Makoto e-Zine

Makoto E-Zine Series #104 Recommended for beginner to intermediate learners of Japanese. Makoto Japanese Language & Culture Magazine Issue 104 (October 2026) 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 (October 2026, Issue 104): October is persimmons darkening on the branch, the first real chill in the evening air, and food that suddenly sounds as good as it tastes. Two galactic emperors spend a day experiencing ordinary Japan, where imperial status won't get you a free meal or a seat on the train. The girl found on the shrine steps grows up in Part 3 of 小川未明's 「赤い蝋燭と人魚」, a deer turns out to know more about pears than the person who planted the tree, and one falling persimmon startles a dog at dusk. The grammar section covers ～ながら (doing two things at once) and ～かねない (things that just might go wrong), and we visit Tottori, which had sand dunes long before it had a Starbucks. All in the redesigned Makoto format: PDF, ePub, web, and the iPhone & Android apps. Readers: Beginner Reader: 鹿と梨の木 (The Deer and the Pear Tree) The pear tree in the narrator's backyard bears plenty of fruit this year, but the first pear is small and sour. Then a big deer starts showing up in the evenings to eat the pears that fall to the ground. Read it through first, then go line by line. Grammar notes cover ～たいと思って, ～てみる, もしかして, ～ていた, and ～のですね. Japanese Reader: 赤い蝋燭と人魚 Part 3, The Painted Candles (The Red Candles and the Mermaid) Years have passed. The girl the old couple found on the shrine steps has grown into a shy young woman who keeps her face turned away from the world, yet everyone who glimpses her is struck by her beauty. She begins painting fish, shells, and seaweed in red on the white candles, and the little shop's fortunes begin to change. This is the original 1921 text with full vocabulary, grammar notes, and audio. Frank and the Obaasan: Season 3, Episode 12 The Emperors Experience Japan (皇帝たちの日本体験) It's Frank's day off, and the two emperors want to see Japan. Rulers of millions of worlds, they have never paid for a meal, ridden a crowded train, or given up a seat to anyone. Read it through in Japanese, then line by line with vocabulary and grammar support. The full episode audio is included. Language & culture lessons: Grammar Time (Beginner): ～ながら (JLPT N4) Doing two things at the same time, as in 音楽を聞きながら勉強します (I study while listening to music), with example sentences and audio. Grammar Time (Intermediate): ～かねない (JLPT N2) A real risk that something undesirable could happen, as in 彼女を傷つけかねない (it could end up hurting her). Onomatopoeia Focus: Food Textures もちもち, さくさく, and とろとろ: soft and springy like fresh bread or mochi, light and crisp like fried food or cookies, and so soft it almost melts, like melted cheese or a half-cooked egg. Vocabulary (5 entries, N5 to N1): 行ってきます, お邪魔します, 手を抜く, 目を通す, and 後手に回る. One entry per JLPT level, each with usage notes, an example sentence, and audio. Etymology: どんちゃん騒ぎ The どん is a drum and the ちゃん is the clang of a 鉦, a small metal gong played at festivals and in kabuki. What began as the sound of a lively band became the word for a rowdy, anything-goes party. Kanji Spotlight (JLPT N5 to N1): 山, 駅, 橋, 険, and 礎. Readings, meanings, a memory hint, compound words, a stroke-order diagram, and an example sentence for each, with audio. Prefecture Spotlight: 鳥取 (Tottori) Japan's largest sand dunes, the volcano Daisen known as the Hōki Fuji, a temple hall clinging to a sheer cliff at Mitokusan, the world's only indoor sand-sculpture museum, and a street lined with more than 170 bronze yōkai from 水木しげる's manga. Anime Phrase of the Month 「いくさとはもったいないものさ。浪費と破壊と消耗 そこからはなにも生み出すものはない。」 from 忍たま乱太郎 Doi-sensei, the teacher at the ninja academy, on why war is such a waste: nothing is ever created from it. Haiku Spotlight: 作者不詳 (Author Unknown) 「柿落ちて 犬が驚く 日暮かな」: a persimmon falls, a dog startles, and the day draws to a close. With four English translations, the seasonal word, vocabulary, and an explanation with audio. Jokes & Riddles (including a friend with a "perfect" memory), Katakana Match (Computers), and more Includes: 108 pages (PDF) in the redesigned Makoto format 50 MP3 audio files, including the full Frank and the Obaasan episode 4 Anki flashcard decks 2 eBook formats (PDF + ePub), plus an edition for Kobo readers Scan-and-listen QR codes for quick mobile access An unlock code that adds this issue to the free Makoto+ Japanese Explorer app (iPhone, Android, and web), with inline audio, tappable vocabulary, furigana on demand, translations, notes, and vocabulary tracking Issue 104: pour something warm and read it ながら. Just leave the first pears to the deer. 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.

