Welcome to First Japanese with Kimi. This podcast is for complete beginners, especially if you’re planning a trip to Japan or starting from zero. Learn simple, practical Japanese with easy English explanations and build confidence step by step. Book a lesson with me on italki: https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/6340545
2026年9月29日 · 4:12
Do you sometimes say “taberu no toki” or “iku no toki” in Japanese? 🤔 In this short episode, we’ll look at one small but very common mistake with とき (toki) , meaning “when” or…
2026年9月26日 · 6:04
You probably already know that Monday is getsuyoubi and Tuesday is kayoubi . But have you ever wondered why? The Japanese days of the week have some surprisingly interesting…
2026年9月24日 · 5:27
When a Japanese person asks you “Where are you from?” , do you know exactly what they mean? 🤔 In Japanese, there are several ways to ask this question, such as: どちらから きたんですか？どの…
2026年9月22日 · 8:13
Talking to someone you know? How do you start a conversation naturally in Japanese? 🇯🇵 In this episode, we’ll learn some simple, useful phrases for starting a conversation with…
2026年9月19日 · 6:57
Talking about the weather is one of the easiest ways to start a casual conversation in Japanese! ☀️🌧️ In this episode, we’ll learn some basic weather words like: Hare = sunny…
2026年9月17日 · 6:21
Have you ever tried all-you-can-eat or all-you-can-drink in Japan? 🇯🇵 Today, let’s talk about two useful Japanese words you may hear when traveling in Japan: Tabehoudai =…
2026年9月16日 · 4:23
Can you understand this short Japanese conversation? 🇯🇵 Today, I have a little Japanese listening challenge for you! I’ll speak Japanese for a short time, and then explain in…
2026年9月14日 · 5:07
Want to sound more natural when speaking Japanese? Sometimes, it’s not about using complicated Japanese. It’s about the little reactions you use while listening. In this short…
2026年9月11日 · 8:16
How do Japanese people react when they’re surprised? 😲🇯🇵 In this episode, we look at some very common Japanese reactions you’ll hear in everyday conversations, dramas, and…
2026年9月10日 · 9:58
How do you say “VERY” in Japanese? If you learned totemo for “very,” that’s correct — but in real Japanese, you’ll hear many other expressions too! In this episode, we look at:…
2026年9月9日 · 7:30
How do you say “Good luck!” or “Do your best!” in Japanese? 🇯🇵 In today’s episode, we’re learning how Japanese people encourage and support others using the word ganbaru .…
2026年9月8日 · 7:36
What do you say in Japanese when someone is sick, injured, or not feeling well? 🇯🇵 In today’s episode, we’re learning useful and natural Japanese phrases to say when someone…
2026年9月7日 · 9:23
When do you say “omedetou” in Japanese? 🇯🇵 In today’s episode, we’re learning useful Japanese phrases for celebrations and congratulations! We’ll practice natural phrases for…
2026年9月6日 · 8:43
Can you understand Japanese without translating every single word? 🇯🇵 In today’s Japanese Challenge, I speak in simple Japanese at a natural speed. Don’t worry if you don’t…
2026年9月4日 · 10:28
Today, we’re talking about self-service gas stations in Japan! 🚗⛽ In the previous episodes, we talked about full-service gas stations and practiced some useful Japanese phrases.…
2026年9月3日 · 8:10
Practice useful Japanese phrases for visiting a full-service gas station in Japan! In Episode 101, we learned practical Japanese for ordering gas, choosing how much you want,…
2026年9月2日 · 7:27
Welcome to Episode 101! 🚗⛽️In this episode, we practice real, natural Japanese conversation at a Full-service gas station ! No textbooks, just super practical phrases you can…
2026年9月1日 · 16:28
Episode 100! 🎉 Thank you so much for listening! Today, I’m talking about language learning and why I believe there is no single perfect way to learn a language. I’m also sharing…
2026年9月1日 · 4:40
“Shumi wa nan desu ka?” — “What are your hobbies?” This is perfectly correct Japanese. But did you know that it can sometimes sound a little formal — and even a little like…
