Nihongomimi Podcast

After years of living in Europe, what feels surprising about returning to Japan? In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie shares the reverse culture shock she experienced during her recent trip home—from Japan's incredibly reliable trains to surprisingly inflexible service. You'll hear an honest, balanced perspective on the little things that make Japan feel both familiar and unexp...

Why do Japanese people say  sumimasen  and  gomen nasai  so often? Even when nothing seems to be their fault? In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie explores Japan's apology culture, the hidden meanings behind saying "sorry," and how apologizing can function as empathy, politeness, and social harmony rather than simply admitting wrongdoing. You’ll discover why this habit can be confusing...

What did some of history’s greatest geniuses do every day? In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie explores the daily routines of famous figures such as Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, and Tchaikovsky. From strict schedules and long walks to late-night creativity, you'll discover the surprising habits these remarkable individuals shared — and what their routines might teach us about creati...

Why is Japan still associated with overwork, long hours, and burnout — and is that actually still true today? Is Japanese work culture actually changing? In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie explores Japan’s work culture through the lens of reality versus perception. From “karoshi” (過労死, death from overwork) to legal reforms, changing corporate norms as well as attitudes among young...

Why are so many young Japanese people choosing not to drink alcohol anymore? What happened to Japan’s famous nomikai(drinking party) culture, mandatory after-work beers, and endless nights of drinking with coworkers? In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie explores Japan’s dramatic shift away from alcohol culture and the rise of the sober curious generation. From “とりあえず生” and drinki...

Why do Japanese people often avoid saying things directly? In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie talks about the Japanese aesthetic of ambiguity through tea culture and communication. Inspired by The Book of Tea by Okakura Tenshin, this episode explores ideas like emptiness, silence, suggestion, and why “not saying everything” can sometimes create deeper understanding and connection. こ...

You can read the full Japanese transcript here: ⁠⁠https://www.marienukaya.com/nihongomimi⁠⁠ Do Japanese people really drink matcha every day? In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi) , Marie talks about the reality of matcha culture in Japan, from modern matcha lattes to the traditional world of tea ceremony. You’ll hear how matcha became popular around the world, why tea ceremony is much deeper...

Is AI making our lives better — or quietly making us lonelier? In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie opens up about the growing unease she feels around AI and technology. From losing confidence in her own writing to the disappearance of everyday human connections. She reflects on what we're silently losing in the name of convenience. このエピソードでは、AIやテクノロジーとの付き合い...

Are you overusing "めっちゃ" — without realizing it? In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie breaks down why this common word often sounds unnatural in real conversations, and how it connects to one of the most important concepts in Japanese: understanding "air (空気)." She also talks about why building a textbook foundation actually helps you sound more natural, not l...

Is Japan really a “non-religious” country? And if so, what do people actually believe? In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie shares her experience in Thailand during a major Buddhist holiday and explores how it led her to reflect on Japanese religion and spirituality. You’ll hear how Buddhism differs between Japan and Thailand, what shapes Japan’s unique “no religion” mindset, and how S...

Why are Japanese people so obsessed with sakura? What makes these flowers so special? In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie explores Japan’s deep connection to sakura (cherry blossoms), from the nationwide excitement to the unique characteristics of Somei Yoshino. You’ll also hear how hanami (flower viewing) became a cultural tradition, and why cherry blossoms hold such strong emotional...

Improve your Japanese listening skills while exploring a real-life experience in Thailand! In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie records from Koh Samui, where she visits an elephant sanctuary and learns about the lives of Asian elephants. You’ll hear about elephant tourism, along with fascinating insights into elephant behavior, intelligence, and social life. The episode also explores t...

What are the hidden rules of Japanese onsen? Why are tattoos often not allowed? In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie talks about Japanese onsen (hot spring) and sento (public bath) culture, from bathing etiquette and unspoken rules to the historical reasons behind Japan’s tattoo restrictions. You’ll hear the hidden rules of Japanese onsen and public baths, as well as why tattoos in Jap...

Improve your Japanese listening skills while exploring a powerful idea: if the average human life is only about 4,000 weeks, how should we actually spend it? The 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi) Podcast is designed for intermediate to advanced Japanese learners who want to improve their listening skills through natural, native-speed Japanese conversation. In this episode, Marie talks about the ideas from th...

What is school life really like in Japan? In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie talks about Japanese compulsory education and the culture inside schools. From daily routines to the mindset behind the system, you’ll hear natural, real-speed Japanese while gaining deeper cultural insight. If you’ve ever wondered why Japanese schools feel so structured and cooperative, this episode will gi...

What really changed between Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa? How Japan’s Generations Think Differently? In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie explores the differences between 昭和・平成・令和 and how each era shaped values, work culture, family roles, and everyday life in Japan. このエピソードでは、昭和・平成・令和それぞれの時代の特徴やイメージ、価値観の違いについて、自然な日本語でお話しします...

When did you first feel like an adult? In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie shares personal reflections on the moments that made her feel she had stepped into adulthood — the shifts weren’t dramatic. They were subtle, personal, and deeply human. How about yours? みなさんが「自分が大人になったと感じるとき」ってどんなときですか？キラキラした出来事だけではなく、平凡な毎日の中にある“成長”...

What defines a relationship in Japan — and when does love officially begin? In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie talks about Japanese views on romance, from the culture of  kokuhaku (love confession) to the clearly defined lines between friendship, dating, and marriage. You’ll hear how relationships often develop differently from Western norms, and why those differences can feel surpri...

Why do people in Japan give so many gifts? In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie talks about how gift-giving naturally shows up all the time in Japanese life. From Valentine’s Day chocolates to seasonal presents, special occasions, and the famous culture of omiyage...etc. You’ll start to feel just how deeply gift-giving is woven into daily life in Japan! このエピソードでは、バレンタイン...

What kind of place shapes a person? In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie takes you to her hometown and shares the everyday scenes and atmosphere that helped shape who she is today. このエピソードでは、出身地について、日常の風景や街の雰囲気などをふまえて、お話します。 Listen like you’re strolling through town with a Japanese friend, hearing real stories at real speed. Let’s make your ea...

What makes teaching Japanese such a rewarding job? In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie shares why she loves being a Japanese teacher and how this career changed the way she sees her own language and culture.  From her journey into teaching to the joys and challenges of working with Japanese learners around the world, she talks about what makes this job so meaningful. このエピソードで...

What happens when you share a life with someone who speaks a different language and grew up with completely different “common sense”? In this first episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie casually talks about the  small, everyday frictions  of international marriage. Things that are not big problems, but somehow stay with you. ポッドキャスト第1回では、国際結婚の中で感じる、ちょっとしたズレあるあ...