This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit noajpradio.substack.com

🎙️ Ep.10 | The Power of One Simple Japanese Phrase

✨ Short Description

In this episode, I talk about my New Year trip to Kyoto and a small but touching moment I experienced there. I share how just one simple Japanese phrase spoken by travelers changed the atmosphere around them.

✍️ Episode Details

II talk about my two days in Kyoto, the many international travelers I saw, and how hearing them say “Arigatō gozaimasu” in Japanese created smiles and warmth between people. I reflect on why the feeling of wanting to communicate matters more than language ability.

📝 Vocabulary Guide

新年 — しんねん — shinnen — New Year

滞在する — たいざいする — taizai suru — to stay (for a period of time)

観光客 — かんこうきゃく — kankōkyaku — tourist

雰囲気 — ふんいき — fun’iki — atmosphere / vibe

印象に残る — いんしょうにのこる — inshō ni nokoru — to leave an impression

→ Full script (Japanese + English) & complete vocab list are available on Substack.

🔗 Links

・Full scripts & vocab guide — https://noajpradio.substack.com/p/ep10-the-power-of-one-simple-japanese

・Free newsletter — https://noajpradio.substack.com/

・Episode request — https://watery-closet-02b.notion.site/6df35c403f2d4345b01a8914ab41b304?pvs=105

・Threads — https://www.threads.net/@noa_jp_radio

🎧 About Noa JP Radio

Noa JP Radio delivers real Japanese through natural stories and culture.

All episodes are free. Paid members get scripts, vocab lists, quizzes, and extra learning tips.

📩 Contact

Email: [email protected]

Threads: @noa_jp_radio

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit noajpradio.substack.com

🎙️ Year-End and New Year in Japan

✨ Short Description

IIn this episode, I talk about how people spend the year-end and New Year period in Japan. I explain why this time is so important, how daily life changes, and what traditions Japanese people value at the end and beginning of the year.

✍️ Episode Details

I explain how Japan slows down during the year-end and New Year holidays, traditions like cleaning the house, eating New Year’s Eve soba, visiting shrines, and spending quiet time with family to reset for the new year.

📝 Vocabulary Guide

年末年始 — ねんまつねんし — nenmatsu nenshi — year-end and New Year period

大掃除 — おおそうじ — ōsōji — big year-end cleaning

大晦日 — おおみそか — ōmisoka — New Year’s Eve

初詣 — はつもうで — hatsumōde — first shrine visit of the year

おせち料理 — おせちりょうり — osechi ryōri — traditional New Year food

→ Full script (Japanese + English) & complete vocab list are available on Substack.

🔗 Links

・Full scripts & vocab guide — https://noajpradio.substack.com/p/ep9-year-end-and-new-year-in-japan-a0e

・Free newsletter — https://noajpradio.substack.com/

・Episode request — https://watery-closet-02b.notion.site/6df35c403f2d4345b01a8914ab41b304?pvs=105

・Threads — https://www.threads.net/@noa_jp_radio

🎧 About Noa JP Radio

Noa JP Radio delivers real Japanese through natural stories and culture.

All episodes are free. Paid members get scripts, vocab lists, quizzes, and extra learning tips.

📩 Contact

Email: [email protected]

Threads: @noa_jp_radio

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit noajpradio.substack.com

🎙️ Christmas in Japan: How We Really Spend It

✨ Short Description

In this episode, I talk about how Christmas is celebrated in Japan and how it differs from Christmas in many other countries. I explain who people spend Christmas with in Japan and why certain customs became popular.

✍️ Episode Details

I explain the differences between Christmas in Japan and overseas, why Christmas is often seen as a romantic event in Japan, and how traditions like eating KFC became part of Japanese Christmas culture.

📝 Vocabulary Guide

祝う — いわう — iwau — to celebrate

違い — ちがい — chigai — difference

過ごす — すごす — sugosu — to spend (time)

恋人 — こいびと — koibito — partner / boyfriend / girlfriend

広まる — ひろまる — hiromaru — to spread / to become popular

→ Full script (Japanese + English) & complete vocab list are available on Substack.

🔗 Links

・Full scripts & vocab guide — https://noajpradio.substack.com/p/ep8-christmas-in-japan-how-we-really

・Free newsletter — https://noajpradio.substack.com/

・Episode request — https://watery-closet-02b.notion.site/6df35c403f2d4345b01a8914ab41b304?pvs=105

・Threads — https://www.threads.net/@noa_jp_radio

🎧 About Noa JP Radio

Noa JP Radio delivers real Japanese through natural stories and culture.

All episodes are free. Paid members get scripts, vocab lists, quizzes, and extra learning tips.

📩 Contact

Email: [email protected]

Threads: @noa_jp_radio

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit noajpradio.substack.com

🎙️ What’s Trending on Japanese SNS in 2025

✨ Short Description

In this episode, I talk about Japanese internet subculture and trends that became popular on social media in 2025. I introduce three online trends and explain why Japanese people find them funny or interesting.

