Learn Japanese with Noriko

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• Season 3-156 Books We Couldn't Stop Talking About 最近読んだ本が全部当たりだった！- Book Talk with Yuko 11 17.07.2026 23мин

  あかね先生：日本語オノマトペの本『生活で使える日本語オノマトペ』八木詠美『空芯手帳』綿矢りさ『グレタ・ニンプ』嶋津輝『カフェーの帰り道』夏目漱石『こころ』朝井リョウ『そして誰もゆとらなくなった』楊双子『台湾漫遊鉄道のふたり』(Taiwan Travelogue )In this episode of BookTalk, Noriko and Yuko reconnect after a break and discuss several memorable books they have recently read. The conversation begins with a book about Japanese onomatopoeia, which Yuko highly recommends for both Japanese learners and teachers because it makes a difficult topic approachable and enjoyable.They then move on to Kūshin Techō, a novel about a woman who tells a lie about being pregnant after becoming frustrated with how she is treated at work. The discussion explores why readers may sympathize with the character and how the story raises interesting questions about honesty, social expectations, and personal survival.A major part of the episode focuses on Cafe no Kaerimichi, a novel set from the Taishō era into the postwar period. Both hosts praise its portrayal of women who pursue freedom and independence despite social limitations. The historical setting, fashion, work culture, and everyday life of women from that era make the novel especially engaging.They also talk about Asai Ryō’s essay collection Soshite Daremo Yutoranakunatta, highlighting its humorous stories of personal mistakes and social awkwardness.Finally, they discuss Taiwan Manyū Tetsudō no Futari, a Taiwanese novel that combines friendship, food, history, and reflections on the complex relationship between colonizer and colonized. The book leaves a strong impression and inspires curiosity about Taiwan and its history.
• Season 3-155 子どもの頃の夢と今の私｜日本の小学生の将来の夢ランキング 08.07.2026 12мин

  Check my links https://bio.site/japanesewithnoriko1) 問いかけ・振り返りの質問子どもの頃に思い描いていた将来の夢は、現在の自分の価値観や生き方にどのような影響を与えていると思いますか。「何になるかより、何をやるかの方が大事だ」という考え方について、あなたはどのように感じますか。人の職業観は家庭環境や育った社会からどの程度影響を受けると思いますか。子どもの頃に憧れていた職業と、実際に選んだ進路が異なる場合、その変化にはどのような意味があると考えますか。夢を周囲に話すことには、どのようなメリットとデメリットがあるでしょうか。「大きなことを100個言って一つ叶えばいい」という考え方は、挑戦する姿勢にどのような影響を与えると思いますか。将来の夢を持つことと、自分に合った生き方を見つけることは、どのような関係があると考えますか。In this episode, Noriko talks about childhood dreams and future career aspirations. She introduces the results of a Japanese survey that asked elementary school boys and girls what jobs they want when they grow up. Surprisingly, “company employee” ranked very highly for both boys and girls, alongside more traditional dream jobs such as YouTuber, professional baseball player, kindergarten teacher, and pastry chef.Noriko reflects on how children’s career aspirations may be influenced by their parents, environment, and everyday experiences. She then invites listeners to think about their own childhood dreams and share them in the comments.Looking back on her own life, Noriko explains that her dream changed many times. At different stages, she wanted to become a piano teacher, an elementary school teacher, a writer, and even a flight attendant after being inspired by a television drama. She also reads an essay she wrote at age fifteen about her future dreams. Many of the hopes she expressed then—traveling abroad, meeting people from different countries, and finding a suitable profession—have become reality through her work as a Japanese teacher.Finally, she shares inspiring quotes from Naruse, a favorite fictional character, encouraging listeners to focus on actions, embrace challenges, and keep moving forward with confidence.
• Season 3-154 世界はあなたの庭｜旅が教えてくれた新しい視点 with Yasuyo 01.07.2026 26мин

