Languages
Japanese Podcasts for Learners: 10 Channels by JLPT Level
Japanese podcasts for learners are the easiest way to hear real Japanese every day: on the bus, while cooking, before bed. But the wrong podcast for your level becomes background noise.
Many lists of "best Japanese podcasts" include shows that stopped years ago, or shows that are mostly in English. We wanted a list you can actually use today.
Below are 10 podcasts, grouped by JLPT level, that we checked one by one on 22 October 2026. Every show released a new episode in October 2026. For each one we list the level, typical episode length, whether a transcript exists, and how to use it.
Several of these podcasts also publish on YouTube. To study an episode in depth, paste the video link into Corodomo. You get bilingual subtitles with furigana, split sentence by sentence for dictation and shadowing.
- How we chose and checked the list
- Beginner podcasts (N5–N4)
- Intermediate podcasts (N3–N2)
- Advanced and native-speed podcasts (N2–N1)
- Quick comparison table
- How to study with a podcast: listen, dictate, shadow
- FAQ
- Conclusion
How we chose and checked the list
There are hundreds of Japanese learning podcasts. We used four rules to keep only shows that are useful right now.
- Active: a new episode in October 2026, checked through each show's RSS feed and Apple Podcasts page.
- Japanese listening: mostly or fully in Japanese. One exception, JapanesePod101, is included because it is a well-known structured option for beginners.
- Official source: a working official website or podcast page.
- Clear level: we use the creator's own label when there is one (for example, "N5–N4" in the title). Otherwise, the level is our estimate after checking recent episodes.
Episode lengths come from the feeds or from measuring the audio files of recent episodes. Transcript information is only what we could see on the official pages. Prices and plans change, so always check the official site before you pay.
Beginner podcasts (N5–N4)
At this level, you want slow, clear speech about simple topics. It is normal to understand only part of an episode. Short episodes you can replay are better than long ones you cannot follow.
1. Japanese podcast for beginners (Nihongo con Teppei)
Teppei is a Japanese teacher with several podcasts for learners. This beginner show is his longest-running: episode #1603 was released on 20 October 2026, and new episodes come out several times a week. Teppei talks alone, entirely in Japanese, about simple everyday topics.
- Level: our estimate is upper N5 to N4. Complete beginners will find it hard at first, which is normal.
- Episode length: very short. The three latest episodes were about 4.5–6 minutes (we measured the audio).
- Transcript: we did not find transcripts on the podcast's website.
- Where: official site or Apple Podcasts.
- How to use it: play one episode three times in a day. On the third listen, dictate the first 30 seconds.
2. Japanese with Shun
Shun's podcast describes itself as being for beginner to intermediate learners, using mainly grammar from the Genki 1 textbook and some from Genki 2. Numbered episodes are labelled 【N5-N4】 in the title. The latest numbered episode, Ep277, came out on 9 October 2026, with special episodes in between.
He also runs a second show, Oyasumi Japanese with Shun, a calm bedtime-style podcast also labelled N5–N4, with a new episode about every two weeks.
- Level: N5–N4 (the creator's label). Special episodes can be harder.
- Episode length: numbered episodes about 10–15 minutes; special episodes about 19–28 minutes; Oyasumi episodes about 10–17 minutes.
- Transcript: the episode notes point to his Patreon for transcripts (a membership page; we did not check tier prices).
- Where: Apple Podcasts and the Japanese with Shun YouTube channel.
- How to use it: if you study with Genki, this is the most natural next step. The grammar you meet in the book comes back in real speech.
3. JapanesePod101
JapanesePod101 is a large lesson library from Innovative Language. It is different from the other shows here: lessons are explained in English around short Japanese dialogues. Series in the public feed range from Beginner to Upper Intermediate and Advanced.
It is a freemium service. The website offers a free sign-up ("No credit card needed", as the homepage says) and paid subscriptions. The public podcast feed only gets occasional lessons: the latest was released on 15 October 2026, the one before in June 2026. The full library is on their website.
- Level: all levels; most useful for beginners who want English explanations.
- Episode length: recent public lessons were about 6–19 minutes.
