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 the Makoto Japanese Explorer app and Sentence Explorer — 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).
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No Dropbox account required. Download directly on PC/Mac or access files on mobile.
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This series is also available on Amazon.
Makoto Issues 67-72 Value Bundle [DIGITAL DOWNLOAD]
Makoto E-Zine Bundle #67 - #72
This bundle set includes Makoto e-zine issues #67 through #72 for six complete issues. Download instantly and begin improving your Japanese reading skills (PDFs and ePub), listening abilities (MP3s), and vocabulary. Anki decks are included for the intermediate story too! An amazing value!
❝Makoto is a great magazine for not only learning the Japanese language, but it also features articles about Japanese culture and food as well. Furthermore, it holds lots of info about places of interest that one should visit when traveling in Japan.❞
AND NOW GET IT ALL for $15.00
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!
➡️ 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✅ [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.
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 #67: Japanese Readers: Tomokoroshi (beginner) + Shibusawa Eiichi, the Father of Japanese Capitalism (Intermediate) [58 Pages | 2 eBook Formats | 17 Sound Files | 1 Anki Flashcard Deck]
Makoto #68: Japanese Readers: Kannazuki (beginner) + Fukuzawa Yukichi (Intermediate) [61 Pages | 2 eBook Formats | 20 Sound Files | 1 Anki Flashcard Deck]
Makoto #69: Japanese Readers: Koharubiyori (beginner) + Kitasato Shibasaburou (Intermediate) [51 Pages | 2 eBook Formats | 18 Sound Files | 1 Anki Flashcard Deck]
Makoto #70: Japanese Readers: Kentucky Fried Chicken (beginner) + Tsuda Umeko (Intermediate) [58 Pages | 2 eBook Formats | 16 Sound Files | 1 Anki Flashcard Deck]
Makoto #71: Japanese Readers: Kakizome (beginner) + Natsume Souseki (Intermediate) [63 Pages | 2 eBook Formats | 17 Sound Files | 1 Anki Flashcard Deck]
Makoto #72: Japanese Readers: National Foundation Day (beginner) + Noguchi Hideyo (Intermediate) [62 Pages | 2 eBook Formats | 17 Sound Files | 1 Anki Flashcard Deck]
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 improve your listening abilities
Each story or essay includes TWO sound files 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.
NOTE:
Print Versions are Available! (Not included in this digital-only bundle)
Click here for the print versions - Clay and Yumi's Paperbacks
If you choose a digital version, you'll instantly get the download links in a minute after purchasing. The print versions also come with the digital files.
You do not need to have a Dropbox account or pay anything further to access or download the files. You will be able to instantly download all files on a PC or Mac (computer or laptop) and/or access any individual file on any of your mobile devices. Learn more here.
If you don't see the email after the order, please check your spam folder or email us for support.
These books are available on Amazon.
Makoto Japanese e-Zine #19 September 2019 | Digital Download + MP3s
➡️ WAIT! Want to save a dollar and get the latest issue each month? Become a member of our Makoto+ club and not only save and download new Makoto issues, but also access web-versions of the past three Makoto issues. Want more? Well, Makoto+ members also get a 10% reusable coupon good for anything at theJapanShop.com and each month, we will post a new eBook for you to download free of charge. Subscribe today for only $3 a month or $36 a year. Cancel at any time! Click here to learn more.
Makoto E-Zine series #19Recommended for beginners and lower intermediates of Japanese.FREE MP3s of the stories read by a native Japanese speaker--download link found on the last page. Listen while reading.The Fun Japanese Not Found in Textbooks. If you like our readers and lessons, you will love Makoto, the new e-zine filled with articles on kanji, culture, idioms, proverbs, geography, history, etymology, JLPT tips, Japanese trivia, and much more. Not only that, but every issue will include a brand new reader with newly recorded high-quality MP3s for you to download for no extra charge. IN THIS ISSUE: September 2019NEW READER: Frank and the Obaasan #15 (LAST EPISODE!) & Ukiyoe, Part One* Laughs, Jokes, Riddles, and Puns* Vocabulary* Prefecture Spotlight* Etymology* Phrase of the Day* Haiku: Basho* Kanji Spotlight* Grammar Time!* Japanese Readers: Frank & the Obaasan Episode 15 and Ukiyoe, Part One
➡️ LEARN ABOUT BECOMING A MAKOTO+ MEMBER. CLICK HERE
Japanese History Reader Volume 1: Samurai & Daimyou [Paperback]
This is for the physical book which will be mailed to you. If you are looking for the digital version (with no shipping charges), this book is in the Japanese History Digital Bundle.
