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Learn Japanese with Noriko: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Japanese with Noriko
Hi, I’m Noriko 🌸—a certified Japanese teacher and Neurolanguage Coach®. Learn Japanese with Noriko is for intermediate to advanced learners. If you're an intermediate student, please start from Season 1—I speak slowly at first, then gradually faster. Season 3 is a level-up version with real-life dialogues, philosophy, and language learning topics. Enjoy listening!
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- 3 weeks ago12 min
Season 3-155 子どもの頃の夢と今の私｜日本の小学生の将来の夢ランキング
Check my links https://bio.site/japanesewithnoriko1) 問いかけ・振り返りの質問子どもの頃に思い描いていた将来の夢は、現在の自分の価値観や生き方にどのような影響を与えていると思いますか。「何になるかより、何をやるかの方が大事だ」という考え方について、あなたはどのように感じますか。人の職業観は家庭環境や育った社会からどの程度影響を受けると思いますか。子どもの頃に憧れていた職業と、実際に選んだ進路が異なる場合、その変化にはどのような意味があると考えますか。夢を周囲に話すことには、どのようなメリットとデメリットがあるでしょうか。「大きなことを100個言って一つ叶えばいい」という考え方は、挑戦する姿勢にどのような影響を与えると思いますか。将来の夢を持つことと、自分に合った生き方を見つけることは、どのような関係があると考えますか。In this episode, Noriko talks about childhood dreams and future career aspirations. She introduces the results of a Japanese survey that asked elementary school boys and girls what jobs they want when they grow up. Surprisingly, “company employee” ranked very highly for both boys and girls, alongside more traditional dream jobs such as YouTuber, professional baseball player, kindergarten teacher, and pastry chef.Noriko reflects on how children’s career aspirations may be influenced by their parents, environment, and everyday experiences. She then invites listeners to think about their own childhood dreams and share them in the comments.Looking back on her own life, Noriko explains that her dream changed many times. At different stages, she wanted to become a piano teacher, an elementary school teacher, a writer, and even a flight attendant after being inspired by a television drama. She also reads an essay she wrote at age fifteen about her future dreams. Many of the hopes she expressed then—traveling abroad, meeting people from different countries, and finding a suitable profession—have become reality through her work as a Japanese teacher.Finally, she shares inspiring quotes from Naruse, a favorite fictional character, encouraging listeners to focus on actions, embrace challenges, and keep moving forward with confidence.
- 4 weeks ago26 min
Season 3-154 世界はあなたの庭｜旅が教えてくれた新しい視点 with Yasuyo
やすよさんのインスタグラムJoin our community Japanese Together「旅モード」と「日常モード」の違いは、本当に場所によって決まると思いますか。建築や空間のデザインが、人の感情や考え方に与える影響についてどう思いますか。「世界があなたの庭」という考え方から、どのような生き方を想像しますか。旅行中に仕事を続けるスタイルには、どんなメリットやデメリットがあると思いますか。歴史や芸術を事前に学んでから旅行することは、体験をどのように変えると思いますか。In this episode, Yasuyo returns as a guest to talk about her busy April and her recent trip through Central Europe. She visited Vienna in Austria, Budapest in Hungary, and also took a day trip to Bratislava in Slovakia. Although the trip lasted only about ten days, it felt unique because she mixed travel with online teaching. Sometimes she would go to an opera or museum and then teach a lesson shortly afterward, creating a strange feeling where travel and daily life blended together.A major highlight of the trip was architecture. Yasuyo was especially inspired by the work of Austrian architect Otto Wagner in Vienna and by the “House of Music” designed by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto in Budapest. She describes how