄んだbotany: 植物学fainted: 失神dizziness: めまいblurred: 揺れwobbled: ふらつきましたcompose: 整えましたresolve: 決意しましたgather: 集めinspiration: インスピレーションbreathing: 呼吸difficult: まずいintended: つもりだったcalm: 落ち着こうtrembling: ゆっくりscenery: 景色friendship: 友情dedication: 心からrecovered: 再発見surrounded: 囲まれたtears: 涙accepting: 受...
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    14 mins
  • A Day of Dinos and Discovery in Autumn Light

    A Day of Dinos and Discovery in Autumn Light
    Nov 22 2025
    Fluent Fiction - Japanese: A Day of Dinos and Discovery in Autumn Light Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-11-22-23-34-02-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 秋の日差しが国立科学博物館の大きな窓から差し込み、優しい光がフロアを照らしていました。En: The autumn sunlight streamed through the large windows of the Kokuritsu Kagaku Hakubutsukan, bathing the floor in a gentle glow.Ja: アキラは大学の課題の一環として、この博物館に訪れていました。En: Akira was visiting this museum as part of a university assignment.Ja: 彼は興味深い展示をじっくりと見たかったが、知らぬ間に子供向けの教育ツアーに紛れ込んでしまいました。En: He wanted to thoroughly examine the intriguing exhibits, but unknowingly found himself caught up in an educational tour for children.Ja: 「こちらに注目ください！」と、声高に指示するのは、勤勉なガイドのさくらでした。En: "Please pay attention here!" called out the diligent guide, Sakura, in a loud voice.Ja: 彼女は子どもたちを引率して、博物館の展示物を案内していました。En: She was leading the children, guiding them through the museum's exhibits.Ja: アキラはこっそりと離れようとしましたが、さくらに気付かれてしまい、仕方なくそのままツアーについていくことにしました。En: Akira tried to discreetly slip away, but Sakura noticed him, and he resignedly decided to follow along with the tour.Ja: その人混みの中には、恐竜に詳しい子ども、ひろしがいました。En: In the crowd was a child knowledgeable about dinosaurs, Hiroshi.Ja: 「あの恐竜の名前はティラノサウルスよね？」とひろしは自信満々にさくらに質問しました。En: "Isn't that dinosaur called a Tyrannosaurus?" Hiroshi confidently asked Sakura.Ja: アキラは仕方なく、ひろしに話を合わせることにしました。「そうだよ、ティラノサウルスは肉食なんだ。」と付け加えました。En: Akira felt compelled to join in and said, "That's right, the Tyrannosaurus is a carnivore."Ja: なんとかガイドの注意を引きつつ、さくらが他の子供たちの方に気を取られている間に、アキラはフロアをそっと抜け出しました。En: While trying to maintain the guide's attention, Akira quietly slipped out of the floor when Sakura was occupied with the other children.Ja: しかし、ひろしにもっと話したい！と求められ、En: However, Hiroshi wanted to talk more!Ja: 仕方なくまた戻ってしまいます。今度は恐竜の詳細な豆知識を話してしまい、途中で展示のボタンに触れてしまいました。En: So, Akira reluctantly returned and began sharing detailed trivia about dinosaurs, inadvertently touching a button on the display.Ja: 突然展示が動き出し、恐竜のロボットがぐるぐると回り始めてしまいました。En: Suddenly, the exhibit sprang to life, and the dinosaur robot began to spin around.Ja: 皆が驚き、さくらも慌てて会場を整えようとします。En: Everyone was surprised, and Sakura hurried to restore order in the venue.Ja: アキラは責任を感じ、さくらを手伝うことにしました。En: Feeling responsible, Akira decided to help Sakura.Ja: 子どもたちが興奮して展示に群がるのを指導し、無事に展示を元に戻すことができました。En: He guided the excited children away from the exhibit and successfully helped return the display to normal.Ja: さくらはアキラに感謝し、特別に個別ツアーを約束しました。En: Sakura thanked Akira and promised him a special private tour.Ja: アキラはその申し出を受け、博物館を静かに楽しむことができることを期待しました。En: Akira accepted and looked forward to enjoying the museum quietly.Ja: 博物館の中で、様々な出会いと出来事を通じて、アキラは単に観覧するだけでなく、他の人と関わることの楽しさや責任の重みを知るのでした。En: Through various encounters and events within the museum, Akira learned not only the pleasure of viewing exhibits but also the joy and weight of responsibility in interacting with others.Ja: 彼は新しい気づきを胸に、秋のやわらかい光の中で笑顔を見せました。En: With newfound awareness, he smiled softly in the gentle autumn light. Vocabulary Words:autumn: 秋sunlight: 日差しdiscreetly: こっそりとresignedly: 仕方なくknowledgeable: 詳しいcarnivore: 肉食inadvertently: 知らぬ間にrestore: 整えようorder: 会場relinquish: 離れようthoroughly: じっくりとexamine: 見たかったdutiful: 勤勉なslip: 抜け出しましたspin: ぐるぐるとresponsible: 責任encounters: 出会いaware: ...
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    14 mins
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