Makoto Issues 7-12 Value Bundle [DIGITAL DOWNLOAD]
Level
N5–N2
CEFR A1–B2 · mixed levels
N5
N4
N3
N2
N1
Just startingNative material
Something for every level from Genki I onward
From Clay & Yumi, teaching Japanese since 2002. Audio recorded by Yumi and other native speakers.
➡️ How to read the eBooks in your bundle? You may need to follow the steps outlined in our eBook guide
➡️ Want more Makoto? Well, Makoto+ members also get a 10%-20% off reusable coupon good for anything at theJapanShop.com, and each month, we will post a new eBook for you to download free of charge. Cancel at any time! Click here to learn more.
This bundle set includes Makoto e-zine issues #7 through #12. Download instantly and begin improving your Japanese reading skills (PDFs, ePub, MOBI), listening abilities (MP3s), and vocabulary. An amazing value!
AND NOW GET IT ALL for $15.00
If all the issues were bought separately, the cost would be $41.94, but get it today at less than half price!
Purchase now and instantly get the digital download link—INSTANT GRATIFICATION and NO Shipping Charges Worldwide!
Each issue includes jokes (in Japanese), fun etymologies, grammar lessons, kanji practice, fun phrases, and, of course, a Japanese reader.
These six issues include six readers on key figures of Japanese history.
Makoto #7: The Frank & the Obaasan Saga Begins!
Makoto #8: Included reader: The Fountain of Youth
Makoto #9: Included reader: The Hundred Tale Game
Makoto #10: Included reader: The Wise Child
Makoto #11: Included reader: The Loyal Dog, Hachiko
Makoto #12: Included reader: Instant Ramen
Impress your Japanese friends with knowledge of Japanese history while polishing your grammar and learning new vocabulary words. 日本語を磨こう! Let’s polish our Japanese!
Here’s what you get in every issue:
Jokes, fun phrases, and useful kanji
Prefecture Spotlight: each issue introduces a different Japanese prefecture
Read about Japanese culture in real Japanese! Yes, as long as you have learned hiragana, you can read real Japanese today with these fully annotated stories.
For the reader, every single line and every word are explained and defined.
Designed specifically for beginners to intermediates.
Build your Japanese vocabulary, understand new grammatical patterns, improve your reading skills, and hone in your listening abilities
Each reader includes TWO MP3s recorded by a native Japanese voice actress. One read slowly and one read at normal speed.
Print out the PDFs and drop the MP3s on your phone for on the go studying.
Normally each of the Makoto issues sell for $6.99 each. Now, for the first time, you can get them all together for a single low price of $41.94! Er... Nope! It's $15.00.
Perfect for the beginner to intermediate student of Japanese.
➡️ LEARN ABOUT BECOMING A MAKOTO+ MEMBER. CLICK HERE
Reminder: This is the digital versions of the books. There will be NO shipping charges since nothing will be shipped :)
Please note: Immediately after ordering, you will receive a link to a Dropbox folder. You will be able to access all the files from any device. If you do not immediately see the email, please check your spam folder.
Japanese Vocabulary for JLPT N5 -- Master the Japanese Language Proficiency Test N5 [Paperback]
SAVE WITH DIGITAL! This item is included in a digital bundle at a discount. If you would like the eBook version (PDF, ePub, or Kindle MOBI) and the MP3s, please see our discounted bundles here - JLPT N5 BUNDLE
Included at no extra charge are 1,445 MP3s of each Vocabulary and Example Sentence. The download link is found on the last page. Japanese Vocabulary for JLPT N5 covers all the vocabulary needed to pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test level N5. This is the easiest of the test levels and is suitable for beginners who have mastered hiragana.
BEGINNER LEVEL
Over 1,400 MP3s
MP3s both with individual vocabulary words and example sentences
Bonus Chapter MP3s listening in order
Chapter MP3s include the vocabulary word, each example sentence, and then the English translation [Designed to be listened to with or without the eBook]
Includes PDF, ePub, and MOBI Kindle eBook formats
Each kanji has furigana (small hiragana over the kanji)
Add the 1,445 MP3s to your MP3 player, iPhone, or computer and listen while studying the book. Five large MP3 files are also included. These have each word followed by the example sentence for sequential learning.
Frank and the Obaasan Volume 1-2 Digital BUNDLE for Beginners [eBooks + Audio + Anki + Japanese Explorer App]
Frank and the Obaasan Volume 1 is a beginner Japanese reader with full furigana and native audio, an easy first step before longer graded readers. Bilingual on the page: the Japanese text with a full English translation, vocabulary and grammar notes.
Level
N5
CEFR A1 · beginner
N5
N4
N3
N2
N1
Just startingNative material
Best alongside Genki I
Furigana on every kanji
From Clay & Yumi, teaching Japanese since 2002. Every story narrated by Yumi, a native speaker.
NOTE: Both Frank and the Obaasan volumes are also included in our Beri-Beri-Shoshinsha Beginner’s Bundle —over a dozen eBooks, sound files, and multiple formats in one money-saving package. But if you are only interested in getting the Frank stories, this is the cheaper bundle.
Frank & the Obaasan Saga
🆕 Now with Makoto+ Japanese Explorer!
