Okkei Japanese Podcast

In today’s episode, I’m joined by my friend, Yumi. She was born and raised in Tokyo (Shitamachi) but also spent few years living and working in the United States. Now back in Tokyo as a "salarywoman," she shares the honest reality of what it’s like to be a woman in her late thirties in Japan today.

Today I am driving in Shizuoka, Numazu.My mother is in her 70s, so she recently sold her car and returned her driver's license. Thinking about her car brought back many warm, everyday family memories from when I was a kid.I also talk about a bitter memory. When I was a university student, I tried to be very quiet on a Japanese train. My girlfriend got really mad at me all day.By the way, this is actually the 100th episode of this podcast! Thank you so much for always watching & listening! 🎉

Welcome to another 1-hour Japanese listening podcast 🌙 Today, I'm sharing some "boring" and random stories to help you relax, wind down, and fall asleep in clear Japanese. I'll talk about everything from awkward karaoke memories and Tokyo rent prices to a very long ranking of my favorite Beatles albums. (If you make it to the Beatles ranking without falling asleep, Sugoi desu.)Video Chapters00:00 オープニング (Intro: Boring Stories)00:18 気まずいカラオケの思い出 (Awkward Karaoke Memory)09:36 カラオケで何を歌う？ (What I Sing at Karaoke)14:25 友達の話①：アメリカ人エンジニア (Friend #1: American IT Worker)20:47 友達の話②：山岳ガイド (Friend #2: Mountain Guide)26:51 東京の家賃が高すぎる (Tokyo's Crazy Rent Prices)31:46 日本の賃貸ルール「礼金」 (Japan's "Key Money" Rule)35:10 安く引っ越す方法 (Cheap Moving Tip: Akabou)40:31 家探しの罠「おとり物件」 (Apartment Hunting Traps)45:39 ビートルズのアルバムランキング (My Beatles Album Ranking)59:15 父親の変なレコード (My Dad's Weird Record)

In this episode, I’m sharing three personal stories in natural Japanese to help you practice your listening:1. 家がなくなった話 (Where has my house gone?): Why I cried as a 10-year-old when my childhood home "vanished".2. イギリスで怒られた話 (The Time I Got Scolded in the UK): An embarrassing moment from my study abroad days at a pub in Oxford.3. あるマンガが僕の人生を変えた (The Manga That Changed My Life): How a surreal manga shaped my personality and sense of humor.Practice: This podcast is perfect for intermediate learners to practice listening and shadowing.This episode is sponsored by LTL Language School. Check them out here: https://ltl-japanese.com/Tokyo branch is in Akihabara, and LTL Osaka will be opening later in 2026.

I love telling real stories from my life and the people around me so you can learn Japanese in a natural, fun way. Think of it as joining me for a conversation while your Japanese grows step by step.

In this episode, I share a story about a heartwarming encounter at a cheap Soba noodle shop in Tokyo. Seeing him made me realize the power of positive communication.A big thank you to LTL Language Schoolhttps://ltl-japanese.com/Tokyo branch is in Akihabara, and LTL Osaka will be opening later in 2026.

In this episode, I answer some questions about daily life and manners in Japan.It can be a bit confusing sometimes like the table charge at restaurants or where to stand on the escalator. I talk about those little cultural differences today.Topics:Otoshi (Appetizer): Do you have to pay?Escalators: Standing on the left vs. the right.Business Japanese: The real meaning of "Kentou shimasu" (I'll think about it).Trash Cans: Why are there none in the city?Rush Hour: The pressure to move fast at ticket gates.I hope this is good listening practice for you.

In this episode: I talk about going to a "Jam Session" bar in Japan. I haven't played music in a long time, but I finally gathered the courage to enter a local bar. I talk about:The difference between "Ichigen-san" (first-timers) and "Jouren-san" (regulars).Meeting a cool master and drinking handmade ginger ale.Playing songs by Mr. Children, Bump of Chicken, and Oasis with strangers.The joy of connecting with people through music (and how it's just like language learning).

Today I talk about my favorite manga, "Coji-Coji." It is written by Momoko Sakura, the creator of "Chibi Maruko-chan." Coji-Coji looks cute, but his words are very deep, almost like Zen philosophy.His answer to the question "What do you want to be in the future?" teaches us an important lesson about living in the "now."I also talk about the style of Japanese radio programs and my idea to make a new jingle.I hope you enjoy this episode