NIHONGO LINGO

EP19: Hair Salon in Japan

Hi, it’s Coo! Today’s theme is "Hair Salon in Japan"!

📌 What you’ll learn in this episode:

✔ Do you need a reservation at a Japanese hair salon?

✔ How to find a salon: Google Maps and Instagram are your best friends!

✔ Typical menu items: Cut, color, perm, and head spa!

✔ What happens when you get to the salon? Common conversations you’ll hear

✔ How much does it cost to get a haircut and color in Tokyo? My personal experience!

Hair salons in Japan are not just about hair — communication is important too!

I share tips on making reservations, salon etiquette, and how to naturally make requests in Japanese.

🌟 Questions for you!

・What are hair salons like in your country?

・How do you usually ask for a haircut or color?

Let me know in the comments! ✨

🔗 Links

Instagram: @nihongolingo

YouTube: @NIHONGO LINGO

📢 Hashtags #JapaneseSalon #HaircutInJapan #LearnJapanese #NIHONGOLINGO

＝＝＝日本語＝＝＝＝

EP19：「日本の美容院」

こんにちは、くうです！ 今日のテーマは、「日本の美容院」についてお話しします！

📌 今回のエピソードの内容：

✔ 日本の美容院は予約が必要？飛び込みはできる？

✔ 美容院の探し方：GoogleマップやInstagramが便利！

✔ カット・カラー・パーマ・ヘッドスパ…メニューの紹介

✔ 美容院での流れとよくある会話（かゆいところありませんか？）

✔ 東京の美容院の値段ってどれくらい？私の体験談

日本では、美容院も大切なコミュニケーションの場所。

予約のしかたから、当日の流れ、自然なオーダーのしかたまで、

リアルな体験を交えてお話ししています！

🌟 みなさんへの質問！

・みなさんの国の美容院はどんな感じですか？

・カットやカラーをするとき、どんな風にオーダーしますか？

ぜひコメントで教えてくださいね！✨

🔗 リンク

Instagram: @nihongolingo

YouTube: @NIHONGO LINGO

📢 ハッシュタグ #日本の美容院 #美容院体験 #LearnJapanese #NIHONGOLINGO

🍎NIHONGO LINGO🍎

EP18: How to Buy a Commuter Pass (Teikiken)

Hi, this is Coo!

In this episode, I’ll talk about “teikiken” (commuter passes) — useful and cost-effective tickets for students in Japan.

📌 What you’ll learn in this episode:

✔ What is a "commuter pass"? What documents are needed (like "tsuugaku shoumeisho")

✔ How to buy a teikiken at the JR counter or ticket machine

✔ Why train stations are super crowded in April!

✔ Can children who don’t attend regular school still get a pass? (Free school & more)

✔ How to buy commuter passes using mobile apps (Suica, PASMO)

✔ The longer the pass, the bigger the discount!

I’ll also share my personal experience buying a pass for my middle school son,

and explain how Japan’s system works — with helpful tips for everyone.

🌟 Questions for You!

Does your country have something like a commuter pass?

Have you ever bought one?

Let me know in the comments!

🔗 Links

Instagram: @nihongolingo

YouTube: @NIHONGO_LINGO

📢 Hashtags

#CommuterPass #JapaneseTrains #LearnJapanese #NIHONGOLINGO

＝＝＝日本語＝＝＝

EP18：定期券の買い方

こんにちは、くうです！

今回は、日本で学校に通うときにとっても便利な 通学定期券（つうがくていきけん） についてお話しします！

📌 今回のエピソードの内容：

✔ 通学定期券の買い方と必要な書類（通学証明書）

✔ JRの「みどりの窓口」と券売機の使い方

✔ 4月の駅は大混雑！？定期券購入時の混雑体験

✔ 不登校の子どもやフリースクールでも定期は買える？

✔ スマホアプリで定期券を買う方法（モバイルSuica/PASMO）

✔ 定期券は「長く買えば買うほど、おトクになる」！？

実際に中学生になった長男の定期券を買いに行ったときの体験をシェアしながら、

通学定期券の買い方や便利な情報を紹介しています！

🌟 みなさんへの質問！

あなたの国には、通学定期券のようなお得なチケットはありますか？

駅で定期券を買ったことはありますか？

よかったらコメントで教えてくださいね！

🔗 リンク

Instagram: @nihongolingo

YouTube: @NIHONGO_LINGO

📢 ハッシュタグ

#定期券の買い方 #日本の電車 #やさしい日本語 #LearnJapanese #NIHONGOLINGO

🍎NIHONGO LINGO🍎

EP17: The Price of Rice in Japan

Hi, this is Coo!