  やすよさんのインスタグラムJoin our community Japanese Together「旅モード」と「日常モード」の違いは、本当に場所によって決まると思いますか。建築や空間のデザインが、人の感情や考え方に与える影響についてどう思いますか。「世界があなたの庭」という考え方から、どのような生き方を想像しますか。旅行中に仕事を続けるスタイルには、どんなメリットやデメリットがあると思いますか。歴史や芸術を事前に学んでから旅行することは、体験をどのように変えると思いますか。In this episode, Yasuyo returns as a guest to talk about her busy April and her recent trip through Central Europe. She visited Vienna in Austria, Budapest in Hungary, and also took a day trip to Bratislava in Slovakia. Although the trip lasted only about ten days, it felt unique because she mixed travel with online teaching. Sometimes she would go to an opera or museum and then teach a lesson shortly afterward, creating a strange feeling where travel and daily life blended together.A major highlight of the trip was architecture. Yasuyo was especially inspired by the work of Austrian architect Otto Wagner in Vienna and by the “House of Music” designed by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto in Budapest. She describes how certain spaces gave her emotional energy and made her reflect on ideas like freedom, perspective, and how “the world can become your garden.”The conversation also explores the meaning of travel itself. Yasuyo talks about how continuing her normal routines abroad—such as working, going to concerts, or even using saunas—made her question what really separates “travel mode” from “daily life.” The episode becomes a thoughtful discussion about mindset, borders, culture, history, and the joy of seeing the world with curiosity.久しぶり（ひさしぶり）- after a long time落ち着く（おちつく）- to calm down録音（ろくおん）- recording日帰り（ひがえり）- day trip首都（しゅと）- capital city感覚（かんかく）- sensation, feeling歴史（れきし）- history都（みやこ）- capital実験的（じっけんてき）- experimental体力的（たいりょくてき）- physically深夜（しんや）- late at night寝不足（ねぶそく）- lack of sleep憧れる（あこがれる）- to admire建築家（けんちくか）- architect郵便局（ゆうびんきょく）- post office豪華（ごうか）- luxurious地下鉄（ちかてつ）- subway溶け合う（とけあう）- to blend together文化施設（ぶんかしせつ）- cultural facility緩やか（ゆるやか）- gentle, gradual景色（けしき）- scenery意識（いしき）- awareness引き寄せられる（ひきよせられる）- to be attracted温泉（おんせん）- hot spring哲学的（てつがくてき）- philosophical日常（にちじょう）- everyday life配慮（はいりょ）- consideration移動（いどう）- movement, travel雰囲気（ふんいき）- atmosphere賑やか（にぎやか）- lively
• Coffee Break with Noriko - Real Talk & Daily Thoughts 9 24.06.2026 30мин

  「論破」を重視するコミュニケーションが増えた背景には、どんな社会的要因があると思いますか。「メンタルパフォーマンス」を優先する生き方には、どんなメリットとデメリットがあるでしょうか。感情を表に出さない「感情ミュート社会」は、人間関係にどのような影響を与えると思いますか。インプット中心の語学学習が、会話力にどのような変化をもたらすと思いますか。自分の趣味や興味と語学学習を結びつけることで、学習のモチベーションはどのように変化するでしょうか。Join our community Japanese Together to discuss my podcast episodes. Japanese Together In this relaxed “Coffee Break with Noriko” episode, Noriko shares reflections on philosophy, modern social trends, and her recent language-learning experiences. She begins by introducing the book Suichuu no Tetsugakushatachi by Rei Nagai (永井玲衣『水中の哲学者たち』), a gentle philosophy essay collection that explains how philosophy begins with ordinary questions and everyday “why?” moments. Noriko especially appreciates the idea of philosophical dialogue as a respectful exchange where people listen openly instead of trying to “win” arguments online.She then discusses two trendy Japanese words: メンパmenpa (mental performance) and “emotion-muted society.” These expressions describe how modern people feel mentally exhausted from social media, AI, endless choices, and online conflict. Many people now prioritize emotional comfort, simplicity, and stress-free lifestyles.In the second half, Noriko gives updates on her language learning journey. She explains how extensive reading in Korean and Spanish helped her regain speaking confidence after years without practice. Through graded readers, podcasts, and conversations, she rediscovered the joy of learning languages naturally and gradually. Finally, she encourages listeners to connect Japanese learning with personal interests such as crafts, science, anime, or books in order to stay motivated long term.哲学（てつがく）- philosophy学術的（がくじゅつてき）- academic対話（たいわ）- dialogue肩書き（かたがき）- title / professional label提供（ていきょう）- providing日常生活（にちじょうせいかつ）- daily life素朴（そぼく）- simple / innocent疑問（ぎもん）- question / doubt排除（はいじょ）- exclusion論破（ろんぱ）- defeating an argument風潮（ふうちょう）- social trend対等（たいとう）- equal雰囲気（ふんいき）- atmosphere衝撃（しょうげき）- shock / impact注目（ちゅうもく）- attention発展（はってん）- development概念（がいねん）- concept限定（げんてい）- limitation / restriction精神的（せいしんてき）- mental / psychological感情（かんじょう）- emotion我慢（がまん）- endurance / self-restraint揺さぶる（ゆさぶる）- to shake emotionally無難（ぶなん）- safe / uncontroversial傾向（けいこう）- tendency学習者（がくしゅうしゃ）- learner自信（じしん）- confidence定期的（ていきてき）- regularly優先順位（ゆうせんじゅんい）- priority習慣（しゅうかん）- habit趣味（しゅみ）- hobby編み物（あみもの）- knitting惑星（わくせい）- planet
• Season 3-153 I Bought 13 Japanese Books 53歳の誕生日に日本の本を爆買い 10.06.2026 15мин