2026年8月31日 · 8:49
Practice talking about the future in Japanese! 🇯🇵 In this practice episode, we’ll review three common ways to talk about future plans: ～ます～つもりです～よていです For example: Raishuu,…
2026年8月30日 · 11:19
Learn how to talk about the future in Japanese! 🇯🇵 In this episode, we look at three natural ways to talk about future plans: 〜ます — simple future plans 〜つもりです — your intention…
2026年8月28日 · 8:50
Practice the nai form in natural, everyday Japanese! In this episode, we first practice basic verb pairs: taberu → tabenaiiku → ikanainomu → nomanaikau → kawanaimiru → minai…
2026年8月26日 · 8:26
Learn the Japanese nai form , one of the most useful ways to make verbs negative. In this episode, we practice useful everyday verbs like: taberu → tabenaiiku → ikanainomu →…
2026年8月25日 · 8:25
Yahho, Kimi desu! 👋 This is the practice episode for EP94 , where we learned how to use node to give a reason. If you haven’t listened to EP94 yet, I recommend listening to that…
2026年8月24日 · 7:15
Yahho, Kimi desu! 👋 Today we’re taking a closer look at the Japanese grammar pattern node . We use node to give a reason, similar to “because” or “so” in English. For example:…
2026年8月23日 · 12:24
Yahho, Kimi desu! 👋 This is a practice episode for EP92 , where we learned the Japanese grammar pattern 〜たり〜たりします (tari tari shimasu) . If you haven’t listened to EP92 yet, I…
2026年8月22日 · 10:01
Today, we’re taking a closer look at a very useful Japanese grammar pattern: 〜たり〜たりします (tari tari shimasu) This pattern is often used when you want to give examples of things you…
2026年8月21日 · 7:02
Today’s episode is another Japanese Challenge ! 🇯🇵 We’ve been talking about medical Japanese in the last few episodes, so today we’re going to use some of those expressions in…
2026年8月20日 · 13:22
Today, we’re talking about Japanese hospitals ! 🏥🇯🇵 Nihon no byouin tte donna kanji? Yoyaku wa iru? Dono ka ni ikeba ii? Monshin-hyou tte nani? Sensei wa eigo o hanaseru? I’ll…
2026年8月19日 · 9:21
Today, we’re going to learn some useful Japanese for buying medicine at a drugstore in Japan. In the last episodes, we learned how to talk about common symptoms. In this episode,…
2026年8月17日 · 6:36
Today, let’s practice some useful Japanese expressions for talking about when you don’t feel well. In this episode, you’ll practice phrases like: Kaze o hikimashita. — I caught a…
2026年8月16日 · 8:03
Today, we’re learning some useful Japanese expressions for talking about when you don’t feel well. We’ll practice everyday expressions like: Kaze o hikimashita. — I caught a…
2026年8月14日 · 8:00
Today, we’re practicing the Japanese Te-form ! First, we’ll practice changing everyday verbs into the Te-form : kaeru → kaettetsukuru → tsukuttenomu → nondetaberu → tabetesuru →…
2026年8月13日 · 9:58
Today, we’re taking a closer look at the Japanese て-form ! In the previous episode, I talked about my daily life in Japanese and used the て-form many times: Asagohan o tsukutte,…
2026年8月12日 · 10:15
In this episode, it’s another Japanese Only Challenge ! This time, I’m talking about my daily life in Japanese. First, listen to me talk at a normal speed. Then, I’ll say it…
2026年8月10日 · 6:30
I’ve noticed that I feel like a slightly different version of myself when I speak another language. In this episode, I talk about cultural differences between Japan and…
2026年8月9日 · 10:10
Practice Japanese with useful everyday phrases for “wear” and “take off.” In Japanese, we use different verbs depending on what you are wearing or taking off. For example: fuku o…
2026年8月8日 · 8:32
In this episode, we continue from the previous episode about “wear” and “put on” in Japanese. In English, we often use “take off,” but in Japanese, the verb changes depending on…
2026年8月7日 · 8:08
In today’s episode, you’ll learn one of the most common beginner mistakes in Japanese! English uses wear or put on , but Japanese changes the verb depending on what you’re…