✍️ Episode Details

I explain three popular Japanese SNS trends: the idea of “kaiwai,” funny comment sections with ogiri-style jokes, and posts that turn cooking failures into humor. This episode is spoken in friendly, natural Japanese to help you understand real online language.

📝 Vocabulary Guide

界隈 — かいわい — kaiwai — a loose group with shared interests

投稿 — とうこう — tōkō — post

コメント欄 — コメントらん — komento ran — comment section

大喜利 — おおぎり — ōgiri — joke-based wordplay / improv humor

ネタ — ねた — neta — joke material / content

→ Full script (Japanese + English) & complete vocab list are available on Substack.

🔗 Links

・Full scripts & vocab guide — https://noajpradio.substack.com/p/ep7-whats-trending-on-japanese-sns

・Free newsletter — https://noajpradio.substack.com/

・Episode request — https://watery-closet-02b.notion.site/6df35c403f2d4345b01a8914ab41b304?pvs=105

・Threads — https://www.threads.net/@noa_jp_radio

🎧 About Noa JP Radio

Noa JP Radio delivers real Japanese through natural stories and culture.

All episodes are free. Paid members get scripts, vocab lists, quizzes, and extra learning tips.

📩 Contact

Email: [email protected]

Threads: @noa_jp_radio

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit noajpradio.substack.com

🎙️ The Story Behind Osaka’s Culture

✨ Short Description

In this episode, I talk about key ideas in Japanese educational psychology — why harmony is valued, why many people fear making mistakes, and how these beliefs shape Japanese behavior today.

✍️ Episode Details

I explain how Japanese education emphasizes group harmony, why “not making mistakes” becomes a strong value, and how these beliefs influence communication styles such as the "sassuru" culture.

📝 Vocabulary Guide

調和 — ちょうわ — chōwa — harmony

教育 — きょういく — kyōiku — education

察する — さっする — sassuru — to sense / read others' feelings without words

価値観 — かちかん — kachikan — value system

失敗 — しっぱい — shippai — mistake / failure

→ Full script (Japanese + kana + English) & complete vocab list are available on Substack.

🔗 Links

・Full scripts & vocab guide — https://noajpradio.substack.com/p/ep6-how-japanese-education-shapes

・Free newsletter — https://noajpradio.substack.com/

・Episode request — https://watery-closet-02b.notion.site/6df35c403f2d4345b01a8914ab41b304?pvs=105

・Threads — https://www.threads.net/@noa_jp_radio

🎧 About Noa JP Radio

Noa JP Radio delivers real Japanese through natural stories and culture.

All episodes are free. Paid members get scripts, vocab lists, quizzes, and extra learning tips.

📩 Contact

Email: [email protected]

Threads: @noa_jp_radio

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit noajpradio.substack.com

🎙️ The Story Behind Osaka’s Culture

✨ Short Description

In this episode, I talk about how Osaka’s unique character was shaped through history — from “the City of Water,” to “the Nation’s Kitchen,” and finally to its famous comedy culture.

✍️ Episode Details

I explain why Osaka became a major center of trade, how waterways supported its growth, and how merchant culture helped create today’s comedy culture.

📝 Vocabulary Guide

商売 — しょうばい — shōbai — commerce / business

特徴 — とくちょう — tokuchō — characteristic / trait

運河 — うんが — unga — canal

発展 — はってん — hatten — development

雰囲気 — ふんいき —fun iki — atmosphere

→ Full script (Japanese + kana + English) & complete vocab list are available on Substack.

🔗 Links

・Full scripts & vocab guide — https://noajpradio.substack.com/p/ep6-how-japanese-education-shapes

・Free newsletter — https://noajpradio.substack.com/

・Episode request — https://watery-closet-02b.notion.site/6df35c403f2d4345b01a8914ab41b304?pvs=105

・Threads — https://www.threads.net/@noa_jp_radio

🎧 About Noa JP Radio

Noa JP Radio delivers real Japanese through natural stories and culture.

All episodes are free. Paid members get scripts, vocab lists, quizzes, and extra learning tips.

📩 Contact

Email: [email protected]

Threads: @noa_jp_radio

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit noajpradio.substack.com

🎙️ 4 Essential Tips for Traveling in Japan

✨ Short Description

In this episode, I talk about four important things travelers should know before visiting Japan. These are everyday cultural points that often surprise visitors — from convenience stores to public transportation and Japan’s clean streets.

✍️ Episode Details

I explain why convenience stores are useful but slightly expensive, why trains in Japan are so quiet, why cash is still needed in many places, and how Japanese cities stay clean without many trash bins.

📝 Vocabulary Guide

便利 — べんり — benri — convenient

静か — しずか — shizuka — quiet

現金 — げんきん — genkin — cash

節約 — せつやく — setsuyaku — saving money

ゴミ箱 — ごみばこ — gomibako — trash bin

→ Full script (Japanese + kana + English) & complete vocab list are available on Substack.