Makoto E-Zine Series #103 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 103 (September 2026) 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 (September 2026, Issue 103): September is when Japan stops overdoing it. The heat finally backs off, the cicadas hand the evenings over to the crickets, and the autumn flowers begin to bloom. Fitting, then, that the grammar section covers ～すぎる (doing something too much) and ～っぱなし (leaving something as it is). The mermaid returns in Part 2 of 小川未明's 「赤い蝋燭と人魚」, Frank gets an imperial performance review, the etymology section explains how a small pink flower came to stand for 大和撫子, and we visit Toyama, where the squid glow in the dark. All in the redesigned Makoto format: PDF, ePub, web, and the iPhone & Android apps. Readers: Beginner Reader: ジョギング (Jogging) The narrator recently took up jogging. At first, five minutes of running meant giving up and walking; now it is four kilometers, and the next goal is five without stopping. Read it through first, then go line by line. Grammar notes cover ～たばかり, ～てしまいました, ～ことができるようになってきた, それほど～ない, and ～ずに. Japanese Reader: 赤い蝋燭と人魚 Part 2, The Candle Shop (The Red Candles and the Mermaid) In a small seaside town, an old couple runs a humble candle shop at the foot of a hill crowned by a shrine. One bright moonlit night the grandmother climbs up to pay her respects, and what she finds on the stone steps coming back down is where the story turns. This is the original 1921 text with full vocabulary, grammar notes, and audio. Frank and the Obaasan: Season 3, Episode 11 The Emperors Observe Frank's Job (皇帝たちの職場を見学) Around the こたつ, the two emperors who rule millions of stars admit they have never carried a bowl of miso soup. So the next day they come to watch Frank work at the diner. Read it through in Japanese, then line by line with vocabulary and grammar support. The full episode audio is included. Language & culture lessons: Grammar Time (Beginner): ～すぎる (JLPT N4) "Too much" and "overly," as in 食べすぎる, 高すぎる, and 静かすぎる, with example sentences and audio. Grammar Time (Intermediate): ～っぱなし (JLPT N2) Leaving something in a state it should not stay in (電気をつけっぱなしにする, to leave the light on), or doing something nonstop. Onomatopoeia Focus: Cutting and Throwing ザクザク, ポイ, and バタン: chopping a cabbage, tossing something away without a second thought, and a door slamming shut. Vocabulary (5 entries, N5 to N1): お腹が空いた, 楽しみにしています, 思い切って, 猫の手も借りたい, and 推して知るべし. One entry per JLPT level, each with usage notes, an example sentence, and audio. Etymology: 大和撫子 撫子 is a small pink flower whose name is said to mean "a child so lovely you want to stroke its head." Calling the native variety 大和撫子 set it apart from the Chinese 唐撫子, and the name later became an ideal of graceful Japanese womanhood. Kanji Spotlight (JLPT N5 to N1): 食, 医, 調, 団, and 審. Readings, meanings, a memory hint, compound words, and an example sentence for each, with audio. Prefecture Spotlight: 富山 (Toyama) The firefly squid that light up Toyama Bay an electric blue each spring, the towering snow walls of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, the sightseeing train through Kurobe Gorge, and the steep thatched farmhouses of Gokayama. Anime Phrase of the Month 「どうやら僕はめんどくさいのが好きなのかもな」 from 斉木楠雄のΨ難 始動編 Saiki gave up his psychic powers to live as an ordinary high school student. Then he hears that a giant meteor is about to destroy Japan, and this is the line he mutters as the anime ends. Haiku Spotlight: 作者不詳 (Author Unknown) 「向日葵は どんなときでも 前を向き」: whatever comes, the sunflower keeps facing forward. With four English translations, the seasonal word, vocabulary, and an explanation with audio. Jokes & Riddles (including a Frank Sinatra line about loving your enemies), Katakana Match (Entertainment), and more Includes: 107 pages (PDF) in the redesigned Makoto format 41 MP3 audio files, including the full Frank and the Obaasan episode 4 Anki flashcard decks 2 eBook formats (PDF + ePub), plus an edition for Kobo readers Scan-and-listen QR codes for quick mobile access An unlock code that adds this issue to the free Makoto+ Japanese Explorer app (iPhone, Android, and web), with inline audio, tappable vocabulary, furigana on demand, translations, notes, and vocabulary tracking Issue 103: grab some tea, find a quiet corner, and read too much. It's the one place すぎる is encouraged. 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.

