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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 Heartfelt Gift: Haruto's Journey in Tokyo's Shotengai
Sunday, 16 November, 2025
Fluent Fiction - Japanese: A Heartfelt Gift: Haruto's Journey in Tokyo's Shotengai Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-11-16-23-34-01-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 東京の賑やかな商店街に、秋の涼しい風がそよぐ。En: In the bustling shotengai of Tokyo, a cool autumn breeze gently blows.Ja: 色とりどりの旗が揺れ、家族の楽しそうな声が響き渡る。En: Colorful flags flutter, and the cheerful voices of families resonate.Ja: そんな中、高校生の春斗（はると）は、いとこの桜（さくら）への贈り物を探していた。En: Amidst this, high school student Haruto was searching for a gift for his cousin Sakura.Ja: 「七五三のお祝いに、何か特別なものを見つけたいな」と、春斗は心の中で呟く。En: “I want to find something special for the Shichi-Go-San celebration,” Haruto murmured to himself.Ja: 桜の元気な笑顔が浮かぶ。En: He envisioned Sakura's energetic smile.Ja: 彼女は七歳になり、今年は素晴らしい祝いの日だ。En: She was turning seven, and this year was a remarkable celebration for her.Ja: 春斗は、一緒に来た友達の雪（ゆき）にぽつりと話す。「どんな贈り物がいいんだろう。En: Haruto casually mentioned to his friend Yuki, who had come along, “What kind of gift would be good?Ja: あまりお金がないけど、心に残る物をあげたいな。」En: I don’t have much money, but I want to give something memorable.”Ja: 雪はカメラを手に、賑やかな街の写真を撮りながら答える。「大事なのは心だよ。En: With a camera in hand, capturing photos of the lively street, Yuki replied, “What matters is the thought behind it.Ja: 値段じゃなくて、桜ちゃんが喜ぶものを考えよう。」En: Let’s think of something that will make Sakura happy, not the price.”Ja: 商店街には、人がたくさんいて、あちこちからいい匂いが漂ってくる。焼きとうもろこしや、たいやき、そして甘いりんご飴。En: The shotengai was crowded with people, and enticing aromas wafted from all around—grilled corn, taiyaki, and sweet candied apples.Ja: しかし、春斗はもっと特別なものを探したい。En: However, Haruto wanted to find something even more special.Ja: 夕方が近づき、店が閉まり始める中、ふとひとつの店のショーケースに目が留まる。En: As evening approached and stores began to close, he suddenly noticed a display case in one of the shops.Ja: そこには、小さくて美しいネックレスがあった。En: Inside was a small, beautiful necklace.Ja: 葉の形をしたシンプルなデザインに、桜の元気で自然な性格がぴったりだと感じた。En: Its simple leaf-shaped design perfectly suited Sakura's lively and natural personality.Ja: 選択の時が来た。En: It was decision time.Ja: 「これ、桜にぴったりだ。」春斗は自分に言い聞かせる。En: “This is perfect for Sakura,” Haruto reassured himself.Ja: 少し高価だが、それ以上の価値を感じる。En: It was a bit pricey, but he felt it was worth more than its cost.Ja: そして、勇気を出して店に入り、ネックレスを購入した。En: Gathering his courage, he entered the store and purchased the necklace.Ja: そしてついに、七五三の日。En: Finally came the day of the Shichi-Go-San.Ja: 晴れた秋空の下、桜は着物姿で輝いていた。En: Under the clear autumn sky, Sakura shone in her kimono.Ja: 春斗はネックレスを彼女に手渡した。En: Haruto handed her the necklace.Ja: 「おめでとう、桜ちゃん。これ、君にぴったりだと思ったんだ。」En: “Congratulations, Sakura! I thought this would be perfect for you.”Ja: 桜の目が輝き、満面の笑みがこぼれる。En: Sakura's eyes sparkled, and a broad smile spread across her face.Ja: 「ありがとう、はるとお兄ちゃん！これ、大好き！」En: “Thank you, Haruto onii-chan! I love it!”Ja: その瞬間、春斗は思った。贈り物の値段よりも、心を込めた選択が大切なのだと。En: In that moment, Haruto realized that it was more important to make a heartfelt choice than to consider the price of the gift.Ja: 彼は、特別な思い出と共に、桜の喜ぶ姿を胸に刻んだ。En: He etched Sakura's joyful expression, along with the special memory, in his heart.Ja: 商店街の賑やかさが、秋の豊かな空気と共に優しく二人を包んだ。En: The liveliness of the shotengai, together with the rich autumn air, gently embraced the two of them. Vocabulary Words:bustling: 賑やかなbreeze: 風gently: 優しくflutter: 揺れresonate: 響き渡るmurmured: 呟くenvisioned: 浮かぶenergetic: 元気なcasually: ぽつりとmemorable: 心に残るcapture: 撮るenticing: いい匂いaromas: 香りwafted: 漂うremarkable: 素晴らしいlively: 賑やかなnaturally: 自然なdisplay: ショーケースdesign: デザインsuited: 合うdecision: 選択pricey: 高価courage: 勇気purchased: 購入したcelebration: 祝いsparkled: 輝きbroad: 満面のexpression: 表情heartfelt: 心を込めたetched: 刻む
