Nihongomimi Podcast

Improve your Japanese listening skills while exploring a powerful idea: if the average human life is only about 4,000 weeks, how should we actually spend it?The 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi) Podcast is designed for intermediate to advanced Japanese learners who want to improve their listening skills through natural, native-speed Japanese conversation.In this episode, Marie talks about the ideas from the book Four Thousand Weeks and how it changed the way she thinks about time, productivity, and what really matters in life.You’ll hear reflections on why we can’t do everything we want in life, why even our free time turns into a to-do list, and why the moments we truly experience are defined by where we place our attention.このエピソードでは、『限られた時間の使い方（Four Thousand Weeks）』という本をきっかけに、人生の時間の使い方について考えます。人生はたった4000週間。だからこそ、「全部やろう」とするのではなく、何を選び、どの瞬間を味わうのかが大切なのかもしれません。Listen as if you’re sitting with a Japanese friend, hearing natural Japanese at real speed.Let’s make your ears 日本語耳!You can read the full Japanese transcript here:https://www.marienukaya.com/nihongomimi

What is school life really like in Japan?In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie talks about Japanese compulsory education and the culture inside schools. From daily routines to the mindset behind the system, you’ll hear natural, real-speed Japanese while gaining deeper cultural insight. If you’ve ever wondered why Japanese schools feel so structured and cooperative, this episode will give you the full picture!このエピソードでは、日本の義務教育（小学校・中学校）についてお話しします。学校の仕組みや考え方を通して、日本社会の背景や文化も見えてきますよ！Listen as if you’re sitting with a Japanese friend, hearing natural, real-speed Japanese.Let’s make your ears 日本語耳.Full Japanese transcript + English translation:https://www.marienukaya.com/nihongomimi

What really changed between Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa?How Japan’s Generations Think Differently?In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie explores the differences between 昭和・平成・令和 and how each era shaped values, work culture, family roles, and everyday life in Japan. このエピソードでは、昭和・平成・令和それぞれの時代の特徴やイメージ、価値観の違いについて、自然な日本語でお話しします。Listen as if you’re sitting with a Japanese friend, hearing real, natural-speed Japanese. Let’s make your ears 日本語耳!You can read the full Japanese transcript & English translations here:https://www.marienukaya.com/nihongomimi

When did you first feel like an adult?In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie shares personal reflections on the moments that made her feel she had stepped into adulthood — the shifts weren’t dramatic. They were subtle, personal, and deeply human. How about yours? みなさんが「自分が大人になったと感じるとき」ってどんなときですか？キラキラした出来事だけではなく、平凡な毎日の中にある“成長”について振り返ります。Listen as if you’re sitting with a Japanese friend, hearing natural, unfiltered Japanese at real speed.Let’s make your ears 日本語耳!Full Japanese transcript & English translation available:⁠https://www.marienukaya.com/nihongomimi

What defines a relationship in Japan — and when does love officially begin?In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie talks about Japanese views on romance, from the culture of kokuhaku(love confession) to the clearly defined lines between friendship, dating, and marriage. You’ll hear how relationships often develop differently from Western norms, and why those differences can feel surprising, confusing, or even frustrating across cultures.ポッドキャストでは、日本人の恋愛観についてお話しします。告白文化や結婚に対する考え方など、日本では当たり前でも海外の人にとっては少し不思議に感じる恋愛の感覚を紹介します。Listen as if you’re sitting with a Japanese friend, hearing natural, unfiltered Japanese at real speed.Let’s make your ears 日本語耳!You can read the full Japanese transcript here:⁠https://www.marienukaya.com/nihongomimi⁠

Why do people in Japan give so many gifts?In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie talks about how gift-giving naturally shows up all the time in Japanese life. From Valentine’s Day chocolates to seasonal presents, special occasions, and the famous culture of omiyage...etc. You’ll start to feel just how deeply gift-giving is woven into daily life in Japan! このエピソードでは、バレンタインのチョコレートやお土産、季節の贈り物など、日常の中にあふれる日本の贈り物文化について話します。贈り物がどれだけ日常の一部になっているのかを感じてみてください！Let’s make your ears 日本語耳!Full transcript and English translation available:https://www.marienukaya.com/nihongomimi

What kind of place shapes a person?In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie takes you to her hometown and shares the everyday scenes and atmosphere that helped shape who she is today.このエピソードでは、出身地について、日常の風景や街の雰囲気などをふまえて、お話します。Listen like you’re strolling through town with a Japanese friend, hearing real stories at real speed.Let’s make your ears 日本語耳!Full transcript & English translation available here: https://www.marienukaya.com/nihongomimi

What makes teaching Japanese such a rewarding job?In this episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie shares why she loves being a Japanese teacher and how this career changed the way she sees her own language and culture. From her journey into teaching to the joys and challenges of working with Japanese learners around the world, she talks about what makes this job so meaningful.このエピソードでは、日本語教師という仕事の魅力についてお話しします。日本語教師になった経緯や、仕事を通して感じたこと、そしてこの仕事の楽しさややりがいについて紹介します。また、日本語を教えることで改めて気づいた日本語や日本文化の奥深さについてもお話しします。Listen as if you’re sitting with a Japanese friend, hearing natural, unfiltered Japanese at real speed.Let’s make your ears 日本語耳.Full transcript ＆ English translation available here:https://www.marienukaya.com/nihongomimi

What happens when you share a life with someone who speaks a different language and grew up with completely different “common sense”?In this first episode of 日本語耳 (Nihongomimi), Marie casually talks about the small, everyday frictions of international marriage. Things that are not big problems, but somehow stay with you.ポッドキャスト第1回では、国際結婚の中で感じる、ちょっとしたズレあるあるを、お話しします。大きな問題じゃないけど、なんか気になる...そんな日常のワンシーンです。Listen as if you’re sitting with a Japanese friend, hearing natural, unfiltered Japanese at real speed.Let’s make your ears 日本語耳!You can read the full Japanese transcript here: https://www.marienukaya.com/nihongomimi