- Transcript: lessons are on the website; we did not verify which plan includes transcripts or lesson notes.
- Where: official site or Apple Podcasts.
- How to use it: the English explanation is not listening practice. Use only the Japanese dialogue for dictation and shadowing.
Intermediate podcasts (N3–N2)
At N3–N2, you have moved past slow textbook dialogues. You need natural Japanese, with fillers and contractions, but still clearer than TV talk shows. These four shows fill that gap.
4. Everyday Japanese Podcast (Sayuri Saying)
Sayuri releases a new episode every week; #335 came out on 19 October 2026. The show describes itself as a podcast for intermediate learners, about everyday life in Japan. There are solo episodes and 【会話】 conversation episodes with a guest.
- Level: intermediate (the creator's label); about N3 in our estimate, a very good first step after beginner shows.
- Episode length: about 11–17 minutes.
- Transcript: episode posts on her website are for members on a paid plan.
- Where: official site, Apple Podcasts or the Sayuri Saying YouTube channel.
- How to use it: start with solo episodes, which are easier to follow than two-person conversations.
5. Learn Japanese with Noriko
Noriko is a Japanese teacher whose podcast has a clear progression. Season 1 starts slowly and gets faster. Season 3, the current season, covers real-life conversations, books and language learning. Season 3-167 was released on 21 October 2026.
- Level: our estimate is N3 for Season 1 and N2 and above for Season 3.
- Episode length: recent Season 3 episodes are about 17–29 minutes.
- Transcript: yes. The transcription pages on her site had the full text of the latest episode when we checked.
- Where: official site or Apple Podcasts.
- How to use it: because transcripts are available, this is the best show on the list for the dictation routine below.
6. The Miku Real Japanese Podcast
Miku focuses on Japanese as people really speak it. There are solo essays and conversations with guests, released about every two weeks; No 229 came out on 19 October 2026. Some of her YouTube videos are labelled "N3・N2 level" or "N2・N1 level".
- Level: N3–N2 in our estimate; guest conversations are harder than solo episodes.
- Episode length: about 16–41 minutes.
- Transcript: Japanese transcripts with furigana are part of a paid supporter plan (9.99 USD per month when we checked, with a free trial offered) on Miku's site.
- Where: Apple Podcasts or the Miku Real Japanese YouTube channel.
- How to use it: great for casual, young-sounding Japanese. Collect the casual expressions she uses and check when they are appropriate.
7. Nihongo con Teppei 波!
This is Teppei's newer show, started in 2025. It already had 291 episodes on 21 October 2026, with new ones several times a week. Each episode is a solo talk on an everyday topic, with natural fillers like なんか and まあ.
- Level: our estimate is N3 and above. A good bridge from his beginner show.
- Episode length: recent episodes are about 12–19 minutes.
- Transcript: we did not find public transcripts on the show's page.
- Where: show page or Apple Podcasts.
- How to use it: ideal for daily passive listening; frequent short episodes make a habit easy.
Advanced and native-speed podcasts (N2–N1)
These shows are long and fast, with real conversation features: interruptions, jokes, topic changes. They train listening stamina, which the JLPT N2 and N1 listening sections demand.
8. YUYUの日本語Podcast
YUYU's show is one of the longest-running Japanese podcasts for learners, now past Vol.498. Each episode is a long talk about daily life, philosophy, or things YUYU misses or wants. The speech is very natural, with fillers like えっと and あのー and long, winding sentences.
- Level: N2 and above in our estimate.
- Episode length: recent episodes are about 38–64 minutes.
- Transcript: we did not find a free public transcript; the episode notes link to a Patreon page.
- Where: Apple Podcasts or the YUYU YouTube channel.
- How to use it: do not study a whole episode. Pick one 30-second section that interests you and study only that.
9. Japanese with Teppei and Noriko
Two teachers, Teppei and Noriko, chat freely every week. Episode #647 came out on 22 October 2026. Titles often look like 「〇〇とか〇〇とか」 ("this and that"), which sums up the style: two people talking over each other, laughing and jumping between topics.
- Level: N2 and above in our estimate; the hardest teacher-made show on this list.
