Join the community!

Get your daily dose of Japanese language learning with Sayuri!

Learn more

The Power of Smiles: Cultural Perspectives and Personal Experiences #234

Breaking Barriers: From Formality to Friendship with Miku #230

Embracing the Countryside: My Favorite Way to Travel in Japan #211

Is Saving Money a Hobby or a Lifestyle?

paid – 6 min read

節約は趣味・生き方？😳 We get real: the fear of spending, purchases we still regret, and the time I haggled a shop owner into submission in an Indian market. My guest? He's never quite picked up that skill😜

Aug 27, 2026

The Little Happy Moments We Never Talk About #327

tiers – 13 min read

ほっこり日和の紹介🍵 We all have those little happy moments — too small to mention, but they quietly make your day. So I built a quiet website to collect them: short true stories, from my life and people I've met. No likes, no sharing — just the moments, and a gentle read for learners too!

Aug 24, 2026

Bureiko, Shirafu, and Nominication: How Japan Bonds Over Drinks #326

tiers – 18 min read

お酒とコーヒー、飲めなくなるならどっち！？If you had to give up alcohol or coffee forever, which would you choose? My answer took about ten seconds — so I went deeper: bureiko, shirafu, nominication, and two real stories about what happens to your friendships when you stop drinking.

Aug 17, 2026

Udon or Ramen? What Fukuoka Locals Actually Eat #325

tiers – 17 min read

I grew up in Kagawa,Japan's famous "Udon Prefecture" but now I live in Fukuoka, a city known worldwide for ramen. So I started asking locals: udon or ramen? In this episode, I talk about Fukuoka's deep udon culture, the mysterious noodles and my secret way of ordering at a beloved local chain!

Aug 10, 2026

Is AI Becoming Our New God? (Modern Faith, Part 2) with YUYU #324

tiers – 16 min read

In part 2 of this series, YUYU asks me a question that stuck with me: is AI becoming our new god? We talk about relying on ChatGPT for advice, why that can be a little dangerous, and how much of our own thinking we're quietly outsourcing to AI these days.

Aug 3, 2026

2026年7月の日記

tiers – 2 min read

結構プライベートなどうでもいい日記 ( for gold penguin-san) 。

Jul 30, 2026

Is 'Oshikatsu' Japan's New Religion? (Modern Faith, Part 1) with YUYU #323

tiers – 12 min read

Do Japanese people actually believe in anything? In part 1 of this series, YUYU and I talk about shrine visits, why morals and religion don't always go together in Japan, and how modern "oshikatsu" (idol worship) might be filling a spiritual gap most of us don't talk about.

Jul 27, 2026

Snorkeling, Kayaking & Sea Turtles! A Perfect Day in Miyako-jima 🏝️with Miku

paid – 7 min read

A day trip to Miyako-jima with Miku! We started with snorkeling in crystal-clear water (and spotted two sea turtles 🐢), then paddled a kayak even a clear one for the best photos all the way to a hidden beach and mangrove forest. So much fun, so much sun!

Jul 20, 2026

Umi no Hi: A Taste of Japanese Summer #322

tiers – 20 min read

海の日🌊It's Umi no Hi (Marine Day) here in Japan, and I'm celebrating with everything that makes a Japanese summer feel like summer: umi biraki (the official beach-opening ceremony), nostalgic snacks at umi no ie (beach huts), and a quiet rule about the sea that most Japanese people just know 🌊

Jul 20, 2026

Do Japanese People Talk About Politics? (An Honest Conversation) withもしもしゆうすけ#321

tiers – 12 min read

When I was in India, European travelers kept asking me "So what do you think of the new Takaichi administration?" And honestly? I had no idea what to say. Not a language problem. I just never thought about it. Do Japanese people actually talk about politics?

Jul 13, 2026

How Rainy Season Taught Me to Slow Down #320

tiers – 17 min read

梅雨と雨の日の過ごし方☔️ Why does 梅雨（つゆ）, Japan's rainy season, literally mean "plum rain"? I dig into the kanji, then share how I'm actually spending it — making two kinds of homemade plum syrup, a quiet walk past hydrangeas, and a trip to the sento to properly do nothing☺️

Jul 6, 2026

Sapporo Summer, According to Tatsuya (a Local) #319

tiers – 21 min read

札幌地元民のたつやさんに夏のおすすめを聞いてみました！I'm talking with Tatsuya, a Sapporo local, about what summer in the city is really like. We cover biergarten (ビアガーデン — outdoor beer festivals beloved by locals), Hokkaido food, and where to go if you want to escape the crowds!

Jun 29, 2026

Explore topics

Podcast

Join SayuriSaying for weekly insights into Japanese culture and language, perfect for intermediate learners and cultural enthusiasts. Enjoy solo episodes and guest features covering everything from social norms to deep cultural concepts. Silver Penguin members and above get access to video podcasts with subtitles and easy-to-copy transcripts (with or without furigana)

Everyday Life

Culture

Conversation

Travel

People

Food

Nature

Authors

Sayuri Saying