In today’s episode, we’re talking about rice—Japan’s most important staple food—and why the price of rice has been rising recently.

📌 What you’ll learn in this episode:

✔ Why is rice getting more expensive in Japan lately?

✔ Easy explanations of difficult words from Japanese news articles

✔ The effects of heatwaves, reduced harvests, and changing demand

✔ How my family is coping with the high prices (hint: rice delivery!)

✔ A look at “furusato nozei” (hometown tax) and support from my parents

Rice is a big part of daily life in Japan, but recently, it’s gotten really expensive—like 5kg for 5,000 yen!

In this episode, I explain what's happening using real Japanese news and simple language. I also share how my family deals with the rising cost of rice.

🌟 Questions for You!

How are food prices in your country?

Has your favorite staple food gotten more expensive or cheaper?

Let me know in the comments! ✨

🔗 Links

Instagram: @nihongolingo

YouTube: @NIHONGO_LINGO

📢 Hashtags

#PriceOfRice #JapaneseFoodCulture #LearnJapanese #NIHONGOLINGO #EasyJapanese

==日本語==

EP17：お米の値段

こんにちは、くうです！

今日のテーマは、日本人の主食「お米（こめ）」の値段の変化についてです。

📌 今回のエピソードの内容：

✔ 最近スーパーでお米が高くなってるのはなぜ？

✔ ニュースで使われる難しい言葉をやさしく解説！

✔ 猛暑、収穫量の減少、需要の変化が与える影響

✔ 私の家でしている“お米対策”２つ

✔ ふるさと納税や実家とのつながりから見える生活の工夫

日本人にとって、お米は毎日の食事に欠かせない大切な存在です。

だけど最近は、5kgで5000円という高価格にびっくり！

今回は、ニュースの言葉をわかりやすく説明しながら、生活に直結する「お米の価格」についてお話しします！

🌟 みなさんへの質問！

みなさんの国では、主食の価格はどうですか？

最近、高くなったり安くなったりした食べ物はありますか？

コメントでぜひ教えてくださいね！✨

🔗 リンク

Instagram: ⁠@nihongolingo⁠

YouTube: ⁠ @NIHONGO_LINGO⁠

📢 ハッシュタグ

#お米の値段 #日本の食文化 #やさしい日本語 #LearnJapanese #NIHONGOLINGO

🍎NIHONGO LINGO🍎

EP16: What Does "Futsuu" (Normal) Mean in Japan?

Hi! This is Coo.In this episode, I talk about a common Japanese word: 普通 (futsuu), which means "normal" or "usual."

📌 What you’ll learn in this episode:

✔ How the word "futsuu" is used in daily Japanese
✔ Why "futsuu" can be confusing or hard to define
✔ Unspoken social rules in Japan: graduation dress codes, indoor shoes, and surveys
✔ Examples of Japanese cultural norms that are rarely explained
✔ Why it's important to question what is considered "normal"

In Japan, "futsuu" is everywhere—from surveys to everyday conversations.
But what does it really mean?
I also share stories from my life, including my experience in the Philippines and how Japanese culture defines what’s “normal.”

🌟 Questions for You!

• Does your country have unspoken “normal” rules too?

• Have you ever been confused by Japanese customs or expectations?
  Let me know in the comments!

  
  

🔗 Links

• Instagram: @nihongolingo

• YouTube: NIHONGO LINGO

  
  

📢 Hashtags
#LearnJapanese #JapaneseCulture #Futsuu #NIHONGOLINGO #PodcastforLanguageLearners

＝＝＝日本語＝＝＝

EP16：「普通ってなに？」
こんにちは、くうです！今日のテーマは、日本語でよく使われる言葉「普通（ふつう）」についてお話しします。

📌 今回のエピソード：

✔ 「普通」ってどんな意味？実は説明がむずかしい言葉
✔ アンケートにも出てくる「普通」って？
✔ 日本の“暗黙のルール”ってどんなもの？
✔ 卒業式・入学式のドレスコードや、靴を脱ぐ文化について
✔ フィリピンとの文化の違いから気づいた日本の「当たり前」