  Join our community Japanese TogetherLet's Read a Japanese Novel : Apply 小川糸『ツバキ文具店』小川糸『ライオンのおやつ』九段理江『東京都同情塔』九段理江『School Girl』津村記久子『水車小屋のネネ』津村記久子『この世にたやすい仕事はない』津村記久子『サキの忘れ物』村田沙耶香『コンビニ人間』山本文緒『自転しながら公転する』山本文緒『無人島のふたり』短歌の本　岡本真帆『水上バス浅草行き』イ・ヨンミ『魔女の体力』Taiwanese writer Yang Shuang-zi　Taiwan Travelogue 『台湾漫遊鉄道のふたり』綿矢りさ『グレタニンプ』児島青『本なら売るほど』Discussion Questions本を選ぶとき、どのような基準で選びますか。作家、テーマ、評判など、何を一番重視しますか。海外に住んでいる場合、日本語の本の選び方や優先順位はどのように変わると思いますか。作家つながりで読書を広げることには、どのようなメリットとデメリットがあるでしょうか。年齢を重ねる中で、興味を持つ本のジャンルやテーマはどのように変化すると考えますか。English SummaryIn this episode, Noriko celebrates her upcoming 53rd birthday by reflecting on aging with gratitude rather than fear. She shares how her mindset has shifted over time—from worrying about physical changes when she was younger to now appreciating her life, health, and work. To mark the occasion, she treats herself by ordering a large collection of Japanese books from Amazon Japan, shipped all the way to the UK despite high delivery costs.Living abroad, Noriko explains the challenges of accessing Japanese books and how she carefully chooses what to buy. She avoids purchasing titles available as audiobooks and often selects books based on connections—such as authors she already enjoys, recommendations from students or creators, and themes she’s interested in, like women’s lives and emotional storytelling.She introduces a wide range of books, including novels, essays, tanka poetry, and manga, featuring works by authors like 小川糸『ツバキ文具店』や『ライオンのおやつ』、九段理江『東京都同情塔』『School Girl』、津村記久子『水車小屋のネネ』『この世にたやすい仕事はない』『サキの忘れ物』など。Finally, she shares her reading plans for upcoming travels and invites listeners to join her book club and Japanese reading programs.
• Season 3-152 小説『こころ』が難しすぎた（Book Talk with Yuko 10) 03.06.2026 27мин

  ファッション雑誌『Oggi』八木 詠美 Emi Yagi Diary of a Void 『空芯手帳』綿矢りさ『グレタ・ニンプ』夏目漱石『こころ』星新一『ボッコちゃん』ビートたけし『テレビじゃ言えない』In this episode of “Book Talk with Yuko,” the hosts begin with a light conversation about spring and cherry blossoms, comparing experiences in Japan and the UK. They then transition into discussing recently read books and a magazine discovery.Yuko introduces a magazine she picked up due to interest in a featured model, noting how refreshing it felt to engage with non-algorithm-driven content. She highlights how magazines expose readers to unexpected topics and perspectives. Noriko shares a novel by Emi Yagi, describing its unique premise about a woman who lies about being pregnant at work, sparking a complex narrative.The discussion continues with a newly published novel about a couple navigating pregnancy, blending humor with social themes. Noriko then reflects on rereading classic works like Natsume Soseki’s “Kokoro” and Hoshi Shinichi’s short stories. While “Bokko-chan” impressed her with its futuristic themes, “Kokoro” left her feeling conflicted due to differences in historical values and gender roles.Finally, Yuko talks about a book by Beat Takeshi, appreciating its candid social commentary. The episode emphasizes how reading across genres and eras can provoke reflection, discomfort, and meaningful discussion.
• Season 3-151 Noriko’s Philosophy Playground 9 - How Do You Talk About Death in Japanese? - 日本語で「死」をどう語る？ 27.05.2026 13мин

