Japanese Beginner's Podcast by RiceBurger

Japanese Beginner's Podcast by RiceBurger takes a distinctly cultural angle on beginner Japanese learning. Host Hide focuses on what he calls nihon no kokoro -- the heart of Japanese -- blending language instruction with deeper explorations of Japanese values, social customs, and ways of thinking. The idea is that understanding the culture behind the language makes you a better communicator, not just a more grammatically correct one. With about 150 episodes running 12 to 17 minutes each, the show covers substantial ground. Hide speaks in a bilingual format, mixing Japanese phrases and expressions with English explanations, making each episode accessible even to listeners in their first weeks of study. Topics go beyond typical textbook fare to address things like the unspoken rules of Japanese social interaction, workplace etiquette, and how to build genuine friendships with native speakers. The show maintains an active presence on YouTube through the RiceBurger Studios channel, and Hide also engages with listeners on Instagram. A Patreon offers additional perks for supporters. While many beginner Japanese podcasts stick to vocabulary lists and grammar drills, this one fills a gap by teaching the cultural fluency that textbooks rarely cover. Understanding why Japanese people communicate the way they do is just as important as knowing the correct particle to use, and Hide makes that case convincingly through personal stories and practical advice.