日本では「普通はこうだよね」「普通そうするよね」とよく言われます。
でも、「普通」って、実は人によって違うし、**説明されない“前提”**がたくさんあるんです。
今回は、そんな「普通」について、私の体験も交えてお話しします！

🌟 みなさんへの質問！

• みなさんの国にも「説明されない普通」ってありますか？

• 日本で「これは普通なの？」と困ったことはありますか？

コメントで教えてくれたら嬉しいです！✨

🔗 リンク

• Instagram: @nihongolingo

• YouTube: NIHONGO LINGO

  
  

📢 ハッシュタグ
#普通ってなに #日本の文化 #やさしい日本語 #LearnJapanese #NIHONGOLINGO

🍎NIHONGO LINGO🍎

EP15: Breakfast in Japan 🍚

Hi! This is Coo.

In today’s episode, I talk about “Breakfast in Japan”!

📌 What you’ll learn in this episode

✔ What a typical Japanese breakfast looks like: rice, miso soup, grilled fish, pickles, and more

✔ Modern breakfast habits in Japan: toast, cereal, or just coffee?

✔ My own experience growing up with a “hearty breakfast” family

✔ How my husband’s family eats breakfast—and how it compares

✔ A peek into our current family breakfast routine (with two kids and busy mornings!)

✔ The culture of breakfast in Japan, including school campaigns and health education

✔ What is tamago-kake gohan (raw egg on rice) and why do Japanese people love it?

From simple melon bread mornings to preparing breakfast for picky kids, I share real-life stories and cultural insights from Japanese homes.

Whether you love a big breakfast or skip it completely, this episode will help you understand Japanese food culture better!

🌟 Questions for You!

• What kind of breakfast do you usually eat?

• What does breakfast culture look like in your country?

• Do you eat breakfast every day—or skip it?

Let me know in the comments!✨

🔗 Links

• Instagram: @nihongolingo

• YouTube: @NIHONGO_LINGO

📢 Hashtags

#JapaneseBreakfast #TamagoKakeGohan #LearnJapanese #JapaneseCulture #NihongoLingo

🍎 NIHONGO LINGO 🍎

EP14: Ramen

Hi! This is Coo.
In today’s episode, I talk about one of Japan’s most beloved foods… RAMEN!
📌 What you’ll learn in this episode
✔ A deep dive into ramen soup types: shoyu, miso, tonkotsu, shio, seafood & vegetable
✔ Regional ramen flavors — Hokkaido’s miso, Kyushu’s tonkotsu, Tokyo’s shoyu origins
✔ Ramen shop culture: ticket machines, counter manners, slurping sounds
✔ Family-friendly ramen shops: kids’ plates & forks
✔ My personal ramen story and favorite shop: “Maji” in Kichijoji! (Try the menma!)
Japanese ramen is more than just a bowl of noodles — it’s a cultural experience.
From the soup to the toppings to shop etiquette, there's so much to discover.
🌟 Questions for You!
🍜 What’s your favorite type of ramen?
🍜 Have you ever visited a ramen shop in Japan?
🍜 How is ramen served in your country?
Let me know in the comments! ✨
🔗 Links
Instagram: @nihongolingo
YouTube: @NIHONGO_LINGO
📢 Hashtags
#Ramen #JapaneseFood #RamenCulture #LearnJapanese #NIHONGOLINGO

🍎Welcome to NIHONGOLINGO🍎

EP13: Sasu-Kyu & Gender Roles in Japan

Hi! This is Coo.

In today’s episode, I talk about "Sasu-Kyu" (Sasuga Kyushu) and Gender Roles in Japan.

📌 What you’ll learn in this episode

✔ What is "Sasu-Kyu" (さす九)? A viral meme about Kyushu’s cultural norms

✔ The image of "Kyushu Danji" (九州男児) – Strong men or outdated values?

✔ A controversial family story: "Women should eat in the kitchen?"

✔ The lingering influence of male dominance (男尊女卑) in Japan

✔ How Japan’s gender roles are slowly changing

Recently, the phrase "Sasu-Kyu" (short for "Sasuga Kyushu") became popular on Japanese social media.