Recommended for upper beginner students of Japanese.
This affordable Japanese history reader contains three essays on Japanese Samurai and Daimyou.
The Three Warlords who Unified Japan
Sakamoto Ryoma, the Reformer
Miyamoto Musashi, Japan's Greatest Swordsman
Get FREE Sound Files of the stories read by a native Japanese speaker. The download link will be emailed to you instantly upon ordering (we will also ship the physical book). Listen while reading. Each story has two MP3 versions: Read Slowly & Normal Speed
Quick! What's the first thing you think of when you hear the word Japan? Maybe it is anime, Hello Kitty, geisha, or sumo, but I bet high on that list is the samurai warrior class. This book contains three essays on samurai history.Read--in Japanese--about the greatest swordsman in history, Miyamoto Musashi, one of the most important reformers of the bakumatsu period, Sakamoto Ryōma, and the three great warrior leaders who consolidated Japan. Yes, you can read real Japanese--even if you are fairly new to Japanese.
FEATURES:
157 pages
All Japanese have furigana those starting out with kanji.
Every sentence is broken down word-for-word and with explanation of the grammar.
The full story in Japanese only (without the running gloss) is also provided so you can practice reading without interruption.
Kanji in Focus covers the key kanji found in each essay
Finally, we have included a simple and mostly literal English translation for you to check your understanding (Don't cheat! Work through the Japanese first!).
Includes FREE Sound files to listen while you study. Includes both normal speed and slow speed readings. You will be emailed a download link instantly after ordering (the actual physical book will also be mailed to you).
While beginners to Japanese can get a lot from this, hiragana knowledge is required.
Finally, we invite the reader to contact us with questions or requests for future Japanese readers. You will find our personal email addresses in the book. To your Japanese!
Genki II Workbook (3rd Edition)
The Genki series is a very popular Japanese textbook used by students and teachers around the world. It works well in the classroom as well as for individual study (although, the individual student will want the sold-separately Genki Answer Key also)
For the self-study student, we recommend getting the workbook if you have someone who can check your work and penmanship. Otherwise, you might want to just start with the textbook and answer key.
Genki gives students a solid grounding in all four language skills: listening; speaking; reading; and writing
132 pages
978-4-7890-1733-6
Hiragana, the Basics of Japanese [Paperback]
SAVE WITH DIGITAL! This item is included in a digital bundle for FREE. If you would like the eBook version (PDF, ePub, or Kindle MOBI) and the MP3s, please see our discounted bundles here and get this for free - Japanese Reader Collection
NEWLY UPDATED! This is for the paperback plus the digital files. PDF, Kindle, and ePub formats. Everything you need to quickly and painlessly learn hiragana. Includes: 5 printable PDFs including our forty-eight page Hiragana Booklet, Flashcards and Posters AND audio files. In all, almost 14 megs of media to aid in the mastering of Hiragana.
Paperback will be mailed to you
48 Printable PDF
PDF Posters; PDF Practice Writing Pad; MP3s
Download link emailed ASAP after order (not currently instant–sorry!)
Kindle and ePub ebook formats also included
ePub works on Android devices with FBReader and possibly other EPUB book reader apps.
REVISED EDITION now with FREE MP3s and Printable PDFs as a download.Many teachers recommend learning hiragana as a first step toward Japanese proficiency. Helpful mnemonics and illustrations help the student quickly learn the characters painlessly.
You can learn hiragana in less than two weeks using this book if you can set aside a few minutes a day to study.
– Helpful Mnemonics
– Fully Illustrated
– Covers all forty-six main characters plus all the variations
– History and helpful hints throughout
– Writing Practice Sheets
– Download more PDF practice sheets and the sound files of all hiragana for free.
Learn Japanese through Dialogues Volume 1: Beginning Conversations [Paperback]
SAVE WITH DIGITAL! Don't need a physical book? This is also available in this Money-Saving Digital Bundle.
115 Pages | Includes Digital Files | 5.5 x 8.5 inch Paperback
Note: this is a physical paperback that will be shipped to you. You'll also receive the digital files by email immediately after ordering.
Finally, a fun and easy way to learn REAL conversational Japanese! (And get FREE MP3s of all the dialogues too!)