2026年8月6日 · 10:04
EP79 Practice episode! Today, we practice imashita (いました) and arimashita (ありました) . In this episode, you will practice sentences like: Disneyland ni takusan hito ga imashita.…
2026年8月5日 · 6:59
YAHOO! Kimi desu 😊 Today’s episode is the continuation of EP75: there is / there are in Japanese. In this episode, we will learn the past forms: imashita = there was / there…
2026年8月4日 · 4:36
Many Japanese learners know that 「すごい」 (sugoi) means “great.” But did you know that Japanese people don’t use すごい every time English speakers say “That’s great!” ? In this…
2026年8月3日 · 9:20
Practice あります (arimasu) and います (imasu) with this beginner-friendly Japanese lesson! In this practice episode, we’ll do: ✅ Round 1 – Repeat after me (English → Japanese) ✅ Round…
2026年8月2日 · 7:24
In this episode, we’ll learn the difference between あります (arimasu) and います (imasu) . These words are often translated as “there is / there are,” but in real Japanese they can…
2026年7月31日 · 8:29
Today’s episode is another Japanese Only Challenge ! This time, let’s learn about Japan’s four seasons (shiki) using simple Japanese. First, listen at natural speed. Then, we’ll…
2026年7月30日 · 5:01
Did you know that Japanese 「ストレート」 doesn’t always mean English “straight” ? In this episode, we talk about how Japanese people use ストレート , and how it’s different from English.…
2026年7月29日 · 8:04
Practice 〜ています and 〜ていました with me! In this episode, we’ll practice one of the most useful Japanese patterns through repetition and speaking. 🎧 Round 1: Listen and repeat. 🎧…
2026年7月28日 · 5:29
Today, let’s learn one of the most useful Japanese grammar patterns: 〜te imasu (ています) Many learners think 〜te imasu is only used like English “-ing.” Sometimes that’s true… But…
2026年7月27日 · 9:58
Today’s episode is a special Japanese only listening challenge! Can you understand Japanese without English? In this episode, I will introduce myself only in Japanese. I will…
2026年7月26日 · 2:22
Practice real Japanese with Kimi! 🇯🇵 Today’s episode is a short one! It’s been a busy weekend with my kids, so I didn’t have time to make a longer episode. But I still wanted…
2026年7月24日 · 7:31
Today, we’re doing something a little different. It’s a Japanese Katakana Quiz! Katakana is one of the three Japanese writing systems: hiragana, katakana, and kanji. Katakana is…
2026年7月23日 · 5:04
Does pitch accent really matter when learning Japanese? Should beginners focus on pronunciation, or is grammar and vocabulary more important? In this episode, I share my personal…
2026年7月22日 · 8:31
Practice Japanese with Kimi! This is the practice episode for Episode 64 . Today we’ll practice how to answer one of the most useful Japanese conversation patterns: ”…ta koto ga…
2026年7月21日 · 6:14
In this episode, you’ll learn how to answer one of the most useful Japanese conversation patterns: ”…ta koto ga arimasu ka?” (“Have you ever…?”) Instead of answering with only…
2026年7月19日 · 7:33
This is the practice episode for Episode 62 . In this episode, we’ll practice one of the most useful Japanese conversation patterns: ”…ta koto ga arimasu ka?” It means: “Have you…
2026年7月18日 · 8:25
In this episode, you’ll learn one of the most useful conversation patterns in Japanese: ”…ta koto ga arimasu ka?” It means: “Have you ever…?” Japanese people use this pattern all…
2026年7月17日 · 7:58
Practice Japanese with Kimi! This is the practice episode for Episode 60 . In this episode, we’ll practice useful Japanese expressions for talking about hot, cold, and warm .…
2026年7月16日 · 6:53
Welcome back to YAHOO! First Japanese with Kimi ! 🎉 Episode 60! Yay! Thank you so much for listening and learning Japanese with me. I can’t believe we have already reached 60…
2026年7月15日 · 7:03
Practice useful Japanese phrases that you can use in online lessons! In this episode, you’ll review practical expressions like: • もういちど おねがいします (One more time, please.) • わかりました…
2026年7月14日 · 6:04
