Sunshine Japanese Yasashii Nihon-go radio

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]体調の問題 a health problem [N3]おかげさまで thankfully [N3]改善しました。It improved; it has gotten better [N2]私なりに考えてみたところwhen I thought about it in my own way; after thinking it over myself [N2]どうやら体が冷えていたことが原因だったようです。It seems my body being too cold may have been the cause. [N2]ぐっすり眠る to sleep soundly [N3]私の方が元気をもらっている I’m the one receiving energy. [N3]レッスンは仕事でありながら Even though teaching is my job, [N2]不思議な存在 something special and hard to describe [N2]まるでビタミン剤のようなもの something like a vitamin supplement [N3]正直な所 to be honest [N3]同じことを質問してしまうこともあります。Sometimes, I end up asking the same question. [N3]その都度 every time; each time [N2]日本語そのものに集中しているせいか、Perhaps because I’m focusing on their Japanese itself [N2]細かい内容 the small details [N3]なかなか記憶に残らない it doesn’t easily stay in my memory. [N2]丁寧に答えてくれます。They answer carefully and politely. [N4]上達 improvement; progress [N3]心を打たれます To be deeply moved [N2]相変わらずです it’s the same as always [N3]温かく接してくれる to treat me warmly [N3]3月もすぐそこですね。March is just around the corner. [N4]北半球でも南半球でもin both the Northern and Southern hemispheres [N4]季節の変わり目 the change of the seasons; seasonal transition [N3]体調を崩さないよう、くれぐれも気を付けてくださいね。 Please take good care of yourself, and try not to get sick. [N2]Please note that these levels are approximate, teaching-based estimates — they are meant to give a rough idea of difficulty, not an official classification.I hope this helps your learning, and feel free to focus on the words that are most interesting or useful to you!

“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]とてもきれいに富士山が見えたそうです。I heard that she could see Mt Fuji very clearly [N3]鳥居 Shrine gate [N3]観光 sightseeing [N3]時間がまだ早かったです。 it was still early. [N3]ある考えが浮かびました。 One idea came to mind. [N2]足を伸ばす to extend the journey; to go a bit further [N2]突然のプラン sudden plan [N2]1時間40分かける to spend 1 hour and 40 minutes [N4]ずっと all the way; the whole time [N4]当日 on that day; the same day [N2]当日ホテルをとったからかどうか分かりません。 I am not sure whether it was because she booked the hotel on the same day or not [N2]ホテル代 the hotel cost; hotel fee [N3]私が母の旅行のプランナーになろうと思っています。I’m thinking of becoming my mother’s travel planner. [N3]もうすでに already [N4]計画を立てています。I’m making a plan; I’ve already started planning. [N3]日本のホテルを予約する to book a hotel in Japan [N4]どんなウェブサイト which website; what kind of website [N4]Please note that these levels are approximate, teaching-based estimates — they are meant to give a rough idea of difficulty, not an official classification. I hope this helps your learning, and feel free to focus on the words that are most interesting or useful to you!

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 attitude [N3]気合いっぱい full of motivation; all fired up [N2]この目標を忘れずに without forgetting this goal [N3] 水泳 swimming [N3]かなづち literally ‘a hammer’ but it means ‘can’t swim’ in this context [N1]苦手 my weak point; something I’m not good at [N4]泳げるようになっています。I’m becoming able to swim. [N4]暑い間は while it’s hot [N3]スタミナをつけたいです。I want to build up my stamina. [N3]ゴルフを始めようと思っています。I’m thinking of starting golf. [N4]いつか one day [N4]報告できるといいなぁ。I hope I can let you know. [N3]残念ながら unfortunately [N3]チャンスを逃してしまいました。I missed the chance. [N3]珍しくunusually; rarely [N3]初夏 the beginning of summer [N2]あんまり暑くないといいんですが。I hope it’s not too hot. [N4]

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 the trip最寄り駅 the nearest station移動するto move (from one place to another); travel; head to とはいえ though we had a break; that said; even so阿寺渓谷 Atera Valley; Atera Gorgeエメラルドグリーン emerald green素晴らしかったです。It was stunning; amazing; marvellous;breathtaking川沿いalong the river 途中から from halfway 雪がたくさん積もっていました。A lot of snow had accumulated/piled upひんやりしたchilly冷たい空気 cold air 夏なら if it’s summer次回 the next time中山道トレイルの最終回 the final episode about our Nakasendo Trail journey

