#S023 花屋の前で — In Front of the Flower Shop

花屋はなやまえで — In Front of the Flower Shop


Video

このお話の動画は、近日公開予定です。
The video for this story will be available soon.


Japanese & English Script

毎朝まいあさ会社かいしゃまであるいてきます。
Every morning, I walk to work.

途中とちゅうに、ちいさな花屋はなやがあります。
Along the way, there is a small flower shop.

いつもはとおぎるだけの場所ばしょです。
It’s a place I usually just walk past.

今日きょうは、あわむらさきのラベンダーがならんでいました。
Today, pale purple lavender was on display.

かぜもないのに、かおりがとどきます。
Even though there was no wind, the scent reached me.

がつくと、いつもよりゆっくりあるいていました。
Before I knew it, I was walking more slowly than usual.

閉店へいてん何時なんじだっけ。
…Wait, what time do they close?

かえりにまだあったら、ってかえろうとおもいました。
If they still have some on my way home, I think I’ll buy some.


Notes

  • Level: N4
  • Focus: Everyday scenes / Emotional shifts / Internal dialogue

About this story

This story captures a fleeting moment during a morning commute when the narrator is drawn to the scent of lavender at a small flower shop. It’s useful for learning N4-level expressions that describe natural changes in pace and subtle emotional shifts. Phrases like 「気がつくと、いつもよりゆっくり歩いていました」 and the relatable internal dialogue 「…閉店、何時だっけ。」 show learners how to express spontaneous thoughts and everyday desires in natural Japanese.


Creator’s Note

Written and voiced by Harune Mochizuki
Co-created with AI partner Harukazu, focusing on quiet everyday moments, natural rhythm, and real-life Japanese for N4 learners.

#S022 駅のツバメ— Swallows at the Station

えきのツバメ— Swallows at the Station


Video

このお話の動画は、近日公開予定です。
The video for this story will be available soon.


Japanese & English Script

この季節きせつになると、あちらこちらでツバメをかけます。
Around this time of year, I see swallows everywhere.

今日きょうも、えきのホームのすみに、ちいさなつけました。
Today too, I spotted a small nest in a corner of the station platform.

ツバメは、すばやくんでいっては、すぐにもどってきます。
The swallows fly off quickly and come right back to the nest.

よくると、ちかくに、ふるかたちがいくつものこっています。
Looking closely, I can see several old nest shapes left nearby.

したには、ダンボールがいてあります。
A piece of cardboard is laid out under the nest.

そして、手書てがきのかみってあります。
And there is a handwritten sign posted there.

「ツバメのがあります。ご注意ちゅういください。」
“Swallow’s nest here. Please watch out.”

毎年まいとし、このホームでツバメがつくるのでしょう。
They probably build their nests on this platform every year.

今年ことし無事ぶじ巣立すだちますように、とおもいながら、 やってきた電車でんしゃみました。
Hoping they will leave the nest safely this year too, I boarded the incoming train.


Notes

  • Level: N4
  • Focus: Nature / Seasonal observation / Quiet moments

About this story

This story describes a gentle moment on a station platform during swallow season. Looking closer, the narrator notices not just one nest, but the traces of many nests built over the years — and a small handwritten sign placed there to protect them. It’s useful for learning N4-level nature vocabulary and expressions of quiet observation. Phrases like 「古い巣の形が残っています」 and 「無事に巣立ちますように」 help learners express what they notice and what they hope for.


Creator’s Note

Written and voiced by Harune Mochizuki
Co-created with AI partner Harukazu, focusing on quiet everyday moments, natural rhythm, and real-life Japanese for N4 learners.

#S021 青いベンチ —The Blue Bench

あおいベンチ —The Blue Bench


Video


Japanese & English Script

いえちかくの公園こうえんのすみに、あおいベンチがあります。
In a corner of the park near my house, there is a blue bench.

むかしからある、ふるいベンチです。
It’s an old bench that has been there for a long time.

あさは、すべりだいあそどもがいます。
In the morning, children play on the slide.

そのちかくで、おかあさんがベンチにすわります。
Nearby, mothers sit on the bench and watch them.

ひるには、ちかくではたらひとがベンチにすわって、お弁当べんとうべます。
At lunchtime, people who work nearby sit on the bench and eat their lunch.