Dive into 25 action-packed sci-fi episodes with Frank & the Obaasan—your perfect beginner-to-upper-beginner reader in PDF & ePub. Every story comes fully glossed with English summaries, FREE mp3 audio, and Anki decks for targeted vocab review. Plus, unlock every sentence in the Makoto+ Japanese Explorer for interactive breakdowns, quizzes, and story-mode reading—all included with one simple purchase!
▶️ Sample Chapter 3: “Sushi Isn’t Human”
Your browser does not support HTML5 audio.
Listen to Episode 3 as you read!
Your browser doesn't support PDFs. You can download the sample PDF here.
🎬 Season 3 Coming Soon!
All updates—including Book 3—are free for every digital bundle. Stay tuned for the next adventure!
🔍 What is the Makoto+ Japanese Explorer?
An interactive online toolkit that unlocks every sentence and story in Frank & the Obaasan for:
Word-by-word breakdowns with grammar & vocab notes
Native & high-quality TTS audio on demand
Interactive Story Mode—read along, click definitions, and progress at your own pace
Quizzes & games to reinforce comprehension
Unlock via the codes in your “Read Me First” file in Dropbox—no extra cost!
How to Use This Reader
Read each episode in Japanese—furigana over every kanji
Use the Makoto+ Japanese Explorer for deeper parsing & audio
Check your understanding with the English summary (don’t peek too soon!)
Listen & shadow with the free MP3s (download link on the last page)
What’s Inside
🔸 25 Episodes—15 in Vol. 1, 10 in Vol. 2, each a complete story arc
🔸 Full Gloss breaks down every word & grammar point
🔸 English Summaries at the end of each episode
🔸 Furigana on every kanji
🔸 FREE MP3s—listen while you read (link on last page)
🔸 FREE Anki Flashcard Deck—master the vocabulary using the free Anki flashcard software
🔸 Makoto+ Japanese Explorer Story Mode—click to define, highlight, and quiz
P.S. All our bundles include:
✅ Multiple formats (PDF, ePub, MP3s; many include Anki decks)✅ One-time payment & free lifetime updates✅ Discount vs. Amazon individual purchases✅ Instant download gratification
✅ 100% money back guarantee if you find it too hard or too easy or simply don't like it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know kanji?
No—every kanji has furigana. If you can read hiragana, you’ll follow the story just fine. As you read, however, try to "get to know" the kanji. The more kanji you know, the more enjoyable Japanese is.
How do I get the MP3s?
Download links are on the last page of each volume—just click and save the ZIP file or open individual files.
What is the Makoto+ Japanese Explorer?
It’s your interactive companion—unlock every story for word-by-word explanations, TTS audio, and Story Mode quizzes.
What if it’s too easy or hard?
No worries—if it’s not the right level, just let us know. We’ll swap in a better bundle or refund you.
Buy Frank & the Obaasan Now
Makoto Issues 13-18 Value Bundle [DIGITAL DOWNLOAD]
Level
N5–N2
CEFR A1–B2 · mixed levels
N5
N4
N3
N2
N1
Just startingNative material
Something for every level from Genki I onward
From Clay & Yumi, teaching Japanese since 2002. Audio recorded by Yumi and other native speakers.
➡️ How to read the eBooks in your bundle? You may need to follow the steps outlined in our eBook guide
➡️ Want more Makoto? Well, Makoto+ members also get a 10%-20% off reusable coupon good for anything at theJapanShop.com, and each month, we will post a new eBook for you to download free of charge. Cancel at any time! Click here to learn more.
This bundle set includes Makoto e-zine issues #13 through #18. Download instantly and begin improving your Japanese reading skills (PDFs, ePub, MOBI), listening abilities (MP3s), and vocabulary. An amazing value!
AND NOW GET IT ALL for $15.00
If all the issues were bought separately, the cost would be $41.94, but get it today at less than half price!
Purchase now and instantly get the digital download link—INSTANT GRATIFICATION and NO Shipping Charges Worldwide!
Each issue includes jokes (in Japanese), fun etymologies, grammar lessons, kanji practice, fun phrases, and, of course, a Japanese reader.
Makoto #13: Included reader: World-Renowned Kurosawa
Makoto #14: Included reader: The Young Man who Slept for Three Years
Makoto #15: Included reader: Blossoming Old Man
Makoto #16: Included reader: Reiwa, A New Era
Makoto #17: Included reader: Japan's Rainy Season
Makoto #18: Included reader: Japan's Giant Wasps
Impress your Japanese friends with knowledge of Japanese history while polishing your grammar and learning new vocabulary words. 日本語を磨こう! Let’s polish our Japanese!
Here’s what you get in every issue:
Jokes, fun phrases, and useful kanji
Prefecture Spotlight: each issue introduces a different Japanese prefecture
Read about Japanese culture in real Japanese! Yes, as long as you have learned hiragana, you can read real Japanese today with these fully annotated stories.
For the reader, every single line and every word are explained and defined.
Designed specifically for beginners to intermediates.
Build your Japanese vocabulary, understand new grammatical patterns, improve your reading skills, and hone in your listening abilities
Each reader includes TWO MP3s recorded by a native Japanese voice actress. One read slowly and one read at normal speed.
