Podcast · Learning

Everyday Japanese Podcast

by Sayuri Saying · Japanese · Learning

Natural Japanese, one step beyond textbooks. 🐧 Weekly episodes for intermediate learners who want to train their ear with real Japanese. I talk about everyday life in Japan: small things I notice, places I explore, whatever catches my curiosity. All at a relaxed pace. Sometimes it's just me; sometim

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 12 min
Latest: 12 Oct 2026
Language: Japanese

Latest episode

12 Oct 2026 · 17 minNew

334.【会話】Honne & Tatemae Quiz: Japanese Phrases That Mean the Opposite | 本音と建前クイズ！

When someone says "考えます" (I'll think about it), how much thinking is actually happening? In this episode I put Tatsuya, an online Japanese teacher, through a quiz on 本音 (true feelings) and 建前 (the polite front) — everyday phrases where the literal meaning and the real meaning don't quite line up. Turning down an invitation, replying to a business proposal, reacting to a photo of someone's new partner. Even as a native speaker, I've misread these myself🙈 If you've ever felt stuck between the words and the intention, this one's for you! Tatsuya also teaches Japanese online. If you're looking…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

5 Oct 2026 · 13 min
333. What Is "Oyakoko"? Small Ways to Show Your Parents You Care | 親孝行について考えてみました
My mom just got a passport, and I'm the reason why. In this episode, I talk about Oyakoko (親孝行 — caring for and giving back to your parents) and its opposite, Oyafuko (親不孝）. We look at the kanji together, visit a street in Fukuoka with an unexpected name, and pick up everyday expressions like 門限を破る (to break curfew). I also share three small ways I think we can show our parents we care, plus a proverb most people in Japan know. Take your time and listen along! 🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 120”) to find what you need!🐧 Join…
28 Sep 2026 · 11 min
332.【会話】Generational Gaps at the Japanese Workplace | 職場での世代間ギャップと働き方の変化
Yusuke( もしもしゆうすけ）once saw a young employee walk in late — Starbucks cup in hand, smiling — and we ended up talking about what's really shifting in Japan's workplaces. Is the younger generation just more relaxed, or is something bigger changing? We get into generational gaps, punctuality, paid leave, and power harassment — and what it all means for the future of Japanese work culture. It's the kind of conversation you'd have over coffee, not in a classroom. Come listen in! 🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 120”) to find what you…
20 Sep 2026 · 13 min
331. Japanese YouTube Channels I Actually Watch | 私が見ているYoutubeについて
If you're learning Japanese, you've probably watched a lot of channels made for learners. But you might also wonder what Japanese people actually watch — I get asked this a lot! So this time I'm just talking about four channels I watch myself. A bookshow, a literary critic, a cook, and one small channel about Tokyo that honestly I half wanted to keep to myself. It's a pretty relaxed episode. Everything I mention is linked here: https://www.sayurisaying.com/japanese-youtube-channels-i-actually-watch 🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com Search by episode number (e.g.,…
14 Sep 2026 · 11 min
330.【会話】How Do Japanese Couples Actually Manage Their Money? | 夫婦のお財布事情
It's not something people here talk about — so I asked. Tatsuya is back, this time to compare how married couples in Japan handle their finances: the old 小遣い制 kozukai-sei (the wife manages the salary and hands her husband monthly spending money), what 按分 anbun means (splitting shared costs proportionally, not 50/50), and why some couples end up with three wallets. We also get into travel, workation, and one small purchase worth far more than it cost. Unscripted Japanese for intermediate learners and up! Tatsuya also teaches Japanese online. If you're looking for a teacher, check out his…
7 Sep 2026 · 14 min
329. Ningen Dock: Japan's Full-Body Health Checkup | 人間ドックを受けてきました
"Human dock." That's what 人間(にんげん）ドック literally says. So what do you think it actually means? Maybe some of you are thinking "human and dog." I went for one recently, and in this episode I talk through the whole morning, from the changing room to sitting down with the doctor at the end. I also get into how it's different from the kenko shindan (健康診断), the free yearly checkup that companies arrange, and the one test I'd rather not do again. 🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 120”) to find what you need!🐧 Join the Penguin Family for…
31 Aug 2026 · 9 min
328.【会話】The Negi Pile-Up: When "Free" Becomes a Gray Area | 無料トッピングどこまでOK? With もしもしゆうすけ
It started with a mountain of negi — green onions — piled onto a bowl of udon at a self-serve topping station. In this episode, Yusuke( もしもしゆうすけ） and I talk about where the line is, why shops now have to post rules that used to go without saying, and what that shift says about Japanese society today. If you've ever felt like something quietly changed in how people treat shared spaces, this conversation is for you! 🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 120”) to find what you need!🐧 Join the Penguin Family for bonus content & support…
