Featured posts
Ningen Dock: Japan's Full-Body Health Checkup #329
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18 min read
人間ドックを受けてきました！So what do you think it actually means? Maybe some of you are thinking "human and dog." I went for one recently, and in this episode I talk through the whole morning — the changing room, the tests, and the one I'd rather not do again!😭
The Negi Pile-Up: When "Free" Becomes a Gray Area With もしもしゆうすけ #328
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11 min read
無料トッピングってどこまでいいの?😳 It started with a mountain of negi (green onions) Piled onto a bowl of udon! Yusuke and I get into free toppings, unwritten rules, and whether common sense is quietly fading from everyday life in Japan.
Is Saving Money a Hobby or a Lifestyle?
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6 min read
節約は趣味・生き方？😳 We get real: the fear of spending, purchases we still regret, and the time I haggled a shop owner into submission in an Indian market. My guest? He's never quite picked up that skill😜
The Little Happy Moments We Never Talk About #327
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13 min read
ほっこり日和の紹介🍵 We all have those little happy moments — too small to mention, but they quietly make your day. So I built a quiet website to collect them: short true stories, from my life and people I've met. No likes, no sharing — just the moments, and a gentle read for learners too!
Bureiko, Shirafu, and Nominication: How Japan Bonds Over Drinks #326
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18 min read
お酒とコーヒー、飲めなくなるならどっち！？If you had to give up alcohol or coffee forever, which would you choose? My answer took about ten seconds — so I went deeper: bureiko, shirafu, nominication, and two real stories about what happens to your friendships when you stop drinking.
Udon or Ramen? What Fukuoka Locals Actually Eat #325
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17 min read
I grew up in Kagawa,Japan's famous "Udon Prefecture" but now I live in Fukuoka, a city known worldwide for ramen. So I started asking locals: udon or ramen? In this episode, I talk about Fukuoka's deep udon culture, the mysterious noodles and my secret way of ordering at a beloved local chain!
Is AI Becoming Our New God? (Modern Faith, Part 2) with YUYU #324
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16 min read
In part 2 of this series, YUYU asks me a question that stuck with me: is AI becoming our new god? We talk about relying on ChatGPT for advice, why that can be a little dangerous, and how much of our own thinking we're quietly outsourcing to AI these days.
Is 'Oshikatsu' Japan's New Religion? (Modern Faith, Part 1) with YUYU #323
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12 min read
Do Japanese people actually believe in anything? In part 1 of this series, YUYU and I talk about shrine visits, why morals and religion don't always go together in Japan, and how modern "oshikatsu" (idol worship) might be filling a spiritual gap most of us don't talk about.
Snorkeling, Kayaking & Sea Turtles! A Perfect Day in Miyako-jima 🏝️with Miku
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7 min read
A day trip to Miyako-jima with Miku! We started with snorkeling in crystal-clear water (and spotted two sea turtles 🐢), then paddled a kayak even a clear one for the best photos all the way to a hidden beach and mangrove forest. So much fun, so much sun!
Umi no Hi: A Taste of Japanese Summer #322
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20 min read
海の日🌊It's Umi no Hi (Marine Day) here in Japan, and I'm celebrating with everything that makes a Japanese summer feel like summer: umi biraki (the official beach-opening ceremony), nostalgic snacks at umi no ie (beach huts), and a quiet rule about the sea that most Japanese people just know 🌊
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Join SayuriSaying for weekly insights into Japanese culture and language, perfect for intermediate learners and cultural enthusiasts. Enjoy solo episodes and guest features covering everything from social norms to deep cultural concepts. Silver Penguin members and above get access to video podcasts with subtitles and easy-to-copy transcripts (with or without furigana)
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