Japanese podcast transcripts with English translations, vocabulary, and cultural notes for Japanese learners.
Transcripts Can Everyone Win? 「三方よし」
Can a choice be good for you, good for someone else, and good for the wider community too? Misaki and Nozomi explore 「三方よし」, a business philosophy connected to the Omi merchants, and how the idea can also guide everyday choices.
Transcripts Summer or Autumn? 「残暑」ってなに？
Is August summer or autumn in Japan? Misaki and Nozomi explore 「暦」, 「立秋」, and 「残暑」, along with seasonal greetings and the useful grammar pattern 「〜のに」.
Transcripts How Do Japanese Really Say Thank You? 「ありがとう」だけじゃない
Japanese people do not always say 「ありがとう」 when they want to thank someone. Misaki and Nozomi explore 「おおきに」, 「どうも」, 「サンキュー」, and other everyday expressions, plus a simple pronunciation tip for more natural Japanese.
Transcripts Can Even Monkeys Fall from Trees? 猿も木から落ちる
Can even a monkey fall from a tree? Misaki and Nozomi explore the proverb 「猿も木から落ちる」, why the small word 「も」 matters, and how one mistake does not erase someone’s skill or experience.
Transcripts Why Take the Long Way? 急がば回れ
Why does the Japanese proverb 「急がば回れ」 tell you to take the long way when you are in a hurry? Misaki and Nozomi explore its origin, modern examples, and why one quick check can sometimes save you from a much bigger do-over.
Transcripts お盆は誰が帰ってくる日？ Why Do Ancestors Come Home?
What is Obon, when does it happen, and does everyone in Japan get an “Obon vacation”? Misaki and Nozomi explore how families welcome ancestors home, visit graves, return to their hometowns, and send loved ones off again.
Transcripts Why Sit on a Stone for 3 Years? 石の上にも三年
Why would anyone sit on a cold stone for three years? Misaki and Nozomi explore the meaning of 「石の上にも三年」, why “three years” is not an exact deadline, and when changing course may be wiser than simply enduring.