ここには、いつもだれかがいます。
There is always someone here.

夕方ゆうがた、私もそのベンチにすわって、みずみました。
I sat on the bench too and drank some water.

特別とくべつなベンチではありません。
It’s nothing special.

でも、ここにすわると、すこし、気持きもちがちつきます。
But when I sit here, I feel a little calmer.


Notes

  • Level: N4
  • Focus: Everyday scenes / Time flow / Quiet observation

About this story

This story describes a simple blue bench in a park near the narrator’s home. It’s useful for learning N4-level time expressions (朝、お昼、夕方) and natural scene descriptions. Phrases like 「ここには、いつもだれかがいます」 and 「少し、気持ちが落ちつきます」 help learners express observation and gentle emotional shifts.


Creator’s Note

Written and voiced by Harune Mochizuki
Co-created with AI partner Harukazu, focusing on quiet everyday moments, natural rhythm, and real-life Japanese for N4 learners.

#S020 ニコの雨の足跡 —Nico’s Rainy Day Paw Prints

ニコのあめ足跡あしあと —Nico’s Rainy Day Paw Prints


Video


Japanese & English Script

今日きょうは、あさからあめっていました。
It had been raining since this morning.

ねこのニコは、まどまえっていました。
Nico the cat was standing in front of the window.

まど隙間すきまから、ひんやりしたかぜいてきました。
A cool breeze came in through a small gap in the window.

ニコは、ゆっくりと前足まえあし一歩いっぽ、ぺた。
Nico slowly reached out one paw. Tap.

あしうらが、つめたくなりました。
The bottom of his paw became cold.

ニコは、部屋へやもどりました。
Nico went back into the room.

ゆかには、ちいさなれた足跡あしあとが、ぽつん、ぽつん。
On the floor, there were small wet paw prints, scattered here and there.

ニコは、しっぽをりました。
Nico flicked his tail.

そして、やわらかいタオルのうえまるくなって、しずかにじました。
Then he curled up on the soft towel and quietly closed his eyes.


Notes

  • Level: N5–N4
  • Focus: Daily life / Weather & describing small details

About this story

This story follows Nico the cat on a quiet, rainy morning.
A cool breeze, small wet paw prints, and a soft towel at the end.
It captures a calm and cozy moment — cool at first, then gently warm.
Perfect for listening and reading practice in natural, peaceful Japanese.


Creator’s Note

Written and voiced by Harune Mochizuki
Co-created with AI partner Harukazu, blending soft language and natural rhythm.

#S019 小さな郵便局 — A Small Post Office

ちいさな郵便局ゆうびんきょく — A Small Post Office


Video


Japanese & English Script

まちのすみっこに、ちいさな郵便局ゆうびんきょくがあります。
In a quiet corner of town, there is a small post office.

なかには、カウンターとちいさなつくえ
Inside, there is a counter and a little desk.

いすにすわって、荷物にもつ宛名あてないているひともいます。
Someone is sitting at a desk, writing the address on a package.

「こんにちは」とむかえてくれた局員きょくいんさんに、手紙てがみわたそうとして、
I was about to hand my letter to the staff member who greeted me with a smile —

すこまよってから、風景印ふうけいいんをおねがいしました。
but after a moment’s hesitation, I asked for a pictorial postmark (a special postmark with a local design).

かすかにスタンプをおとこえました。
I could faintly hear the sound of the stamp being pressed.

そとると、そらすこひろえました。
When I stepped outside, the sky looked a little wider than before.


Notes

  • Level: N4+
  • Focus: Everyday scenes / A moment of quiet decision

About this story

This story describes a visit to a small post office in a quiet corner of town. It’s useful for learning N4+-level everyday vocabulary and natural scene descriptions. Phrases like 「少し迷ってから」 and 「空が少し広く見えました」 help learners express hesitation and subtle emotional shifts.

★ Cultural note: 風景印 (fūkei-in) is a pictorial postmark unique to each post office in Japan — a small but special part of Japanese postal culture.


Creator’s Note

Written and voiced by Harune Mochizuki
Co-created with AI partner Harukazu, focusing on quiet everyday moments, natural rhythm, and real-life Japanese for N4+ learners.