Join the community!

Get your daily dose of Japanese language learning with Sayuri!

Learn more

The Power of Smiles: Cultural Perspectives and Personal Experiences #234

Breaking Barriers: From Formality to Friendship with Miku #230

Embracing the Countryside: My Favorite Way to Travel in Japan #211

8 Reasons Fukuoka Won Me Over #317

tiers – 12 min read

福岡に引っ越した理由！I moved from Osaka but why Fukuoka? In this episode, I walk you through the 8 reasons I chose my new home. I'll share exactly what I was looking for in a place to live. Whether you're thinking about moving or not, this one might make you picture your own ideal life🥰

Jun 15, 2026

Sweat or Sake: The Two Ways to Make Friends After 30 with YUYU #316

tiers – 20 min read

大人になってからの友達って？についてYUYUさんと話しました☺️I came back from a yoga retreat in India with new friends and a theory. YUYU and I talk about why adults make friends through sweat or sake, and what the Japanese idea of goen (ご縁 — fated connection) has to do with letting go.

Jun 8, 2026

I Zigzagged. It Zigzagged Back.

paid – 4 min read

My guest Moshimoshi Yusuke went camping in the mountains⛰️ He got warned about wild boars, then actually ran into one. He tried the escape advice he'd been given. It did not go as planned. Short, funny, and full of natural Japanese you can actually use!

Jun 4, 2026

Perfect Japanese Isn't the Point: What I Learned About Language in India #315

tiers – 17 min read

インドから考える言語と日本文化について🇮🇳🇯🇵 I'm recording this one from Kerala, India a place with four languages in a single state. Something I noticed here connected to a surprising story back in Japan. One involving a friend, a sake bar, and an unexpected language test!

Jun 1, 2026

Culture Shock Diary: Chased by Dogs in India (Twice) #314

tiers – 9 min read

インドで野良犬に追いかけられちゃった😂Back with another India culture shock — stray dogs. I got chased. Twice. The first time I completely panicked. The second time, somehow I was the calm one. What changed? Listen and find out.

May 25, 2026

Culture Shock Diary: Dentists, Delivery Apps, and Life in India #313

tiers – 10 min read

ただいま〜！インドでのカルチャーショックについて！I spent two months in India planning to take a complete break from everything including this podcast... But interesting things just kept happening, and I had to share. Here's what went down!

May 18, 2026

Why I’m Pausing the Podcast for Two Months #312

tiers – 15 min read

２ヶ月間お休みしてインドに行ってきます。In this episode, I share why I’ll be taking a two-month break until mid-May. I explain my decision to travel to India to study yoga in Rishikesh and explore South Indian food and Ayurveda. I also talk about what a sabbatical means and why this time away matters to me.

Mar 9, 2026

Japan's New Bicycle Fines Start April 2026! Are You Ready? #311

tiers – 25 min read

自転車の交通違反に青切符🚲 From April 2026, Japan is getting serious about bicycle fines up to ¥12,000! The rules aren't new, but now they'll actually enforce them. In this episode, I break down key vocabulary and what to watch out for before it's too late!

Mar 2, 2026

My Valentine, My Washer, and What Comes Next

paid – 8 min read

2026年のバレンタインデー💌 In this members-only diary episode, I share some recent life changes and quiet reflections before a new journey begins. From small joys at home to preparing for something big, this is a gentle, personal update before my short break.

Feb 28, 2026

What Do Japanese People Really Eat for Breakfast? #310

tiers – 17 min read

朝ごはん、何食べる？In this laid-back episode, I talk about what Japanese people actually eat for breakfast — it might surprise you! From clay pot rice and TKG to miso soup and occasional avocado toast, I share my simple morning habits. Warning: you might get hungry!

Feb 23, 2026

"So Peaceful…" What Do You Think While Watching Beautiful Scenery? #309

tiers – 15 min read

YUYUさんと自然と景色について話しました☺️What do you think about when you see beautiful scenery? YUYU and I talk about nature in Japan, peaceful views, and how watching mountains and oceans helps calm our minds. From Toyama's snowy peaks to Enoshima sunsets. Let's relax together.

Feb 16, 2026

If You Could Live Anywhere… Talking About Our Dream Homes #308

tiers – 16 min read

YUYUさんと理想の家について話しました。If you could live anywhere, where would it be? YUYU and I share our dream homes 🏠from his grandmother's Japanese house with seasonal gardens and engawa to my lakeside vision with a big bathtub. What's your ideal home?

Feb 9, 2026

Explore topics

Podcast

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)

Everyday Life

Culture

Travel

Conversation

People

Food

Nature

Authors

Sayuri Saying