  Join our Japanese Together community and explore podcast topics through discussion.In this reflective episode of Japanese with Noriko, Noriko explores the profound theme of death through language, culture, and personal experience. She begins by drawing a parallel between the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms in Japan and the transient nature of life, highlighting how different flowers have unique expressions for “falling,” reflecting the nuance of Japanese language and worldview.Noriko then examines various ways to express death in Japanese, from direct terms like 死ぬ to softer expressions such as 「天国に行く」 or 「旅立つ」, showing how language shapes emotional perception. She shares personal encounters with death, including the loss of her grandfather, a childhood friend, and a colleague, illustrating how death appears repeatedly throughout life in different forms.The discussion expands to philosophical perspectives, including insights from a philosophy club and a Buddhist concept shared by a listener: 「往生する」, which frames death not as an end but as a transition and continuation. Noriko connects this idea back to nature’s cycles, suggesting that death may not be purely tragic but part of a larger renewal.She concludes by inviting listeners to reflect on their own views about death and how it influences how they live today.儚い（はかない）— fleeting, transient満開（まんかい）— full bloom散る（ちる）— to fall (flowers)現象（げんしょう）— phenomenon表現（ひょうげん）— expression評価（ひょうか）— evaluation中立的（ちゅうりつてき）— neutral宗教観（しゅうきょうかん）— religious view結びつく（むすびつく）— to be connected恐ろしい（おそろしい）— frightening意識（いしき）— awareness漠然と（ばくぜんと）— vaguely同級生（どうきゅうせい）— classmate事故死（じこし）— accidental death溺れる（おぼれる）— to drown振り返る（ふりかえる）— to look back定期的（ていきてき）— regularly覚悟（かくご）— resolve, readiness影響（えいきょう）— influence浄土（じょうど）— Pure Land仏（ほとけ）— Buddha働きかける（はたらきかける）— to act upon, influence種（たね）— seed芽（め）— sprout受け入れる（うけいれる）— to accept
• Season 3-150 What Is “Normal”? A Deep Dive into Convenience Store Woman 20.05.2026 14мин

  Apply Noriko's A Supportive, One-to-One Program Let's Read a Japanese Novel Together In this episode, I explore コンビニ人間Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata, focusing on the concept of “normality” in society. I reflect on how the protagonist, Keiko, struggles with being perceived as different from childhood and gradually learns to imitate others in order to fit in. I also discuss how her job at a convenience store provides her with structure and a sense of belonging through clear rules and manuals.As Keiko reaches her 30s, I explain how societal expectations intensify—questions about marriage, relationships, and career stability become unavoidable. I point out that these pressures are not unique to Japan, but can be found globally. Through this story, I raise an important question: can “normal” and “abnormal” truly be separated, or are they subjective and constantly shifting concepts?I also highlight the contrast between Keiko and another character, Shiraha, who is also marginalised but in a different way. By comparing them, I show how the novel deepens its critique of societal norms.Ultimately, I encourage listeners to reflect on personal happiness, social conformity, and the pressures created by cultural expectations. I emphasise that the discomfort we feel in life may not only come from ourselves, but also from society.
• Season 3-149 Sound Like a Native with Japanese Onomatopoeia オノマトペでネイティブっぽく話す 13.05.2026 16мин

  あかね的日本語教室『生活で使える日本語オノマトペ』English Summary：This episode introduces Japanese onomatopoeia through a personal story and quiz-style listening activity. Noriko describes her day off using expressions like ぶらぶら, ザーザー, ビュービュー, ゴロゴロ, and だらだら, showing how they add vivid detail and make Japanese more natural.She also reviews a practical onomatopoeia book, highlighting useful features such as manga for context, podcasts for listening practice, and a reference section for quick review. She stresses that learners should connect vocabulary to real-life experiences to truly use it, not just memorize it.Noriko encourages learners to choose study methods that suit their style and shares her own approach of starting with listening. The episode ends with a novel example featuring ピンピン, reinforcing how onomatopoeia appears in real conversations.
• Season 3-148 From “Mottainai” to “Washlet”: Japanese in Global English 06.05.2026 13мин

