Listening to a Japanese podcast is one of the best ways to learn Japanese. Podcasts expose you to new vocabulary and grammar, and they train your ears to understand how Japanese people speak.
They’re also fun to listen to, as you get to learn more about Japanese culture and enjoy the stories podcasters share.
In this article, you’ll find Japanese podcasts for beginners, intermediate, and advanced learners and what makes each of them unique. You can find all of these podcasts on Spotify and YouTube.
Best Japanese Podcasts for Beginners
けんさんおかえり Japanese Podcast
けんさんおかえり is the easiest podcast to understand in this article. Ken speaks slowly and usually pauses after finishing sentences, giving time for listeners to comprehend what he says. It can sound choppy, but this is good for beginners who need more time to process what they hear.
Ken uses basic grammar patterns and vocabulary that suit people who are in the beginning stages of their language journey.
From traveling, to food, to sports, Ken explores various topics in his podcast episodes. Since Ken lives in Taiwan, he often talks about his life in the country and explains differences between Taiwan and Japan, as well.
He also has a YouTube channel where he uploads videos of him conversing with other native speakers in Japanese. His YouTube videos have subtitles to make it easier for people to follow along.
You can find the けんさんおかえり podcast episodes on Spotify.
日本語の聴解のためのPodcast By あかね的日本語教室
日本語の聴解のためのPodcast is appropriate for beginners who are closer to intermediate level.
Akane, the host of this podcast, uses more complex grammar patterns, but she speaks slowly and clearly to help listeners understand.
Most of the episodes are no longer than five minutes, making them easy to watch even when you’re running short on time.
In terms of what Akane talks about on her podcast, the topics vary so widely that it’s difficult to categorize them. However, because she’s a teacher, she often incorporates her experience teaching Japanese in her episodes.
Akane has a YouTube channel called あかね的日本語教室, where you can find VLOGs and other videos featuring native Japanese conversations.
You can find the 日本語の聴解のためのPodcast episodes on Spotify.
The Bite Size Japanese Podcast
The Bite Size Japanese Podcast is great for those who want exposure to conversational speech. Layla, the host, speaks in a more conversational way, letting her thoughts flow naturally, so the episodes don’t feel scripted.
This podcast has a slower pace, making it ideal for beginners.
Layla not only uses simple grammar but also includes phrases that Japanese people often use in conversation.
The topics discussed on this podcast range from Japanese language and culture to Layla’s personal life events.
You can find the podcast episodes on The Bite Size Japanese Podcast YouTube channel and Spotify.
Everyday Japanese Podcast By Sayuri Saying
I would recommend the Everyday Japanese Podcast for people who understand basic grammar and want to improve their vocabulary.
Sayuri introduces new vocabulary words for every topic by taking the time to define them.
She often pauses to explain the meaning of words that may be unfamiliar to listeners using simple grammar patterns.
Like the other beginner podcasts listed above, Sayuri speaks at a slower pace and takes short pauses between sentences.
The Sayuri Saying YouTube channel contains not only Sayuri’s podcast episodes but also other content such as YouTube Shorts, live streams, VLOGS, and videos where she collaborates with other Japanese teachers.
You can find the podcast episodes on Spotify, too.
Best Japanese Podcasts for Intermediate/Advanced Level
YUYUの日本語ポッドキャスト
YUYU (Yusuke) is a Japanese teacher in Mexico who loves anime and video games. His podcast is my favorite, and I found it helpful when I was studying for the JLPT N2, as he tends to use more advanced grammar and vocabulary. I believe it’s the best podcast in this article for several reasons.
One thing I like about YUYU is that he ties his interests to whatever he talks about.
For example, since he watches anime, he likes to talk about quotes from anime characters and explains why they resonate with him.
In addition, since YUYU’s podcast episodes last around 30 to 45 minutes, you can listen to YUYU while going about your day. Personally, I like to listen to his podcast when I need to drive for a while or when I feel like going for a long walk.
Also, YUYU has an upbeat personality and adds a lot of emotion to what he says. This is especially true when he practices 落語 (らくご), traditional Japanese storytelling.
YUYU’s podcast editing skills are second to none, as well. He adds sound effects and music to his episodes, making his podcast more entertaining.
The podcast covers a vast array of topics such as anime, video games, Mexican and Japanese culture, how to stay motivated, and more.
YUYU uploads his podcast episodes on his YouTube channel and Spotify.
Haru no Nihongo
Haruka, the host of Haru no Nihongo podcast, is an online Japanese teacher who records video podcast episodes. She puts subtitles at the bottom, and she displays definitions of harder words she uses in her videos to help listeners understand, too.
My favorite episode on her podcast is the one where she interviews Bunsuke, a Japanese teacher on YouTube from the Netherlands. Listeners can learn about Bunsuke’s language journey and how he became fluent.
I’ve also enjoyed Haruka’s episodes on her reaction to Japanese news as well as her trips to foreign countries.
Haruka exposes listeners to a wide range of vocabulary, and I feel that I always learn at least a few new words after every episode.
You can find all the episodes on the Haru no Nihongo YouTube channel and Spotify.
日本語でしゃべりまShow
Even though this podcast has episodes for both beginners and advanced learners, I’m putting this under Intermediate/Advanced level because the podcast hosts speak relatively faster than other podcasters.
What separates 日本語でしゃべりまShow from other podcasts is the fact that it incorporates more dialogue since two people are talking. Some episodes are monologues, but most of them include Okado and Kimura, the podcast hosts, talking to each other about a certain topic.
Okado and Kimura primarily use タメ口 (tameguchi, casual Japanese), making this podcast suitable for people who want to improve their conversational Japanese.
Their topics mostly focus on different aspects of life in Japan such as public transportation, money, and family. They also talk about more general topics like daily routines, smartphones, and cat people versus dog people.
日本語でしゃべりまShow has a YouTube playlist where you can access the podcast episodes. You can also find them on Spotify.
Satori Reader
While Satori Reader is not a podcast, it contains series that are very similar to the conversational style of a podcast. For example, “John and Friends in Tokyo!” follows an American named John as he navigates various aspects of life in Tokyo, like dating, cooking, working, and more.
One advantage to Satori Reader versus a traditional podcast is that every word is annotated, so if you encounter a word you don’t know, you can simply tap it to see its definition. It’s also easy to rewind to individual sentences and hear the audio again. And being able to see the text also gives you a chance to exercise your reading.
Conclusion
In my personal experience, listening to Japanese podcasts has helped me in many ways.
Ever since I started listening to Japanese podcasts, I’ve noticed that my conversations in Japanese have gotten smoother. I can not only understand who I talk with better but also communicate my thoughts more effectively since podcasts have exposed me to useful phrases and expressions.
That’s why I cannot recommend these podcasts enough. Check them out and see what works for you!