Japanese Readers

OUR NEWEST DIGITAL BUNDLE For Beginners to Intermediates Each biography contains two versions of the essay. First, read a simpler version with mostly JLPT N5-N4 beginner-level vocabulary and grammar. Then, tackle the intermediate version which covers basically same information but longer and with more difficult grammar and vocabulary. ➡️ How to read the eBooks in your bundle? You may need to follow the steps outlined in our eBook guide WHAT'S INCLUDED? Some of these biographies were first published in our Makoto Magazine (click here to learn about becoming a Makoto member), but we have greatly edited and expanded those essays. In addition, each book includes a shorter beginner-level version of the essay. Review the vocabulary and grammar notes, read the beginner-level essay, and then tackle the full intermediate essay. We are launching with four full eBooks but will soon add book #5.  Purchase the bundle now before the price increase and get future updates for no additional charge! This is a bundle of eBooks in digital format. Download instantly and begin improving your Japanese reading skills (PDFs), listening abilities (sound files - slow and normal speed), and vocabulary (Anki flashcard decks). Use the Anki flashcard decks to quickly learn vocabulary. An amazing value! WHO IS THIS FOR? This bundle is recommended for upper beginners to intermediate students of Japanese. If you are just starting out, no problem! We have a bundle just for you. Click here to learn about our Beri- Beri- Shoshinsha Beginner's Bundle. ---  Each volume sells on Amazon and elsewhere for $4.99. But remember, you will get lifetime updates including new eBooks in the series and supplementary material. THE BIOGRAPHIES: 1 Natsume Souseki - Author and scholar 2 Tezuka Osamu - Manga artist 3 Shibasawa Eiichi - Super businessman 4 Fukuzawa Yukichi - Education is key 5 Yamaha Torakusu - COMING SOON 6 John Manjiro - COMING SOON 7 Kitasato Shibasaburou - COMING SOON 8 Tsuda Umeko - COMING SOON Learn important kanji from the essays with Kanji in Focus BENEFITS: Each essay (both easier and intermediate essay) includes two sound files. One read slowly and one read at normal speed Use the QR code so you can scan to instantly hear the sound file streamed to you on demand! An easy and fun way to introduce yourself to important Japanese figures while also improving your vocabulary, grammar, and kanji. Best for upper beginners, however even beginners who have a solid knowledge of hiragana and basic grammar can enjoy this bundle. (Don’t know hiragana yet?! No problem. See our Beri- Beri- Shoshinsha digital bundle here.) Every single line and every word are explained and defined. Designed specifically for upper beginners to intermediates. Build your Japanese vocabulary, understand new grammatical patterns, improve your reading skills, and hone in your listening abilities Each essay includes two MP3s recorded by a native Japanese voice actress. Print out the PDFs and drop the MP3s on your phone for on the go studying. Anki decks - Use the provided Anki flashcard decks to help you learn the vocabulary found in the stories. These decks are included free of charge. These books sell individually for $4.99. Get them all together for a single low price! Reminder: This is the digital versions of the books. There will be NO shipping charges since... nothing will be shipped :) Please note: 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. If you have ANY trouble with the download, just reply to the email you receive or message us through Contact Us.

NOTE: This is also available in the Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 2 Bundle. 112 Pages | Includes Digital Files (Sound files and Anki deck) | 5.5 x 8.5 inch Paperback   This is a physical paperback which will be shipped to you. You'll also receive the digital files immediately after ordering. The Kicchomu stories are part of a genre called 頓智話(とんちばなし), or "quick wit stories." He can be a trickster or he can use his wisdom to get out of difficult situations. Often, the village headman or some rich but somewhat arrogant fellow thinks Kicchomu is a fool and tries to trick him and Kicchomu uses his ready wit to turn the tables. In the first tale in this volume, Kicchomu's attempt to heed sage advice during a village crisis yields unexpected and comical results. In the other adventure, his cunning ruse involving a seemingly magical horse leaves the wealthy headman utterly speechless. 112 Pages For Upper Beginners to Intermediates Sound file recordings of story both slow and normal speed for both stories Anki deck with all the vocabulary in the stories Recommended for upper beginners and lower intermediates of Japanese. FREE PDF and MP3s of the stories read by a native Japanese speaker–download link found on the last page. Listen while reading to develop listening comprehension, reading skills, and building vocabulary.    WHAT YOU GET:  All vocabulary is defined in English under each paragraph The full story just in Japanese is also provided so you can practice reading without interruption An English translation is provided (but we encourage you to try the Japanese first) Extensive grammar notes for both stories Free Anki flashcard deck for the vocabulary Best of all, download FREE MP3s of the story read by a native Japanese speech actress. (Link will be emailed to you after ordering - check your spam folder if you don't see it)

