Aiko

Easy Deep Japanese with Aiko | Why Why Nihongo

Education JA ↓ 15 episodes

Why Why Nihongo is a Japanese learning podcast that explores the “why” behind Japanese. We focus on curious expressions and words, explaining not only grammar, but also hidden meanings, nuance, and cultural or historical background. Episodes are spoken slowly in easy, natural Japanese, for intermediate learners (around JLPT N3).🇯🇵日本語Why Why Nihongo は、日本語の「なぜ？」を深掘りするポッドキャストです。気になる言葉や表現をテーマに、文法だけでなく、隠れた意味・ニュアンス・背景や歴史を解説します。やさしい日本語で、ゆっくり話します。目安は中級/N3レベルです。

Author

Aiko

Episodes

015 Why Did Japanese Potato Chips Turn Black & White? | Easy Japanese Podcast（日本のニュース解説：カルビーの白黒パッケージ） 12.06.2026 21:34

Full Transcript➡︎ https://nihongooo.com/easy-japanese-calbee-black-white-potato-chips/ Why did a famous Japanese snack company change its colorful potato chip packages to black and white? In this episode, we talk about a recent news story from Japan using slow and easy Japanese. You will learn about Japanese snack culture, package design, consumer psychology, social media trends, and useful Japane...

014 Japanese Folktale in Easy Japanese | Orihime and Hikoboshi (Tanabata Story) 12.05.2026 21:40

🎏 Lesson note: https://nihongooo.com/japanese-folktale-tanabata-orihime-hikoboshi/ 💻 Online lesson: https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/12449522 🌸 Related episode : Momotarou https://open.spotify.com/episode/7pcausQ91cdjuVFPMjW6PC?si=V_YYPsASQIefipefEIN0yQ In this episode, I explain: ・The Japanese folktale of Orihime and Hikoboshi ・What Tanabata（七夕）is ・The meaning of words like 天の川 and...

013 Why is May(五月) tiring in Japan? Golden Week & May Blues（五月病） 05.05.2026 12:02

🎏 Lesson note: ⁠ https://nihongooo.com/what-is-golden-week-japan-may-blues/ 💻 Online lesson: ⁠ https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/12449522 🌸 Related episode : Why April Is Important in Japan https://open.spotify.com/episode/6xX6qrgfk1uvmu3jo1qa09?si=L5Bk-1fUQ7mw4QGhz04_IA In this episode, I explain: ・What Golden Week is ・Why May can feel tiring ・What “May Blues（五月病）” means This episode i...

012 Why April Is Important in Japan | New Year vs New School Year 02.04.2026 11:59

🌸 Lesson note: https://nihongooo.com/why-april-is-important-in-japan/ 💻 Online lesson: https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/12449522 🌸 Related episode : Why is May（五月） a little tiring in Japan? https://open.spotify.com/episode/0n4I05egkEaRkKY5WSF8pk?si=X-r1GQgIRMmZaIcWOvApag&nd=1&dlsi=a9ab8aa852124f09 Why is April such an important month in Japan? Many learners know January is the star...

#011 Why Saying “Otoko（男） / Onna（女）” Can Sound Harsh in Japanese 29.03.2026 11:14

📗 Lesson note (easy English blog) here: https://nihongooo.com/otoko-onna-rude-japanese/ 💻 Online lesson : https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/12449522 Many learners say “otoko” and “onna” because they are simple and correct. But in real Japanese, they can sound a bit harsh or rough. In this episode, you will learn: ・Why “otoko / onna” can sound strong ・What to say instead (otoko no hito / josei...

#010 Basic 3 Japanese Greetings (Ohayougozaimasu, Konnichiwa, Konbanwa) 17.03.2026 12:18

Lesson note👉 https://nihongooo.com/japanese-greetings-ohayou-konnichiwa-konbanwa/ In this episode, I explain: when to use each greeting which one is used more often why 「こんにちは」 and 「こんばんは」 are written with は but pronounced wa This podcast is for Japanese learners who want to understand Japanese step by step in simple Japanese.

#009 Why Japanese Rarely Say “Douitashimashite（どういたしまして）”: What to Say Instead 03.03.2026 7:48

Transcript below 👇 【TOC】 Why “Douitashimashite” Feels Textbook The Original Meaning of the Word Humility in Japanese Communication What to Say to Friends What to Say to Colleagues What to Say to Superiors Summary --------------------------- Transcript First Half ★ Second Half here : Patreon⁠ --------------------------- こんにちは！日本語教師（にほんごきょうし）のあいこです。このポッドキャス...