This phrase is often used sarcastically to highlight Kyushu’s traditional and conservative gender roles.

In this episode, we discuss a viral story about a Kyushu father who insisted that women should eat separately from men and explore how historical gender roles still influence modern Japan.

🌟 Questions for You!

What do you think about Japan’s traditional gender roles?

Are there similar customs in your country?

Have you seen gender roles change in your own culture?

Let me know in the comments! ✨

🔗 Links

Instagram: @nihongolingo

YouTube: @NIHONGO_LINGO

📢 Hashtags

#SasuKyu #GenderRoles #JapaneseCulture #TraditionalValues #LearnJapanese #NIHONGOLINGO

🍎 NIHONGOLINGO 🍎

EP12: What to Do in an Emergency in Japan? 🚨

Hi! This is Coo.

In today’s episode, I talk about what to do in an emergency in Japan!

📌 What you’ll learn in this episode

✔ Emergency numbers in Japan – Who to call for police, fire, or medical emergencies

✔ What to say when calling 110 (police) and 119 (ambulance/fire department)

✔ How to describe your location clearly in Japanese

✔ #7119 & #8000 – Special helplines for medical advice

✔ My personal experience calling an emergency hotline in Japan

Do you know what to do if you need police, an ambulance, or fire services while in Japan?

Japan has specific emergency numbers, and knowing how to explain your situation can be very important.

In this episode, I explain how to call for help, what questions you will be asked, and how to give clear information.

I also share a personal experience of using #8000, a special hotline for child health emergencies.

🌟 Questions for You!

What are the emergency numbers in your country?

Have you ever had to call emergency services?

Did you know about Japan’s special helplines for medical advice?

Let me know in the comments! ✨

🔗 Links

Instagram: @nihongolingo

YouTube: @NIHONGO_LINGO

📢 Hashtags

#JapanEmergency #EmergencyNumbers #LearnJapanese #JapaneseCulture #NIHONGOLINGO

EP11：Japanese Dialects
Hi! This is Coo.
In today’s episode, I talk about "Japanese Dialects" (Hōgen)!
🍎 What you’ll learn in this episode

✔ What are Japanese dialects? The unique ways of speaking across different regions
✔ Famous dialects! Kansai-ben, Hakata-ben, Tohoku-ben, and Okinawan Uchinaaguchi
✔ Fun facts about dialects! Same words, different meanings? Unique intonations?
✔ Dialect-speaking characters in anime & manga! Conan’s Hattori Heiji, Gintama’s Sakamoto Tatsuma
✔ Yamaguchi’s rare dialect word "burutoppin"—what does it mean?
Japan has many unique dialects!
From Kansai-ben to Tohoku-ben to Okinawan Uchinaaguchi, learning dialects can make Japanese even more interesting!
🍎 Questions for You!
Does your country have different dialects?
Do you have a favorite Japanese dialect?
Were there any dialects in this episode that surprised you?
Let me know in the comments! ✨
🍎 Links
Instagram: @niongolingo
Youtube:@NIHONGO_LINGO
🍎Hashtags
#JapaneseDialects #LearnJapanese #JapaneseCulture #Hōgen #NIHONGOLINGO

🍎WELCOME TO NIHONGO LINGO🍎

EP10：The Convention on the Rights of the Child

Hi! This is Coo.

In today’s episode, I talk about The Convention on the Rights of the Child and education in Japan.

🎙️ What you’ll learn in this episode

✔ Can foreign children attend school in Japan? 🎓

✔ How does Japanese law affect children's right to education? 📜

✔ What is the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and why is it important? 🌏

✔ What should foreign parents in Japan know about school enrollment? 🤝

✔ How can we ensure equal education for all children? 💡

Recently, a foreign girl in Japan was suddenly unable to attend school due to legal and administrative issues.

Japan’s education law states that compulsory education is for “nationals”, yet the Convention on the Rights of the Child guarantees education for all children.

Why does this happen, and what can be done to improve the situation?

In this episode, I explain the realities of foreign children’s education in Japan, legal challenges, and possible solutions.

🔗 Links

Instagram: ⁠@niongolingo⁠

Youtube:⁠@NIHONGO_LINGO⁠

📢 📌 Hashtags

#ChildrensRights #EducationInJapan #ForeignChildren #NIHONGOLINGO #LearnJapanese #JapanesePodcast