certain spaces gave her emotional energy and made her reflect on ideas like freedom, perspective, and how “the world can become your garden.”The conversation also explores the meaning of travel itself. Yasuyo talks about how continuing her normal routines abroad—such as working, going to concerts, or even using saunas—made her question what really separates “travel mode” from “daily life.” The episode becomes a thoughtful discussion about mindset, borders, culture, history, and the joy of seeing the world with curiosity.久しぶり（ひさしぶり）- after a long time落ち着く（おちつく）- to calm down録音（ろくおん）- recording日帰り（ひがえり）- day trip首都（しゅと）- capital city感覚（かんかく）- sensation, feeling歴史（れきし）- history都（みやこ）- capital実験的（じっけんてき）- experimental体力的（たいりょくてき）- physically深夜（しんや）- late at night寝不足（ねぶそく）- lack of sleep憧れる（あこがれる）- to admire建築家（けんちくか）- architect郵便局（ゆうびんきょく）- post office豪華（ごうか）- luxurious地下鉄（ちかてつ）- subway溶け合う（とけあう）- to blend together文化施設（ぶんかしせつ）- cultural facility緩やか（ゆるやか）- gentle, gradual景色（けしき）- scenery意識（いしき）- awareness引き寄せられる（ひきよせられる）- to be attracted温泉（おんせん）- hot spring哲学的（てつがくてき）- philosophical日常（にちじょう）- everyday life配慮（はいりょ）- consideration移動（いどう）- movement, travel雰囲気（ふんいき）- atmosphere賑やか（にぎやか）- lively
- Jun 24, 202630 min
Coffee Break with Noriko - Real Talk & Daily Thoughts 9
「論破」を重視するコミュニケーションが増えた背景には、どんな社会的要因があると思いますか。「メンタルパフォーマンス」を優先する生き方には、どんなメリットとデメリットがあるでしょうか。感情を表に出さない「感情ミュート社会」は、人間関係にどのような影響を与えると思いますか。インプット中心の語学学習が、会話力にどのような変化をもたらすと思いますか。自分の趣味や興味と語学学習を結びつけることで、学習のモチベーションはどのように変化するでしょうか。Join our community Japanese Together to discuss my podcast episodes. Japanese Together In this relaxed “Coffee Break with Noriko” episode, Noriko shares reflections on philosophy, modern social trends, and her recent language-learning experiences. She begins by introducing the book Suichuu no Tetsugakushatachi by Rei Nagai (永井玲衣『水中の哲学者たち』), a gentle philosophy essay collection that explains how philosophy begins with ordinary questions and everyday “why?” moments. Noriko especially appreciates the idea of philosophical dialogue as a respectful exchange where people listen openly instead of trying to “win” arguments online.She then discusses two trendy Japanese words: メンパmenpa (mental performance) and “emotion-muted society.” These expressions describe how modern people feel mentally exhausted from social media, AI, endless choices, and online conflict. Many people now prioritize emotional comfort, simplicity, and stress-free lifestyles.In the second half, Noriko gives updates on her language learning journey. She explains how extensive reading in Korean and Spanish helped her regain speaking confidence after years without practice. Through graded readers, podcasts, and conversations, she rediscovered the joy of learning languages naturally and gradually. Finally, she encourages listeners to connect Japanese learning with personal interests such as crafts, science, anime, or books in order to stay motivated long term.哲学（てつがく）- philosophy学術的（がくじゅつてき）- academic対話（たいわ）- dialogue肩書き（かたがき）- title / professional label提供（ていきょう）- providing日常生活（にちじょうせいかつ）- daily life素朴（そぼく）- simple / innocent疑問（ぎもん）- question / doubt排除（はいじょ）- exclusion論破（ろんぱ）- defeating an argument風潮（ふうちょう）- social trend対等（たいとう）- equal雰囲気（ふんいき）- atmosphere衝撃（しょうげき）- shock / impact注目（ちゅうもく）- attention発展（はってん）- development概念（がいねん）- concept限定（げんてい）- limitation / restriction精神的（せいしんてき）- mental / psychological感情（かんじょう）- emotion我慢（がまん）- endurance / self-restraint揺さぶる（ゆさぶる）- to shake emotionally無難（ぶなん）- safe / uncontroversial傾向（けいこう）- tendency学習者（がくしゅうしゃ）- learner自信（じしん）- confidence定期的（ていきてき）- regularly優先順位（ゆうせんじゅんい）- priority習慣（しゅうかん）- habit趣味（しゅみ）- hobby編み物（あみもの）- knitting惑星（わくせい）- planet
