Sunshine Japanese Yasashii Nihon-go radio

A new season often brings a small change to our daily lives. In this episode, I share how the changing season has inspired me to make a small change in my daily life. As the weather becomes more comfortable, I’m starting something new and looking forward to it. I hope this episode encourages you to enjoy the season and perhaps begin something new as well. This episode's vocab list: 最高気温 th...

Have you ever felt like prices change just because you searched? In this episode, I share what I’ve noticed, what I’ve heard, andwhat I’ve tried to do to resist algorithms. This episode's vocab list: 5週間ぶりのポッドキャストです。It’s my first podcast in 5 weeks N4 とても気が早い I might be too hasty; it might be a bit early. N3 予約 booking; reservation N4 チャンスを逃してしまいました。 I mi...

Teaching gives me energy – just like a vitamin. I feel lucky to have a job, that gives me energy. Do you have something in your life that energized you? Let’s take a moment to appreciate it. As the seasons begin to change, so please take good care of yourself! This episode's vocab list: あっという間に in the blink of an eye; before you know it  [N3] 充実した１か月 a fulfilling month [N3] 体調...

Do you sleep well every day? Last week, I couldn’t sleep at all and even had a terrible headache. I talk about what happened, what I tried, and how it made me think again about health and daily habits. This episode is shared in easy Japanese with a mix of levels, so I hope you can relax and enjoy listening while learning.   This episode's vocab list: 眠れない not to have a sleep [N4] 頭痛 head...

“A mother’s day trip that didn’t go as planned — what happened next?” My mother suddenly decided to go on a day trip by herself — and then she changed her mind. I hope you enjoy listening to her unexpected story. This episode's vocab list: 母の話をします。I will talk about my mother. [N5] 土日 Saturday and Sunday; the weekend [N5] 富士山を見に、for the purpose of seeing Mt. Fuji [N4] とてもき...

‘Play’ in English isn’t just あそぶ in Japanese — find out why! In this episode, I explore how one English verb can be expressed using different verbs in Japanese. Before listening, try making one English sentence with this verb. I hope this episode helps you enjoy discovering how Japanese works. This episode's vocab list: 気が付いていましたか。Have you noticed? [N4] 英語の文をひとつ one Engli...

It’s been a long time since the last episode! Hope you’ve beenwell. 2026 has started, and I’d like to talk about my New Year’s resolution. This episode's vocab list [JLPT level]: 毎年恒例 annual event [N1] 新年の抱負 New Year’s resolution [N1] 健康に過ごすこと staying healthy [N3-4] 体力作り physical training; building physical strength [N2] 積極的に actively; proactively; with a positive atti...

The last day on Nakasendō Trail brought some unexpected moments including a sudden change of plans, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying every moment. Turn in to hear how the journey wrapped up!   This episode's vocab list: 実は actually 歩くのをやめました。I decided not to walk 山を越える to cross a mountain きっと surely; certainly 実際 actual condition; in reality; in practice オフシーズン...

On Day 3, we took a one-day break from walking the Nakasendō Trail, but we unexpectedly caught a breathtaking view. Even without the trail, we discovered something truly special and worth sharing. Check it out!   This episode's vocab list: 中山道トレイルを中休みしました。We had a one-day break from walking the Nakasendo Trail. 2日目の夜から2泊しました。We stayed 2 nights from the 2nd night of...

On Day 2, we walked to Tsumago-juku along the Nakasendō trail. It was a great experience. Check it out and enjoy my story!   This episode's vocab list: 大型連休 the long consecutive holidays 真っ最中 right in the middle 最初は in the beginning 上り坂 uphill slope 朝早くから出発しました。 we departed early in the morning 天候にも恵まれました。 we were blessing with good weather 新鮮な空気 fresh...

We stayed one night at Magome Ryokan - a beautiful traditional inn that made us feel like we’d stepped back in time. It was a wonderful, invaluable experience full of charm and nostalgia. Tune in to hear all about it!   This episode's vocab list: 4連休 a 4-day long weekend 予定 plan 先週お話したように as I mentioned last week 初めての体験 first experience; new experience そのうちの1つ one of t...

Nakasendō is one of Japan’s historic trails, and is still populartoday. I walked just a small part of it. Even though it was off- season, I still enjoyed the experience. On the first day, I walked from Nakatsugawa JR station up to Magome-juku, a post town along the Nakasendō. Check it out!   This episode's vocab list: 4連休 a 4-day long weekend 予定 plan 先週お話したように as I mentioned last...

I’m back! Thank you so much for your patience. In this episode, I’ll share what I’ve been up to during the past month. Please check it out!   This episode's vocab list: 一か月以上 more than one month くことをお知らせしようと思っていました。 I was planning to let you know 出発前 before departing; before leaving 想像以上に more than I imagined 初めての体験 first experience 昔々 long time ago 道...