NOTE: This is also available in the Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 2 Bundle. 103 Pages | Includes Digital Files (Sound files and Anki deck) | 5.5 x 8.5 inch Paperback   This is a physical paperback which will be shipped to you. You'll also receive the digital files immediately after ordering. Kicchomu is a character often found in Japanese folktales, but he actually existed. Or rather, the character is based on a historical figure. This book contains two stories about Kicchomu. If you haven’t read our other stories staring Kicchomu, you are in for a treat. In Kicchomu and the Big Rock, Kicchomu has a big problem. There’s a big rock in his yard. Never fear! The ever clever Kicchomu has an idea how to get someone else dig it out for him. In the second story, Kicchomu accidentally sells his horse to the rice cake shop owner. How does Kicchomu get the horse back? Read and find out. 103 Pages For Upper Beginners to Intermediates Sound file recordings of story both slow and normal speed for both stories Anki deck with all the vocabulary in the stories Recommended for upper beginners and lower intermediates of Japanese. FREE PDF and MP3s of the stories read by a native Japanese speaker–download link found on the last page. Listen while reading to develop listening comprehension, reading skills, and building vocabulary.    WHAT YOU GET:  All vocabulary is defined in English under each paragraph The full story just in Japanese is also provided so you can practice reading without interruption An English translation is provided (but we encourage you to try the Japanese first) Extensive grammar notes for both stories Free Anki flashcard deck for the vocabulary Best of all, download FREE MP3s of the story read by a native Japanese speech actress. (Link will be emailed to you after ordering - check your spam folder if you don't see it)

NOTE: The digital version is found in the digital only 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.

NOTE: This is also available in the Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 2 Bundle. 108 Pages | Includes Digital Files | 5.5 x 8.5 inch Paperback   This is a physical paperback which will be shipped to you. You'll also receive the digital files immediately after ordering. Kicchomu is a character often found in Japanese folktales, but he actually existed. Or rather, the character is based on a historical figure. The two stories found in this book features Kicchomu dealing with a difficult samurai on a ferryboat and besting a master carver with his cunning rather than skill. Kicchomu's Ferryboat: きっちょむさんの渡し船【わたぶね】 The Mouse Carving: ネズミの彫り物【ほりもの】 108 Pages For Upper Beginners to Intermediates Sound file recordings of story both slow and normal speed for both stories Anki deck with all the vocabulary in the stories Japanese Reader Collection Volume 17: The Mouse Carving Recommended for upper beginners and lower intermediates of Japanese. FREE PDF and MP3s of the stories read by a native Japanese speaker–download link found on the last page. Listen while reading to develop listening comprehension, reading skills, and building vocabulary.    WHAT YOU GET:  All vocabulary is defined in English under each paragraph The full story just in Japanese is also provided so you can practice reading without interruption An English translation is provided (but we encourage you to try the Japanese first) Extensive grammar notes for both stories Free Anki flashcard deck for the vocabulary Best of all, download FREE MP3s of the story read by a native Japanese speech actress. (Link will be emailed to you after ordering - check your spam folder if you don't see it)

NOTE: The digital version is found in the Beginning Japanese Phrases and Stories digital bundle. (This paperback will be shipped to you and you will also get the digital files) Have you only recently learned hiragana but need practice? Or perhaps, your hiragana is no problem, but you want to learn useful phrases you can actually use in conversation? Beginning Japanese Phrases is here to the rescue! The level of this book is somewhere between our (total beginner-level) Beri- Beri- Shoshinsha and our more advance readers such as Learn Japanese with Stories. This series is based on a weekly podcast we produce called (unimaginatively) Beginning Japanese Phrases. See here: https://thejapanesepage.com/beginning-japanese-phrases-podcast-and-videos/ This book contains the data and actual podcast files for episodes 61-90. The podcast concentrates on a single beginner-level word or phrase and then breaks down an example sentence using it. 70 Pages Includes the digital files (PDF, ePub, and MOBI) Includes all example sentence sound files  Includes all podcast sound files Scan QR codes for quick on-demand listening as you go through the book 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.