24 Aug 2026 · 10 min
327. The Little Happy Moments We Never Talk About | ほっこり日和の紹介
We all have those little happy moments — too small to tell anyone about, but that quietly make your day. Lately I've been wanting to hold onto them, so I built a quiet website to collect them: Hokkori Biyori. (Hokkori is that warm feeling when your heart softens; biyori means a lovely day for something.) It's a collection of short true stories, about 100–150 characters each, drawn from my own life and the people I've met along the way, no likes, no sharing buttons, just a calm space to keep these small moments. In this episode, I talk about why I made it, and read a few of the stories aloud,…
17 Aug 2026 · 14 min
326. Bureiko, Shirafu, and Nominication: How Japan Bonds Over Drinks | お酒とコーヒー、飲めなくなるならどっち！？日本語ポッドキャストリレー
If you could never drink alcohol or coffee again, which would you give up? For me the answer was easy — I don't drink — but the question led somewhere I didn't expect. Both drinks bring people together, but in completely different ways. I talk about 無礼講 bureiko (setting aside rank and formality over drinks), シラフ shirafu (being sober), and 飲みニュケーションnominication (bonding through drinking), plus two stories: friends in their 40s who quit alcohol and lost their circle, and an awkward moment at my new hobby club. ☕ Mentioned in this episode: I talked about people who choose not to drink in…
10 Aug 2026 · 14 min
325. Udon or Ramen? What Fukuoka Locals Actually Eat | うどん派？ラーメン派？
After spending two months in India, I landed in Japan craving one thing: a warm bowl of udon. I'm originally from Kagawa, known as Udon-ken (Udon Prefecture — where udon is practically a way of life), but these days I live in Fukuoka, the city famous around the world for tonkotsu ramen. Here's the surprising part: when I asked people here "udon or ramen?" — the answers weren't what you'd expect from the ramen capital of Japan. In this episode, I take you through Fukuoka's udon culture — the famously soft noodles that locals joke "never run out," the sweet and savory niku udon made with…
3 Aug 2026 · 17 min
324.【会話】Is AI Becoming Our New God? (Modern Faith, Part 2) | AIが神様になる？
In part 2 of this series, YUYU throws out a question that really got me thinking: is AI becoming our new god? We talk about how easy it is to lean on ChatGPT when we don't know what to do, why that habit can quietly turn into something risky, and where the line is between using AI as a tool and letting it think for us. We also get into journaling as an alternative way to work through uncertainty without outsourcing it. 🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 120”) to find what you need!🐧 Join the Penguin Family for bonus content &…
27 Jul 2026 · 11 min
323.【会話】Is 'Oshikatsu' Japan's New Religion? (Modern Faith, Part 1) | 信仰と推しの神格化
After a trip to India, I started wondering why Japanese people rarely talk about faith the way people in more religious countries do. In part 1 of this two-part series, YUYU and I dig into what shrine visits and New Year prayers actually mean to us, why Japan seems to have rules but not always morals, and how Nitobe Inazo's Bushido once tried to answer that. We also get into "oshikatsu" (obsessively supporting an idol or celebrity) and whether it's quietly become a modern religion in disguise. 🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com Search by episode number (e.g., “EP…
20 Jul 2026 · 14 min
322. Umi no Hi: A Taste of Japanese Summer | 海の日
It's 海の日 -Umi no Hi (Marine Day) here in Japan, and I'm marking it with a taste of what a Japanese summer at the sea really feels like 🌊 I talk about 海開き- umi biraki (the official beach-opening ceremony), the nostalgic snacks and drinks you'll find at 海の家- umi no ie (beach huts), and why the swimming season here is surprisingly short. Along the way, I get into 自己責任 - jiko sekinin (self-responsibility) A quiet idea that says a lot about how things work in Japan, even when no one writes the rules down. 🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com Search by episode number (e.g.,…
13 Jul 2026 · 9 min
321.【会話】Do Japanese People Talk About Politics? (An Honest Conversation) | もしもしゆうすけさんと政治についての本音トーク
I recently came back from India, and I kept getting the same question from European travelers — "So what do you think of the new Takaichi administration?" And honestly? I froze. It wasn't a language problem. I just never expected that question, and I realized I'd never really thought about it. So I brought it to Yusuke ( もしもしゆうすけ）. Do Japanese people actually talk about politics? With friends, with coworkers, at all? We ended up having a surprisingly candid conversation — and his take on voting genuinely caught me off guard. This is just one Japanese person's perspective, but it opened up…
6 Jul 2026 · 13 min
320.How Rainy Season Taught Me to Slow Down | 梅雨と雨の日の過ごし方
Have you ever wondered why 梅雨（つゆ）☔️Japan's rainy season — has the kanji for "plum" in it? I didn't either, until this year. In this episode: that mystery, plus how I'm spending these gray days — brewing two kinds of homemade 梅シロップ（plum syrup）, a slow walk past blooming hydrangea, deep-cleaning my 水回り（the water-use spots — sink, drain, etc.）, and an evening at the sento learning to だらだらする, do absolutely nothing. Cozy listening for intermediate-to-advanced learners. 🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 120”) to find what you need!🐧…