- Jun 10, 202615 min
Season 3-153 I Bought 13 Japanese Books 53歳の誕生日に日本の本を爆買い
Join our community Japanese TogetherLet's Read a Japanese Novel : Apply 小川糸『ツバキ文具店』小川糸『ライオンのおやつ』九段理江『東京都同情塔』九段理江『School Girl』津村記久子『水車小屋のネネ』津村記久子『この世にたやすい仕事はない』津村記久子『サキの忘れ物』村田沙耶香『コンビニ人間』山本文緒『自転しながら公転する』山本文緒『無人島のふたり』短歌の本 岡本真帆『水上バス浅草行き』イ・ヨンミ『魔女の体力』Taiwanese writer Yang Shuang-zi Taiwan Travelogue 『台湾漫遊鉄道のふたり』綿矢りさ『グレタニンプ』児島青『本なら売るほど』Discussion Questions本を選ぶとき、どのような基準で選びますか。作家、テーマ、評判など、何を一番重視しますか。海外に住んでいる場合、日本語の本の選び方や優先順位はどのように変わると思いますか。作家つながりで読書を広げることには、どのようなメリットとデメリットがあるでしょうか。年齢を重ねる中で、興味を持つ本のジャンルやテーマはどのように変化すると考えますか。English SummaryIn this episode, Noriko celebrates her upcoming 53rd birthday by reflecting on aging with gratitude rather than fear. She shares how her mindset has shifted over time—from worrying about physical changes when she was younger to now appreciating her life, health, and work. To mark the occasion, she treats herself by ordering a large collection of Japanese books from Amazon Japan, shipped all the way to the UK despite high delivery costs.Living abroad, Noriko explains the challenges of accessing Japanese books and how she carefully chooses what to buy. She avoids purchasing titles available as audiobooks and often selects books based on connections—such as authors she already enjoys, recommendations from students or creators, and themes she’s interested in, like women’s lives and emotional storytelling.She introduces a wide range of books, including novels, essays, tanka poetry, and manga, featuring works by authors like 小川糸『ツバキ文具店』や『ライオンのおやつ』、九段理江『東京都同情塔』『School Girl』、津村記久子『水車小屋のネネ』『この世にたやすい仕事はない』『サキの忘れ物』など。Finally, she shares her reading plans for upcoming travels and invites listeners to join her book club and Japanese reading programs.
- Jun 3, 202627 min
Season 3-152 小説『こころ』が難しすぎた（Book Talk with Yuko 10)
ファッション雑誌『Oggi』八木 詠美 Emi Yagi Diary of a Void 『空芯手帳』綿矢りさ『グレタ・ニンプ』夏目漱石『こころ』星新一『ボッコちゃん』ビートたけし『テレビじゃ言えない』In this episode of “Book Talk with Yuko,” the hosts begin with a light conversation about spring and cherry blossoms, comparing experiences in Japan and the UK. They then transition into discussing recently read books and a magazine discovery.Yuko introduces a magazine she picked up due to interest in a featured model, noting how refreshing it felt to engage with non-algorithm-driven content. She highlights how magazines expose readers to unexpected topics and perspectives. Noriko shares a novel by Emi Yagi, describing its unique premise about a woman who lies about being pregnant at work, sparking a complex narrative.The discussion continues with a newly published novel about a couple navigating pregnancy, blending humor with social themes. Noriko then reflects on rereading classic works like Natsume Soseki’s “Kokoro” and Hoshi Shinichi’s short stories. While “Bokko-chan” impressed her with its futuristic themes, “Kokoro” left her feeling conflicted due to differences in historical values and gender roles.Finally, Yuko talks about a book by Beat Takeshi, appreciating its candid social commentary. The episode emphasizes how reading across genres and eras can provoke reflection, discomfort, and meaningful discussion.