Print out the PDFs and drop the MP3s on your phone for on the go studying.
Normally each of the Makoto issues sell for $6.99 each. Now, for the first time, you can get them all together for a single low price of $41.94! Er... Nope! It's $15.00.
Perfect for the beginner to intermediate student of Japanese.
➡️ LEARN ABOUT BECOMING A MAKOTO+ MEMBER. CLICK HERE
Reminder: This is the digital versions of the books. There will be NO shipping charges since nothing will be shipped :)
Please note: Immediately after ordering, you will receive a link to a Dropbox folder. You will be able to access all the files from any device. If you do not immediately see the email, please check your spam folder.
Makoto Magazine Issues 1-50 Bundle [DIGITAL]
Level
N5–N2
CEFR A1–B2 · mixed levels
N5
N4
N3
N2
N1
Just startingNative material
Something for every level from Genki I onward
From Clay & Yumi, teaching Japanese since 2002. Audio recorded by Yumi and other native speakers.
⏳ Limited Time Offer
50 Issues of Makoto Magazine
The complete foundation of the Makoto library—at the lowest price ever.
$99 $349.50 That's just $2 per issue — 72% off the regular price
Makoto is the Japanese learning magazine that makes studying feel more like reading something you'd actually want to read—and a lot less like being chased by a grammar textbook. Each issue is built for beginner to intermediate learners, blending real reading practice, cultural deep dives, and listening exercises into something you'll look forward to picking up.
This bundle gives you the first 50 issues—the entire foundation of the Makoto library—at a price we've never offered before and may not offer again.
📚 Want to keep going after issue 50? Issues 51–100 are available as their own bundle—1,440 files, including ready-made Anki flashcard decks and Kobo e-reader editions. Grab the Issues 51–100 Bundle here—or take both and let the digital bulk discount below stack on top.
What's Inside Every Issue
📖
Graded Reading Practice
Each issue includes a beginner-level story and an intermediate-level story, so you always have something at your level—and something to grow into.
🎧
Dual-Speed Audio (MP3)
Slow and natural speed recordings for every story. Train your ear at a comfortable pace, then graduate to how Japanese is actually spoken.
🏯
Culture, History & Beyond
Articles on Japanese culture, geography, kanji breakdowns, slang, etymology, and vocabulary deep dives. Learn the language and the world it lives in.
📱
Three Formats, Any Device
Every issue comes as a PDF, ePub, and MP3—891 files in total, including 687 audio recordings. Read on your laptop, listen on your phone, or study on your tablet.
See It for Yourself
A few select pages from Issue #50—browse through to see the reading sections, vocabulary breakdowns, cultural spotlights, and more. You get issue 50 and every single issue before it. That's 50 issues total at 40-70 pages each and filled with fun lessons for beginners to intermediate students of Japanese.
By the Numbers
50
Complete Issues
891
Total Files
687
Audio Files
72%
Savings
Who Is This For?
If you're learning Japanese and feel stuck in the gap between textbook exercises and native-level content, Makoto is built for you. It's the bridge that turns passive study into active, enjoyable reading—the kind where you actually absorb things because you're interested, not because someone assigned it.
Whether you're a self-studying beginner building your first reading habit, an intermediate learner looking for consistent practice, or someone preparing for the JLPT who wants real content alongside test prep—50 issues gives you a serious library to work through at your own pace.
How It Works
1
Purchase & Download
Instant access to 891 files—PDFs, ePubs, and MP3s across all 50 issues.
2
Read & Listen
Pick an issue. Read the stories. Listen along at slow or natural speed.
3
Absorb & Progress
Build vocabulary, improve reading speed, and learn culture along the way.
The Math Speaks for Itself
Regular Price
This Bundle
Per Issue
$6.99
$1.98
50 Issues Total
$349.50
$99.00
You Save
$250.50
Topics Covered Across 50 Issues
Beginner Stories Intermediate Stories Kanji Breakdowns Japanese Culture Geography Slang & Colloquial Japanese Etymology Vocabulary Builders Listening Practice Grammar in Context History & Traditions
🎉 Stack Your Savings — Digital Bulk Discount
Add 2 digital bundles to your cart for 5% off, 3 for 10% off, or 5+ for a whopping 20% off your entire digital order. No coupon needed!
Don't Miss This
50 Issues. $99. The Lowest Price We've Ever Offered.
This is a limited-time offer. Once it's gone, these issues go back to full price.
Already have issues 1–50?
Continue with Issues 51–100
The newer half of the library picks up right where this one ends—50 more issues through the milestone #100, with 1,440 files, more audio per issue, 59 ready-made Anki flashcard decks, and Kobo e-reader editions. Same $99.
See the Issues 51–100 Bundle →
Instant digital download • 891 files: 53 PDFs, 83 ePubs & 687 MP3s • Works on PC, tablet & mobilePart of the Makoto+ ecosystem
Japan's Jidai - Learn About the Eras of Japan [5 Volumes] [DIGITAL DOWNLOAD]
Japan's Jidai is a series of Japanese readers on the eras of Japanese history, with furigana on every line-by-line sentence and native audio, written for upper beginners to intermediate learners. Each book has two essays with every word explained, the full Japanese text, an English translation, and an unlock code for the Makoto+ Japanese Explorer app.