Learn Japanese vocabulary in context, improve your listening comprehension, and learn how to talk to others in Japanese.
This was written for beginners of Japanese, but if you haven't yet learned hiragana, please see our Beri- Beri- Shoshinsha here.
We are including, at no extra charge, MP3s for the seven dialogues found in this book. Create play-lists to study on the go or burn the sound files to a CD to listen at home. The download link will be emailed to you immediately after ordering. The MP3s are all recorded by native voice actors and actresses.
The dialogues found in this book are all about context and how Japanese is actually used with friends casually and when peppered with politeness among new acquaintances.
Please use the sound files (included in this download). We hope this book by itself will be helpful, but the sound files--in our opinion--give it most of its value.
Contents:
1 Dialogue One: Jane introduces Herself to a Coworker
2 Dialogue Two: Jane meets her New Boss
3 Dialogue Three: Jane introduces Herself
4 Dialogue Four: Jane meets her Neighbor
5 Dialogue Five: Jane has a Headache
6 Dialogue Six: Jane and Neighbor Tanaka
7 Dialogue Seven: Eating Out
FREE MP3s
What are you waiting for? Ninja up your Japanese. Click “Add to Cart” now!
Please note: This is a physical paperback which will be shipped to you. You'll also receive a download link for the digital files immediately after ordering. Please check your spam folder if you don't see it.
Japanese Sentence Practice 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 sound files, please see our discounted bundles here - JLPT N5 BUNDLE
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The digital files (eBook and sound files) are included with the purchase of this paperback. Simply place your order and the download link will be emailed you immediately after purchase.
Studying, tearing apart, and drilling with sentences is a great way to not only boost your reading comprehension and vocabulary but it can also help with grammar, kanji, and even pronunciation (with shadowing).
This book takes 100 sentences using JLPT N5 level vocabulary and grammar (beginner) and thoroughly works through them with full explanations, fill-in-the blank exercises, and translations.
This book is best for beginners who can read all hiragana and have a basic grasp of Japanese sentence structure.
187 page PDF
ePub eBook files
100 sound files
Anki Flashcard Deck with 200 cards
BEGINNER LEVEL
Download the sound files for every Japanese example sentence within. Link emailed to you immediately after purchase.
Example sentences are broken down with a literal word-by-word translation to aid comprehension.
Each kanji has furigana (small hiragana over the kanji)
Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 2: Momotaro, the Peach Boy [Paperback]
NOTE: This is also available in the Complete Japanese Reader Collection Bundle.
81 Pages | Includes Digital Files | 5.5 x 8.5 inch Paperback
This is for the Paperback (you'll also get the digital files too!)
Momotaro, the Peach boy is by far Japan’s most famous fairy tale. Now, you can read this famous mukashi banashi (folktale) in real Japanese. Momotaro is a boy born of a peach who grows up to be a brave and mighty man. Oni is invading the village. The villagers beg Momotaro to get rid of the menace. Together with three strange allies, Momotaro heads off to Onigashima to defeat the Oni boss. Beginners can get a lot out of this product, but hiragana and very basic Japanese is required.
BONUS Story: The Tortoise and the Hare
83 Pages
A slow MP3 recording of the stories
A normal speed MP3 recording
Paperback + Digital download
Japanese Reader Collection Volume 2: Momotaro, the Peach Boy
Read Real Japanese with Free MP3s
** Recommended for Beginners of Japanese **
Read the most famous Japanese fairy tale in real Japanese!
Every line and every word are explained and defined.
BONUS! We are also including the entire Usagi to Kame story (The Tortoise and the Hare) also with every word explained and defined.
MP3s Included at no extra charge are two MP3s of both stories. One is read at the normal speed and the other at a slow, easy to follow speed. You will find the link to download the MP3s on the last page.
Please note: This is a physical paperback which will be shipped to you. You'll also receive a download link for the digital files immediately after ordering.
Makoto Japanese e-Zine #9 December 2018
➡️ WAIT! Want to save a dollar and get the latest issue each month? Become a member of our Makoto+ club and not only save and download new Makoto issues, but also access web-versions of the past three Makoto issues. Want more? Well, Makoto+ members also get a 10% reusable coupon good for anything at theJapanShop.com and each month, we will post a new eBook for you to download free of charge. Subscribe today for only $3 a month or $36 a year. Cancel at any time! Click here to learn more.