NOTE: The digital version is found in the Beginning Japanese Phrases and Stories digital bundle.  Have you only recently learned hiragana but need practice? Or perhaps, your hiragana is no problem, but you want to build reading fluency? Mike's Diary is here to the rescue! The level of this book is somewhere between our (total beginner-level) Beri- Beri- Shoshinsha and our more advance readers such as Learn Japanese with Stories. Instead of learning isolated vocabulary (no fun!), reading real Japanese is a great way to learn vocabulary and kanji in context. For the beginner, however, native reading material is too much of a challenge. Our Learn Japanese with Stories for Beginners series enables even beginners to truly enjoy reading natural Japanese. The early stories use basic vocabulary, beginner-level grammar, and simplified Japanese sentence structures. As you progress, earlier concepts build into more complex grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structures. Each story is presented in several ways. The story with spaces and complete vocabulary and explanation The story in full Japanese (without spaces, but with furigana—the small hiragana—over kanji) The story in English to cement understanding This is followed by five important kanji found in the story. There are only five kanji here, so spend some time familiarizing yourself with them. 122 Pages Includes the digital files (PDF, ePub, and MOBI) Includes all sound files  Free Anki flashcard deck of all the vocabulary from each story Scan QR codes for quick on-demand listening as you go through the book 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.

NOTE: The digital version is found in the Beginning Japanese Phrases and Stories digital bundle.  Have you only recently learned hiragana but need practice? Or perhaps, your hiragana is no problem, but you want to learn useful phrases you can actually use in conversation? Beginning Japanese Phrases is here to the rescue! The level of this book is somewhere between our (total beginner-level) Beri- Beri- Shoshinsha and our more advance readers such as Learn Japanese with Stories. This series is based on a weekly podcast we produce called (unimaginatively) Beginning Japanese Phrases. See here: https://thejapanesepage.com/beginning-japanese-phrases-podcast-and-videos/ This book contains the data and actual podcast files for episodes 31-60. The podcast concentrates on a single beginner-level word or phrase and then breaks down an example sentence using it. 74 Pages Includes the digital files (PDF, ePub, and MOBI) Includes all example sentence sound files  Includes all podcast sound files Scan QR codes for quick on-demand listening as you go through the book 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.

NOTE: The digital version is found in the Beginning Japanese Phrases and Stories digital bundle.  Have you only recently learned hiragana but need practice? Or perhaps, your hiragana is no problem, but you want to learn useful phrases you can actually use in conversation? Beginning Japanese Phrases is here to the rescue! The level of this book is somewhere between our (total beginner-level) Beri- Beri- Shoshinsha and our more advance readers such as Learn Japanese with Stories. This series is based on a weekly podcast we produce called (unimaginatively) Beginning Japanese Phrases. See here: https://thejapanesepage.com/beginning-japanese-phrases-podcast-and-videos/ This book contains the data and actual podcast files for the first 30 episodes. The podcast concentrates on a single beginner-level word or phrase and then breaks down an example sentence using it. 78 Pages Includes the digital files (PDF, ePub, and MOBI) Includes all example sentence sound files  Includes all podcast sound files Scan QR codes for quick on-demand listening as you go through the book 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.

  Note: This is the physical paperback version which will be shipped to your location. This physical book also includes the digital version, but if you are looking for the digital only version, please click here for the bundle with this book in it. Digital products have no shipping charges!   68 pages | Paperback | Includes FREE MP3s and eBook formats   Learn important Japanese sentences one word at a time An in-depth study of the sentence structure of 21 useful phrases with many more variations and examples.  What you'll get: 68 Page PDF Includes ePub & Mobi files MP3s with every Japanese example sentence Ready to improve your Japanese while increasing your cultural knowledge? Add to cart now.