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 them 旧中山道 Old Nakasendoあぜ道 pathway between rice fields住宅が並んでいました。 residential buildings lined along the streets一日目 the first day中津川駅 Nakatsugawa station 歩き始めるTo start walking中津川宿 Nakatsugawa, a former post town on the Nakasendō宿場町a post town普通の田舎町 a typical regional town近づいていく to get closer and closer実感できます。You can really feel itおさむらいさんたち Samurai warriors不思議な気持ちになるto have a miraculous sense of connection.着こむ to wear a lot目的地 the destination; the goal 馬籠宿 Magome, a former post town on the Nakasendōお店も並んでいます。 Shops are also lined up.気に入りました。I like it now.観光バス tour busまたこの続きは来週をお楽しみに！Look forward to the continuation next week.

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 pathway 一部 one partスノーシュー snowshoe雪の森 snowy forest 着いた所 place where we got to雪の池 snow-covered pond雪と言うより氷の滝 waterfalls with ice rather than snow言葉では表せないくらい素敵でした。It was so wonderful that words can’t describe it.お寺 templeホテルゲストのように泊まる to stay like a hotel guest瞑想meditation朝のお経 morning prayer service with chants参加するTo participate精進料理 vegetarian cuisine ひとつずつ one by one詳しくお話したいです。 I want to talk about it in detail

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 暗証番号がないと without the passcode 支払い payment 原則 in principle 普段から regularly 国によって depending on the country 登録されていない to not be registered これまで通り as before; as usual; the way it has been so far 本人確認 identity verification 1万円未満 less than 10,000 yen 4月以降 from April onwards

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 ゴミ箱が少ないです。 There are few rubbish bins その結果かどうかは分かりません。 I’m not sure if it happens as a result 道にゴミを捨てる人は、ゴミ箱がないから道に捨てるんでしょうか。Do you think people throw rubbish on the street because there are no bins? 私の持論 my fixed opinion; my firm belief ゴミ箱がなければ持って帰る to take it home if there’s no bin ゴミ箱があってもなくても it doesn’t matter whether there is a bin or not 捨てる人は捨てます。 People who throw rubbish would throw it anyway ゴミが出る所 the places where rubbish ends up 必ずゴミ箱はあります。 There should always be a rubbish bin 食べ歩き eating as you stroll 立って食べる to eat while standing 紙に包む to wrap it up in paper 入れておくTo put it in and leave it there. 次にゴミ箱を見つけた時に、捨てればいいんです。You can throw it away when you find a bin next time: it’s not a big deal. Just do it! 少し協力するだけ only a small amount of cooperation どうしたらいいと思いますか。What do you recommend they do to solve the problem? 日本のよさをそのままに by preserving the best aspects of Japan このゴミ問題を解決する方法 the way to solve this rubbish problem

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 being said 挑戦したいです。I want to take on a challenge 言葉にすると、目標に近づけます。By putting it into words, you will get closer to your goal. 見返す to look back at it; to review it メイトさんと繋がっている to stay connected with you

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, generally speaking, 木造 wooden building 軽量鉄骨造 light steel-frame building 3階建て 3-story 鉄筋コンクリート造 reinforced concrete building 鉄骨鉄筋コンクリート造 steel-frame reinforced concrete building これは正しいとか正しくないとか、そういうものではない This is not about whether something is correct or incorrect エレベーターがあるかないかを目安にする to use the presence or absence of an elevator as a standard 義務 obligation 自信を持つ to have confidence

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 柿 persimmon さんま pacific saury 上げればきりがないほどあります。There are too many to list because the possibilities are endless. お米 rice 新米 new rice 並べる to set side by side 新米は収穫した年の12月31日までに袋詰めされたお米です。Shinmai refers to rice that has been polished and packed by the 31st of December of the harvest year. この時期だけ only during this period いつものご飯と全然違いますよ。It’s completely different from rice we usually eat. もちもちした食感を体験してほしいです。I want you to experience its pleasantly chewy, slightly sticky texture.

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; transfer 延期 postpone 2年連続 2 years in a row 第2月曜日 the second Monday 「体育の日」を思い出します。It reminds me of the Taiiku no hi holiday 目の愛護 eye protection; eye care 横向きに倒す to turn them sideways; lay them down sideways 眉毛 eyebrow 転倒slipping over; tripping over 予防 prevention 発想conception; way of thinking 銭湯 public bath パターン pattern; way 世界的に Internationally