Valentine’s Day is coming! What do you usually do in your country? Do you know what people do in Japan on this day? Listen to this episode to learn more about Japanese Valentine’s Day traditions. Happy Valentine’s Day!   This episode's vocab list: バレンタインデー Valentine’s Day 日本人らしいイベント an event that matches Japanese characteristics 一番最初にバレンタインデーが日本に紹介されたの...

Shopping and enjoying Japanese food are probably some of your top reasons for visiting Japan, right? Make sure you are well prepared to fully enjoy them. I hope this episode helps with both your travels and your Japanese learning.   This episode's vocab list: 払う to pay PINと呼ばれる暗証番号 a passcode called PIN サインをする to sign; to put your signature 3月末まで until the end of March 暗...

My new hobby: Zero waste! Am I stingy? I don’t mind. I’m enjoying zero waste now. This episode's vocab list:  テレビ局 TV station リサイクル recycle いわゆる what is called リメイク remake 材料 material 布 fabric 帯 belt worn with kimono ボロボロになる to become worn out or ragged そのまま as it is ボタン button 紐 string; cord 取って置く to set it aside; keep it for later これこそ This is け...

Sad news, but I believe Japan can find a way to solve this problem!   This episode's vocab list: 猛暑日extreme heatwave days 雨が降ってほしいと願っています。I’m wishing for rain soon. スキー場がにぎわっています。 Ski resorts are crowded and lively. その反面 on the other hand スキー場を含め including ski resorts 観光地 tourist areas 問題 issue; problem ゴミ rubbish; garbage; trash ゴミ箱が少ないで...

This episode is far from scary! It’s all about quite positive thinking and mindset. Check it out and let the good vibe flow!   This episode's vocab list: 病院の救急外来 emergency outpatient department at the hospital 辛い数日 a few painful days 湿疹 skin rash 両腕 both arms 両脚 both legs 痒い itchy 耐えられませんでした。I couldn’t stand it 氷で痒い所を冷やす to cool the itchy parts with ice...

New Year’s Greetings: I hope we can share more time together this year through this podcast.   This episode's vocab list: お正月 New Year’s Day and the days that follow どのように過ごしましたか。How did you spend your time? 体中 all over my body 虫に刺されました。 I got bitten by bugs いろいろな面で in various aspects 準備をしっかりする to make thorough preparation そうは言っても、Even so; That be...

How was your 2024? Check it out! This is the last episode of this year. Thank you for listening to my podcast again this year. Wishing you a wonderful festive season and a very happy New Year!   This episode's vocab list: 4週間ぶり first time in 4 weeks 言い訳 excuse 振り返ると When I look back on the past 今年は人生で一番忙しい年だったかもしれません。This year might have been the busiest year of...

What katakana words confuse you? Is “Mansion” one of them? Check it out!   This episode's vocab list: どんな建物 building モデルルーム show apartment/ show flat 普通のアパート standard apartment/flat 紛らわしい misleading; confusing; ambiguous その違いは、はっきりと決められている訳ではないそうです。I found that the distinction isn’t clearly or officially defined. それでも一般的には、Even so, gener...

How is your Japanese learning journey going? Do you struggle with Katakana words? I recently came across a Katakana word that I hadn’t noticed was strange before. Now, it’s part of my ‘strange word’ group. Check it out!   This episode's vocab list: カタカナ語に苦労する to struggle/challenge with Katakana words 英語のような発音 pronunciation that sounds like English 通じません。It’s not understood...

What autumn foods make your appetite grow? Do you know any autumn foods from Japan? Guess what I will be introducing in this episode. Check it out!   This episode's vocab list: 毎年話している気がします I feel like I talk about this every year 食欲の秋 Autumn: the season of good appetite 私たちの食欲が増すOur appetite increases. 個人的な意見ですが、This is just my personal opinion, but 栗 chestnut...

“You can do it” is now one of my favourite phrases. I used to misunderstand what it meant, but I’ve come to appreciate its significance. I hope this episode inspires to have more heartfelt exchanges with others. This episode's vocab list: 学ぶ to learn がんばって Good luck; Go for it; hang in there; do your best 表現 expression 相手 the other person 応援している to support; to cheer 伝える to conv...

What would your answer be to this question, “What day is the 10th of October?” I’ve found various interesting pieces of information about this date. Enjoy learning Japanese though this episode! This episode's vocab list: 体育 physical education 祝日 public holiday どうして10月10日かというと The reason why it’s set for the 10th of October is because 開会式the opening ceremony 移動する to move; tran...