In Japan, people often resolve workplace conflicts without saying things directly. This episode reveals four common approaches—consulting a third party, keeping distance, gentle communication, and using HR—based on real-life examples. Gain insight into indirect communication, subtle signals, and cultural nuances that shape Japanese work environments, so you can work and communicate more effectively in Japan.
🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com
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On a trip back to my parents’ home, I found old photos, purikura, and stories that brought my childhood back to life. Was I shy? Adventurous? Maybe a little unexpected? In this lighthearted episode, I talk about the traits that shaped little me, how some things have changed, and how others… really haven’t.
🎧 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!
In this episode, Miku from Miku Real Japanese and I talk about the meanings behind our names—why Miku’s name means “Beautiful Christmas,” and what Sayuri’s “Small Lily” means.
We also explore how names are chosen in Japan: kanji meanings, stroke count, gender-neutral trends, and even “kirakira names.”
What’s the story behind your name?
🎧 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!
After two years in Osaka, Shun (from Japanese with Shun) has decided to move to Nagoya. In this episode, we chat about what led to his decision, how it feels to leave people behind, and the kind of life we want to create for ourselves. From city vibes and rent prices to nature, hobbies, and quality of life🌱 This is a slow and thoughtful conversation about change, comfort, and choosing your own rhythm.
🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com
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Have you ever traveled with a friend for a whole week? I recently went to Okinawa with Miku from “Miku Real Japanese,” and I realized how incredible she is at expressing herself and thinking ahead. In this episode, I reflect on what I respect about her and how it inspired me to improve my own communication and awareness.
🎧 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!
Settle into the hum of an Osaka café while Miku from Miku Real Japanese and I draw random question cards that spark memories of the shows and movies we’ve binged this year. Our casual chat unpacks natural conversational Japanese, everyday vocabulary, and cultural quirks you won’t find in textbooks—perfect background listening on your commute, cook-up, or wind-down.
🎧 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!
I wear many hats👒 Content creator, website manager, private tutor, and curriculum designer for a San Francisco ed-tech startup. Come along as I guide you through a typical week: brainstorming podcast topics on walks, filming video episodes, updating sayurisaying.com, running friendly 1-on-1 sessions, and shaping natural Japanese dialogue for an anime-themed app. I also tease fresh ideas like a “Sleepy Japanese” podcast, merch plans, and in-person meet-ups.
🎧 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!
Learn how to get disaster-ready in Japan: the 3 essential items (water, food, toilet), helpful gear from ¥100 shops, how to check your local shelter, and a weekend challenge!
Buy 9L of water and save your shelter on Maps. I also share what I keep in my own emergency kit. Free checklist on my website!
🎧 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!
Travel priorities differ worldwide, but in Japan delicious food almost always takes first place. I’ll share why I think food is such a big deal when Japanese people travel—seasonal ingredients, local specialties like Sanuki udon, and the passion behind every dish.
Compare your own travel must-haves, pick up useful vocabulary, and enjoy a flavorful slice of Japanese culture along the way!
🎧 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!
What happens when your dream career no longer fits who you are? Rui opens up about the turning point.
In the second half of our conversation, Rui talks honestly about leaving his band after a difficult breakup caused by 方向性の違い (a difference in direction). He shares what happened behind the scenes, the emotional fallout, and how he slowly rebuilt his friendships with former bandmates. We also dive into his transition from musician to Japanese content creator—why he chose to make videos and podcasts, and how he found joy in helping learners around the world. I ask him about his “win-win-win” mindset: how to create content that helps others, fulfills him creatively, and remains sustainable. It’s a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about creativity, purpose, and learning through change.
🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com
Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 274”) 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!
What’s it really like to chase your dream in Tokyo’s indie scene? Rui shares his story.
In this episode, I talk with Rui from Okkei Japanese about his twenties—how he quit a steady job, took overnight buses to Tokyo, and played in tiny live houses (small concert venues popular in Japan’s indie scene), often paying out of pocket to perform. He eventually pulled off a sold-out ワンマンライブ (a solo show by one band) in Tokyo—an important milestone for any independent artist.
We also talk about the world of 対バン shows, where multiple bands share the same event and try to bring their own fans. If you’re curious about how Japan’s indie music scene works—or just want to hear natural conversation with deep cultural context—this one’s for you.
🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com
Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 273”) 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!
AI is helpful—but have you ever felt “zotto” (a chill)? I talk about 3 major fears people have about AI, including privacy, job loss, and deepfakes. Then I share my own moment of unease when I realized I enjoyed chatting with AI more than with a new person. What does that mean for our future? I also share my simple idea for staying human—meeting face-to-face, and making real memories.
💡「ゾッとする」 describes the physical and emotional reaction you get when something gives you the chills—like fear, creepiness, or disgust. It’s that sudden, cold shiver that runs through your body when you’re spooked or grossed out.