Makoto E-Zine Series #102 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 102 (August 2026): the start of a five-part fairy tale in its original Japanese 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 (August 2026, Issue 102): This month we begin 「赤い蝋燭と人魚」 (The Red Candles and the Mermaid), the best-known story by 小川未明 (Ogawa Mimei), often called the father of Japanese children's literature. Over five issues we read the whole tale sentence by sentence, in the words he wrote in 1921 and the same text Japanese readers have grown up with for a century. Also inside: two alien emperors turn up at Frank's door, the etymology section traces お転婆 back to a Dutch word, and the prefecture spotlight visits Shimane, where Japan's gods are said to gather every October. All in the redesigned Makoto format: PDF, ePub, web, and the iPhone & Android apps. Readers: Beginner Reader: 熊やイノシシに遭ってしまったら (If You Run Into a Bear or a Wild Boar) A short first-person piece: growing up right beside the mountains without ever seeing a bear, spotting a big wild boar while out jogging on a trip back to Japan, and what to do if you ever meet one. Read it through first, then go line by line. Grammar notes cover ～たことはありません, ～ことがあります, ～ていたら, ～てしまったら, the literary ～ず, and ～ながら. Japanese Reader: 赤い蝋燭と人魚 Part 1, The Northern Sea (The Red Candles and the Mermaid) In the cold, dark northern sea, a lonely mermaid who is expecting a child decides to leave her baby with the humans on shore, because she has heard that humans are kind to helpless things. This is the original 1921 text with full vocabulary, grammar notes, and audio. Watch for the older storybook forms like 青うございました and ～であります, which give the tale its voice. Frank and the Obaasan: Season 3, Episode 10 The Return of the Emperors (皇帝たちの帰還) Frank opens the door and freezes: two aliens he knows all too well are standing there. They bow deeply to Obaasan, glare at Frank, and report that his old enemy is still in prison, crying every day because there are no cats. Read it through in Japanese, then line by line with vocabulary and grammar support. Language & culture lessons: Grammar Time (Beginner): ～なければならない (JLPT N4) "Must" and "have to," formed from verbs, い-adjectives, な-adjectives, and nouns, with three example sentences and audio. Grammar Time (Intermediate): ～わけにはいかない (JLPT N2) "I can't (afford to)" when duty, principle, or circumstance rules something out, plus the double negative ～ないわけにはいかない: "I have no choice but to." Onomatopoeia Focus: Anger イライラ, カンカン, and ムカムカ: from irritation that builds up over the day, to a full boiling rage, to the resentment that churns in your stomach. Vocabulary (5 entries, N5 to N1): お元気ですか, 楽しみにする, 手が離せない, 顔が広い, and 気を揉む. One entry per JLPT level, each with usage notes, an example sentence, and audio. Etymology: お転婆 (Tomboy) The most common theory traces the word to the Dutch ontembaar, "untamable," which Japanese ears turned into おてんば. Kanji Spotlight (JLPT N5 to N1): 水, 図, 配, 傾, and 把. Readings, meanings, a memory hint, compound words, and an example sentence for each, with audio. Prefecture Spotlight: 島根 (Shimane) Home to 出雲大社 (Izumo Shrine), where Japan's gods are said to gather each October, which is why the month is locally called 神在月. Plus 松江城 (Matsue Castle), one of the few castles with its original keep, and the Iwami Silver Mine, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Anime Phrase of the Month 「命令はしない。左右様は守り神だから俺なんかが命令とかおこがましい。」 from 黄泉のツガイ Yuru refuses to give orders to the pair of guardians his village has always revered. From the creator of 鋼の錬金術師 (Fullmetal Alchemist). Haiku Spotlight: 作者不詳 (Author Unknown) 「花火消え 闇の深さを 知りにけり」: the fireworks fade, and only then do you learn how deep the dark is. With four English translations, the seasonal word, vocabulary, and an explanation with audio. Jokes & Riddles, Katakana Match (Computer Words), and more Includes: 101 pages (PDF) in the redesigned Makoto format 40 MP3 audio files 5 Anki flashcard decks 2 eBook formats (PDF + ePub), plus an edition for Kobo readers Scan-and-listen QR codes for quick mobile access An unlock code that adds this issue to the free Makoto+ Japanese Explorer app (iPhone, Android, and web), with inline audio, tappable vocabulary, furigana on demand, translations, notes, and vocabulary tracking Issue 102 opens a five-part read of one of Japan's best-loved fairy tales, in the words its author wrote. Take it slowly, lean on the notes when you need them, and let yourself read. 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.