29 Jun 2026 · 16 min
319.【会話】Sapporo Summer, According to Tatsuya (a Local) | 地元民のたつやさんに夏のおすすめを聞いてみました！
I'm joined by Tatsuya, a Sapporo local, to talk about what summer in the city is actually like. We get into biergarten (ビアガーデン — large-scale outdoor beer events that run through July and August), Hokkaido specialties like jingisukan (ジンギスカン — a Hokkaido-style grilled lamb dish) and zangi, regional beer brands, and the best day trips if you want to see Hokkaido beyond the city. If you've ever thought about visiting in winter, this episode might just change your mind. Tatsuya also teaches Japanese online. If you're looking for a teacher, check out his trial lesson and Instagram in the links…
22 Jun 2026 · 10 min
318. Life in Fukuoka: Honest Review | 福岡に住んでみた感想
I moved to Fukuoka and this is my honest review of life here so far. There's a lot to love, but there are also a few things that don't quite work for me yet. In this episode I share both — not as a travel guide, but as someone actually living here day to day. If you've ever wondered what it feels like to settle into a new city in Japan, I hope this gives you a real sense of it. 🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 120”) to find what you need!🐧 Join the Penguin Family for bonus content & support the show! Your support helps keep this…
15 Jun 2026 · 9 min
317. Eight Reasons Fukuoka Won Me Over | 福岡に引っ越した理由
I moved from Osaka — but why Fukuoka? In this episode, I walk you through the 8 reasons I chose my new home. I didn't just pick a city. I thought carefully about the lifestyle I wanted, what makes me feel happy day to day, and what I wasn't willing to give up. Fresh local food, nature within walking distance, no bears on the hiking trails, and a city that's lively without being overwhelming . Fukuoka checked a lot of boxes. If you've ever thought about where you'd want to live, or what your ideal everyday life would look like, I think you'll enjoy this one. 🎧 Full transcript, video, and…
8 Jun 2026 · 18 min
316. 【会話】Sweat or Sake: The Two Ways to Make Friends After 30 with YUYU | 大人になってからの友達って？
I came back from a yoga teacher training in India with a new friend and a simple theory: adults bond through sweat or sake. YUYU and I talk about why that is, what makes some people just click, and how the Japanese concept of goen (ご縁 — a fated connection) quietly takes the pressure off relationships. We also get into why Japanese people sometimes go cold out of nowhere and a way of thinking about it that actually helps. 🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 120”) to find what you need!🐧 Join the Penguin Family for bonus content &…
1 Jun 2026 · 15 min
315. Perfect Japanese Isn't the Point: What I Learned About Language in India | インドから考える言語と日本文化
I'm recording this from a small town in Kerala, South India, somewhere I didn't expect to learn something so meaningful about language. Watching people communicate here without worrying about perfect grammar made me reflect on a story involving a friend of mine and a Japanese sake bar. It's a bit of a surprising one. If you've ever felt like you need to get your Japanese perfect before you speak, this episode is for you! 🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 120”) to find what you need!🐧 Join the Penguin Family for bonus content &…
25 May 2026 · 8 min
314. Culture Shock Diary: Chased by Dogs in India (Twice) | インドでのカルチャーショック野良犬編
Back with another culture shock from India. This time, stray dogs. I got chased twice during my trip and the two experiences could not have been more different! The first time was not my finest moment. The second time, I surprised even myself. This episode is a bit embarrassing, a bit scary, and maybe useful if you ever travel to India😉 🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 120”) to find what you need!🐧 Join the Penguin Family for bonus content & support the show! Your support helps keep this podcast alive and means a lot to me.…
18 May 2026 · 10 min
313. Culture Shock Diary: Dentists, Delivery Apps, and Life in India | インドでのカルチャーショック！
ただいま〜！I'm back! I spent two months in India planning to take a complete break — no work, no podcast, nothing. But interesting things just kept happening, and I couldn't not share them. In this episode, I talk about two unexpected experiences: a spontaneous trip to a local dentist, and a little surprise moment with a food delivery app. Nothing huge, but the kind of thing that makes you go — oh, this is so India. 🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 120”) to find what you need!🐧 Join the Penguin Family for bonus content & support the…
9 Mar 2026 · 11 min
312. Why I’m Pausing the Podcast for Two Months | ２ヶ月間お休みしてインドに行ってきます。
I’ll be taking a short break from the podcast and website until mid-May. In this episode, I explain why I decided to go to India—to focus on yoga in Rishikesh and experience South Indian food and Ayurveda. I also reflect on my previous sabbatical and why intentionally stepping away from work can lead to unexpected growth and meaningful connections. 🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 120”) to find what you need!🐧 Join the Penguin Family for bonus content & support the show! Your support helps keep this podcast alive and means a lot…