  In this episode, Noriko shares a mix of personal reflections, language learning experiences, and cultural insights. She begins by talking about rereading Kokoro by Natsume Soseki, noting how differently it feels compared to when she first read it years ago. Despite struggling with the old writing style, she’s determined to finish it. She also mentions her progress in learning Korean, especially improving her reading skills.The main topic focuses on Japanese words newly added to the Oxford English Dictionary. Noriko introduces several examples, such as “washlet,” “senpai,” and “mottainai,” explaining how some retain their original meanings while others evolve globally. She highlights how language reflects culture, emphasizing “mottainai” as a uniquely Japanese value now spreading worldwide.Overall, the episode blends language, culture, and personal growth in an engaging and thoughtful way.Reflective Questions（振り返り質問）あなたは昔読んだ本をもう一度読みたいと思いますか？自分と違う性格の人と話すのは好きですか？あなたの国の言葉で世界に広がっているものはありますか？Discussion Questions（ディスカッション質問）言葉が文化を表すという考えについてどう思いますか？外国語として使われるときに意味が変わることは問題だと思いますか？
• Season 3-147 Why Does Manchester Have a Bee Symbol? The Story Behind Its Beautiful Library - やさしく解説：マンチェスターのコットン産業・図書館・蜂のシンボル 29.04.2026 11мин

  Want to take your listening further? Join Japanese Together — our Podcast Conversation Club is the perfect place to discuss each episode and connect with fellow learners!💬 投げかけの質問（Discussion Questions）Manchester のどんなところに一番興味を持ちましたか？あなたの国にも「産業で発展した都市」はありますか？歴史と今がつながっている場所に行ったことがありますか？English Summary : Discover the real story of Manchester, England in this episode of Japanese with Noriko.Known for the Industrial Revolution, football, and working-class culture, Manchester is much more than its stereotypes. In this episode, I share my personal day trip experience, including the stunning John Rylands Library, one of the most beautiful libraries in the UK.Learn how Manchester became “Cottonopolis,” a global centre of the cotton industry, and how its growth was closely connected to Liverpool through trade, railways, and industry.I also explore the deeper history behind the city, including the realities of industrialisation, and explain the meaning of the famous Manchester bee symbol — a powerful symbol of hard work, resilience, and community, especially after the 2017 Manchester attack.If you are interested in UK cities, history, culture, or travel, this episode will give you a deeper perspective on Manchester.
• Season 3-146 Book Talk with Yuko 9 癒やされたい？刺激が欲しい？日本語教師2人がハマった対照的な6冊 15.04.2026 27мин

  ビートたけし『アナログ』太宰治『女生徒』九段理江『Schoolgirl』坂木司『和菓子とアン』坂木司『アンと青春』村田沙耶香『世界99上下』村田沙耶香『コンビニ人間』村田沙耶香『消滅世界』星野道夫『約束の川』村田沙耶香『消滅世界』朝井リョウ『時をかけるゆとり』In this episode of Book Talk with Yuko, Noriko and Yuko talk about several Japanese books they have recently read or want to recommend.First, Yuko introduces the novel “アナログ” by Beat Takeshi. It is a romantic story about a man and a woman who decide not to exchange contact information and instead meet at the same restaurant every Thursday. The story feels very “analog” in a digital age.Next, Noriko talks about “Schoolgirl” by Kudan Rie, a short story connected to Dazai Osamu’s “女生徒.” The story explores relationships between three generations of women and touches on modern topics like social media and environmental activism.Yuko then introduces the “An-chan series” by Sakaki Tsukasa, which takes place in a department store food basement (depachika) and features traditional Japanese sweets. The story focuses on everyday life, human relationships, and personal growth.Noriko also shares her thoughts about “世界 99” by Sayaka Murata, a dystopian novel that explores society, gender roles, and a mysterious new creature called “Pyokorun.” The book is intense and thought-provoking.For a calmer reading experience, Yuko recommends “Yakusoku no Kawa” by photographer Hoshino Michio, a book that beautifully describes nature and life in northern regions.Finally, Noriko talks about the essay “Toki wo Kakeru Yutori” by Asai Ryo, which made her laugh a lot because of its humorous stories about everyday life.They conclude by encouraging listeners to choose books depending on their mood—sometimes relaxing books, sometimes challenging ones—and invite listeners to join their Japanese Together book club.恋愛小説 — れんあいしょうせつ — romance novel連絡先 — れんらくさき — contact information現代 — げんだい — modern times会話 — かいわ — conversation表現 — ひょうげん — expression読書体験 — どくしょたいけん — reading experience世代 — せだい — generation母と娘の関係 —ははとむすめのかんけい — mother-daughter relationship環境問題 — かんきょうもんだい — environmental issues和菓子 — わがし — Japanese traditional sweetsデパ地下 — でぱちか — department store food basement主人公 — しゅじんこう — protagonist成長 — せいちょう — personal growth社会 — しゃかい — society価値観 — かちかん — values生きづらさ — いきづらさ — difficulty of living / social pressure自然 — しぜん — nature写真家 — しゃしんか — photographer描写 — びょうしゃ — description癒し — いやし — healing / comfortエッセイ — えっせい — essay日常 — にちじょう — everyday life失敗談 — しっぱいだん — story about a mistake
• Season 3-145 WHAT IS LUXURY TODAY? Choosing inconvenience in a digital world 08.04.2026 11мин