Makoto E-Zine Series #101 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 101 (July 2026) — the first issue of the next hundred 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 (July 2026, Issue 101): After the fireworks of issue #100, #101 gets to enjoy the quiet luxury of being a perfectly ordinary number — which means it's simply a magazine full of Japanese to dig into. Frank clocks in for a full shift at the diner, a rain-soaked stranger shows up at a castle gate claiming to be a princess, and the etymology section explains why the gods get credit for thunder. All in the fully redesigned format introduced last issue: PDF, ePub, web, and the iPhone & Android apps, all from the same source. Readers: Beginner Reader (Let's Read): 看板を読む子 (Reading the Signs) A bored kid in the back seat reads restaurant signs out the car window — and accidentally gives Mom entirely the wrong idea. Presented in hiragana-spaced and kanji+furigana formats for multiple reading passes, with grammar notes covering の modifiers, 何も～ない, ～ている, ～ことにする, のなら, and て-form sequencing. Japanese Reader: えんどう豆の上のお姫さま (The Princess and the Pea) After last month's ghost story, something gentler: Andersen's classic retold in clear, approachable Japanese. A prince wants a real princess, and the queen has a testing method involving one very small pea and a great deal of bedding. Full vocabulary, grammar notes, and audio — watch for ～かどうか (whether or not), ～たり～たり, ～ようで, and the confident conclusion pattern ～にちがいない. Frank and the Obaasan: Season 3, Episode 9 A Day at the Restaurant (定食屋の日常) Last month Frank got a job. This month he actually has to do it. A full day at the teishoku diner — morning prep, lonely regulars, and Frank's particular gift for saying goodbye to fish. Includes structured Japanese, vocabulary/grammar support, and Japanese-only reading. Language & culture lessons: Grammar Time — Beginner: ～てもいい (JLPT N4) The everyday permission pattern: "you may ~" / "is it okay to ~?" — with examples across verbs, adjectives, and nouns. Grammar Time — Intermediate: ～ものの (JLPT N2) The "although ~" pattern for when the first half of your sentence writes a check the second half can't cash — a contrast connector you'll meet constantly in written Japanese. Onomatopoeia Focus: Rain しとしと, ざあざあ, and ぽつぽつ — three ways Japanese hears the rain, from a gentle drizzle to a downpour to the first scattered drops that make you regret not bringing an umbrella. Vocabulary (5 entries, N5 to N1): いただきます, 久しぶり, 気になる, 念のため, and 気が置けない — graded across all five JLPT levels, each with usage notes, example sentences, and audio. Etymology: 雷 Why is thunder called かみなり? Because to the ancient Japanese, it was quite literally the sound the gods make — a word history that traces the kanji back to lightning spreading across the sky beneath rainclouds. Kanji Spotlight (JLPT N5 to N1): 館, 親, 登, 現, and 矛 — readings, meanings, stroke order, compound words, and example sentences for each. Prefecture Spotlight: 神奈川 (Kanagawa) Home to Yokohama — one of Japan's first ports opened to foreign trade in 1859 and now home to the country's largest Chinatown — plus Kamakura's Great Buddha and more. Anime Phrase of the Month 「同じ気持ちじゃない時、どうしたらいいんだろう？」 from ちいかわ — Hachiware wonders what to do when someone doesn't feel the same way. Small, cute, and quietly devastating, as Chiikawa tends to be. Haiku Spotlight: 正岡子規 (Masaoka Shiki) 「ずんずんと夏を流すや最上川」— the mighty Mogami River sweeps summer itself downstream, in one of Shiki's most energetically modern-sounding classical haiku. With five English translations and full analysis. Jokes & Riddles, Katakana Match (Nation Names), and more Includes: 106 pages (PDF) in the fully redesigned Makoto format 27 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 built into the Read tab with inline audio, tappable vocabulary, furigana-on-demand, translations, notes, and vocabulary tracking Issue 101: no milestones, no fireworks — just a magazine full of Japanese worth digging into. Whether you're testing princesses with produce, learning to hear the rain in Japanese, or just here to see how Frank handles the lunch rush — welcome to the second hundred. 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.

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.

Makoto E-Zine Series #99 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 99 (May 2026) Story-driven reading and listening practice for learners of Japanese 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 (May 2026, Issue 99): This month moves from kitchen mishap to one of Japan's most famous ghost stories. A beginner story about an American making curry from scratch sets up a quietly devastating run-in with the metric system, while a classic Edo-period 怪談 about a maid, ten precious plates, and a well you don't want to stand near at midnight delivers some of the most haunting Japanese in folklore. In between, Frank survives his third job interview — barely — by confessing to a sushi-shop crime of love. Readers: Beginner Reader: カレー (Curry) Mark moves to Japan and decides to cook dinner from scratch. He buys the roux, chops the vegetables, and confidently ignores the part of the instructions written in milliliters. What he ends up with is not curry. Presented in hiragana-spaced, kanji+furigana, and natural formats for multiple reading passes. Intermediate Reader: 番町皿屋敷 (The Dish Mansion at Banchō) One of Japan's most enduring ghost stories. A samurai. A loyal maid named お菊. Ten precious heirloom plates — and only nine after midnight. A voice in the well counting one… two… three… and stopping at nine, every night, until a wandering monk