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.
Be a guest on this podcast

Language: en

Genres: Education, Language Learning

Contact email: Get it

Feed URL: Get it

iTunes ID: Get it

Get all podcast data

Listen Now...

Love Illuminates: A Winter Romance in Shibuya
Sunday, 1 February, 2026

Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Love Illuminates: A Winter Romance in Shibuya Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2026-02-01-23-34-02-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 渋谷の冬、街は美しいイルミネーションで飾られていました。En: In the winter of Shibuya, the city was decorated with beautiful illuminations.Ja: 人々は通りを行き交い、寒さの中でもそこには温かい空気が漂っていました。En: People flowed through the streets, and even amidst the cold, a warm atmosphere lingered.Ja: 渋谷の高校では、文化祭の準備が大詰めを迎えていました。En: At Shibuya High School, preparations for the cultural festival were reaching their final stages.Ja: ハルトは、毎日忙しく働いていました。En: Haruto was busy working every day.Ja: 彼はこの文化祭を大成功にすることを心に決めていました。En: He was determined to make this cultural festival a great success.Ja: 彼は実行委員会の中心人物で、仲間たちを率いて忙しく動き回っていました。En: He was a central figure on the executive committee, leading his peers and bustling around.Ja: 一方、ユキはハルトの親友でした。En: On the other hand, Yuki was Haruto's close friend.Ja: 彼女はずっと前からハルトに特別な感情を抱いていましたが、どう伝えればいいかわからずにいました。En: She had harbored special feelings for Haruto for a long time but didn't know how to express them.Ja: 彼女はいつも側でハルトを見守り、彼を助けようとしていました。En: She always watched over Haruto from the side, trying to help him.Ja: 文化祭当日、学校は活気に満ちていました。En: On the day of the festival, the school was filled with energy.Ja: 展示やパフォーマンスがあちこちで行われ、生徒達の創造力が輝いていました。En: Exhibitions and performances were held everywhere, and the students' creativity shone brightly.Ja: しかし、ハルトはまだ仕事に追われていました。En: However, Haruto was still swamped with work.Ja: ユキは、何度も彼を誘おうとしましたが、なかなかタイミングが合いません。En: Yuki tried many times to invite him, but the timing never seemed right.Ja: 「ハルト、少し休まない？一緒に見て回ろうよ。」と、ユキはやっと声をかけました。En: "Haruto, why don't you take a break? Let's go take a look around together," Yuki finally said.Ja: ハルトは少し考えてから微笑みました。「そうだね、少し休もう。ありがとう、ユキ。」En: Haruto thought for a moment and then smiled. "Yeah, let's take a break. Thank you, Yuki."Ja: 二人は手をつないで、展示を見て回りました。En: The two of them held hands and walked around to see the exhibits.Ja: アート展示コーナーに差し掛かると、部屋は静かでした。En: As they approached the art exhibition corner, the room was quiet.Ja: ユキは深呼吸をしました。En: Yuki took a deep breath.Ja: 「ハルト、ずっと伝えたいことがあるの。」En: "Haruto, there's something I've been wanting to tell you."Ja: ハルトは驚いて、ユキの顔を見ました。「何？」En: Haruto looked at Yuki's face in surprise. "What is it?"Ja: 「私はハルトのことが好き。ずっと前から。」En: "I like you, Haruto. I've liked you for a long time."Ja: ハルトは一瞬驚き、それから柔らかく微笑みました。「ユキ、僕も同じ気持ちだよ。」En: Haruto was momentarily surprised, then softly smiled. "Yuki, I feel the same way."Ja: 二人は顔を見合わせ、その瞬間が永遠に続くように感じました。En: They looked into each other's eyes, feeling as if the moment would last forever.Ja: 外の寒さが嘘のように、彼らの間には暖かさが流れていました。En: It seemed as though the cold outside was just a lie, as warmth flowed between them.Ja: その日以降、ハルトは仕事と友達のバランスを大切にすることを学びました。En: From that day on, Haruto learned to balance work and friendship.Ja: ユキも、自分の気持ちを素直に表現する自信を持つようになりました。En: Yuki also gained the confidence to express her feelings honestly.Ja: 文化祭は大成功に終わり、渋谷の夜は静かに続いていたのでした。En: The cultural festival ended in great success, and the night in Shibuya quietly continued. Vocabulary Words:illuminations: イルミネーションdecorated: 飾られたatmosphere: 空気amidst: 中lingered: 漂ったpreparations: 準備stages: 段階determined: 心に決めたexecutive committee: 実行委員会central figure: 中心人物bustling: 忙しくharbored: 抱いたexpress: 伝えるperformed: 行われたcreativity: 創造力swamped: 追われたinvite: 誘うexhibits: 展示approached: 差し掛かるquiet: 静かsurprise: 驚くmomentarily: 一瞬balance: バランスconfidence: 自信express: 表現するenergetic: 活気meet: 合うwalked: 回ったmoment: 瞬間eternal: 永遠