Episodes
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Know Japanese but Can’t Speak? | Easy Japanese Listening #52
You know a Japanese word, but when you try to speak, it won’t come out. Does that happen to you? Join Kirin for three simple practice ideas: make your own sentence, recall it without looking, and change part of it to use it again. We also talk about kanji and small practice habits for busy days....
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What Do People Eat in Autumn in Japan? | N5 Japanese #50
Explore autumn food in Japan with Kirin: roasted sweet potatoes, chestnut rice, sanma, mushrooms, and hot pot. Learn about 「食欲の秋」 and 「旬」, and practice saying 「食べてみたい」 with Japanese, romaji, and English subtitles. What do you eat in autumn in your country? Tell us in the comments!...
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Do Adults Study Too? | Easy Japanese Listening (N5) #48
Does learning end when you leave school? In this slow Japanese episode, Kirin talks about trying something new as an adult, asking for help, finding five minutes to practice, and starting again after a break. Practice two useful expressions: ・やってみたい — I want to give it a try. ・少しずつ覚える — Learn a...
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Is Eating Alone Lonely? | Easy Japanese Listening #49
Do you enjoy eating alone? Join Kirin for a relaxed Japanese talk about solo meals, quiet moments, and spending time with friends. Practice useful phrases such as 「一人です」, 「今日は一人でゆっくりしたいんだ」, and 「また今度一緒に行こう」. Follow along with Japanese, romaji, and English subtitles. What do you like doing alone?...
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Where Can Children Learn If They Can't Go to School? | Easy Japanese Listening #47
What is everyday life like for elementary school children in Japan? In this slow Japanese podcast, Kirin talks about school nonattendance (futoukou), the 2024 national figure, and different places where a child may learn. You will hear about a separate room at school, a local education support...
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Don't Feel Like Doing Anything Today? | Casual Japanese Listening #46
Learn Japanese with Kirin Academy: https://skool.com/kirin-academy-6286 Do you ever wake up with things to do, but no energy to start? In this episode, Kirin talks to you in casual, everyday Japanese about a slow morning, comparing yourself with others, doing one small thing, and giving yourself...
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What Does Shichi-Go-San Celebrate? | Easy Japanese Listening (N5) #45
What do the numbers three, five, and seven mean in Shichi-Go-San? In this slow Japanese podcast, Kirin explains how families celebrate children's growth in Japan. Learn about visiting a shrine, special clothes and photos, chitose-ame, and three useful phrases you can say in Japanese. Listen and...
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What do people “hunt” in autumn in Japan?
What do people “hunt” in autumn in Japan? In this slow Japanese podcast, Kirin explains autumn (aki), autumn leaves (kōyō), and momijigari in easy Japanese. Learn why leaves change color, what people actually do during momijigari, and three useful expressions you can say in Japan. Listen and...
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Do You Need Japanese to Work in Japan in 2027? | Easy Japanese Listening #43
What changes for people working in Japan from April 2027? Listen to a slow, clear explanation of the new Training and Employment System (育成就労). Learn who the system applies to, the A1 starting level, and the A2 goal over three years. Listen and answer: Does everyone need to pass an A1 test before...
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Can't Understand Spoken Japanese? Listen 3 Times｜N5 #43
What do you do when you cannot understand spoken Japanese? Practice with Kirin and Yuta using one short sentence: listen once for a familiar word, listen again while reading, then listen without the text. Try the final question and answer it out loud. This slow Japanese episode includes Japanese,...
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Why Is Japanese So Hard? | Easy Japanese Listening (N5) #41
Why does Japanese feel difficult? In this slow Japanese podcast, Kirin explains three common reasons in easy Japanese: different writing systems, sentence order and small words, and the speed of spoken Japanese. Then we practice three simple study habits you can use every day. Listen, repeat, and...