- May 27, 202613 min
Season 3-151 Noriko’s Philosophy Playground 9 - How Do You Talk About Death in Japanese? - 日本語で「死」をどう語る？
Join our Japanese Together community and explore podcast topics through discussion.In this reflective episode of Japanese with Noriko, Noriko explores the profound theme of death through language, culture, and personal experience. She begins by drawing a parallel between the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms in Japan and the transient nature of life, highlighting how different flowers have unique expressions for “falling,” reflecting the nuance of Japanese language and worldview.Noriko then examines various ways to express death in Japanese, from direct terms like 死ぬ to softer expressions such as 「天国に行く」 or 「旅立つ」, showing how language shapes emotional perception. She shares personal encounters with death, including the loss of her grandfather, a childhood friend, and a colleague, illustrating how death appears repeatedly throughout life in different forms.The discussion expands to philosophical perspectives, including insights from a philosophy club and a Buddhist concept shared by a listener: 「往生する」, which frames death not as an end but as a transition and continuation. Noriko connects this idea back to nature’s cycles, suggesting that death may not be purely tragic but part of a larger renewal.She concludes by inviting listeners to reflect on their own views about death and how it influences how they live today.儚い（はかない）— fleeting, transient満開（まんかい）— full bloom散る（ちる）— to fall (flowers)現象（げんしょう）— phenomenon表現（ひょうげん）— expression評価（ひょうか）— evaluation中立的（ちゅうりつてき）— neutral宗教観（しゅうきょうかん）— religious view結びつく（むすびつく）— to be connected恐ろしい（おそろしい）— frightening意識（いしき）— awareness漠然と（ばくぜんと）— vaguely同級生（どうきゅうせい）— classmate事故死（じこし）— accidental death溺れる（おぼれる）— to drown振り返る（ふりかえる）— to look back定期的（ていきてき）— regularly覚悟（かくご）— resolve, readiness影響（えいきょう）— influence浄土（じょうど）— Pure Land仏（ほとけ）— Buddha働きかける（はたらきかける）— to act upon, influence種（たね）— seed芽（め）— sprout受け入れる（うけいれる）— to accept
- May 20, 202614 min
Season 3-150 What Is “Normal”? A Deep Dive into Convenience Store Woman
Apply Noriko's A Supportive, One-to-One Program Let's Read a Japanese Novel Together In this episode, I explore コンビニ人間Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata, focusing on the concept of “normality” in society. I reflect on how the protagonist, Keiko, struggles with being perceived as different from childhood and gradually learns to imitate others in order to fit in. I also discuss how her job at a convenience store provides her with structure and a sense of belonging through clear rules and manuals.As Keiko reaches her 30s, I explain how societal expectations intensify—questions about marriage, relationships, and career stability become unavoidable. I point out that these pressures are not unique to Japan, but can be found globally. Through this story, I raise an important question: can “normal” and “abnormal” truly be separated, or are they subjective and constantly shifting concepts?I also highlight the contrast between Keiko and another character, Shiraha, who is also marginalised but in a different way. By comparing them, I show how the novel deepens its critique of societal norms.Ultimately, I encourage listeners to reflect on personal happiness, social conformity, and the pressures created by cultural expectations. I emphasise that the discomfort we feel in life may not only come from ourselves, but also from society.
- May 13, 202616 min
Season 3-149 Sound Like a Native with Japanese Onomatopoeia オノマトペでネイティブっぽく話す
あかね的日本語教室『生活で使える日本語オノマトペ』English Summary：This episode introduces Japanese onomatopoeia through a personal story and quiz-style listening activity. Noriko describes her day off using expressions like ぶらぶら, ザーザー, ビュービュー, ゴロゴロ, and だらだら, showing how they add vivid detail and make Japanese more natural.She also reviews a practical onomatopoeia book, highlighting useful features such as manga for context, podcasts for listening practice, and a reference section for quick review. She stresses that learners should connect vocabulary to real-life experiences to truly use it, not just memorize it.Noriko encourages learners to choose study methods that suit their style and shares her own approach of starting with listening. The episode ends with a novel example featuring ピンピン, reinforcing how onomatopoeia appears in real conversations.
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About Learn Japanese with Noriko
Hi, I’m Noriko 🌸—a certified Japanese teacher and Neurolanguage Coach®. Learn Japanese with Noriko is for intermediate to advanced learners. If you're an intermediate student, please start from Season 1—I speak slowly at first, then gradually faster. Season 3 is a level-up version with real-life dialogues, philosophy, and language learning topics. Enjoy listening!
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