 |
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 |
Listen Now...
Blossoms and Dreams: A Promise Under Ueno's Cherry Trees
Thursday, 5 February, 2026
Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Blossoms and Dreams: A Promise Under Ueno's Cherry Trees Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2026-02-05-23-34-02-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 東京の上野公園では、遅れながらも春が近づいています。En: At Ueno Park in Tokyo, spring is approaching, albeit slowly.Ja: 冬の寒さがまだ残る中、桜が少しずつ咲き始めています。En: Even though the chill of winter still lingers, the cherry blossoms are starting to bloom little by little.Ja: 公園では行灯（あんどん）が準備され、ひな祭りの飾りも始まっています。En: Lanterns are being prepared in the park, and decorations for the Hinamatsuri are beginning as well.Ja: 人々は祭りの準備でにぎわい、明るい笑顔が見えます。En: People are bustling with festival preparations, and you can see bright smiles.Ja: アキラとユミ、二人は去年の桜の季節に心からの別れを経験しました。En: Akira and Yumi experienced a heartfelt farewell during the cherry blossom season last year.Ja: 「来年の桜の下で、また会おう」と約束し、それぞれが抱える悩みと夢を胸に一年間を過ごしました。En: They promised, "Let's meet again under the cherry blossoms next year," and spent a year carrying their individual worries and dreams.Ja: アキラは大学生で、両親の期待に応えるために勉学に励んでいますが、心の中では音楽の道へ進みたいと思っていました。En: Akira is a university student, diligently studying to meet his parents' expectations, but in his heart, he wished to pursue a path in music.Ja: 一方、ユミは自分に自信が持てないながらも、描きたいという気持ちを抱えている芸術家としての道を模索していました。En: Yumi, on the other hand, although lacking confidence, was exploring the path of an artist with a desire to paint.Ja: その年の初め、アキラは決意しました。En: At the beginning of the year, Akira made up his mind.Ja: 自分の夢をユミに話し、彼女がどう思っているのか知りたいと。En: He wanted to talk to Yumi about his dreams and know what she thought.Ja: しかし、それを言い出すのは難しい。En: However, it was difficult to bring that up.Ja: そのため、彼はユミのための歌を作ることにしました。En: So, he decided to write a song for Yumi.Ja: ユミもまたアキラの歌を聴いて、そこから勇気を得て大きな絵を描くことを決めました。En: Yumi also decided to draw a large picture, gaining courage from listening to Akira's song.Ja: 桜祭りの日、上野公園は多くの人であふれていました。En: On the day of the cherry blossom festival, Ueno Park was overflowing with people.Ja: アキラは緊張しながらも、ユミとの約束を胸に桜の木々の下に立ちました。En: Akira, though nervous, stood under the cherry trees, holding onto his promise with Yumi.Ja: そして、彼女が姿を現したその瞬間、心の中の不安が晴れていました。En: And the moment she appeared, the anxiety within him cleared.Ja: アキラはギターを取り出し、歌い始めました。En: Akira took out his guitar and began to sing.Ja: 彼の歌声は周囲のにぎやかな喧騒の中でも鮮明に響き渡りました。En: His singing voice resonated clearly amidst the lively clamor.Ja: 「ユミ、この歌は君のためだよ。En: "Yumi, this song is for you.Ja: 僕は音楽の道に進みたいんだ。En: I want to pursue a path in music.Ja: 君と、その夢を一緒に追いかけたい。En: I want to chase that dream with you."Ja: 」その瞬間、ユミははっと息を飲みました。En: At that moment, Yumi gasped.Ja: アキラの想いに応えるために、ユミは自分の絵を広げました。En: To respond to Akira's feelings, Yumi unfolded her painting.Ja: そこには満開の桜と共に、彼との新しい未来が描かれていました。En: It depicted a future with him, alongside fully bloomed cherry blossoms.Ja: 「アキラ、私も君の夢を応援する。En: "Akira, I support your dream.Ja: 私も絵を描く自信が湧いてきたよ。En: I feel confident in my painting now.Ja: 君と一緒に、新しい道を歩みたい。En: I want to walk a new path together with you."Ja: 」二人は桜の下で新しい約束をしました。En: Under the cherry blossoms, the two made a new promise.Ja: それは、互いの夢を追い続けること、そしてその道を二人で共に歩むことでした。En: It was to keep pursuing each other's dreams and to walk that path together.Ja: 桜の花びらが舞い落ちる中、彼らの心は温かく照らされ、ほんのりくすんだ冬の風も、もう気になりませんでした。En: As the cherry petals danced down, their hearts were warmly illuminated, and even the slightly chill winter breeze didn’t bother them anymore.Ja: これから二人は、季節が巡るたびに思い出すであろう、この特別な桜の下で新しい人生の一歩を踏み出したのです。En: From that day forward, under this special cherry blossom, they took a new step in life, one they will recall every time the seasons change. Vocabulary Words:approaching: 近づいていますlingers: 残るbloom: 咲き始めていますlanterns: 行灯preparations: 準備bustling: にぎわいfarewell: 別れdiligently: 励んでいますpursue: 進みたいexploring: 模索していましたpath: 道expectations: 期待made up his mind: 決意しましたunfolded: 広げましたdepicted: 描かれていましたresonated: 響き渡りましたclamor: 喧騒overwhelming: あふれていましたchase: 追いかけたいgasped: 息を飲みましたconfidence: 自信breeze: 風blossoms: 桜approached: 近づいていますpromise: 約束dreams: 夢illuminated: 照らされchill: 寒さseason: 季節heartfelt: 心からの