does the one thing that finally lets her rest. Guided reading with full vocabulary, grammar notes, audio, and kanji breakdowns. Frank and the Obaasan: Season 3, Episode 7 三度目のバイト先 Two days at a sushi place. One day at a convenience store. Frank's resume is not selling itself. But when the owner of a small 定食屋 asks why he keeps getting fired, Frank's answer — "My love is too strong" — turns out to be exactly the right answer. Includes structured Japanese, vocabulary/grammar support, and Japanese-only reading. Language & culture lessons: Grammar Time: ～はずがない (JLPT N5) A versatile pattern for "there's no way…" Includes examples for verbs, nouns, and both adjective types. Onomatopoeia Focus: Soft Things ぷにぷに, むにゅむにゅ, and ぐにゃぐにゃ — three flavors of "soft" that English would just call "squishy" and leave it at that. Vocabulary: 肩が軽くなる Japan's version of "a load off my shoulders." Includes comparison with ほっとする. Etymology: サボる The surprisingly tidy journey from French sabotage (factory-floor resistance) to Japanese skipping class. Kanji Spotlight: 書 (JLPT N5) Readings, meanings, stroke order, and example words. Prefecture Spotlight: 長野 (Nagano) Home to nine of Japan's twelve tallest mountains, the famously bathing snow monkeys at Jigokudani, Matsumoto Castle, and the 1998 Winter Olympics. Anime Phrase of the Month Haiku Spotlight: 小林一茶 (Kobayashi Issa) A quiet early-summer haiku about new tea cutting through midday drowsiness — with five different translations to compare. More... Includes: 100 pages (PDF) 26 MP3 audio files 4 Anki flashcard deck 2 eBook formats Scan-and-listen QR codes for quick mobile access Full integration with Makoto+ Japanese Explorer for interactive reading, audio playback, furigana-on-demand, translations, notes, and vocabulary tracking Perfect for learners who want Japanese that feels human, readable, and fun — whether you're guessing at milliliters, counting plates by a well, or trying to convince a chef that loving food too much is actually a job qualification. 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.

Makoto E-Zine Series #98 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 98 (April 2026) Story-driven reading and listening practice for learners of Japanese 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 (April 2026, Issue 98): This month moves from springtime impulse to late-night dread. A beginner story about Clay's first encounter with Japanese crows builds early reading confidence, while an Edo-period folktale about a woman buying 水あめ (mizuame) after dark leads to one of the quietest, most devastating endings in Japanese folklore. In between, Frank gets a convenience store night shift and somehow turns it into an interplanetary incident. Readers: Beginner Reader: からす (Karasu) Clay doesn't know the word for "crow." His neighbor does. What follows involves barking, flapping, and a very patient おばさん. Presented in hiragana-spaced, kanji+furigana, and natural formats for multiple reading passes. Intermediate Reader: 水あめを買う女 (The Mizuame-Buying Woman) A mysterious woman visits a candy shop every night, pays a single coin, and disappears. A classic folktale with guided reading support, full vocabulary and grammar notes, audio, and kanji breakdowns. Frank and the Obaasan: Season 3, Episode 6 コンビニの夜 Frank bows to the automatic door. He eulogizes a meat bun. He demands ID for apple juice. He gets fired. Includes structured Japanese, vocabulary/grammar support, and Japanese-only reading. Language & culture lessons: Grammar Time: ～かどうか (JLPT N5) A beginner-friendly pattern for expressing "whether or not" with natural examples. Onomatopoeia Focus: Laughter わっはっは, どはは, ぎゃはは, あっはっは — four ways to laugh, each with its own personality. Vocabulary: うわの空 A Heian-period phrase for when your mind drifts off. Includes comparison with ぼんやり and ぼーっとする. Etymology: 道草を食う How "eating roadside grass" became "wasting time on the way home." Plus the related idiom 油を売る. Kanji Spotlight: 来 (JLPT N5) Readings, meanings, stroke order, and example words. Prefecture Spotlight: 山梨 Home to half of Mt. Fuji, 40% of Japan's bottled water, and more wineries than you'd expect. Anime Phrase of the Month: アンパンマン "おなかがすいているんだね。ぼくの顔をどうぞ。" He offers his face. Background on anpan and its Meiji-era origins included. Haiku Spotlight: 松尾芭蕉 A springtime haiku about setting off for Kiso on a whim, plus a breakdown of 桜狩り vs. 花見. Jokes, riddles, and wordplay A doctor joke that might make you rethink your next checkup. Katakana practice A matching exercise to keep your katakana sharp. Includes: 86 pages (PDF) 35 MP3 audio files 3 Anki flashcard decks Scan-and-listen QR codes for quick mobile access Full integration with Makoto+ Japanese Explorer for interactive reading, audio playback, furigana-on-demand, translations, notes, and vocabulary tracking Perfect for learners who want Japanese that feels human, readable, and fun — whether you're flapping your arms at a crow or following a ghost to a candy shop.   🔊 Instant Audio Immersion: Scan the QR codes throughout the magazine to hear native recordings on the spot. 🎁 Free Bonus Materials: Sound files, Anki flashcards, and Japanese Explorer integration are all included at no extra cost. ➡️ How to Read: Follow our step-by-step eBook guide if you’re new to digital reading. ❝Makoto is a wonderful magazine that blends language learning with culture, history, and fun. Each issue feels like a guided tour through Japan’s words, traditions, and hidden gems.❞ 🛒 Start your journey today: Download instantly and join thousands of learners who look forward to Makoto every month! 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.

