Nihongo no Tane with Yumi

Nihongo no Tane -- which translates to Japanese Seeds -- is a compact podcast that packs genuine language learning value into roughly four-minute episodes. Host Yumi speaks in natural but slightly slowed Japanese about whatever catches her interest, from Japanese cultural traditions and idioms to stories about her cat and observations about daily life. With 173 episodes and a perfect 5.0-star rating, the show has found a loyal audience among upper beginner to intermediate learners who want regular, manageable doses of real Japanese. The podcast is produced by TheJapanesePage.com, a well-established Japanese learning community, which means it sits within a broader ecosystem of study resources. Each episode includes comprehension questions to test understanding, and Makoto+ members get access to full transcripts with vocabulary lists for deeper study. Yumi's delivery hits a nice balance -- she speaks naturally enough that it does not feel like a language lesson, but slowly enough that intermediate learners can follow along without constantly rewinding. The topics are personal and varied, which means you get exposed to a wide range of vocabulary rather than the same handful of subjects recycled over and over. Weekly releases kept the show active through late 2025, and the short episode length makes it one of the easiest podcasts to maintain as a daily habit. For learners who find longer podcasts intimidating or hard to fit into a busy schedule, Nihongo no Tane offers a low-pressure way to keep your ears tuned to Japanese every single day.