#008 Momotarou, A Most Famous Japanese Folktale in Easy Japanese 24.02.2026 13:12

In this episode, we read Momotaro, one of the most famous Japanese folktales. This episode is in easy Japanese. Level is around JLPT N4 to N3. First, I read the story one time. Then, we study 11 important words from the story. After that, I read the story again. Finally, I explain the answers to 3 questions and talk about Japanese culture and history. While listening, please think about these ques...

#007 Why “Gogo Juu-ji” (午後10時) Sounds Strange in Japanese: Natural Ways to Say 10 PM 17.02.2026 8:35

In this episode, I take a closer look at why “gogo juu-ji (午後10時)” can sound unnatural in everyday Japanese. We explore how Japanese people actually tell time and what makes certain expressions feel more natural in real communication. If Japanese listening is still difficult for you, I also explain the same topic in easy English on my blog. Read it here: https://nihongooo.com/gogo-10ji-strange-...

#006 Why “Yoroshiku onegai shimasu（よろしくおねがいします）” Can’t Be Translated 12.02.2026 10:37

In this episode, I take a closer look at why “Yoroshiku onegai shimasu” cannot be translated into English in a single word. We explore the deeper meaning behind the phrase and how it shapes relationships in Japanese communication. このエピソードでは、「よろしくお願いします」について説明します。ことばの背景にある意味と、実際のコミュニケーションでの使い方を見ていきます。日本語の書き起こしの前半（ぜ...

#005 Why「うれしい」と「たのしい」は違う？ | Why Do Japanese Use Two Different Words for “Happy”? (Free Transcript) 08.02.2026 9:36

このエピソードでは、日本語の「嬉しい」と「楽しい」の違い（ちがい）を、やさしい日本語で説明しています。下に、音声と同じ日本語スクリプトをそのまま載せています。聞きながら、復習に使ってください。【Full easy Japanese transcript : やさしい日本語スクリプト全文】みなさん、こんにちは。日本語教師のあいこです。このポッドキャストでは、日本語の「なぜ？」について、やさしい日本語で、ゆっくり説明しています...

#004 Why「私」を言わない？ | Why Do Japanese People Rarely Say “Watashi” in Real Conversations? (Free Transcript) 30.01.2026 7:09

このエピソードでは、日本語で「私」をあまり言わない理由について、やさしい日本語で説明しています。下に、音声と同じ日本語スクリプトを、そのまま載せています。聞きながら、復習に使ってください。【Full easy Japanese transcript : やさしい日本語スクリプト全文】みなさん、こんにちは。日本語教師のあいこです。今日のエピソードの書き起こしは、無料で読むことができます。概要欄（がいようらん）のリンクからチェ...

#003 Why 「あなた」はNG？ Why Japanese avoid “Anata” (Free Transcript) 22.01.2026 8:14

In this episode, I take a closer look at why 「あなた」 can sound unnatural in everyday Japanese. We explore why Japanese people often avoid using “anata” and what they say instead in real communication. If Japanese listening is still difficult for you, don’t worry. I also explain the same topic in easy English on my blog. Read the article here: https://nihongooo.com/avoid-anata-japanese/ このエピ...

#002 Why "Nihon" or "Nippon"? Understanding the 3 names of Japan (Free Transcript) 13.01.2026 6:21

このエピソードでは「日本」の３つの言い方を、やさしい日本語で説明しています。下に音声と同じ日本語スクリプトをそのまま載せています。聞きながら復習に使ってください。【Full transcript｜日本語スクリプト】みなさん、こんにちは！ Why Why Nihongo のあいこです。このポッドキャストでは、日本語の「なぜ？」や「不思議」を取り上げて、やさしい日本語で話しています。Spotify、apple podcast、YouTubeで聞くことがで...

#001 Why “Why2”? 「わいわい日本語」名前の意味とコンセプト【Free Transcript】 07.01.2026 6:45

https://www.patreon.com/cw/whywhynihongo⁠ 🎁 Get the FULL TRANSCRIPT for FREE! https://www.patreon.com/posts/shu-kiqi-koshi-147702829/ 💻 Online Lesson with Me on italki.com https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/12449522 This episode level: Intermediate / JLPT N3 Why Why Nihongo combines “Why” in English and “wai-wai,” a Japanese onomatopoeia meaning cheerful or lively talking. It simply has two meani...