IN THIS ISSUE:
NEW READER: Frank and the Obaasan & The Hundred Tales Game37 Pages
* Laughs, Jokes, Riddles, and Puns* Prefecture Spotlight: Nagasaki* Etymology: Oyatsu* Phrase of the Day: Tomorrow is another day* Kanji Spotlight: Directions* Grammar Time! Using Ne* Frank and the Obaasan Reader, Grammatical Notes, Kanji Notes, and English Translation* The Hundred Tales Game
➡️ LEARN ABOUT BECOMING A MAKOTO+ MEMBER. CLICK HERE
Japanese Grammar for JLPT N4-Master the Japanese Language Proficiency Test N4 [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 sound files, please see our discounted bundles here - JLPT N4 BUNDLE
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The digital files (eBook and sound files) are included with the purchase of this paperback. Simply place your order and the download link will be emailed you immediately after puchase.
Japanese Vocabulary for JLPT N4 covers the grammar needed to pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test level N4. This is the upper beginner level of the test and is suitable for upper beginners who have mastered the basics of Japanese.
Whether you are planning to take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test N4 or just would like to continue learning important Japanese grammatical points, this book will teach you the most useful grammatical patterns in an easy-to-understand way. Download the sound files and the accompanying PDF for a complete learning system (included for no extra charge).
UPPER BEGINNER LEVEL
Download the sound files for every Japanese example sentence within. Link emailed to you immediately after purchase.
Explanations in plain English with several examples per grammar point.
Example sentences are broken down with a literal word-by-word translation to aid comprehension.
Each kanji has furigana (small hiragana over the kanji)
Grammar Points Covered:
あとで
~ば/~れば
~ばいいですか
場合
ことができる
〜だす(出す)
できるだけ
どうも
~始める(始める)
~はずだ
~はずがない
~かどうか
~かもしれない
~に気がつく
~ことにする
~ことになる
~く/ ~にする
まま
まだ〜ていない
または
~みたい
~ながら
~ないで
~ないでおく
~なくてもいい(不必要)
~なくてはならない
なら
~なさい
~にくい
~のですか・んですか
~のは~だ
~のような
~のように
のに
お~ください
~られる
~させる
~させられる
~せいで
~し
そうだ
~そうだ
すぎる
~たばかり
~たがる
~たら
~たらどうですか
~てあげる
~ているあいだに~
~ていただけませんか
~てくれる
~てくれてありがとう
〜てみる
~てもらう
~ておく
~てくる・~ていく
~てくる #2
~てしまう
~てすみません
~てよかった
~ても・〜でも
と
~という~
つづける(続ける)
~は~が
~やすい
~よう(だ)
~ようと思う
ぜひ
全然~ない
Yonde Miyo~! Volume 2 - Short and Fun Japanese Stories in Hiragana and Basic Kanji [Paperback]
NOTE: The digital version is found in the Beri- Beri- Shoshinsha bundle.
Have you only recently learned hiragana but need practice? Or perhaps, your hiragana is no problem, but you want to build your hiragana and kanji reading comprehension?
This new collection of stories is here to the rescue!
Read real Japanese—beginner level but not boring Japanese! You won't find the Japanese version of Dick and Jane, but you will find stories written for adults. Enjoy reading flash fiction, super short essays, and funny stories of common mistakes made by learners of Japanese.Best of all, the only requirement is that you can read hiragana and have a very basic understanding of Japanese. Vocabulary and grammar will be defined and explained.
The format is a little different from our other more advanced readers. The idea is for the reader to read the entire story three times. Each page will have a sentence or two in hiragana (with spaces between words for you to see “words” instead of syllables) at the top and that same content in full Japanese (with furigana—small hiragana over kanji) at the bottom. The middle will have the glossary and grammatical explanations. Lastly, the story is presented in Japanese without furigana. See if you can read it after going through the previous two versions and explanations.
If you have just learned hiragana, you may want to listen to the sound file while reading the hiragana section to practice correct pronunciation. If you have studied Japanese a bit longer, you may want to start with the bottom version and take note of the glossary for understanding.The glossary will have the word as it appears in the story, but it will also give the “dictionary” form so you can look the word up further.
Having fun while learning a language is a great way to increase motivation. With increased motivation, you are less likely to skip a day's study. A skipped day can quickly become a lost week and then a lost… forever.
And so, we hope you will have as much fun reading these stories as we had writing them.
This is a physical paperback which will be shipped to you. You'll also receive the digital files for no extra charge immediately after ordering.