Japanese with Shun

Japanese with Shun stands out in the beginner podcast space because host Shunsuke Otani deliberately limits his vocabulary and grammar to what appears in the Genki 1 and Genki 2 textbooks, targeting JLPT N5 and N4 levels. That means every episode is genuinely calibrated for beginners rather than just labeled as such. With over 330 episodes published weekly, there is no shortage of listening material. Shun speaks clearly and at a pace that gives learners time to process each sentence without feeling like the content has been unnaturally slowed down. Topics range from Japanese holidays and food culture to personal stories and current events, all delivered in a friendly monologue style. The show has earned a 4.9-star rating from over 150 reviews, with listeners consistently praising how understandable the Japanese is even for those in their first year of study. For those who want to go deeper, Shun offers transcripts on Patreon and runs a 60-day Beginner Japanese Bootcamp. He also publishes a companion show, Oyasumi Japanese with Shun, designed for relaxed listening before bed. The combination of textbook-aligned grammar, genuine personality, and a massive episode library makes this one of the strongest choices for anyone working through beginner Japanese and looking for real listening practice that matches their level.