  My program : Let's read a Japanese novel 1️⃣ Short English Summary：In this episode, Noriko talks about “luxury time” and “analog experiences” in our modern digital world.She begins by sharing a recent visit to the cinema in Liverpool. The tickets and popcorn were expensive, and the movie itself was not very good. However, she realized that watching a film without checking her smartphone for two hours felt like a luxury.Noriko reflects on what “luxury” means today. For her, luxury is not expensive hotels or restaurants, but cultural experiences such as going to museums, concerts, events, or reading quietly in a café.She also talks about analog choices in a digital world. Because we are constantly connected to smartphones, the internet, and AI, many people feel information fatigue. Noriko shares how she limits her social media time and tries to reconnect with slower, more intentional experiences.For example, one of her students built a mechanical analog watch, and her husband started wearing a traditional watch again to check the time during meetings without using his phone.Noriko also joined two meetups in Liverpool: a Quiet Book Club and a philosophy discussion group. Although she is introverted, meeting people face-to-face felt refreshing and meaningful.She concludes that choosing slightly inconvenient, analog experiences—like going to the cinema, reading books, or meeting people in person—may actually be a modern form of luxury.2️⃣ Vocabulary List (for understanding the episode)贅沢（ぜいたく） — luxury文化的（ぶんかてき） — cultural特別展示（とくべつてんじ） — special exhibition情報（じょうほう） — information情報疲れ（じょうほうづかれ） — information fatigue悪循環（あくじゅんかん） — vicious cycle制限する（せいげんする） — to limit / control腕時計（うでどけい） — wristwatch部品（ぶひん） — parts / components組み立てる（くみたてる） — to assemble通知（つうち） — notification便利（べんり） — convenient不便（ふべん） — inconvenient確認する（かくにんする） — to check / confirm集まる（あつまる） — to gather実際に（じっさいに） — in reality / in person新鮮（しんせん） — fresh / new feeling体験（たいけん） — experience傾向（けいこう） — tendency選ぶ（えらぶ） — to choose
• Coffee Break with Noriko - Real Talk & Daily Thoughts 8 01.04.2026 27мин

  🎧 Episode Summary : In this Coffee Break with Noriko episode, recorded in late February 2026, Noriko shares reflections on her month.She talks about celebrating her 19th wedding anniversary at a high-end restaurant in Liverpool — delicious food, but very small portions! She also shares her disappointment about a postponed rock concert that has been rescheduled for a year later, which makes her reflect on how unpredictable life can be.A highlight of the month was reconnecting with her husband’s childhood friend, who is currently on a three-month world trip. Hearing about his journey inspires Noriko to think more seriously about travel and making the most of life while she is healthy.She also reflects on her recent reading, especially Sekai 99 by Sayaka Murata — a powerful and mentally exhausting dystopian novel — and an essay collection by Banana Yoshimoto, which reminded her to live simply, avoid excessive desire, and not expect anything in return when doing something for others.Finally, she encourages listeners to turn input into output — after listening or reading something, try summarizing it or sharing your thoughts. Small output habits can transform language learning.📚 Vocabulary List (15 Key Words)結婚記念日（けっこんきねんび）– wedding anniversary高級レストラン（こうきゅうレストラン）– high-end restaurant延期（えんき）– postponement再会（さいかい）– reunion世界一周（せかいいっしゅう）– around-the-world trip憧れる（あこがれる）– to admire / to long for中年（ちゅうねん）– middle age上下巻（じょうげかん）– two-volume set (upper and lower volumes)放心状態（ほうしんじょうたい）– state of shock / mental blankness衝撃的（しょうげきてき）– shockingエッセイ – essay欲（よく）– desire見返り（みかえり）– something in return / reward名言（めいげん）– memorable quote / wise sayingアウトプット – output (active production, e.g., speaking/writing)
• Season 3-144 Noriko’s Philosophy Playground 8 ミイラとモラル：博物館で考える3つの哲学的な質問 25.03.2026 9мин