In this episode, we’ll learn useful Japanese phrases that you can use in almost every Japanese lesson — and also in everyday conversations. Have you ever missed what your teacher…
2026年7月13日 · 7:09
How do Japanese people talk about their husband or wife? In this practice episode, you’ll learn how to use: つま (wife) おくさん (someone else’s wife) だんな (husband) だんなさん しゅじん おっと…
2026年7月12日 · 8:11
In today’s Coffee Break episode, let’s talk about something that surprises many Japanese learners! How do Japanese people say husband and wife ? You’ll hear words like: しゅじん…
2026年7月11日 · 7:08
🎙️ Episode 55 – Family Words Practice! Let’s practice the family vocabulary from Episode 54! In this episode, you’ll practice how to introduce your own family and how to…
2026年7月10日 · 5:12
Have you ever wondered why Japanese has so many different words for family members? In this episode, we talk about the real Japanese words people use for family—and when to use…
2026年7月9日 · 6:17
Practice speaking natural Japanese by expressing what you like, love, dislike, and what you’re not interested in. This is the practice episode for Episode 52. We’ll review useful…
2026年7月8日 · 5:38
Have you ever noticed that Japanese people rarely say “I hate it” directly? In this episode, we’ll explore how Japanese people naturally express likes and dislikes in everyday…
2026年7月7日 · 6:44
Ready to practice Japanese taste words? In this practice episode, we’ll review the vocabulary from Episode 50 and practice using it in real Japanese sentences. Today’s practice…
2026年7月6日 · 6:35
In this episode, we’ll learn some of the most useful Japanese words for describing food and flavors! Today’s vocabulary: あまい (sweet) からい (spicy) すっぱい (sour) にがい (bitter) You’ll…
2026年7月5日 · 7:52
In this episode, Kimi shares a small but very important cultural difference in Japanese conversation: why people rarely use “anata,” and how they actually call each other in real…
2026年7月2日 · 6:21
In this practice episode, you’ll review Japanese supermarket vocabulary while practicing simple, useful sentences. Today’s vocabulary: 🥬 やさい (vegetables) 🍅 とまと (tomato) 🥒 きゅうり…
2026年7月2日 · 7:45
Today we’re taking a tour through a Japanese supermarket! Learn useful Japanese vocabulary for vegetables, meat, bread, milk, and more while discovering some fun cultural…
2026年7月1日 · 8:00
Ready to sound more natural in Japanese? In this practice episode, we’ll practice one of the most important parts of real Japanese conversation: aizuchi (listener responses).…
2026年6月30日 · 6:13
Practice the Japanese particle 「で」 with real examples! In this episode you’ll practice using 「で」 for places where actions happen and transportation. You’ll practice sentences…
2026年6月29日 · 6:13
In this episode, we learn “aizuchi.” These are small listening responses that Japanese people use all the time during conversations. You don’t always need to stay silent when…
2026年6月25日 · 4:36
In this episode, you’ll learn how to use the Japanese particle で . So far we’ve learned: を (object) に (destination) Now it’s time to learn で , which is used for: places where…
2026年6月24日 · 6:13
In this Imagination Japanese episode, you’ll practice a real travel situation at a Japanese train station. Imagine you’re standing in a busy station and need to find the correct…
2026年6月23日 · 7:51
Today we’ll practice checking into a hotel in Japan. This episode is a little different from previous Imagination Japanese episodes. The hotel staff uses real Japanese…
2026年6月22日 · 6:04
Imagine you’re in a Japanese café with your partner. Can you order drinks and food in Japanese? In this Situation Japanese episode, you’ll practice listening, guessing from…
2026年6月21日 · 7:09
Today we try a different kind of Japanese practice. Instead of translating English into Japanese, you’ll imagine a real situation and react in Japanese. You walk into a…
2026年6月20日 · 7:30
Let’s practice Japanese past tense sentences using common past time words: きのう (yesterday) せんしゅう (last week) せんげつ (last month) きょねん (last year) In this practice episode, you’ll…