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Who Will Yuta Share His Rice Ball With?｜Easy Japanese Listening (N5) #40
Yuta brings one rice ball home from the beach, but two people are hungry. Who will he eat it with? Listen to this slow Japanese story and practice 「いっしょに食べよう」 and 「半分ずつ食べます」. Answer the question at the end with Japanese, romaji, and English subtitles. 00:00 Who will Yuta share with? 00:37 Hello…
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Will They Catch the 3:30 Bus?｜Easy Japanese Listening (N5) #39
Can Kirin and Yuta make it to the 3:30 bus home from the beach? Listen to this slow Japanese story, check the times, and answer the question at the end. Practice 「何時ですか」「あと何分ありますか」 and 「間に合いますか」 with Japanese, romaji, and English subtitles. 00:00 Will they catch the bus? 00:35 Hello and recap…
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What Time Does the Sunday Bus Come?｜Easy Japanese Listening (N5) #38
It is 10:12 on Sunday. The bus stop shows 10:15 on the upper timetable and 10:40 on the lower one. Which bus takes Kirin and Yuta to the sea? Listen to the story, check the day labels, and say your answer aloud. Practice telling time in Japanese (10時12分・10時40分), reading a weekday/weekend…
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Where Will He Go First? | JLPT N5 Listening Quiz #25
Where will he go first? Test your JLPT N5 listening with 10 short conversations about a day at the library. Listen carefully, choose 1, 2, or 3, and count your score. Then listen to all the conversations again. 0:00 Opening 0:11 Q1: Books 0:58 Q2: Seats 1:38 Japanese in Real Life Academy 2:07 Q3:...
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What Would You Do at the Park?｜Easy Japanese Listening (N5) #36
What would you do at the park with a friend? Listen to Kirin and Yuta's next story, then practice three simple answers: 少し 歩きたいです, あの ベンチで 休みたいです, and 友だちと 話したいです. Say your own answer aloud at the end. 00:00 What would you do at the park? 00:27 A short greeting 00:49 A message from Yuta 01:00...
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Before You Go In, What Do You Say?｜Easy Japanese Listening (N5) #35
What do you say when you enter a friend's home in Japan? Listen to a simple story and practice three useful phrases: おじゃまします, くつは どこに 置きますか, and 今日は ありがとうございました. 00:00 Your friend's door opens 00:34 A short greeting 00:56 Kirin gets an invitation 01:00 School announcement 02:09 Arriving at Yuta's...
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Can You Invite a Friend Over in Japanese? | N5 Listening #34
You want to invite a friend to your home on Saturday. What do you say in Japanese? Listen to Kirin's short story and practice three useful phrases: 「土曜日、うちに来ませんか」, 「いっしょにお茶を飲みませんか」, and 「何時に来ますか」. Slow Japanese with Japanese, romaji, and English subtitles. チャプター案: 0:00 Intro／0:05 Question／0:27...
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At Your Friend's Door—What Do You Say? | Easy Japanese Listening (N5) #32
You are visiting a friend's home for the first time. What do you say when you step inside? Listen to Kirin's short story and practice 「おじゃまします」 when you enter and 「おじゃましました」 when you leave. Slow, beginner-friendly Japanese with Japanese, romaji, and English subtitles. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:06…
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Before or After Eating—What Do You Say? | N5 Listening #33
You are having dinner at your friend's home in Japan. What do you say before the first bite and after the meal? Listen to Kirin's story, practice 「いただきます」 and 「ごちそうさまでした」, and learn how to offer help with 「何をしましょうか」. Slow Japanese for beginners with Japanese, romaji, and English subtitles. チャプター...
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Can You Mail a Postcard in Japanese? | N5 Listening #29
海で撮った写真を、家族に絵はがきで送りたい。郵便局で最初に何と言いますか？ キリンといっしょに「この はがきを、送りたいです」「切手を 一枚、ください」「もう 一度、お願いします」を練習します。後半では、声に出して答えてみてください。 You took a photo at the beach and want to send it to your family as a postcard. What do you say at the post office? Listen to Kirin's slow Japanese story, then practice asking to...