  Note: This is the physical paperback version which will be shipped to your location. This physical book also includes the digital version, but if you are looking for the digital only version, please click here for the bundle with this book in it. Digital products have no shipping charges!   122 pages | Paperback | Includes FREE MP3s and eBook formats   30 Day Challenge One lesson a day for 30 days. Begin each day with a proverb, saying, or idiom. Master an important kanji, and then breakdown a sentence to help with your reading, vocabulary, listening, kanji, and even pronunciation. What you'll get: 122 Page PDF Includes ePub & Mobi files 120 MP3s with every Japanese sound word and its example sentence Ready to improve your Japanese while increasing your cultural knowledge? Add to cart now.

NOTE: This is also available in the Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 2 Bundle. 132 Pages | Includes Digital Files | 5.5 x 8.5 inch Paperback   This is a physical paperback which will be shipped to you. You'll also receive the digital files immediately after ordering. The Bowl-Wearing Princess: 鉢かぶり姫【はちかぶりひめ】 Japan's Cinderella story  + a Solomon-esque story based on a historical Japanese figure. 132 Pages For Beginners and Upper Beginners The Bowl-Wearing Princess The Wisdom of Oooka Echizen MP3 recording of story both slow and normal speed Anki deck with all the vocabulary in the stories Japanese Reader Collection Volume 16: The Bowl-Wearing Princess Recommended for upper beginners and lower intermediates of Japanese. FREE PDF and MP3s of the stories read by a native Japanese speaker–download link found on the last page. Listen while reading to develop listening comprehension, reading skills, and building vocabulary.    WHAT YOU GET:  All vocabulary is defined in English under each paragraph The full story just in Japanese is also provided so you can practice reading without interruption An English translation is provided (but we encourage you to try the Japanese first) Extensive grammar notes for both stories Best of all, download FREE MP3s of the story read by a native Japanese speech actress. (Link will be emailed to you after ordering - check your spam folder if you don't see it)

NOTE: This is also available in the Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 2 Bundle. 126 Pages | Includes Digital Files | 5.5 x 8.5 inch Paperback   This is a physical paperback which will be shipped to you. You'll also receive the digital files immediately after ordering. Hikoichi Strikes back: Enjoy two new stories about Hikoichi, that mischievous yet wise young man.  126 Pages For Beginners and Upper Beginners Hikoichi, Sitting in the Middle of Eight Hikoichi's Kappa Fishing MP3 recording of story both slow and normal speed Anki deck with all the vocabulary in the stories Japanese Reader Collection Volume 15: Hikoichi Strikes Back Recommended for upper beginners and lower intermediates of Japanese. FREE PDF and MP3s of the stories read by a native Japanese speaker–download link found on the last page. Listen while reading to develop listening comprehension, reading skills, and building vocabulary.    WHAT YOU GET:  All vocabulary is defined in English under each paragraph The full story just in Japanese is also provided so you can practice reading without interruption An English translation is provided (but we encourage you to try the Japanese first) Extensive grammar notes for both stories Best of all, download FREE MP3s of the story read by a native Japanese speech actress. (Link will be emailed to you after ordering - check your spam folder if you don't see it)