Level
N4–N3
CEFR A2–B1 · upper beginner to intermediate
N5
N4
N3
N2
N1
Just startingNative material
Best after Genki II
Furigana on every kanji
From Clay & Yumi, teaching Japanese since 2002. Every story narrated by Yumi, a native speaker.
5 VOLUMES · NEW: UNLOCK CODES FOR OUR APP · VOLUME 6 ON THE WAY
Travel through Japanese history, one era at a time, in Japanese
From the pottery of the Jōmon people to the black ships at the end of the Edo period: ten essays on ten eras, two to a book. Read real Japanese while you learn how Japan became Japan. Buy once and every new volume is added to your bundle for free.
NEW
Now includes unlock codes for every essay in our app
Every book in this bundle comes with a code that unlocks both of its essays in the Makoto+ Japanese Explorer App (iPhone/iPad and Android).
🔊 Hear Yumi read any sentence👆 Tap a word for its reading and meaning🔤 Furigana on or off🐢 Normal or slow speed📖 Translations hidden until you want them
App Store (iPhone/iPad)
Google Play (Android)
Download the free app, sign in, and enter the code that comes with your download.
Look inside before you buy
Tap any cover to open a free preview: the cover and the first 30 pages of that book, as a PDF.
VOL. 1
Jōmon & Yayoi
縄文・弥生
Pottery, rice and Queen Himiko
Free preview (PDF) →VOL. 2
Kofun & Asuka
古墳・飛鳥
Giant tombs and Prince Shōtoku
Free preview (PDF) →VOL. 3
Nara & Heian
奈良・平安
The Great Buddha and The Tale of Genji
Free preview (PDF) →VOL. 4
Kamakura & Muromachi
鎌倉・室町
Samurai rule and the Golden Pavilion
Free preview (PDF) →VOL. 5
Sengoku & Edo
戦国・江戸
Warring lords, then the long peace
Free preview (PDF) →
6
大正・昭和
COVER ON THE WAY
VOL. 6
Taishō & Shōwa
大正・昭和
COMING SOON
More eras are on the way. Each new volume is added to your bundle at no extra cost.
How each book works
Two eras per book
Each volume has two essays in natural Japanese, one for each period, with photos of the real places and objects they describe.
Every line explained
Each sentence gets its own page, with furigana and every word defined. Particles, conjugations and set phrases are explained in plain English.
Yumi's audio, two speeds
Every essay is read by Yumi, a native speaker and former radio DJ, slowly and at natural speed. Scan the QR code beside each essay and it starts playing.
Then read it straight through
Read the whole essay in Japanese without furigana, just as a Japanese reader would see it, then check yourself against the English translation.
Hear a sample
Yumi reads every essay twice: at natural speed, and slowly for practice.
Normal Speed Audio
Your browser does not support the audio element.
Slow Speed Audio
Your browser does not support the audio element.
What you download
For each of the five volumes:
The eBook as a PDF (print it if you like), an ePub, and a Kobo eBook (kePub)
MP3s of both essays, slow and natural speed, read by Yumi
Anki flashcard decks of the vocabulary
A Vocabulary Cheat Sheet (PDF) with every word from both essays, sorted by JLPT level
An unlock code for both essays in the Makoto+ Japanese Explorer app
Some of these essays first appeared in our Makoto magazine; for the books we edited and expanded them. The 2026 edition adds the app, the cheat sheets and the Kobo files, with light edits so every essay matches Yumi's recording word for word.
Five books for $24
Each volume sells for $6.99 on Kindle, so the five together come to $34.95, without the MP3s, Anki decks or cheat sheets. Your bundle also gets every future volume free, starting with Volume 6 on the Taishō and Shōwa periods.
Who is this for?
Upper beginners to intermediate learners. If you know hiragana and basic grammar (about the end of Genki II), the line-by-line pages will carry you through, and reading the full essays without furigana will stretch you. Brand new to Japanese? Start with our Beri-Beri Shoshinsha Beginner's Bundle.
Bulk Discount - Remember, buy more to save more. Add two bundles to your cart and get an automatic 5% off your entire digital order; Buy three, get 10% off; Buy five or more and get a whopping 20% off your entire digital order! No coupon is needed!
P.S. All our bundles have:
✅ Multiple formats (PDF, ePub, MP3s, plus many have Anki flashcard decks)✅ One-time payment✅ Discounted compared to buying individually on Amazon✅ Free lifetime updates to this bundle✅ Instant download gratification✅ [Satisfaction Guaranteed] - Seriously, if you aren't happy with it because it's too easy or difficult, just let us know and we'll swap it with a bundle better suited for you or we'll refund your money.
➡️ How to read the eBooks in your bundle? Follow the steps in our eBook guide.
NOTE:
This is a digital download. Nothing is shipped, so there are no shipping charges.
You'll get the download link by email a minute after purchase. It opens on any phone, tablet or computer, and on a computer you can download everything at once with the Download button at the top right.
