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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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Autumn Bonds: Family and Festivals in Yokohama's Suburbs
Tuesday, 18 November, 2025
Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Autumn Bonds: Family and Festivals in Yokohama's Suburbs Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-11-18-08-38-20-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 横浜の静かな郊外には、赤やオレンジの葉が美しく舞う秋が訪れた。En: In the quiet suburbs of Yokohama, autumn arrived with beautifully dancing red and orange leaves.Ja: 家の前の街路樹に吊るされた伝統的な提灯が、そよ風に揺れている。En: Traditional lanterns hung on the street trees in front of the houses swayed in the gentle breeze.Ja: この季節、近所では冬の祭りが計画されている。En: In this season, the neighborhood was planning a winter festival.Ja: 祭りの準備に追われる中、はるかさんは家族のことも考えなければならない立場にあった。En: Amid the hectic preparations for the festival, Haruka found herself in a position where she also had to think about her family.Ja: はるかさんは、この祭りの委員会の委員長を務めていた。En: Haruka served as the chairperson of the festival committee.Ja: 彼女は熱心で、誰よりもこのイベントを成功させたかった。En: She was enthusiastic and wanted this event to be a success more than anyone else.Ja: しかし、七五三の準備もあって、心の中には大きなプレッシャーがのしかかっていた。En: However, with preparations for Shichi-Go-San, a significant pressure weighed on her heart.Ja: その一方で、さとしさんは仕事で忙しく、夜遅くまで会社にいることが多くなっていた。En: Meanwhile, Satoshi was busy with work, often staying late at the office.Ja: 彼もまた、家族のために時間を取りたいと願っていたが、なかなか実現できないでいた。En: He too wished to find time for his family but found it hard to realize this desire.Ja: そして、元気で活発な七歳の娘、ゆきちゃん。En: Then there was their lively and energetic seven-year-old daughter, Yuki-chan.Ja: 彼女の七五三の到来に胸を膨らませていた。En: She was filled with excitement for her upcoming Shichi-Go-San.Ja: 可愛い着物を着て、神社でお祓いを受けるのを心待ちにしている。En: She eagerly looked forward to wearing a cute kimono and receiving the blessing at the shrine.Ja: しかし、最近、両親が忙しいせいで少し寂しい思いをしていた。En: However, lately, she felt a bit lonely because her parents were busy.Ja: ある日曜日の朝、はるかさんはリビングで祭りの会議資料を広げて座っていた。En: One Sunday morning, Haruka sat in the living room with festival meeting materials spread out before her.Ja: さとしさんは目の下に少しクマができるほど、仕事で疲れていたが、今日は家にいる日だった。En: Satoshi was tired from work, with slight shadows under his eyes, but today, he was at home.Ja: 「おはよう、はるか。今日は手伝えることある？」と優しく声をかけた。En: "Good morning, Haruka. Is there anything I can help with today?" he gently asked.Ja: しかし、はるかさんの顔には緊張が浮かんでいた。En: However, tension was visible on Haruka's face.Ja: 「この資料、どうしよう…まだ終わらなくて…」彼女はため息をつく。En: "What should I do with these materials... I'm not done yet..." she sighed.Ja: ゆきちゃんは、自分の大切な日が近づいているというのに、なかなか話題に上らないことに不満げだった。「お母さん、私のお祝いもちゃんとやるよね？」と、少し不安げに問いかけた。En: Yuki-chan, feeling upset that no one brought up her special day despite it approaching, asked a bit anxiously, "Mom, you'll properly celebrate my event, right?"Ja: その瞬間、はるかさんは大切なことに気づいた。En: At that moment, Haruka realized something important.Ja: 「ごめんね、家族が一番大事よね。」彼女は、ふっと微笑んでゆきちゃんの髪を撫でた。En: "I'm sorry; family is the most important, right?" She smiled softly and stroked Yuki-chan's hair.Ja: 大会前日、町内会の友人たちが手伝いに訪れた。En: The day before the event, friends from the neighborhood association came to help.Ja: 「大変でしょう、はるかさん。任せて」と、彼らは温かく協力を申し出た。En: "It's tough, isn't it, Haruka-san? Leave it to us," they warmly offered their cooperation.Ja: 祭りの朝、最後の準備が整っていなかったが、すべての人が協力して動き出した。En: On the morning of the festival, the final preparations weren't complete, but everyone began to work together.Ja: はるかさんは感謝の気持ちで胸がいっぱいだった。En: Haruka was filled with gratitude.Ja: その一方、さとしさんも会社に休みを申し出、「今日は大事な日だから、ゆきのそばにいるよ」と心から言った。En: Meanwhile, Satoshi also requested leave from his company, sincerely saying, "Today's an important day, so I'll be by Yuki's side."Ja: その言葉に、はるかさんは安心した。En: Those words reassured Haruka.Ja: 祭りが始まり、みんなの力でスムーズに進んだ。En: The festival began and proceeded smoothly thanks to everyone's efforts.Ja: 夕方、七五三の神社での式典には、両親だけでなく、近所のみんなが集まった。En: In the evening, not only the parents but also the whole neighborhood gathered for the Shichi-Go-San ceremony at the shrine.Ja: ゆきちゃんはにっこり笑って、嬉しそうにお祓いを受けた。En: Yuki-chan smiled brightly and happily received the blessing.Ja: はるかさんは、隣に立つさとしさんに微笑んだ。En: Haruka smiled at Satoshi who stood next to her.Ja: 「みんなのおかげで、この日が最高になったわね。」En: "Thanks to everyone, this day turned out to be the best."Ja: 祭りが終わり、夜空にはたくさんの星が輝いていた。En: As the festival ended, the night sky was filled with countless stars.Ja: はるかさんは、これからはもっと人に頼ること、そして家族の大切さを忘れず、毎日を過ごすことを心に誓った。En: Haruka vowed in her heart to rely more on others and never forget the importance of family as she went about her daily life.Ja: さとしさんもまた、新しい一歩を家族と共に歩む決心をしたのだった。En: Satoshi, too, decided to take new steps forward together with his family.Ja: 成功した祭りと家族の絆の再確認、そんな心温まる秋の一日が終わった。En: The festival's success and the reaffirmation of family bonds marked the end of such a heartwarming autumn day. Vocabulary Words:suburbs: 郊外autumn: 秋lanterns: 提灯breeze: そよ風festival: 祭りhectic: 追われるenthusiastic: 熱心significant: 大きなpressure: プレッシャーsincere: 心からblessing: お祓いpreparations: 準備shrine: 神社reassured: 安心したgratitude: 感謝cooperation: 協力energetic: 活発vow: 誓ったreaffirmation: 再確認heartwarming: 心温まるcommittee: 委員会success: 成功realize: 気づいたupset: 不満げneighborhood: 近所tradition: 伝統的なanticipation: 心待ちにmaterial: 資料lively: 元気rely: 頼る