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Your Friend Forgot an Umbrella—What Do You Say? | N5 Listening #31
Your friend forgot an umbrella, and it starts to rain. Can you offer yours in Japanese? Listen to Kirin’s short story and practice three useful verbs: lend (かします), borrow (かります), and return (返します). Slow Japanese with Japanese, romaji, and English subtitles. 0:00 Intro 0:06 What would you say?…
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Did It Arrive? 📮 Slow Japanese Podcast #30 | N5 Listening
I sent a postcard to my family. Today, they told me, “It arrived!” Listen to a warm story in slow Japanese and learn how to say “I sent it,” “It arrived,” and “I was happy to get a reply.” Pause at the questions and try answering aloud....
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Can You Borrow a Book in Japanese? | Easy Japanese Listening (N5) #29
図書館で読みたい本を見つけたら、日本語でどう借りますか。キリンといっしょに「この本を借りたいです」「カードはありますか」「いつ返しますか」を練習します。途中の質問に、声に出して答えてみてください。 You found a book you want to read at a Japanese library. How do you ask to borrow it? Practice short N5 phrases with Kirin, then answer the listening questions aloud. Japanese, romaji, and English...
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Can You Ask Someone to Take Your Photo in Japanese? | N5 Listening #28
海で写真を撮りたい。でも、一人だったら日本語でどうお願いしますか。キリンといっしょに「すみません」「写真を撮ってください」「ここで、お願いします」「もう一枚、お願いします」を、やさしい日本語で練習します。途中で声に出して答えてみてください。 You are at the beach and want a photo, but you are alone. How can you ask someone in Japanese? Practice short, useful phrases with Kirin: excuse me, please take my photo, here...
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Can You Check In at a Japanese Hotel? | Easy N5 Listening #27
ホテルの受付で「お名前は？」と聞かれたら、日本語で答えられますか。キリンといっしょにホテルへ行き、名前、泊数、朝食、部屋の階を確認する言葉を、ゆっくり練習します。途中で受付の質問に声を出して答えてみてください。 Can you answer when a hotel receptionist asks your name in Japanese? Follow Kirin through a simple hotel check-in. Practice your name, number of nights, breakfast, and asking someone to…
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Running Late? Tell a Friend in Japanese | Easy N5 Listening #26
前回、ポケットの中から鍵が見つかりました。でも、今度は10時の待ち合わせに遅れそうです。キリンといっしょに、友だちへ「少し遅れます」「10時10分ごろ着きます」と伝える練習をしましょう。最後に、あなたなら何と言うか声に出して答えてください。 Kirin found his key, but now he may be late to meet a friend. Follow the story in slow Japanese and practice saying “I’ll be a little late,” “I’ll arrive around 10:10,” and…
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Where Is My Key? Solve a Japanese Listening Mystery | N5 #25
かぎがありません。どこにありますか？ キリンといっしょにかぎを探しながら、「中・上・下」と、人に助けを求める言い方を練習します。声に出して答え、最後にかぎがあった場所を日本語で言ってみてください。 Where is Kirin's key? Follow a simple story in slow Japanese. Practice asking where things are, saying “inside,” “on top,” and “under,” and asking someone to help. Japanese, romaji, and English...
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What Do You Do on Weekends? | Slow Japanese Podcast #24 | Easy Japanese N5
週末は、何をしますか？ 家でのんびりしますか。それとも、友だちと出かけますか。 今回の「ゆっくり日本語ポッドキャスト」では、週末の予定、友だちの誘い方、休みの日にしたことを、N5レベルのやさしい日本語で練習します。 In this episode, you’ll learn how to talk about weekend plans, invite a friend, and describe what you did over the weekend—all in slow, easy Japanese for beginners. 【タイムライン】 00:00 イントロ…
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What Will You Do This Weekend? | Easy Japanese Listening (N5) #24
土曜日と日曜日に、何をしますか？ 三つの予定を日本語で話せるようになりましょう。 今回は、週末に家ですること、外へ行く予定、友だちとの約束について、N5向けのやさしい日本語でゆっくり話します。聞きながら声に出して答えてください。ローマ字・日本語・英語の3段字幕、英語で使い方を説明するキーフレーズカード、内容に合ったイラスト付きです。 What will you do this weekend? Listen to easy Japanese and practice saying three weekend plans. We cover Saturday and Sunday,...