You do not need a Dropbox account or pay anything further to access the files. Learn more here.
If you don't see the email, please check your spam folder or email us for support.
Prefer paper? See Clay and Yumi's Paperbacks (not included in this digital bundle; the paperbacks come with the digital files).
These books are also on Amazon.
Japanese Vocabulary for JLPT N4: Master the JLPT N4 [Paperback]
Included are over 1,200 MP3s of each Vocabulary and Example Sentence. There are also individual chapter list MP3s which combine the Japanese vocabulary word, the example sentence, and then the English translation. We put this MP3s together so you can listen while driving while walking the dog, or while going through the book.
UPPER BEGINNER LEVEL
Over 1,200 MP3s
MP3s both with individual vocabulary words and example sentences
Bonus Chapter MP3s listening in order
Chapter MP3s include the vocabulary word, each example sentence, and then the English translation [Designed to be listened to with or without the eBook]
Includes PDF, ePub, and MOBI Kindle eBook formats
Each kanji has furigana (small hiragana over the kanji)
Taking the Japanese Language Proficiency Test is a great way to not only assess your Japanese skills but also to give yourself a concrete goal for your learning. I am a firm believer in setting goals. It is the quickest way to make progress.
Unfortunately, with goal-setting, there is usually the problem of maintaining motivation. By paying money and making plans to sit in a test (usually) in a different city; however, you are making a major investment of time and money. There are few pressures in life that can motivate better than time or money. That’s why we always recommend any serious student of Japanese to sign up and study for the JLPT.
Japanese Vocabulary for JLPT N4 covers all the vocabulary needed to pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test level N4. This is the easiest of the test levels and is suitable for beginners who have mastered hiragana.
Add the 1,200+ MP3s to your MP3 player, iPhone, or computer and listen while studying the book. Compilation MP3 files of each chapter's list are also included. These have each word followed by the example sentence for sequential learning.
Makoto Issues 19-24 Value Bundle [DIGITAL DOWNLOAD]
Level
N5–N2
CEFR A1–B2 · mixed levels
N5
N4
N3
N2
N1
Just startingNative material
Something for every level from Genki I onward
From Clay & Yumi, teaching Japanese since 2002. Audio recorded by Yumi and other native speakers.
➡️ How to read the eBooks in your bundle? You may need to follow the steps outlined in our eBook guide
This bundle set includes Makoto e-zine issues #19 through #24. Download instantly and begin improving your Japanese reading skills (PDFs, ePub, MOBI), listening abilities (MP3s), and vocabulary. An amazing value!
AND NOW GET IT ALL for $15.00
If all the issues were bought separately, the cost would be $41.94, but get it today at less than half price!
Purchase now and instantly get the digital download link—INSTANT GRATIFICATION and NO Shipping Charges Worldwide!
Each issue includes jokes (in Japanese), fun etymologies, grammar lessons, kanji practice, fun phrases, and, of course, a Japanese reader.
Makoto #19: Included reader: Ukyoe, Part One
Makoto #20: Included reader: Ukyoe, Part Two
Makoto #21: Included reader: Ukyoe, Part Three
Makoto #22: Included reader: Shinkansen
Makoto #23: Included reader: Yokai! Kappa
Makoto #24: Included reader: Yokai! Tengu
Impress your Japanese friends with knowledge of Japanese history while polishing your grammar and learning new vocabulary words. 日本語を磨こう! Let’s polish our Japanese!
Here’s what you get in every issue:
Jokes, fun phrases, and useful kanji
Prefecture Spotlight: each issue introduces a different Japanese prefecture
Read about Japanese culture in real Japanese! Yes, as long as you have learned hiragana, you can read real Japanese today with these fully annotated stories.
For the reader, every single line and every word are explained and defined.
Designed specifically for beginners to intermediates.
Build your Japanese vocabulary, understand new grammatical patterns, improve your reading skills, and hone in your listening abilities
Each reader includes TWO MP3s recorded by a native Japanese voice actress. One read slowly and one read at normal speed.
Print out the PDFs and drop the MP3s on your phone for on the go studying.
Normally each of the Makoto issues sell for $6.99 each. Now, for the first time, you can get them all together for a single low price of $41.94! Er... Nope! It's $15.00.
Perfect for the beginner to intermediate student of Japanese.
Reminder: This is the digital versions of the books. There will be NO shipping charges since nothing will be shipped :)
Please note: Immediately after ordering, you will receive a link to a Dropbox folder. You will be able to access all the files from any device. If you do not immediately see the email, please check your spam folder.
Biographies of Great Japanese Figures [6 Volumes] [DIGITAL DOWNLOAD]
Level
N4–N3
CEFR A2–B1 · upper beginner to intermediate
N5
N4
N3
N2
N1
Just startingNative material
Best after Genki II
Furigana on every kanji
From Clay & Yumi, teaching Japanese since 2002. Every story narrated by Yumi, a native speaker.
NOW 6 VOLUMES · NEW: UNLOCK CODES FOR OUR APP · VOLUMES 7–10 ON THE WAY
Meet the people who built modern Japan, in Japanese
A novelist, a manga legend, a banker, a teacher, a piano maker and a shipwrecked fisherman who became a samurai. Six graded readers, each telling one remarkable life twice: first in easy Japanese, then at intermediate level. Buy once and every new volume is added to your bundle for free.