Makoto E-Zine Series #97 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 97 (March 2026) Fun, story-driven reading and listening practice for learners of Japanese 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—designed to make Japanese feel alive, approachable, and genuinely enjoyable. In this issue (March 2026, Issue 97): This month’s issue moves comfortably between the everyday and the supernatural. From a beginner-friendly story about トイレのスリッパ to a classic Japanese 怪談 shaped by 百物語, you’ll see how the same Japanese language handles daily life, comedy, and quiet dread—with full study support throughout. Highlights: Beginner Reader: Toilet SlippersA confidence-building story rooted in everyday life in Japan, presented in multiple formats for early reading practice. Intermediate Reader: 牡丹灯籠 (The Peony Lantern)A famous 怪談 retold in accessible Japanese, with guided reading support and audio. Frank and the Obaasan: Season 3, Episode 5 回転寿司の惨劇Frank’s first day at a part-time job goes about as well as you’d expect. Includes structured Japanese, vocabulary/grammar support, and Japanese-only reading. Language & culture lessons: Grammar Time: ～ばいいですかA practical pattern for asking “What should I do?” naturally in Japanese. Onomatopoeia Focus: Laughterにやにや, にやり, くくく, ひひひ, and more. Vocabulary / Idiom: さじを投げるMeaning, nuance, and usage. Etymology: 詰むWhere the meaning comes from and how it’s used today. Kanji Spotlight: 読 (JLPT N5)Readings, meanings, example words, and usage. Prefecture Spotlight: 静岡Cultural notes and practical vocabulary. Anime Phrase of the MonthA real line from anime, unpacked for meaning and natural usage. Haiku Spotlight: 正岡子規Seasonal poetry with vocabulary and explanation. Jokes, riddles, and wordplayLight reading that reinforces real Japanese. Includes: 92 pages (Print) 30 MP3 audio files Scan-and-listen QR codes for quick mobile access Integration with Makoto+ Japanese Explorer for interactive reading, audio playback, furigana-on-demand, translations, notes, and vocabulary tracking Perfect for learners who want Japanese that feels human, readable, and fun, without sacrificing clarity or study support.   🔊 Instant Audio Immersion: Scan the QR codes throughout the magazine to hear native recordings on the spot. 🎁 Free Bonus Materials: Sound files, Anki flashcards, and Japanese Explorer integration are all included at no extra cost. ➡️ How to Read: Follow our step-by-step eBook guide if you’re new to digital reading. ❝Makoto is a wonderful magazine that blends language learning with culture, history, and fun. Each issue feels like a guided tour through Japan’s words, traditions, and hidden gems.❞ 🛒 Start your journey today: Download instantly and join thousands of learners who look forward to Makoto every month! 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.

Makoto E-Zine Series #96 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 96 (February 2026) Fun, story-driven reading and listening practice for learners of Japanese 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—designed to make Japanese feel alive, approachable, and genuinely enjoyable. In this issue (February 2026, Issue 96): This month’s issue brings three very different reading experiences together: a true beginner-friendly story, a continued chapter in Frank and the Obaasan’s increasingly chaotic life in Japan, and a classic Japanese folktale retold with learners in mind. The language range is intentionally wide. Absolute beginners get carefully scaffolded reading practice, while upper-beginner learners get more natural sentence flow, real-world vocabulary, and cultural context that rewards slower, thoughtful reading. Highlights include: Beginner Story: Super"man"A gentle, confidence-building story written entirely for beginners. Presented in multiple formats, including a hiragana-only version with spacing, making it ideal for early reading practice. Frank and the Obaasan: Season 3, Episode 4Frank faces a very human challenge: paperwork. This episode raises the language level slightly while maintaining clear structure, humor, and full study support, including line-by-line breakdowns, translations, and Japanese-only reading. The Magical Listening Hood (聞き耳ずきん)A classic Japanese folktale retold in accessible Japanese, with both Japanese-only and translated versions. Designed to help learners experience traditional storytelling without being overwhelmed by archaic language. Japanese Grammar: あとでA practical grammar feature explaining how あとで is actually used in everyday Japanese, with clear examples and usage patterns. Onomatopoeia Focus: Japanese Laughterにやにや, にやり, くくく, ひひひ, and more. A deeper look at how Japanese expresses laughter, mood, and personality through sound-symbolic words. Kanji Spotlight: 食 (JLPT N5)Meanings, readings, example words, and usage centered on one of the most essential kanji related to eating and daily life. Japanese Saying: 熱をあげるA useful expression meaning to become obsessed or infatuated, with explanation and example usage. Prefecture Spotlight: AichiAn introduction to Aichi Prefecture, including cultural notes and practical vocabulary. Etymology Corner: 一肌脱ぐThe origin and imagery behind this common expression meaning to go out of one’s way to help someone. Anime Phrase of the MonthA real line from a popular anime, carefully unpacked for meaning, nuance, and natural usage. Haiku SpotlightA short seasonal poem with vocabulary, translation, and cultural explanation. Jokes, riddles, and wordplayLight reading that reinforces real Japanese in an approachable way. Includes: 85 pages (Print) 30 MP3 audio files Scan-and-listen QR codes for quick mobile access Integration with Makoto+ Japanese Explorer for interactive reading, audio playback, furigana-on-demand, translations, notes, and vocabulary tracking Perfect for learners who want Japanese that feels human, readable, and fun, without sacrificing clarity or study support.   🔊 Instant Audio Immersion: Scan the QR codes throughout the magazine to hear native recordings on the spot. 🎁 Free Bonus Materials: Sound files, Anki flashcards, and Japanese Explorer integration are all included at no extra cost. ➡️ How to Read: Follow our step-by-step eBook guide if you’re new to digital reading. ❝Makoto is a wonderful magazine that blends language learning with culture, history, and fun. Each issue feels like a guided tour through Japan’s words, traditions, and hidden gems.❞ 🛒 Start your journey today: Download instantly and join thousands of learners who look forward to Makoto every month! 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.