2026年6月19日 · 3:38
Today we’ll learn useful Japanese time words for talking about the past: きのう (yesterday) せんしゅう (last week) せんげつ (last month) きょねん (last year) You’ll learn: how to talk about when…
2026年6月18日 · 5:29
Today is a practice episode for: 〜ました the Japanese past tense. In this episode, we’ll practice sentences such as: にほんしゅを のみました こうちゃを のみました ふじさんを みました テレビを みました ラーメンを たべました てんぷらを…
2026年6月17日 · 4:55
Today we learn one of the most useful Japanese grammar patterns: 〜ました The Japanese past tense. If you already know: たべます のみます いきます みます then you’re very close! Simply changing ます…
2026年6月16日 · 6:20
Have you ever wondered why Japanese convenience stores are so famous? In this episode, we talk about Japanese コンビニ (convenience stores) and why they are so useful for travelers.…
2026年6月15日 · 7:11
Today is our first Japanese conversation practice episode! Everything in this conversation uses words, phrases, and grammar we’ve already learned in previous episodes. Let’s see…
2026年6月13日 · 6:36
やっほー！ きみです。 This is a practice episode. If you haven’t listened to EP 31 yet, please start there first. In this episode, we’ll practice: まいにち (every day) まいあさ (every morning) よく…
2026年6月12日 · 3:14
In this episode, we continue our ます series and learn four very useful frequency words that Japanese people use every day. Today’s words: • まいにち (every day) • まいあさ (every morning)…
2026年6月11日 · 4:42
きょうは れんしゅう の エピソード です。 In this episode: • listening practice • repeat after me • English to Japanese practice • common Japanese sentence patterns Practice sentences like: • コーヒーを…
2026年6月10日 · 3:48
きょうは 〜を 〜ます の ぶんを れんしゅうします。 In this episode: • simple Japanese sentences • using を with verbs • common travel Japanese • useful daily phrases Examples: • コーヒーを のみます • すしを たべます •…
2026年6月9日 · 4:02
きょうは ます について はなします。 In this episode: • polite Japanese verb forms • how ます works • Japanese vowel patterns • う verbs and る verbs We also practice useful verbs like: • いきます • たべます…
2026年6月8日 · 3:07
きょうは あいうえお について はなします。 In this episode: • Japanese vowel sounds • あいうえお patterns • why ます form feels confusing sometimes • how Japanese verb sounds change We also talk about: •…
2026年6月7日 · 4:08
きょうは にほんの コーヒーぶんか について はなします。 In this episode: • vending machines in Japan • コンビニ coffee • ブレンドコーヒー • アメリカンコーヒー • hot and cold canned coffee We also talk about: • black coffee in…
2026年6月5日 · 2:34
きょうは おつかれさまです を しょうかい します。 おつかれさまです is one of the most common Japanese phrases, but it does not have a direct English translation. Japanese people use it: • at work • when saying…
2026年6月4日 · 3:38
きょうは じゃないです and くないです を れんしゅう します。 Examples: アメリカじんじゃないです げんきじゃないです あつくないです In this episode, we practice simple negative Japanese patterns for beginners. We also talk about: • な…
2026年6月3日 · 3:37
Learn how to make simple Japanese questions using: か？ In this episode, we practice: • げんきですか？ • にほんじんですか？ • せんせいですか？ You’ll also learn: • the difference between げんきですか？ and げんき？…
2026年6月2日 · 3:28
In this episode, I talk a little about my thoughts on language learning. Why are YOU learning Japanese? For travel? For friends? For work? For anime or manga? For JLPT? I share…
2026年6月2日 · 4:23
Learn one of the most important Japanese patterns: です and でした In this episode, we practice simple Japanese for introducing yourself and talking about everyday things. Examples: •…
2026年5月31日 · 4:20
Learn useful Japanese for restaurants and food questions in Japan! In this episode: • これは なんですか？ • おにくは はいっていますか？ • さかなですか？ • やさいですか？ • わたしは こむぎ あれるぎーです You’ll also learn: • おにく…
2026年5月31日 · 3:42
Learn how to order food and drinks with sizes in Japanese! In this episode: • Lさいずの こーらを ひとつ おねがいします • Mさいずの あめりかんこーひーを ひとつ おねがいします • なみもりの ぎゅうどんを ひとつ おねがいします • おおもりの らーめんを ひとつ…
2026年5月30日 · 3:48
Learn how Japanese people talk about sizes in real life! In this episode: • Sさいず / Mさいず / Lさいず • おおもり • なみもり • しょうらいす You’ll also learn why “large size” sometimes does NOT work…