SAVE WITH DIGITAL! Don't need a physical book? This is also available in this Money-Saving Digital Bundle.   131 Pages | Includes Digital Files | 5.5 x 8.5 inch Paperback Japanese Reader Collection Volume 14 Kicchomu-san: The Easy Way to Read Listen and Learn from Japanese Folklore Tales and Stories (Paperback Edition)   Note: this is a physical paperback that will be shipped to you. You'll also receive the digital files by email immediately after ordering.   READ real Japanese Today! By choosing short stories, the intimidation factor is greatly reduced. Not only that, but we divide the story up into tiny, easy-to-swallow segments with complete explanations to give you confidence as you read real Japanese page by page. Recommended for upper beginner to intermediate level students of Japanese. BONUS! Get FREE sound files of the stories read by a native Japanese voice actress, one read at normal speed and one read slowly. Listen while reading. The link to the MP3s is found on the last page.NOW WITH QR CODES - While you can still download the sound files with the link on the last page, we are also including handy QR codes for both the slow and normal speed recordings of the stories. Simply scan the code with the camera of your phone and the audio will begin playing in seconds. EXTRA BONUS! Included with the sound files, are PDFs of all the vocabulary and grammar points. Feel free to print these out to use while reading. Now with Furigana! All our readers now have furigana in both the paperback and Kindle versions. Furigana is the small hiragana over the kanji--most devices support this new feature. (The Japanese only section has no furigana so you can practice reading the story again in "real" furigana-less Japanese) Have you studied for a year or two but just don’t feel like you are progressing? This book is for you too. We suggest reading the Japanese only section first (includes furigana) and then go through the line-by-line running gloss section to cement understanding and learn vocabulary. * All Japanese have furigana (printed version and Kindle version on supported devices (most new devices))* Two complete Japanese short stories. Each story is presented in three unique ways.* GLOSS: Read the story with a running gloss—understand completely. Every sentence is broken down word-for-word and with English explanation of the grammar.* JAPANESE ONLY: The full story in Japanese only (without the running gloss) is also provided so you can practice reading without interruption.* ENGLISH SUMMARY: 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!).* Short stories makes reading full Japanese texts possible.* Download the FREE MP3s to listen while you study. THE STORIES: Kicchomu is a character very similar to another favorite of ours: Hikoichi. Kicchomu was an actual person who lived during the Edo period. However, the stories about him came much later. Like Hikoichi, Kicchomu is quick-witted and a little sneaky.This book contains two Kicchomu stories: Kicchomu and the Falling Star - Can you sweep a star from the sky with a broom? Well, Kicchomu can. Kicchomu Selling Crows - Kicchomu finds a somewhat tricky way to sell his unwanted wares 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! What are you waiting for? Ninja up your Japanese. Click “Buy Now” now!

SAVE WITH DIGITAL! Don't need a physical book? This is also available in this Money-Saving Digital Bundle.   131 Pages | Includes Digital Files | 5.5 x 8.5 inch Paperback Japanese Reader Collection Volume 13 Hikoichi and the Kitsune: The Easy Way to Read Listen and Learn from Japanese Folklore Tales and Stories (Paperback Edition)   Note: this is a physical paperback that will be shipped to you. You'll also receive the digital files by email immediately after ordering.   READ real Japanese Today! By choosing short stories, the intimidation factor is greatly reduced. Not only that, but we divide the story up into tiny, easy-to-swallow segments with complete explanations to give you confidence as you read real Japanese page by page. Recommended for upper beginner to intermediate level students of Japanese. BONUS! Get FREE sound files of the stories read by a native Japanese voice actress, one read at normal speed and one read slowly. Listen while reading. The link to the MP3s is found on the last page.NOW WITH QR CODES - While you can still download the sound files with the link on the last page, we are also including handy QR codes for both the slow and normal speed recordings of the stories. Simply scan the code with the camera of your phone and the audio will begin playing in seconds. EXTRA BONUS! Included with the sound files, are PDFs of all the vocabulary and grammar points. Feel free to print these out to use while reading. Now with Furigana! All our readers now have furigana in both the paperback and Kindle versions. Furigana is the small hiragana over the kanji--most devices support this new feature. (The Japanese only section has no furigana so you can practice reading the story again in "real" furigana-less Japanese) Have you studied for a year or two but just don’t feel like you are progressing? This book is for you too. We suggest reading the Japanese only section first (includes furigana) and then go through the line-by-line running gloss section to cement understanding and learn vocabulary. * All Japanese have furigana (printed version and Kindle version on supported devices (most new devices))* Two complete Japanese short stories. Each story is presented in three unique ways.* GLOSS: Read the story with a running gloss—understand completely. Every sentence is broken down word-for-word and with English explanation of the grammar.* JAPANESE ONLY: The full story in Japanese only (without the running gloss) is also provided so you can practice reading without interruption.* ENGLISH SUMMARY: 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!).* Short stories makes reading full Japanese texts possible.* Download the FREE MP3s to listen while you study. THE STORIES:The wise and mischievous Hikoichi has been a favorite of ours since we started these Japanese story readers. This book has two more stories, both involving a fox. Foxes (and tanuki), in Japanese folklore, can sometimes be spirits which can transform into different shapes. They also love to play tricks on humans. In both stories, Hikoichi is here to the rescue.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! What are you waiting for? Ninja up your Japanese. Click “Buy Now” now!