  🎧 Short English Summary : In this episode of Philosophy Playground, Noriko reflects on a discussion she joined at a museum in Liverpool. The theme was ancient Egyptian mummies and morality. She explores three philosophical questions: Is it morally acceptable to display human remains in museums? Is a mummy still the same person who once lived? And should we judge ancient cultures by today’s moral standards? There are no correct answers. The purpose of this episode is to think deeply and respectfully about history, identity, and human dignity.道徳（どうとく）– morality遺体（いたい）– human remains, corpse展示（てんじ）– exhibition, display敬意（けいい）– respect尊厳（そんげん）– dignity価値観（かちかん）– values判断する（はんだんする）– to judge基準（きじゅん）– standard, criterion意識（いしき）– consciousness宗教観（しゅうきょうかん）– religious belief, view of religion
• Japanese Brain-Friendly Coaching 6: Progress Is Not Perfection: Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone コンフォートゾーンの外で脳は育つ 18.03.2026 10мин

  🌿 English Summary: In this episode of the Japanese Brain Friendly Coaching Series, Noriko talks about what really happens to your brain when you step outside your comfort zone. She shares her recent experience attending a philosophy discussion meetup in Liverpool. As a non-native English speaker, she felt nervous and unsure, especially in a fast-paced group of native speakers. However, by participating, sharing her opinion, and staying in the conversation, she experienced a strong sense of achievement.Noriko explains that progress is not about becoming perfect. It is about gently stepping into slightly uncomfortable situations. Moderate nervousness is not harmful. In fact, it helps the brain grow. By repeating these small challenges in a safe environment, we train our brain to handle real-life conversations more calmly.She encourages listeners not to wait until they feel fully confident or “ready.” Growth begins when we take one small step outside our comfort zone.1. コンフォートゾーン安心していられる、自分にとって楽な環境や状態。2. 抜け出す（ぬけだす）今いる場所や状態から出ること。3. 哲学ディスカッション（てつがく）人生や価値観などについて意見を交換する話し合い。4. 初対面（しょたいめん）初めて会うこと。5. ネイティブスピーカーその言語を母語として話す人。6. 聞き取る（ききとる）話している内容を理解する。7. 達成感（たっせいかん）やりとげたときに感じる満足感。8. 進歩（しんぽ）少しずつ良くなること。上達すること。9. 準備（じゅんび）前もって用意すること。10. 緊張（きんちょう）ドキドキして体や心がかたくなること。11. 慣れる（なれる）経験をくり返して自然にできるようになること。12. 適度（てきど）ちょうどよい程度。強すぎないこと。13. 安全な雰囲気（あんぜん な ふんいき）安心できる空気や環境。14. 足を踏み出す（あしを ふみだす）新しいことに挑戦する。15. 完璧（かんぺき）まちがいがなく、完全であること。
• Season 3-143 聞く人が会話をつくる - Be a Better Listener 11.03.2026 12мин

  English Summary : In this episode, Noriko talks about the importance of listening in communication, inspired by the bestselling book 人は聞き方が９割 by Shigehisa Nagamatsu.Many language learners feel pressure to speak well, say smart things, or avoid mistakes. But this episode shifts the focus from speaking to listening. According to the book, good communicators are not those who talk the most, but those who make others feel comfortable and heard.Noriko reflects on her own experiences in Japanese, English, and podcast conversations, and explains why the listener is the true main character of a conversation. She introduces the idea of “魔法の傾聴 （まほうのけいちょう）” and shares five key listening behaviours. Finally, Noriko encourages Japanese learners to stop worrying so much about perfect grammar or vocabulary and to focus on listening with genuine interest and asking simple, thoughtful questions. By doing so, conversations can become more natural, relaxed, and enjoyable.聞き方｜ききかた｜way of listening聞く力｜きくちから｜listening skills会話の主役｜かいわ の しゅやく｜main character of a conversation聞き手｜ききて｜listener安心感｜あんしんかん｜sense of security, feeling of safetyうなずき｜nodding相づち｜あいづち｜verbal listening responses否定しない｜ひていしない｜not to deny, not to reject受け止める｜うけとめる｜to accept, to take in質問を投げかける｜しつもん を なげかける｜to ask questions, to prompt with questions
• Season 3-142 Book Talk with Yuko 8 Reading, Taking Notes, and Learning Along the Way (📘 本を読む、メモを取る、考え続ける — 読書と学びのあいだで) 04.03.2026 29мин