Makoto E-Zine Series #95 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 95 (January 2026) Fun, story-driven reading and listening practice for learners of Japanese 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—designed to make Japanese feel alive, approachable, and genuinely enjoyable. In this issue (January 2026, Issue 95): This month marks the official start of Frank and the Obaasan: Season 3—and things immediately get weirder. Frank is still an alien trying to survive everyday life in Japan. Obaasan is still calm, terrifyingly capable, and one step ahead of everyone. Season 3 raises the language level slightly from Season 1, leaning into upper-beginner Japanese, while doubling down on humor, misunderstandings, and cultural friction. To match this shift, the opening chapters have been reworked and reformatted to make the language clearer, more supportive, and easier to study. Across three episodes in this issue, Frank faces new bureaucratic realities, a deceptively normal Japanese word, and a misunderstanding that spirals far beyond what anyone intended. It’s fun, a little stupid, and—by design—stupidly funny. Highlights include: Frank and the Obaasan: Season 3, Episodes 1–3A refreshed and reformatted start to the new season, written at an upper-beginner level with clearer structure, vocabulary notes, and study support Onomatopoeia Focus: Japanese Laughterあはは, にやにや, げらげら, どはは and more—how Japanese expresses laughter across moods, personalities, and situations Grammar Time!: ぜひWhat ぜひ really means in natural Japanese, and how it’s actually used in conversation Vocabulary Spotlight: 思う壺“Just as planned”—an idiom that captures intention, manipulation, and satisfaction all at once Kanji Focus: 話 (JLPT N5)Meanings, readings, example words, and usage centered around one of the most foundational kanji in Japanese Haiku / Senryū SpotlightA short, humorous poem with full language and cultural breakdown Anime Phrase of the DayA real line from a popular anime, carefully unpacked for meaning, grammar, and nuance Prefecture Spotlight: ToyamaA look at geography, culture, and regional flavor beyond the usual tourist path Etymology Corner: だめWhere this extremely common word comes from—and why it feels the way it does Jokes, riddles, and wordplayLight, enjoyable reading that still reinforces real Japanese Includes: 73-page PDF and ePub formats MP3 audio files (normal and slow speed) Scan-and-listen QR codes for quick mobile access Integration with Makoto+ Japanese Explorer for interactive reading, audio, furigana-on-demand, translations, notes, and vocabulary tracking Perfect for learners who enjoy Japanese through stories, humor, and culture—and who want material that’s fun first, but secretly very effective.   🔊 Instant Audio Immersion: Scan the QR codes throughout the magazine to hear native recordings on the spot. 🎁 Free Bonus Materials: Sound files, Anki flashcards, and Japanese Explorer integration are all included at no extra cost. ➡️ How to Read: Follow our step-by-step eBook guide if you’re new to digital reading. ❝Makoto is a wonderful magazine that blends language learning with culture, history, and fun. Each issue feels like a guided tour through Japan’s words, traditions, and hidden gems.❞ 🛒 Start your journey today: Download instantly and join thousands of learners who look forward to Makoto every month! 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.

