I'm back with Shun, and this time we're talking about what we each want to be like at 60.

It started with someone I met recently who's around 60 and full of energy — hiking without even getting out of breath. That got us wondering what actually makes the difference. Food? Sleep? Exercise? Stress? The people around you? Shun and I don't rank them the same way.

🔴Kanreki (還暦) is the milestone 60th birthday in Japan.

🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com

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"Do you ever burn out?"「燃え尽きたことある？」

Shun from Japanese with Shun posts three videos a week and has over a thousand videos on his channel, so I had to ask.

His answer surprised me a little, and then we spent the rest of the conversation trying to work out why. How his pace has changed over the years, whether the numbers get to you, the gym, and the kind of person we've both watched burn out.

Neither of us really landed on an answer. We talked about it anyway! Tameguchi, no script, just two friends talking. For intermediate and above.

🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com

Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 120”) to find what you need!🐧 Join the Penguin Family for bonus content & support the show! Your support helps keep this podcast alive and means a lot to me. Thank you for considering!

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I just got back from a three-day trip to a quiet mountain town in Japan, and this time I'm sharing my post-trip routine. Do you unpack the moment you walk through the door, or tell yourself "tomorrow is fine"?

And why does home feel so good after a few days away? This is a relaxed, slice-of-life episode full of Japanese you'll actually use in daily life, like 荷解き (unpacking), 洗濯機を回す (running the washing machine), and お惣菜 (ready-made side dishes from the supermarket)!

🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com

Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 120”) to find what you need!🐧 Join the Penguin Family for bonus content & support the show! Your support helps keep this podcast alive and means a lot to me. Thank you for considering!

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When someone says "考えます" (I'll think about it), how much thinking is actually happening? In this episode I put Tatsuya, an online Japanese teacher, through a quiz on 本音 (true feelings) and 建前 (the polite front) — everyday phrases where the literal meaning and the real meaning don't quite line up. Turning down an invitation, replying to a business proposal, reacting to a photo of someone's new partner. Even as a native speaker, I've misread these myself🙈 If you've ever felt stuck between the words and the intention, this one's for you!

Tatsuya also teaches Japanese online. If you're looking for a teacher, check out his trial lesson and Instagram in the links below! 🗓️ https://calendly.com/tatsuya-diginjapan/trial-30minute-lesson

https://www.instagram.com/tatsuyajapanese/

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🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com

Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 120”) to find what you need!🐧 Join the Penguin Family for bonus content & support the show! Your support helps keep this podcast alive and means a lot to me. Thank you for considering!

🩷 Support this podcast

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My mom just got a passport, and I'm the reason why.

In this episode, I talk about Oyakoko (親孝行 — caring for and giving back to your parents) and its opposite, Oyafuko (親不孝）. We look at the kanji together, visit a street in Fukuoka with an unexpected name, and pick up everyday expressions like 門限を破る (to break curfew). I also share three small ways I think we can show our parents we care, plus a proverb most people in Japan know. Take your time and listen along!

🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com

Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 120”) to find what you need!🐧 Join the Penguin Family for bonus content & support the show! Your support helps keep this podcast alive and means a lot to me. Thank you for considering!

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Yusuke(もしもしゆうすけ）once saw a young employee walk in late — Starbucks cup in hand, smiling — and we ended up talking about what's really shifting in Japan's workplaces. Is the younger generation just more relaxed, or is something bigger changing? We get into generational gaps, punctuality, paid leave, and power harassment — and what it all means for the future of Japanese work culture. It's the kind of conversation you'd have over coffee, not in a classroom. Come listen in!

🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com

Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 120”) to find what you need!🐧 Join the Penguin Family for bonus content & support the show! Your support helps keep this podcast alive and means a lot to me. Thank you for considering!

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If you're learning Japanese, you've probably watched a lot of channels made for learners. But you might also wonder what Japanese people actually watch — I get asked this a lot!

So this time I'm just talking about four channels I watch myself. A bookshow, a literary critic, a cook, and one small channel about Tokyo that honestly I half wanted to keep to myself.

It's a pretty relaxed episode. Everything I mention is linked here:

https://www.sayurisaying.com/japanese-youtube-channels-i-actually-watch

🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com

Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 120”) to find what you need!🐧 Join the Penguin Family for bonus content & support the show! Your support helps keep this podcast alive and means a lot to me. Thank you for considering!

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It's not something people here talk about — so I asked. Tatsuya is back, this time to compare how married couples in Japan handle their finances: the old 小遣い制 kozukai-sei (the wife manages the salary and hands her husband monthly spending money), what 按分 anbun means (splitting shared costs proportionally, not 50/50), and why some couples end up with three wallets.

We also get into travel, workation, and one small purchase worth far more than it cost.

Unscripted Japanese for intermediate learners and up!

Tatsuya also teaches Japanese online. If you're looking for a teacher, check out his trial lesson and Instagram in the links below! 🗓️ https://calendly.com/tatsuya-diginjapan/trial-30minute-lesson

https://www.instagram.com/tatsuyajapanese/

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🎧 Full transcript, video, and more: https://sayurisaying.com

Search by episode number (e.g., “EP 120”) to find what you need!🐧 Join the Penguin Family for bonus content & support the show! Your support helps keep this podcast alive and means a lot to me. Thank you for considering!

🩷 Support this podcast

https://sayurisaying.com/support