2 Mar 2026 · 17 min
311. Japan's New Bicycle Fines Start April 2026! Are You Ready? | 自転車の交通違反に青切符
Did you know Japan has had bicycle traffic rules for years but almost nobody enforced them? That's changing in April 2026. Police can now issue on-the-spot fines (called 青切符 ao-kippu ) for violations like running red lights, riding the wrong way, or using your phone while cycling. In this episode, I break down the key vocabulary, the fines you need to know, and share my honest (and slightly frustrated 😅) opinion on the new system. If you ride a bike in Japan, this one's for you! 🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 120”) to find…
23 Feb 2026 · 12 min
310. What Do Japanese People Really Eat for Breakfast? | 朝ごはん、何食べる？
Many people picture grilled fish, miso soup, and rice — but is that really what Japanese people eat every morning? In this cozy, casual episode, I share what breakfast actually looks like in Japan, and in my own kitchen! Think clay pot rice, TKG, natto, ochazuke, and simple miso soup. I also share a special Australian-style brunch at bills that made me think, "I could get used to this!" What's your favorite breakfast? 🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 120”) to find what you need!🐧 Join the Penguin Family for bonus content &…
16 Feb 2026 · 11 min
309. 【会話】"So Peaceful…" What Do You Think While Watching Beautiful Scenery? | 自然と景色
This episode explores the quiet thoughts we have when surrounded by Japan's natural beauty. YUYU shares how viewing landscapes became meditation during difficult times in 2020. I talk about gazing at 3,000-meter mountains in Toyama(富山) and my ocean sunset ritual. We discuss the "sacred" quality of Japanese nature—from Enoshima(江ノ島） to Kumano kodo(熊野古道). Sometimes the best thing to think is simply: "Wow, it's beautiful." Join us for a peaceful reflection on what we fee and don't feel in nature. 🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com Search by episode number (e.g., “EP…
9 Feb 2026 · 13 min
308. 【会話】If You Could Live Anywhere… Talking About Our Dream Homes | 理想の家
In this episode, YUYU and I chat about our ideal homes. He describes his grandmother's beautiful Japanese house with large windows, tokonoma(床の間）, engawa（縁側）, and a garden designed to show all four seasons. I share my minimalist current life and my vision board dreams— a lakeside house with spacious bathroom, big kitchen sink, and a living room where I can relax with coffee (or tea!). We also talk about the joy of just imagining our dream homes. What does your perfect home look like? 🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 120”) to…
2 Feb 2026 · 11 min
307. Why I'm Leaving Osaka: A Love Letter & Goodbye | グッバイ大阪
I fell in love with Osaka! The friendly people, the food, the energy. But after two years, my body and mind are telling me it's time to leave. In this episode, I talk about my 20+ moves throughout my life, why I chose Osaka despite knowing it wasn't my ideal environment, and what finally pushed me to make this decision. I also share what kind of place makes me truly happy versus what's just exciting. If you're considering moving to Osaka, relocating within Japan, or curious about city vs. countryside life, this one's for you! 🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com…
26 Jan 2026 · 11 min
306. After the Detox: What 30 Days Without Social Media Taught Me | SNSを30日間減らしてみた結果
Remember when I said I'd quit social media for 30 days in Episode 298? Well, I did it! Kind of. Honestly, the 15-minute limit didn't really work, I kept adding "just 15 more minutes." 😅And my AI-made music? Got boring fast. But the good stuff? I started really listening to myself, got tons of ideas on the train, cleaned way more, started doing yoga, and made two big life decisions! I quit making short videos, and I'm leaving Osaka. Curious? Give it a listen! 🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 120”) to find what you need!🐧 Join the…
19 Jan 2026 · 12 min
305.【会話】Coriander, Cleaning, and Nothing Important: A Fun Chat with Miku | インターネットで共有するまでもないけどハマっていること
Miku and I talk about little things we’ve been into lately. Like my love for cleaning and her coriander obsession. It’s one of those chats where nothing big happens, but it still feels good to share. A cozy episode for Japanese learners who enjoy natural, real conversations😂 🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 120”) to find what you need!🐧 Join the Penguin Family for bonus content & support the show! Your support helps keep this podcast alive and means a lot to me. Thank you for considering!

About Everyday Japanese Podcast

Everyday Japanese Podcast is a Japanese learning podcast from Sayuri Saying. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Sayuri Saying
Language: Japanese 日本語
Category: Learning
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 12 min
Latest episode: 12 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1518230589
Rights: Sayuri Saying

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