{"product_id":"makoto-magazine-98-all-the-fun-japanese-not-found-in-textbooks","title":"Makoto Magazine #98 - All the Fun Japanese Not Found in Textbooks","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMakoto E-Zine Series #98\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eRecommended for \u003cstrong\u003ebeginner\u003c\/strong\u003e to \u003cstrong\u003eintermediate\u003c\/strong\u003e learners of Japanese.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"content-box1\"\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cb\u003eYou can purchase the printed version on Amazon by \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3LVCTrh\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eclicking here.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMakoto Japanese Language \u0026amp; Culture Magazine\u003c\/b\u003e Issue 98 (April 2026) Story-driven reading and listening practice for learners of Japanese\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMakoto 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIn this issue (April 2026, Issue 98):\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReaders:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBeginner 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntermediate 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrank 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage \u0026amp; culture lessons:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrammar Time: ～かどうか (JLPT N5) A beginner-friendly pattern for expressing \"whether or not\" with natural examples.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOnomatopoeia 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVocabulary: 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEtymology: 道草を食う How \"eating roadside grass\" became \"wasting time on the way home.\" Plus the related idiom 油を売る.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKanji Spotlight: 来 (JLPT N5) Readings, meanings, stroke order, and example words.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrefecture Spotlight: 山梨 Home to half of Mt. Fuji, 40% of Japan's bottled water, and more wineries than you'd expect.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnime 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHaiku 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJokes, riddles, and wordplay A doctor joke that might make you rethink your next checkup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKatakana practice A matching exercise to keep your katakana sharp.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIncludes:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e86 pages (PDF) 35 MP3 audio files 3 Anki flashcard decks Scan-and-listen QR codes for quick mobile access Full integration with Makoto+ Sentence Explorer for interactive reading, audio playback, furigana-on-demand, translations, notes, and vocabulary tracking\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e🔊 \u003cb\u003eInstant Audio Immersion:\u003c\/b\u003e Scan the QR codes throughout the magazine to hear native recordings on the spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e🎁 \u003cb\u003eFree Bonus Materials:\u003c\/b\u003e Sound files, Anki flashcards, and Sentence Explorer integration are all included at no extra cost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e➡️ How to Read:\u003c\/b\u003e Follow our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thejapanshop.com\/pages\/ebookinstructions\" style=\"color: #00aaff;\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003estep-by-step eBook guide\u003c\/a\u003e if you’re new to digital reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"content-box\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e❝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.❞\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e🛒 \u003cb\u003eStart your journey today:\u003c\/b\u003e Download instantly and join thousands of learners who look forward to Makoto every month!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"content-box1\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNOTE:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDigital and Print Versions Available (print on Amazon, digital here).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDigital version downloads are instant—no waiting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo Dropbox account required. Download directly on PC\/Mac or access files on mobile.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf you don’t see your email right away, check your spam folder or contact us.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis series is also available on \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4bomDqk\"\u003eAmazon\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"TheJapanShop.com","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48331290968284,"sku":null,"price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1214\/2784\/files\/cover_d59efbb1-64d4-4548-a4a3-fb935dbbb66f.jpg?v=1774349448","url":"https:\/\/www.thejapanshop.com\/products\/makoto-magazine-98-all-the-fun-japanese-not-found-in-textbooks","provider":"The Japan Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}