Best Podcasts for Learning Japanese on Your Commute

21/02/2025

Let’s be real—finding time to study Japanese can be tough. Between work, school, and life in general, sitting down with a textbook isn’t always an option. But you know what is an option? Turning your daily commute into a language-learning session with podcasts.

Whether you’re stuck in traffic, crammed into a rush-hour train, or just pretending to listen to your coworkers while wearing headphones, a good Japanese-learning podcast can help you squeeze in some extra study time.

Here’s a roundup of the best podcasts to improve your Japanese while on the move.

🎙️ Beginner-Friendly Podcasts

1. Learn Japanese Pod

⭐ Best for: Casual learners who want natural conversations
🔹 Why you’ll love it:

Hosted by Alex and a rotating cast of Japanese speakers
Focuses on real-life Japanese conversations
Covers cultural insights and slang
Engaging and fun, with a mix of English and Japanese

2. JapanesePod101

⭐ Best for: Structured learning with bite-sized lessons
🔹 Why you’ll love it:

One of the most comprehensive resources out there
Lessons range from absolute beginner to advanced
Explains grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation clearly
Frequent repetition to reinforce learning

🔺 Downside: There’s a paid version with extra content, but the free episodes are still solid.

3. Nihongo Con Teppei (Beginner Edition)

⭐ Best for: Immersion-style learning for beginners
🔹 Why you’ll love it:

Hosted by a Japanese teacher who speaks slow and clear
Entirely in Japanese, but simple enough to follow
Helps build listening skills through repetition
Short episodes (around 5-10 minutes)

🎧 Intermediate-Level Podcasts

4. Nihongo Con Teppei (Intermediate Edition)

⭐ Best for: Learners transitioning to full-Japanese content
🔹 Why you’ll love it:

Same host as the beginner version but at a faster pace
Uses natural Japanese with simple explanations
Great for training your ears to real spoken Japanese

5. Small Talk in Japanese

⭐ Best for: Natural, unscripted conversations
🔹 Why you’ll love it:

Two native speakers chat about daily life and culture
Real, casual Japanese (including slang and idioms)
Good for training your ears to informal speech
Transcripts available for extra study

🔺 Warning: No English explanations—this is full immersion!

6. Let’s Talk in Japanese!

⭐ Best for: Learners who like structured yet natural conversations
🔹 Why you’ll love it:

Hosted by a Japanese teacher
Entirely in Japanese, but spoken clearly and naturally
Focuses on storytelling and explanations of culture

🔥 Advanced-Level Podcasts

7. ひいきびいき (Hiikibiiki)

⭐ Best for: Understanding casual, unscripted Japanese
🔹 Why you’ll love it:

Two friends casually chat about random topics
Slang, humor, and everyday speech patterns
No structured lessons—just pure immersion

🔺 Caution: No transcripts, no English, just raw Japanese. You’ve been warned.

8. バイリンガルニュース (Bilingual News)

⭐ Best for: Expanding vocabulary on current events
🔹 Why you’ll love it:

Bilingual format (one host speaks English, the other Japanese)
Covers science, politics, and pop culture
Great for picking up advanced vocab naturally

9. NHK News Web Easy

⭐ Best for: Understanding the news in Japanese
🔹 Why you’ll love it:

Simplified news broadcasts from NHK
Clear pronunciation, slower speech
Transcripts available on their website

🔺 Pro tip: Pair this with the NHK News Web Easy website for reading practice!

🚀 Pro Tips for Learning with Podcasts

Shadowing: Repeat what the speaker says right after hearing it. This improves pronunciation and fluency.
Transcripts & Notes: If available, read along to reinforce comprehension.
Passive vs. Active Listening: Sometimes, just letting Japanese play in the background helps. Other times, focus hard on every word. Switch it up!
Repeat Episodes: Re-listening helps reinforce vocabulary and catch words you missed.
Use a Notebook: Jot down new words or phrases and try using them in daily life.

🎯 Final Thoughts

Podcasts are a fantastic way to absorb Japanese on the go. Whether you’re just starting out or aiming for fluency, there’s a podcast for you. The key is consistency—listen daily, even if it’s just for 5-10 minutes.

So next time you’re stuck in traffic or packed into a crowded train, throw on a podcast and turn your commute into a Japanese lesson. 頑張ってね🚄!🎧🧠

Best Podcasts for Learning Japanese on Your Commute