NEW
Now includes unlock codes for every story in our app
Every book in this bundle comes with a code that unlocks both of its essays in the Makoto+ Japanese Explorer App (iPhone/iPad and Android).
🔊 Hear Yumi read any sentence👆 Tap a word for its reading and meaning🔤 Furigana on or off🐢 Normal or slow speed📖 Translations hidden until you want them
App Store (iPhone/iPad)
Google Play (Android)
Download the free app, sign in, and enter the code that comes with your download.
Look inside before you buy
Tap any cover to open a free preview: the cover and the first 30 pages of that book, as a PDF.
VOL. 1
Natsume Souseki
夏目漱石
Japan's great novelist
Free preview (PDF) →VOL. 2
Tezuka Osamu
手塚治虫
The god of manga
Free preview (PDF) →VOL. 3
Shibusawa Eiichi
渋沢栄一
The father of Japanese capitalism
Free preview (PDF) →VOL. 4
Fukuzawa Yukichi
福沢諭吉
Education is key
Free preview (PDF) →VOL. 5
Yamaha Torakusu
山葉寅楠
Music and more
Free preview (PDF) →VOL. 6
John Manjiro
ジョン万次郎
Castaway, whaler, samurai
Free preview (PDF) →
Coming soon, free for bundle owners
Four more volumes are planned. Each one is added to your bundle at no extra cost.
VOL. 7
Kitasato Shibasaburou
北里柴三郎
The father of modern Japanese medicine
COMING SOON
VOL. 8
Tsuda Umeko
津田梅子
Pioneer of women's education
COMING SOON
9
新渡戸稲造
COVER ON THE WAY
VOL. 9
Nitobe Inazou
新渡戸稲造
Author of Bushido: The Soul of Japan
COMING SOON
10
野口英世
COVER ON THE WAY
VOL. 10
Noguchi Hideyo
野口英世
The doctor who fought yellow fever
COMING SOON
How each book works
Two essays per person
Start with an easier essay in mostly N5–N4 Japanese, then read the longer intermediate essay that tells the same life with richer grammar and vocabulary.
Every line explained
Each sentence gets its own page, with every word defined and furigana on every kanji. Key vocabulary and grammar come first, so you are ready before you read.
Yumi's audio, two speeds
Every essay is read by Yumi, a native speaker, slowly and at natural speed. Scan the QR code beside each essay and it starts playing.
Read it in our app too
Each book has an unlock code for the Makoto+ Japanese Explorer: tap any sentence to hear it and see its words.
Learn important kanji from the essays with Kanji in Focus
What you download
For each of the six volumes:
The eBook as a PDF (print it if you like), an ePub, and a Kobo eBook (kePub)
MP3s of both essays, slow and natural speed, read by Yumi
An Anki flashcard deck of the vocabulary
A Vocabulary Cheat Sheet (PDF)
An unlock code for both essays in the Makoto+ Japanese Explorer app
Some of these essays first appeared in our Makoto magazine; for the books we edited and expanded them and wrote a new easier essay for each.
Six books for $26
Each volume sells for $6.99 on Kindle, so the six together come to $41.94, without the MP3s, Anki decks or cheat sheets. Your bundle also gets every future volume free, starting with Volume 7, Kitasato Shibasaburou, the doctor on the new 1,000-yen note, and on through Volume 10.
Who is this for?
Upper beginners to intermediate learners. If you know hiragana and basic grammar (about the end of Genki II), the easier essays will feel within reach and the intermediate ones will stretch you. Brand new to Japanese? Start with our Beri-Beri Shoshinsha Beginner's Bundle.
Bulk Discount - Remember, buy more to save more. Add two bundles to your cart and get an automatic 5% off your entire digital order; Buy three, get 10% off; Buy five or more and get a whopping 20% off your entire digital order! No coupon is needed!
P.S. All our bundles have:
✅ Multiple formats (PDF, ePub, MP3s, plus many have Anki flashcard decks)✅ One-time payment✅ Discounted compared to buying individually on Amazon✅ Free lifetime updates to this bundle✅ Instant download gratification✅ [Satisfaction Guaranteed] - Seriously, if you aren't happy with it because it's too easy or difficult, just let us know and we'll swap it with a bundle better suited for you or we'll refund your money.
➡️ How to read the eBooks in your bundle? Follow the steps in our eBook guide.
NOTE:
This is a digital download. Nothing is shipped, so there are no shipping charges.
You'll get the download link by email a minute after purchase. It opens on any phone, tablet or computer, and on a computer you can download everything at once with the Download button at the top right.
You do not need a Dropbox account or pay anything further to access the files. Learn more here.
If you don't see the email, please check your spam folder or email us for support.
Prefer paper? See Clay and Yumi's Paperbacks (not included in this digital bundle; the paperbacks come with the digital files).
These books are also on Amazon.