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What Do You Do with Your Friends? | Slow Japanese Podcast for Beginners (N5) #23
ゆっくり日本語ポッドキャスト #23「友だち」☕ 今回は、友だちの紹介、出会った場所、いっしょにすること、友だちの誘い方、約束の決め方について、N5レベルのやさしい日本語でゆっくり話します。 ローマ字・日本語・英語の3段字幕と、大事なことばカード付きです。 Today we talk about friends in slow, easy Japanese. Learn how to introduce a friend, talk about where you met, invite someone out, make plans, and express thanks....
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When Is Your Birthday? | Slow Japanese Podcast for Beginners (N5) #22
ゆっくり日本語ポッドキャスト #22「たんじょうび」🎂 今回は、誕生日の日付、年齢、お祝いの言葉、ケーキやプレゼントについて、N5レベルのやさしい日本語でゆっくり話します。 ローマ字・日本語・英語の3段字幕付きです。 Today we talk about birthdays in slow, easy Japanese. Learn how to say your birthday, ask someone's age, congratulate someone, and talk about cakes, presents, and birthday plans. 【タイムライン】...
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Where Is Your Favorite Place? | Slow Japanese Podcast #21 (JLPT N5)
Where is your favorite place, and why do you like it? In this episode, Kirin talks slowly in easy Japanese about the ocean, morning beaches, and his love of surfing. Learn useful N5 phrases such as 「好きな場所は、どこですか」, 「どんな場所ですか」, and 「どうして好きですか」. Important vocabulary appears in visual cards with…
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What Do Japanese People Eat for Breakfast? | Slow Japanese Podcast #21 (JLPT N5)
What do people in Japan eat for breakfast? In this episode, you will learn easy Japanese for rice, miso soup, bread, drinks, busy mornings, days off, and hotel breakfasts. In episode #21 of the Slow Japanese Podcast, Kirin speaks slowly in very easy Japanese about asagohan (breakfast). Practice...
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What’s in Your Room? | Slow Japanese Podcast #20 (JLPT N5)
What is in your room? In this episode, you will learn easy Japanese for furniture, locations, “arimasu” and “imasu,” cleaning your room, and describing your favorite things. In episode #20 of the Slow Japanese Podcast, Kirin speaks slowly in very easy Japanese about watashi no heya (my room)....
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Which Season Do You Like? | Slow Japanese Podcast #18 (JLPT N5)
Which season do you like best? Spring, summer, fall, or winter? In this episode, you will learn easy Japanese for talking about the four seasons, weather, seasonal activities, and the reasons you like a season. In episode #18 of the Slow Japanese Podcast, Kirin speaks slowly in very easy Japanese...
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What Are You Wearing? | Slow Japanese Podcast #19 (JLPT N5)
What are you wearing today? In this episode, you will learn easy Japanese for clothing names, colors, sizes, seasonal outfits, and shopping for clothes. In episode #19 of the Slow Japanese Podcast, Kirin speaks slowly in very easy Japanese about fuku (clothes). Practice useful phrases such as…
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What Is Your Town Like? | Slow Japanese Podcast #17 (JLPT N5)
What is your town like? Is it lively, quiet, convenient, or close to the ocean? In this episode, you will learn easy Japanese for talking about where you live, places nearby, travel time, and your favorite spot. In episode #17 of the Slow Japanese Podcast, Kirin speaks slowly in very easy…
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What Do You Do on Your Days Off? | Slow Japanese Podcast #16 (JLPT N5) 概要欄：
What do you do on your days off? Do you relax at home, go shopping, meet friends, or visit the beach? In this episode, you will learn easy Japanese for talking about plans, time, relaxing at home, going out, inviting someone, and politely declining an invitation. In episode #16 of the Slow…
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What Do You Drink Every Day? | Slow Japanese Podcast for Beginners #15
Learn how to talk about drinks in slow, easy Japanese. In this episode, you will practice useful phrases for ordering at a cafe, choosing hot or iced drinks, asking for less ice, and talking about what you drink every day. 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Kirin Academy introduction video 01:33 Today's...
