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Fluent Fiction - JapaneseAre 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... 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. Language: en Genres: Education, Language Learning Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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A New Year's Wish: Finding Hope in Kyoto's Winter
Friday, 26 December, 2025
Fluent Fiction - Japanese: A New Year's Wish: Finding Hope in Kyoto's Winter Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-12-26-23-34-02-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 冬の朝、空気は凛として冷たかった。En: On a winter morning, the air was sharp and cold.Ja: ハルトは京都の静かな街並みを歩きながら、心の中で小さな不安を感じていた。En: Haruto felt a small anxiety in his heart as he walked through the quiet streets of Kyoto.Ja: 大学をまもなく卒業する彼にとって、これからの人生は未知数だった。En: With his imminent graduation from university, his future was uncertain.Ja: 答えを見つけたい、何か新しい始まりが欲しい―そんな気持ちでいっぱいだった。En: He was filled with a desire to find an answer, to have a new beginning.Ja: 今日、ハルトは家族のために京都にいるアキコと、仕事のために最近京都に引っ越してきた幼馴染のソラと一緒に、伏見稲荷大社へ向かうことになった。En: Today, Haruto was heading to Fushimi Inari Taisha with Akiko, who was in Kyoto for her family, and his childhood friend Sora, who had recently moved to Kyoto for work.Ja: 新年、神社にお参りをするのは、日本の伝統的な習慣だ。En: Visiting a shrine at the start of the new year is a traditional Japanese custom.Ja: ハルトはこの伝統に参加することで、安心感を得られるかもしれないと思っていた。En: Haruto thought that participating in this tradition might bring him some peace of mind.Ja: 神社に着くと、多くの人々が朱色の鳥居をくぐりながら祈願していた。En: Upon arriving at the shrine, many people were passing through the vermilion gates, praying for their wishes to be granted.Ja: 石段を上る途中、アキコが笑顔で話しかけた。En: As they climbed the stone steps, Akiko spoke up with a smile.Ja: 「ハルト、今年はどんな願い事をするの？」En: "What kind of wish will you make this year, Haruto?"Ja: 彼女はいつも前向きで、伝統を大切にしていた。En: She was always positive and cherished traditions.Ja: 「まだ決めてないけど…」とハルトは小声で答えた。彼は自分の不安を伝えるのが少し恥ずかしかった。En: "I haven't decided yet..." Haruto replied in a low voice, somewhat embarrassed to express his anxieties.Ja: 一方、ソラは少し静かだった。En: Meanwhile, Sora was a little quiet.Ja: 新しい職場に慣れず、疎外感を感じているようだ。En: He seemed to be feeling alienated, not yet accustomed to his new workplace.Ja: 「俺たち、またこうして集まれるのはいいね」とソラがぽつりと言った。その言葉には、どこか安堵が混じっていた。En: "It's nice that we can gather like this again," Sora said quietly, with a hint of relief in his words.Ja: 神社の頂上で、ハルトは深く息を吸い込み、初日の出を見つめた。En: At the top of the shrine, Haruto took a deep breath and gazed at the first sunrise.Ja: 光が差し込むその瞬間に、心の中で願った。「未来がはっきり見えなくていい。En: At that moment when the light streamed in, he wished in his heart, "It's okay if the future isn't clear.Ja: ただ、自分に正直でいたい。そして勇気を持って進みたい。」En: I just want to be honest with myself and move forward with courage."Ja: アキコとソラもそれぞれの願いを込めて静かに祈った。En: Akiko and Sora also made their wishes in silent prayer.Ja: 自然と手を合わせた彼らは、互いの気持ちを感じ取った。En: Without words, they naturally joined their hands together, sensing each other's feelings.Ja: 言葉はなくとも、そこには確かな繋がりがあった。En: There was a definite connection among them.Ja: 新年の祝いが終わると、三人は一緒に市内をぶらぶら歩き、昼食を共にした。En: After the New Year celebration, the three of them wandered around the city and had lunch together.Ja: それぞれの人生がどんなに違っても、再び絆を深めることができたのだ。En: No matter how different their lives were, they were able to deepen their bond again.Ja: ハルトはふと気がついた。未来の不安は消えないけれど、支えてくれる友達や家族がいる。それが何より安心感を与えてくれると。En: Haruto suddenly realized that although the anxiety about the future wouldn't disappear, having supportive friends and family provided him with comfort above all else.Ja: 夕方、神社を後にするとき、ハルトは心の中で微笑んだ。En: In the evening, as they left the shrine, Haruto smiled inwardly.Ja: 「今年は、伝統をもっと大切にしよう。En: "This year, I'll cherish traditions more.Ja: そうすれば、不安なんて小さなことに思えるかもしれない。」En: Maybe then, my anxieties will seem like small matters."Ja: 冬空の下、三人はまた次の再会を約束し、別々の道を歩き出した。En: Under the winter sky, the three promised to meet again and walked their separate paths.Ja: それでも、彼らの心には新たな希望の光が差し込んでいた。En: Even so, a new light of hope shone in their hearts. Vocabulary Words:sharp: 凛としたimminent: まもなくuncertain: 未知数vermilion: 朱色cherished: 大切にしていたembarrassed: 恥ずかしかったalienated: 疎外感gather: 集まれるrelief: 安堵gazed: 見つめたcourage: 勇気silent: 静かにdefinite: 確かなconnection: 繋がりwandered: ぶらぶら歩きsupportive: 支えてくれるcomfort: 安心感cherish: 大切にしようtraditions: 伝統light: 光hope: 希望anxieties: 不安promised: 約束peace of mind: 安心感wishes: 願い事accustomed: 慣れずstreamed: 差し込むyearning: 欲しいcustom: 習慣bond: 絆
