Easy Japanese Listening Podcast

Megumi launched this podcast in January 2026, and it has quickly become a solid option for beginners looking for relaxed, approachable Japanese listening practice. The Japanese title, yasashii nihongo jikan, translates roughly to gentle Japanese time, and that captures the vibe perfectly. Megumi is a Japanese tutor who speaks slowly and clearly, covering everyday topics like daycare and kindergarten life, cooking, seasonal activities, and daily routines in Japan. Episodes run around 7 to 10 minutes and drop weekly. The format is simple and effective: Megumi picks a topic, talks about it in straightforward Japanese using basic vocabulary, and keeps her sentences short enough that beginners can process them in real time. There is no English mixed in, which makes it pure listening immersion, but the language level stays firmly in beginner territory so you are not left completely lost. The show currently has about 14 episodes, so the catalog is still young. What makes this podcast worth adding to your rotation is the genuinely comfortable pace. Some beginner podcasts slow down so much they sound unnatural, but Megumi finds a middle ground where the speech feels deliberate without being robotic. For learners who have finished a few chapters of Genki or Minna no Nihongo and want listening practice that matches their current level, this show slots in nicely. It is still early days, but the consistent weekly schedule and the focused beginner approach suggest it will keep growing into a useful resource.