  宮島未奈『成瀬は天下を取りにいく』宮島未奈『成瀬は信じた道をいく』宮島未奈『成瀬は都を駆け抜ける』宮島未奈『婚活マエストロ』新書齋藤孝『思考を整えるメモ力』中林くみこ 『独学で英語を話せるようになった人がやっていること』 齋藤孝『こども孫子の兵法』滝沢 カレン（たきざわ カレン）日本のモデル・タレント片山 龍峯（聞き手）、姉崎等（あねざきひとし・狩人）『クマにあったらどうするか』外山滋比古（とやま しげひこ）『思考の整理学』稲垣 えみ子『老後とピアノ』夏目漱石『こころ』太宰治『人間失格』English Summary In this episode of Book Talk with Yuko, we talk about reading during a slump and how books still leave traces even when we can’t fully immerse ourselves.From novel series and essays to non-fiction, we reflect on taking notes, thinking through reading, and continuing to learn along the way. It’s a gentle conversation about reading as a process, not a goal.🎧 Listener Questions｜リスナーさんへの質問① 読書スランプについて🇯🇵最近、読書スランプを感じたことはありますか？そのとき、どんな本を手に取りましたか？🇬🇧Have you experienced a reading slump recently? What kind of book did you pick up during that time?② メモと読書🇯🇵本を読むとき、メモを取りますか？記憶に残った言葉を心の中にとどめるタイプですか？🇬🇧Do you take notes when you read? Or do you prefer to keep meaningful words in your memory?③ 学びのプロセスについて🇯🇵「ゴール」よりも「過程」が大切だと感じた経験はありますか？それは、読書や学びの中でのどんな場面でしたか？🇬🇧Have you ever felt that the process mattered more than the goal? In what situation—reading or learning—did you feel that way?
• Season 3-141 生きているかぎり青春 With Yasuyo 25.02.2026 16мин

  In this episode, Noriko continues her conversation with Yasuyo, reflecting on a deeply inspiring trip to Japan. Yasuyo shares how meeting the works and philosophies of artists and architects she admires renewed her energy and outlook on life.They talk about creators who stayed active well into old age, including Saburo Yunoki and Tadao Ando, and reflect on the powerful idea that youth is not about age, but about continuing to create, challenge, and feel curiosity.The conversation explores how art, travel, and music can awaken our senses, lift us during moments of self-doubt, and remind us to live with gratitude. The episode closes with a warm reminder to say out loud, “I’m happy right now,” and to keep passing inspiration forward — because as long as we’re alive, it’s still youth.青春｜せいしゅん｜youth生きている限り｜いきているかぎり｜as long as one is alive現役｜げんえき｜active (still working), in service生涯現役｜しょうがい げんえき｜active for one’s entire life尊敬する｜そんけいする｜to respect, to admire人生の先輩｜じんせい の せんぱい｜life mentor, senior in life生き方｜いきかた｜way of living, life philosophy作品｜さくひん｜work (of art), creation展覧会｜てんらんかい｜exhibitionインスピレーション｜いんすぴれーしょん｜inspiration挑戦｜ちょうせん｜challenge年齢｜ねんれい｜age言い訳｜いいわけ｜excuse前向き｜まえむき｜positive, forward-looking直感｜ちょっかん｜intuition旅のハイライト｜たび の はいらいと｜highlight of a trip縁｜えん｜connection, fate, bond縁結び｜えんむすび｜bringing connections together感覚を呼び覚ます｜かんかく を よびさます｜to awaken the senses循環する｜じゅんかんする｜to circulate, to pass on
• Coffee Break with Noriko - Real Talk & Daily Thoughts 7 18.02.2026 25мин

  📌 ポッドキャスト理解のためのキーワード（10語）スロースタート ー すろーすたーと ー a slow start調子が出る ー ちょうし が でる ー to get into a good rhythm / to feel back on track積読 ー つんどく ー buying books and not reading them (book pile-up)読書量 ー どくしょりょう ー the amount of reading one does現実逃避 ー げんじつとうひ ー escape from reality道草を食う ー みちくさ を くう ー to take a detour / to get sidetracked寄り道 ー よりみち ー stopping somewhere on the way / a detour急がば回れ ー いそがば まわれ ー more haste, less speed / slow down to go further初心忘るべからず ー しょしん わするべからず ー never forget you are still learning / stay humble as a learner仕組み ー しくみ ー a system or structure (that helps you continue)a system / structure (that helps you continue)Summary (English) In this episode, Noriko shares a relaxed January reflection. She talks about starting 2026 slowly, focusing on reading, writing, and consistency rather than rushing for results. She reflects on reducing her unread book pile, reading across multiple languages and formats, and finding comfort in books amid overwhelming news. Noriko also explores Japanese expressions like michikusa o kuu (taking detours) and isogaba maware (slow down to go further), linking them to language learning and life. The episode highlights the value of small, steady habits, showing up regularly, and finding joy in everyday moments.