Fluent Fiction - Japanese

Author: FluentFiction.org

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.
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New Year's Revelations at Shibuya: A Heartfelt Gift in Tokyo
Tuesday, 30 December, 2025

Fluent Fiction - Japanese: New Year's Revelations at Shibuya: A Heartfelt Gift in Tokyo Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-12-30-08-38-20-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 冬の東京、渋谷スクランブル交差点。En: A winter's day at Tokyo's Shibuya Scramble Crossing.Ja: 空には輝くネオン、地面は濡れ、冷たい風が街を吹き抜けます。En: The neon lights shine in the sky, the ground is wet, and a cold wind sweeps through the city.Ja: 人々はコートを着て、新年を迎える準備に忙しい。En: People, wearing coats, are busy preparing to welcome the New Year.Ja: ひろしはその中に立ち止まり、何かを考えています。En: Hiroshi stands among them, lost in thought.Ja: ひろしは真面目な会社員です。En: Hiroshi is a serious company employee.Ja: 今年の大晦日には、彼女のゆみに特別なプレゼントをしたいと考えています。En: This New Year's Eve, he wants to give his girlfriend, Yumi, a special present.Ja: 一緒に過ごした時間を象徴する、心に響く贈り物を探したいのです。En: He wishes to find a gift that symbolizes the time they have spent together and resonates with the heart.Ja: しかし、街は人でごった返し、どの店もいっぱいです。En: However, the city is crowded with people, and every store is packed.Ja: 友達のたかしが近づいてきます。En: His friend Takashi approaches him.Ja: 「ひろし、大変だね。とにかく、すぐに決めたほうがいい。傘とかでいいんじゃない？」とアドバイスします。En: “Hiroshi, it looks tough. Anyway, you should decide quickly. Why not get her an umbrella or something?” he advises.Ja: しかし、ひろしは納得しません。それはありきたりすぎます。En: But Hiroshi isn’t convinced. That would be too ordinary.Ja: そして、ひろしは混雑を離れ、一人静かに考えることにします。En: So, Hiroshi decides to leave the crowd and think quietly on his own.Ja: 近くの公園のベンチに座り、街の灯を見つめます。En: He sits on a bench in a nearby park, gazing at the city lights.Ja: 「本当に大切なことは何だろう？」彼は自問します。En: "What is truly important?" he asks himself.Ja: その時、一つの考えがひらめきます。En: At that moment, a thought occurs to him.Ja: 「大事なのは、今までの思い出とこれからの未来を共にしたいという気持ちだ。」En: “What matters is the desire to share both past memories and a future together.”Ja: ひろしは強い決断を胸に、立ち上がります。En: With a firm resolve, Hiroshi stands up.Ja: 彼は手作りのフォトアルバムを作ることに決めます。En: He decides to create a handmade photo album.Ja: 二人で写した写真、楽しかった瞬間、一緒に挑戦したこと。En: Pictures taken together, enjoyable moments, challenges faced together.Ja: その全てをまとめた特別な本を作り始めます。En: He starts to compile a special book that includes all of these.Ja: 大晦日の夜、ひろしはゆみにアルバムを手渡します。En: On New Year's Eve, Hiroshi hands the album to Yumi.Ja: 「これからもずっと一緒にいたい。」彼は心からそう伝えます。En: “I want to be with you forever,” he earnestly tells her.Ja: ゆみは微笑み、涙を少し浮かべます。En: Yumi smiles, her eyes glistening with tears.Ja: 「ありがとう、ひろし。これほど素敵なものはないわ。」En: "Thank you, Hiroshi. There's nothing more wonderful than this."Ja: ひろしの心の中で何かが変わります。En: Something shifts in Hiroshi's heart.Ja: 自信を持ち、優先すべきことがはっきりとわかります。En: With newfound confidence, his priorities become clear.Ja: 新しい年への期待と共に、二人は未来を見つめます。彼は、自分に正直でいることの大切さを学びました。En: As they look towards the future, filled with anticipation for the new year, he learns the importance of being true to himself.Ja: 彼らは渋谷の賑やかな街を離れ、新しい年を迎えるその瞬間、心が温かくなります。En: Leaving the bustling streets of Shibuya behind, they greet the new year with warmth in their hearts.Ja: 新しい始まりの予感が、東京の冷たい風の中、二人を包み込みました。En: The promise of a new beginning wraps around them in Tokyo's cold wind. Vocabulary Words:scramble: スクランブルneon: ネオンresonates: 響くpacked: いっぱいapproaches: 近づいてくるadvises: アドバイスするordinary: ありきたりcompilation: まとめるglistening: 輝くbustling: 賑やかresolve: 決断compiling: 編纂handmade: 手作りearnestly: 心からconfidence: 自信priorities: 優先すべきことanticipation: 期待navigate: 駆け抜けるlingering: 残るunfurl: 広げるheartfelt: 心に響くsymbolizes: 象徴するchallenges: 挑戦predicament: 困難quietly: 静かにshift: 変わるshivers: 震えるcompiled: まとめたtenderness: 優しさfret: 悩む