Colección de Libros Japoneses Volumen 1-10 [En español | SPANISH EDITION | DIGITAL DOWNLOAD]
Level
N5–N4
CEFR A1–A2 · beginner to upper beginner
N5
N4
N3
N2
N1
Just startingNative material
Best after Genki I
Furigana on every kanji
From Clay & Yumi, teaching Japanese since 2002. Every story narrated by Yumi, a native speaker.
NOTE: This 10-book self-paced learning Japanese study guide is ON SALE + FREE Lifetime updates! For a limited time, you will get this bundle for a very low price. We will increase its price when we add more content to it. But if you get this now, future content will be FREE FOREVER.
➡️ How to read the eBooks in your bundle? You may need to follow the steps outlined in our eBook guide
P.S. All our bundles have:
✅ Multiple formats (PDF, ePub, MP3s, plus many have Anki flashcard decks)✅ One-time payment✅ Discounted compared to buying individually on Amazon✅ Free lifetime updates to this bundle✅ Instant download gratification
This includes all Spanish versions of our Japanese Reader Collection.
** Recomendado para principiantes de japonés que dominan hiragana **
¡Lee la fábula japonesa más famosa directamente en japonés!
Cada oración y cada palabra es explicada y definida.
Se incluyen MP3s sin cargo de ambos cuentos. Uno leído a un ritmo normal y otro a un ritmo más lento y fácil de seguir. Encontrarás el enlace para descargar los MP3s en la última página.
SOBRE ESTE LIBRO Este libro contiene varias versiones de los dos cuentos. Primero, tenemos la historia línea por línea con cada palabra de vocabulario definida y explicada. Luego, realizamos un análisis más profundo en los patrones gramaticales encontrados en el cuento. A continuación, puedes leer la historia enteramente en japonés, sin notas en español (se incluyen furigana con los kanjis). Finalmente, incluimos una traducción al español, la cual debería ser evitada hasta que te sientas seguro de haber comprendido la historia, o usarla si te resulta muy difícil descifrarla por ti mismo. Tal vez quieras intentar primero leer el cuento en japonés. O, si eres principiante, puede que te sea mejor revisar antes el vocabulario. Cualquiera sea la forma en que lo hagas, este libro te ofrece varias formas de leer, escuchar y aprender.
Please Note:
This is the digital version of the books. There will be NO shipping charges since nothing will be shipped :)
You will receive a Dropbox link which can be accessed from any device (phone, tablet, or computer) instantly. If you are on a computer, you can download it all by clicking on the Download button at the top right.
You do not need to have a Dropbox account to access or download the files.
If you don't see the email after order, please check your spam folder or email us for support.
Makoto Issues 25-30 Value Bundle [DIGITAL DOWNLOAD]
Level
N5–N2
CEFR A1–B2 · mixed levels
N5
N4
N3
N2
N1
Just startingNative material
Something for every level from Genki I onward
From Clay & Yumi, teaching Japanese since 2002. Audio recorded by Yumi and other native speakers.
➡️ How to read the eBooks in your bundle? You may need to follow the steps outlined in our eBook guide
This bundle set includes Makoto e-zine issues #25 through #30 for six complete issues. Download instantly and begin improving your Japanese reading skills (PDFs, ePub, MOBI), listening abilities (MP3s), and vocabulary. An amazing value!
AND NOW GET IT ALL for $15.00
If all the issues were bought separately, the cost would be $41.94, but get it today at less than half price!
Purchase now and instantly get the digital download link—INSTANT GRATIFICATION and NO Shipping Charges Worldwide!
Each issue includes jokes (in Japanese), fun etymologies, grammar lessons, kanji practice, fun phrases, and, of course, a Japanese reader.
Makoto #25: Included reader: Sakura
Makoto #26: Included reader: Nine-Tailed Fox
Makoto #27: Included reader: Japanese Tunnels
Makoto #28: Included reader: The Blue Tunnel
Makoto #29: Included reader: Seikan Tunnel
Makoto #30: Included reader: Beckoning Cat
Impress your Japanese friends with knowledge of Japanese history while polishing your grammar and learning new vocabulary words. 日本語を磨こう! Let’s polish our Japanese!
Here’s what you get in every issue:
Jokes, fun phrases, and useful kanji
Prefecture Spotlight: each issue introduces a different Japanese prefecture
Read about Japanese culture in real Japanese! Yes, as long as you have learned hiragana, you can read real Japanese today with these fully annotated stories.
Two stories: one for beginners and one for intermediates; every single line and every word are explained and defined.
Designed specifically for beginners to intermediates.
Build your Japanese vocabulary, understand new grammatical patterns, improve your reading skills, and hone in your listening abilities
Each reader includes TWO MP3s recorded by a native Japanese voice actress of each story. One read slowly and one read at normal speed.
Print out the PDFs and drop the MP3s on your phone for on the go studying.
Normally each of the Makoto issues sell for $6.99 each. Now, for the first time, you can get them all together for a single low price of $41.94! Er... Nope! It's $15.00.
Perfect for the beginner to intermediate student of Japanese.
Reminder: This is the digital versions of the books. There will be NO shipping charges since nothing will be shipped :)
Please note: Immediately after ordering, you will receive a link to a Dropbox folder. You will be able to access all the files from any device. If you do not immediately see the email, please check your spam folder.
