Fluent Fiction - Japanese

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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.
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Finding Courage in Kyoto: Haruto's Heartfelt Quest
Monday, 24 November, 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: 京都の秋の空はどこまでも高く、澄んでいた。En: The autumn sky over Kyoto was endlessly high and clear.Ja: 気づけば、自分の中に新しい勇気と自信を見出した春人。En: Haruto realized he had discovered new courage and confidence within himself.Ja: 彼はこれからも、もっと自分を信じて歩いていこうと心に誓った。En: He pledged to continue believing in himself more as he moved forward. Vocabulary Words:vibrant: 鮮やかなharmonizes: 調和しているexploring: 探検するsouvenir: 土産scheduled: 予定proceeded: 進むnarrow: 狭いbriskly: 早歩きsuppressing: 抑えanxious: 慌てたgathering: 集まるwaving: 手を振っているalongside: 並んでinstincts: 直感chilly: 冷たくentrance: 入り口bamboo: 竹林maze: 迷路expression: 表情ordeal: 試練exclaimed: 叫んだartefact: 工芸品unfamiliar: 見慣れないornaments: 置物thrilled: 喜ぶself-belief: 自信pledged: 誓ったperception: 認識complex: 複雑turmoil: 混乱