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What Japanese Food Do You Love? | Slow Japanese Podcast #14 - Favorite Foods (JLPT N5)
What is your favorite food, and how does it taste? In this episode, you will learn easy Japanese for talking about foods you like, flavors, allergies, eating habits, and restaurant recommendations. In episode #14 of the Slow Japanese Podcast, Kirin speaks slowly in very easy Japanese about suki…
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What Do You Do on Your Days Off? | Slow Japanese Podcast #13 - Hobbies (JLPT N5)
What do you say when someone asks what you do on your days off? In this episode, you will learn easy, natural Japanese for talking about your hobbies—even if your hobby is simply relaxing at home. In episode #13 of the Slow Japanese Podcast, Kirin speaks slowly in very easy Japanese about shumi...
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What Do You Do? Easy Japanese for Talking About Work | Slow Japanese Podcast #12 (JLPT N5)
What do you say when someone asks about your job in Japanese? In this episode, you will learn short, natural answers you can use even as a complete beginner. In episode #12 of the Slow Japanese Podcast, Kirin speaks slowly in very easy Japanese about shigoto (work): how to say what you do, where...
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How to Talk About Your Family in Japanese | Slow Japanese Podcast #4 (Easy Japanese for Beginners N5)
"How many people are in your family?" - it's the second thing you get asked in Japanese, right after your name. But there's a catch: Japanese has TWO sets of family words, and using the wrong one sounds strange. This episode fixes that in 12 minutes. Everything is spoken slowly, in easy Japanese,...
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Introduce Yourself in Japanese | Slow Japanese Podcast #3 (Easy Japanese for Beginners N5)
Can you introduce yourself in Japanese in 15 seconds? In this episode you learn the 4-sentence shape that works with anyone, anywhere - then just swap the words in. Everything is spoken slowly, in easy Japanese, with Japanese / romaji / English subtitles on screen. Perfect for absolute beginners...
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Can You Talk About the Weather in Japanese? | Slow Japanese Podcast #01 (N5 Listening)
Can you talk about the weather in Japanese? This is Episode 1 of the Slow Japanese Podcast. I speak slowly, in easy Japanese, so beginners can follow along. Japanese subtitles, romaji, and English are on screen the whole time. Today you will learn the 5 basic weather words (はれ / くもり / あめ / ゆき /...
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episode9 "〜ながら" — While? Or although? | Koalas’ Tricky Japanese
Welcome back to Koalas’ Tricky Japanese 🐨✨ — Koatori for short! In Episode 9, we dive into the phrase 「〜ながら」 (nagara). It looks simple, but it actually has TWO very different meanings! 👉 同時進行 = while doing 👉 逆接 = although / even though Examples: ・音楽を聞きながら勉強します。= I study while listening to…
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episode8 "〜てしまう" — Completed? Or regret? | Koalas’ Tricky Japanese Ep.7
Welcome back to Koalas’ Tricky Japanese 🐨✨ — Koatori for short! In Episode 8, we explore the tricky phrase 「〜てしまう」 (te shimau). It actually has TWO meanings depending on the context: 👉 完了 (kanryou) = completely finished 👉 後悔 (koukai) = oops / unfortunately Examples: ・宿題をやってしまいました。= I finished…
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Episode 7"〜そうです" — Seen info? Heard info? | Koalas’ Tricky Japanese
Welcome back to Koalas’ Tricky Japanese 🐨✨ — Koatori for short! In Episode 7, we dig into one super useful but *super tricky* phrase: 「〜そうです」 (sou desu). 👉 Seen info = looks / seems 👉 Heard info = I heard / they say Examples: ・このケーキ、おいしそうです。= This cake looks delicious. ・先生は忙しいそうです。= I heard…
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Koatori Ep.6— “Mada” vs “Mou”: Tricky Japanese Words You Always Mix Up
Welcome back to Koalas’ Tricky Japanese 🐨✨ — Koatori for short! In Episode 6we tackle two short but super tricky words: 「まだ」 (mada) and 「もう」 (mou). 👉 まだ = still / not yet 👉 もう = already / no longer Examples: ・まだ食べます = I’m still eating. ・もう食べました = I already ate. ・もう食べません = I won’t eat anymore....