🎧 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!
Why are Japan’s streets so clean—even though there are almost no public trash cans? Many visitors are surprised by this mystery. In this episode, we take a deeper look at why Japan is considered one of the cleanest countries in the world. Beyond the strong sense of social responsibility and rule-following, we highlight the quiet efforts of local volunteers—ordinary people who pick up trash in their neighborhoods each morning. Discover how these unsung heroes help keep Japan beautiful.
In this episode, I’d like to share something a little different — a preview of my new side project,
うとうと time – Sleepy Japanese Podcast 🌙
This project was inspired by one of my students who said:
“I have trouble falling asleep at night…”
So I thought, maybe I could make something gentle, slow, and sleepy — in Japanese.
In “utouto time,” I literally lie down and talk softly in simple, natural Japanese.
There’s no music. Not much happens.
Honestly… it might even be a little boring. But that’s the point. 😴
If you like what you hear in this episode,
you can find the full version of utouto time here:
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and more.
Perfect for:
– unwinding before bed
– relaxing while listening to Japanese
– falling asleep while learning
Let me know what you think, and feel free to suggest topics you’d like me to talk about.
Thanks for listening!
Meeting someone new can feel nerve-racking, so I invite fellow creator YUYU to share real-life tips for making a great first impression in Japan. We compare polite vs. casual speech, balance listening and talking, handle eye contact, and reveal simple grooming hacks (think nails & nose hair!) that help you look and sound friendly—never scary. Perfect for intermediate learners who want natural examples and cultural insight while laughing along!
🐧❤️ Want to listen offline or on the go?
The full audio is now available on the website for streaming and download—exclusively for Silver members and above.
Plus, enjoy access to the video version, transcript, vocabulary, and grammar tips to support your learning.
👉 Explore more: sayurisaying.com
Meeting someone new can feel nerve-racking, so I invite fellow creator YUYU to share real-life tips for making a great first impression in Japan. We compare polite vs. casual speech, balance listening and talking, handle eye contact, and reveal simple grooming hacks (think nails & nose hair🙈) that help you look and sound friendly—never scary. Perfect for intermediate learners who want natural examples and cultural insight while laughing along.
🐧❤️ Want to listen offline or on the go?
The full audio is now available on the website for streaming and download—exclusively for Silver members and above.
Plus, enjoy access to the video version, transcript, vocabulary, and grammar tips to support your learning.
👉 Explore more: sayurisaying.com
From Nike’s historic link to Japan all the way to today’s thick-soled fashion craze, explore sneaker trends with me in slow, clear Japanese. We compare running, trail, and street pairs; decode words like “抽選販売” and “防水”; and chat about why ASICS fit my wide feet best. Includes a handy vocab list and reflection prompts so you can step up your listening and speaking skills.
Check out our transcripts, video podcasts, and Japanese learning resources at: https://sayurisaying.com/sneaker-season-kicks-culture/
In this special solo episode, I take you into my tiny Japanese kitchen for a dishwashing session filled with relaxed, unscripted talk about batch cooking, kitchen tools, rice storage, and everyday routines. You’ll hear the real sounds of pots, pans, and water as I go. It’s the perfect cozy background for your own chores or study time—and a great way to immerse yourself in natural Japanese. Tune in and feel like you’re right here with me!
Check out our transcripts, video podcasts, and Japanese learning resources at: https://sayurisaying.com/washing-dishes-in-a-tiny-japanese-kitchen
Your support helps keep this podcast alive and means a lot to me. Thank you for considering! https://sayurisaying.com/#/portal/support
I’ve recently fallen in love with tea! In this episode, I talk about why I bought a new kettle (again)😅, how water temperature can totally change a tea’s flavor, and my favorite find—a tea sampler with 30 types from a Japanese brand. You’ll also hear a funny word mix-up and learn tea-related vocabulary. Cozy up and join me on this tasty tea adventure!
Check out our transcripts, video podcasts, and Japanese learning resources at: https://sayurisaying.com/tea-journey-japanese-black-tea/
Your support helps keep this podcast alive and means a lot to me. Thank you for considering! https://sayurisaying.com/#/portal/support
Shun is back for a casual Japanese chat! This time, we’re talking about health—gym routines, diet, sleep, and motivation. Shun shares his workout habits, thoughts on supplements, and even his eating routine (hint: a lot of eggs!). Join us for a fun, relaxed conversation packed with real-life Japanese expressions. A great episode for improving your listening skills while learning about staying healthy in Japan!
Check out our transcripts, video podcasts, and Japanese learning resources at: sayurisaying.com/shun-health-talk/
Check out Shun's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@JapanesewithShun
Your support helps keep this podcast alive and means a lot to me. Thank you for considering! https://sayurisaying.com/#/portal/support
