Nihongo Picnic Podcast

Ako runs Nihongo Picnic, an online Japanese school, and this podcast serves as a free extension of that teaching practice. With 228 episodes rated a perfect 5.0 stars from 20 reviews, the show covers a well-organized range of difficulty levels. Episodes are tagged by JLPT level — N4 for beginners, N3 for intermediates, and advanced content for those pushing toward fluency — plus interview episodes that expose listeners to different speaking styles. The topics are practical and grounded in everyday life: Valentine's Day customs, snow in Tokyo, cooking tools, popular TV dramas, and social gatherings. This kind of content gives learners vocabulary and cultural context they will actually use rather than abstract grammar drills. Ako speaks clearly without dumbing things down, striking a balance that keeps episodes useful across multiple skill levels. Transcripts for every episode are available through Notion, making this an excellent resource for active study rather than passive listening. Ako also publishes blog posts on Substack and maintains a YouTube channel, so learners who prefer reading or visual content can supplement their podcast listening. The weekly update schedule and the backing of an actual Japanese language school give the show a reliability and pedagogical foundation that many independent podcasts lack. Updated consistently and well-organized, Nihongo Picnic is a strong choice for structured learners.