🔗 Links

・Full scripts & vocab guide — https://noajpradio.substack.com/p/ep4-4-essential-tips-for-traveling-103

・Free newsletter — https://noajpradio.substack.com/

・Episode request — https://watery-closet-02b.notion.site/6df35c403f2d4345b01a8914ab41b304?pvs=105

・Threads — https://www.threads.net/@noa_jp_radio

🎧 About Noa JP Radio

I deliver real Japanese through natural stories and culture. All episodes are free. Paid members get scripts, vocab lists, quizzes, and extra learning tips.

📩 Contact

Email: [email protected]

Threads: @noa_jp_radio

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit noajpradio.substack.com

🎙️ Overtourism in Japan — What’s Really Happening

✨ Short Description

In this episode, I talk about overtourism in Japan — a growing issue in many tourist areas. I explain what changes locals are experiencing, how cultural differences create misunderstandings, and why following rules in Japan matters.

✍️ Episode Details

I discuss how overtourism affects daily life, how cultural differences cause friction, and why the issue isn’t “Japanese vs. non-Japanese” but a matter of shared rules and communication.

📝 Vocabulary Guide

変化 — へんか — henka — change

観光地 — かんこうち — kankōchi — tourist area

公共の場 — こうきょうのば — kōkyō no ba — public place

マナー — まなー — manā — manners

注意する — ちゅういする — chūi suru — to pay attention / to warn

→ Full script (Japanese + kana + English) & complete vocab list are available on Substack.

🔗 Links

・Full scripts & vocab guide — https://noajpradio.substack.com/p/ep3-overtourism-in-japan

・Free newsletter — https://noajpradio.substack.com/

・Episode request — https://watery-closet-02b.notion.site/6df35c403f2d4345b01a8914ab41b304?pvs=105

・Threads — https://www.threads.net/@noa_jp_radio

🎧 About Noa JP Radio

I deliver real Japanese through natural stories and culture. All episodes are free. Paid members get scripts, vocab lists, quizzes, and extra learning tips.

📩 Contact

Email: [email protected]

Threads: @noa_jp_radio

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit noajpradio.substack.com

🎙️ Why Japanese People Can’t Speak English — The Real Reasons

✨ Short Description

In this episode, I talk about a question many learners ask me: “Why do Japanese people struggle to speak English?” I also speak a little Kansai dialect so you can hear how I usually talk in real life.

✍️ Episode Details

I explain the main reasons Japanese people can’t speak English well: lack of speaking practice, fear of mistakes, and little daily-life need for English. I also share why some Japanese people act cautiously around foreigners.

📝 Vocabulary Guide

経験 — けいけん — keiken — experience

不安 — ふあん — fuan — anxiety / uneasiness

挑戦 — ちょうせん — chōsen — challenge

交流 — こうりゅう — kōryū — interaction

壁 — かべ — kabe — barrier

→ Full script (Japanese + kana + English) & complete vocab list are available on Substack.

🔗 Links

・Full scripts & vocab guide — https://noajpradio.substack.com/p/ep2-why-japanese-people-cant-speak

・Free newsletter — https://noajpradio.substack.com/

・Episode request — https://watery-closet-02b.notion.site/6df35c403f2d4345b01a8914ab41b304?pvs=105

・Threads — https://www.threads.net/@noa_jp_radio

🎧 About Noa JP Radio

I deliver real Japanese through natural stories and culture. All episodes are free. Paid members get scripts, vocab lists, quizzes, and extra learning tips.

📩 Contact

Email: [email protected]

Threads: @noa_jp_radio

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit noajpradio.substack.com

🎙️ Why I Started Noa JP Radio

✨ Short Description

In this episode, I talk about why I started this podcast and what I hope it brings to your Japanese-learning journey. I also share the three main reasons behind this project and how I want learners to experience real, everyday Japanese through it.

✍️ Episode Details

I explain why I started this podcast: to share real Japanese, to help learners grow by using the language, and to talk about Japan from my own perspective. I also introduce upcoming themes like why Japanese people struggle with English and the issue of overtourism.

📝 Vocabulary Guide

発音 — はつおん — hatsuon — pronunciation

本題 — ほんだい — hondai — main topic

教科書 — きょうかしょ — kyōkasho — textbook

標準語 — ひょうじゅんご — hyōjungo — standard Japanese

関西弁 — かんさいべん — kansaiben — Kansai dialect

→ Full script (Japanese + kana + English) & complete vocab list are available on Substack.

🔗 Links

・Full scripts & vocab guide — https://noajpradio.substack.com/p/episode-1-why-i-started-noa-jp-radio

・Free newsletter — https://noajpradio.substack.com/

・Episode request — https://watery-closet-02b.notion.site/6df35c403f2d4345b01a8914ab41b304?pvs=105

・Threads — https://www.threads.net/@noa_jp_radio

🎧 About Noa JP Radio

I deliver real Japanese through natural stories and culture. All episodes are free. Paid members get scripts, vocab lists, quizzes, and extra learning tips.

📩 Contact

Email: [email protected]

Threads: @noa_jp_radio