Makoto Magazine #100 - All the Fun Japanese Not Found in Textbooks
Makoto E-Zine Series #100 — Anniversary Issue 🎉
Recommended for beginner to intermediate learners of Japanese.
You can purchase the printed version on Amazon by clicking here.
Makoto Japanese Language & Culture Magazine Issue 100 (June 2026) — eight years, one hundred issues, and a complete redesign
Makoto is a monthly digital magazine for beginner to intermediate learners of Japanese. Each issue blends short stories, language lessons, cultural notes, humor, and native-audio recordings — all designed to make Japanese feel natural, usable, and enjoyable.
In this issue (June 2026, Issue 100):
Issue #1 ran 36 pages. Issue #100's PDF runs 122, has been fully redesigned, and is the first issue where the PDF, ePub, web version, and the iPhone & Android apps all draw from the same source.
Yumi snuck the number 百 into as many corners of the issue as she could — the etymology, the beginner story, even the haiku. The Japanese Reader takes a darker turn this month with a full breakdown of one of Edo Japan's most enduring ghost stories. Frank returns for Season 3, Episode 8. And there's quite a bit more inside.
Readers:
Beginner Reader: 小学校100年の思い出 (100 Years of Elementary School Memories) A third-grader's essay gets chosen for the school's 100-year anniversary book. But was it really her essay? A quietly funny beginner story built around the number 100, presented in hiragana-spaced, kanji+furigana, and natural formats for multiple reading passes.
Intermediate Reader: 四谷怪談 (Yotsuya Kaidan) One of Japan's most enduring ghost stories — and the source of every disfigured, long-haired, one-eyed vengeful ghost you've ever seen in a J-horror film. A fallen samurai named Iemon decides his loyal wife Oiwa is in the way of a richer match. The only question is how long the ghost will wait to settle the bill. Adapted from the 1825 kabuki 『東海道四谷怪談』. Darker than what we usually run, with full vocabulary, grammar notes, audio, and kanji breakdowns. Watch for the causative-passive 飲まされる at Oiwa's realization.
Frank and the Obaasan: Season 3, Episode 8 Talking is my Job Summoned by the ancient and unyielding law of rent, Frank steps into a role unlike anything he's faced before. Includes structured Japanese, vocabulary/grammar support, and Japanese-only reading.
Language & culture lessons:
Grammar Time — Beginner: ~てもいい (JLPT N5) The everyday permission pattern: "you may ~" / "is it okay to ~?" — with examples across verbs, both adjective types, and nouns.
Grammar Time — Intermediate: ~わけではない (JLPT N2) The "it's not that ~" pattern for softened or partial denial. Useful for sounding less blunt — and for understanding why a Japanese speaker just disagreed with you without actually saying "no."
Onomatopoeia Focus: Soft Things ふにゃふにゃ, もちもち, and とろとろ — three textures of "soft" that range from a half-asleep cat to fresh mochi to slow-braised pork belly.
Vocabulary (5 entries, N5 to N1): お願いします, なるべく早く, 仕方がない, 腑に落ちない, and 足を引っ張る — graded across all five JLPT levels, each with usage notes, example sentences, and audio.
Etymology: 百聞は一見にしかず Japan's version of "a picture is worth a thousand words" — but older, sharper, and traceable to 『漢書』, the ancient Chinese Book of Han. (And, of course, fitting for issue #100.)
Kanji Spotlight (JLPT N5 to N1): 本, 親, 依, 捨, and 矛 — readings, meanings, stroke order, compound words, and example sentences for each.
Prefecture Spotlight: 新潟 (Niigata) The setting of Kawabata's Snow Country, Sado Island's gold mines, taiko drumming, the crested ibis, and some of Japan's finest sake — perfected in Niigata's fertile rice plains.
Anime Phrase of the Month 「テーマパークに来たみたいだぜ」 from 野原ひろし 昼メシの流儀 — the Crayon Shin-chan dad gets his own show about lunch.
Haiku Spotlight: 高浜虚子 (Takahama Kyoshi) 「ゆらぎ見ゆ百の椿が三百に」— a late-in-life haiku where 100 camellias shimmer into 300. A poem about the number 100, in issue 100.
Jokes & Riddles, Katakana Match (Sports), and more
Includes:
122 pages (PDF) — completely redesigned for issue #100
30 MP3 audio files
4 Anki flashcard decks
2 eBook formats (PDF + ePub)
Scan-and-listen QR codes for quick mobile access
Full integration with Makoto+ Japanese Explorer on the web and in the iPhone & Android app — magazine content is now built into the Read tab with inline audio, tappable vocabulary, furigana-on-demand, translations, notes, and vocabulary tracking
Eight years, one hundred issues, and the most ambitious issue of Makoto we've ever put together. Whether you're tracing a phrase back to ancient China, counting plates with a samurai's ghost, or just here for Frank's latest career move — thanks for being part of the first 100.
NOTE:
Digital and Print Versions Available (print on Amazon, digital here).
Digital version downloads are instant—no waiting.
No Dropbox account required. Download directly on PC/Mac or access files on mobile.
If you don't see your email right away, check your spam folder or contact us.
This series is also available on Amazon.