Makoto E-Zine Series #94 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 94 (December 2025)Your monthly passport to Japan’s language, culture, and timeless stories. Each month, Makoto delivers fun, culturally rich content for learners of Japanese. Short articles, cultural notes, grammar lessons, etymology deep-dives, jokes, and professionally recorded native audio make studying Japanese engaging, memorable, and something to look forward to. This month shines a light on one of Japan's most beloved trickster monks—Ikkyū-san. Long before anime heroes outsmarted rivals with quick wit, there was Ikkyū, the mischievous young monk who solved every problem not with strength, but with clever wordplay and calm thinking. In our featured story, Ikkyū takes on a lord's impossible challenge using nothing more than logic and language—and a clever play on the word "hashi." Meanwhile, Frank continues bumbling through life in Japan, this time at City Hall dealing with hanko stamps, My Number cards, and cultural confusion. ✨ Highlights include: Laughs, Jokes, Riddles, and Puns – A trip to the doctor reveals an unexpected diagnosis Vocabulary Spotlight: 人目を引く – "eye-catching"—literally, to pull people's eyes Prefecture Spotlight: Ishikawa – Home to Kenrokuen garden, the Noto Peninsula's thousand rice fields, geisha districts, and exquisite gold leaf crafts Etymology Deep Dive: ついたち – Why the first day of the month is called "tsuitachi" (hint: it involves the moon) Anime Phrase of the Day: From Kaiju No. 8—"I can see right through monsters, even down to their guts!!" Onomatopoeia: Cold Words – ひんやり, ぶるぶる, がたがた, ぞくぞく, びゅうびゅう and more—from mild chills to bone-freezing cold Haiku Spotlight: Yosa Buson – Daffodils blooming here and there in the cold capital Kanji Focus: 円 (circle; yen) Grammar Time!: ～やすい (easy to do; prone to) Japanese Readers: Frank and the Obaasan Episode 2: Frank Goes to City Hall (Beginner) – Hanko? ハ、ハンコ？！ 一休さん：このはしわたるべからず (Intermediate) – The classic tale of Ikkyū's wordplay triumph over a lord's impossible challenge Includes: 56-page PDF and ePub formats MP3 audio files (normal and slow speed) Anki flashcard deck (beginner story vocabulary) Scan-and-listen QR codes for quick mobile access Integration with Makoto+ Japanese Explorer for interactive reading Perfect for learners who love Japanese culture and want engaging, real-world content. Use it to grow your vocabulary, improve listening skills, and enjoy Japanese through humor, folklore, and a little monkish wisdom. 🔊 Instant Audio Immersion: Scan the QR codes throughout the magazine to hear native recordings on the spot. 🎁 Free Bonus Materials: Sound files, Anki flashcards, and Japanese Explorer integration are all included at no extra cost. ➡️ How to Read: Follow our step-by-step eBook guide if you’re new to digital reading. ❝Makoto is a wonderful magazine that blends language learning with culture, history, and fun. Each issue feels like a guided tour through Japan’s words, traditions, and hidden gems.❞ 🛒 Start your journey today: Download instantly and join thousands of learners who look forward to Makoto every month! 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.

Makoto E-Zine Series #93 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 93 (November 2025)Your monthly passport to Japan’s language, culture, and timeless stories. Each month, Makoto delivers fun, culturally rich content for learners of Japanese. Short articles, cultural notes, grammar lessons, etymology deep-dives, jokes, and professionally recorded native audio make studying Japanese engaging, memorable, and something to look forward to. This November issue celebrates warmth, humor, and a touch of the unexpected—from a grandmother convinced her Roomba is alive to Fukui Prefecture’s dinosaurs and handmade washi paper, and the hilarious (yet cautionary) folktale Gonzōmushi, where greed literally turns a man into a bug! ✨ Highlights of Issue 93: Laughs, Jokes, Riddles, and Puns Vocabulary: のどから手が出る Prefecture Spotlight: Fukui Etymology: サラリーマン Anime Phrase of the Day: from Yowamushi Pedal Onomatopoeia: Words for Exhaustion (へとへと, ぐったり, ふらふら, ヘロヘロ) Haiku: Kobayashi Issa – “A radish puller points the way—with his radish!” Kanji Spotlight: 国 Grammar Time! ～にくい Japanese Readers: Frank and the Obaasan: Frank Needs a Job (Beginner) + Gonzōmushi (Intermediate) 📦 What’s Included: 65-page PDF & ePub formats 35 MP3 audio files (normal and slow speed) Anki flashcard deck for beginner story vocabulary Scan-and-listen QR codes for instant mobile audio playback Makoto+ Japanese Explorer integration for interactive reading Why you’ll love Makoto:Every issue blends authentic Japanese with helpful explanations, giving you the tools to grow your reading, listening, and cultural understanding. Whether you’re revisiting folktales or discovering new words like のどから手が出る, each page is designed to spark joy and deepen your knowledge. 🔊 Instant Audio Immersion: Scan the QR codes throughout the magazine to hear native recordings on the spot. 🎁 Free Bonus Materials: Sound files, Anki flashcards, and Japanese Explorer integration are all included at no extra cost. ➡️ How to Read: Follow our step-by-step eBook guide if you’re new to digital reading. ❝Makoto is a wonderful magazine that blends language learning with culture, history, and fun. Each issue feels like a guided tour through Japan’s words, traditions, and hidden gems.❞ 🛒 Start your journey today: Download instantly and join thousands of learners who look forward to Makoto every month! 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.