- Episode length: about 42 minutes (we measured the latest episode).
- Transcript: we did not find transcripts on the podcast's website.
- Where: official site or Apple Podcasts.
- How to use it: the closest thing to sitting at a table with two Japanese friends. Use it to practise following quick turn-taking.
10. NHK radio news (NHKラジオニュース and NHKやさしいことばニュース)
NHK, Japan's public broadcaster, publishes its radio news as podcasts. We count two feeds as one entry because they work as a pair: an easy version to start, and the standard version as the goal.
NHKやさしいことばニュース presents the latest news in simple words. NHK says it is made to be easy to understand for foreigners, elderly people, children and people with disabilities. NHKラジオニュース is the standard radio news, with frequent short bulletins and longer programs.
- Level: やさしいことばニュース is about N3; standard radio news is N2–N1 (our estimate).
- Episode length: やさしいことばニュース about 5 minutes on weekdays; regular bulletins about 5–10 minutes; longer programs from about 15 minutes up to about 55 minutes (NHKジャーナル).
- Transcript: none in the podcast. The feeds keep only recent episodes, so listen on the same day.
- Where: NHK pages above, or Apple Podcasts: やさしいことばニュース, ラジオニュース.
- How to use it: listen to the easy version first, then a standard bulletin on the same story. For written easy news, see our guide to learning Japanese with NHK Easy News.
Quick comparison table
All information was checked on 22 October 2026. Lengths describe recent episodes, not every episode.
| Podcast | Level | Length | Format | Transcript |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nihongo con Teppei (beginners) | N5–N4 | 4–6 min | Solo | Not found |
| Japanese with Shun | N5–N4 | 10–28 min | Solo / guests | Via Patreon |
| JapanesePod101 | All levels | 6–19 min | Lessons in English | On website (plan not verified) |
| Everyday Japanese Podcast | N3 | 11–17 min | Solo / conversation | Paid members |
| Learn Japanese with Noriko | N3 → N2+ | 17–29 min | Solo / conversation | Yes, on website |
| Miku Real Japanese | N3–N2 | 16–41 min | Solo / guests | Paid (free trial) |
| Nihongo con Teppei 波! | N3+ | 12–19 min | Solo | Not found |
| YUYUの日本語Podcast | N2+ | 38–64 min | Solo | Not found (free) |
| Teppei and Noriko | N2+ | ~42 min | Two-person chat | Not found |
| NHK radio news | N3 / N2–N1 | 5–55 min | News | None |
We also looked at NHK WORLD-JAPAN's "Easy Japanese" lesson podcast, but its feed has not had a new episode since 2020, so it is not on the list.
How to study with a podcast: listen, dictate, shadow
Listening while you do something else is passive listening. It helps your ears get used to Japanese rhythm, but it is not enough on its own. Once or twice a week, study one short section actively in three steps.
| Step | What to do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Listen | Listen to the whole episode once without stopping. Write down three main points in your own language. | One episode |
| 2. Dictate | Choose a 30-second section. Write it sentence by sentence, replaying each sentence up to five times. Check it against a transcript if there is one. | 15–20 min |
| 3. Shadow | Shadow the same 30 seconds until you can keep up at the original speed. | 10 min |
Try the routine now with the sample below. It is an original monologue we wrote in the style of a beginner podcast (about N4), not taken from any show above. It is about 30 seconds long: exactly the size of one dictation segment.
Show transcript and answer
A: みなさん、こんにちは。今日は、私の好きな季節について話します。
A: 私は秋が一番好きです。暑くないし、寒くないし、とても過ごしやすいです。
A: それに、秋は食べ物がおいしいですよね。最近は、毎週さつまいもを買っています。
A: みなさんは、どの季節が好きですか。
| Japanese | Reading / romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| みなさん、こんにちは。今日は、私の好きな季節について話します。 | みなさん、こんにちは。きょうは、わたしのすきなきせつについてはなします。 Minasan, konnichiwa. Kyō wa, watashi no suki na kisetsu ni tsuite hanashimasu. | Hello, everyone. Today I'll talk about my favourite season. |
| 私は秋が一番好きです。暑くないし、寒くないし、とても過ごしやすいです。 | わたしはあきがいちばんすきです。あつくないし、さむくないし、とてもすごしやすいです。 Watashi wa aki ga ichiban suki desu. Atsuku nai shi, samuku nai shi, totemo sugoshiyasui desu. | I like autumn best. It's not hot, it's not cold, and it's very comfortable. |
| それに、秋は食べ物がおいしいですよね。最近は、毎週さつまいもを買っています。 | それに、あきはたべものがおいしいですよね。さいきんは、まいしゅうさつまいもをかっています。 Sore ni, aki wa tabemono ga oishii desu yo ne. Saikin wa, maishū satsumaimo o katte imasu. | Also, food is delicious in autumn, isn't it? Lately I've been buying sweet potatoes every week. |
| みなさんは、どの季節が好きですか。 | みなさんは、どのきせつがすきですか。 Minasan wa, dono kisetsu ga suki desu ka. | Which season do you like, everyone? |
- Dictation traps: 毎週 is maishū with a long ū, not "maishu"; 一番 is i-chi-ba-n, four beats including ん; the し after 暑くない is short and easy to miss.
- Grammar to notice: 〜し、〜し lists reasons; 〜やすい means "easy to"; 〜ですよね invites agreement.
- Shadowing focus: keep the rhythm even. In 過ごしやすい (su-go-shi-ya-su-i), every beat gets the same length. In 好きです, the u in す is often almost silent, so it sounds close to "ski desu".
Using the YouTube version of a podcast
Japanese with Shun, Sayuri Saying, Miku Real Japanese, YUYU and Teppei all publish episodes on YouTube. For podcasts without a free transcript, this is the easiest way to get text to check your dictation.
Paste the YouTube link into Corodomo. You get Japanese subtitles with furigana and an English translation, split into sentences, plus dictation and shadowing practice line by line. The AI can score your shadowing for pronunciation accuracy and fluency. Full AI features are in the Plus plan; the Free plan has a limited number of videos. Subtitles are machine-generated, so if a line looks wrong, check it by ear.
Related reading: How to Learn Japanese with YouTube Videos and Subtitles · Learn Japanese with Anime: A Practical Guide for Beginners
FAQ
What is the best Japanese podcast for complete beginners?
From this list, Japanese with Shun (labelled N5–N4) and Nihongo con Teppei's beginner show are the easiest fully Japanese options. If you want English explanations, JapanesePod101 is built for that. Expect to understand only part of an episode at first.
Which Japanese podcasts have transcripts?
In our check, Learn Japanese with Noriko had full transcripts readable on its website. Miku Real Japanese and Sayuri Saying offer transcripts through paid plans, and Japanese with Shun points to Patreon. For the others, we did not find public transcripts. For YouTube versions, you can generate subtitles with a tool such as Corodomo.
Can podcasts help me pass the JLPT?
Yes, especially for listening speed and stamina. But the JLPT has its own question formats, so combine podcasts with practice tests in the real format on our JLPT practice page.
Should I listen at 0.75x speed?
For a hard section you are studying closely, yes. But always do your final listen at normal speed. If you need 0.75x for a whole episode, the show is probably too hard for you right now.
How much podcast listening should I do each day?
There is no magic number. A balanced plan is 15–30 minutes of passive listening a day, plus one or two active sessions of 30 minutes a week using the listen, dictate, shadow routine. Consistency matters more than total hours.
Conclusion
There are plenty of good Japanese podcasts for learners. The key is choosing the right level and using them actively.
- Match the level: start with Teppei's beginner show, Shun or JapanesePod101. Then move to Sayuri, Noriko, Miku and Teppei 波!. For a challenge, try YUYU, Teppei and Noriko, and NHK news.
- Mix two kinds of listening: passive listening every day, active study of a short section every week.
- Listen, dictate, shadow: 30 seconds studied deeply teaches more than an hour of background audio.
For a full study path built around real Japanese audio and video, visit our Learn Japanese hub.
Practice with Corodomo: Learn Japanese · Learn with videos · JLPT practice