If you're learning Japanese and want to improve your listening, comprehension, and pronunciation, podcasts are one of the most effective and convenient tools available. They allow you to immerse yourself in authentic Japanese speech while going about your day—whether commuting, exercising, or relaxing at home.

From beginner-friendly explanations to advanced conversations in full Japanese, we’ve curated 10 of the best Japanese podcasts to help you level up your language skills.

1. Let’s Learn Japanese with the Tofugu Team

🎧 Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Why You’ll Love It:
Created by the team behind Tofugu, a popular Japanese learning blog, this podcast is an engaging and structured way to learn Japanese. The hosts explain basic grammar, vocabulary, and cultural topics in a fun and easy-to-understand manner. The podcast focuses on practical phrases, making it useful for learners who want to navigate everyday Japanese conversations confidently.

📝 Best For: Beginners who want slow, clear explanations and a friendly learning atmosphere.

📌 How to Listen: Available on podcast platforms & Tofugu’s website
💰 Cost: Free

2. Japanese Language and Culture by Nihongo Master

🎧 Level: Beginner to Advanced

Why You’ll Love It:
This podcast provides structured lessons, covering everything from grammar and pronunciation to cultural insights. Unlike other podcasts, Nihongo Master focuses on practical Japanese used in daily life rather than textbook-style learning. Each episode has a clear breakdown of grammar rules, example sentences, and pronunciation guidance.

📝 Best For: Learners who prefer a structured approach with clear grammar explanations and real-life usage examples.

📌 How to Listen: Available on podcast platforms & Nihongo Master website
💰 Cost: Free (Basic content); Premium (~$10/month) for advanced lessons & exclusive materials

3. Hapa Eikaiwa

🎧 Level: Beginner to Advanced

Why You’ll Love It:
Hapa Eikaiwa is a bilingual podcast hosted by a Japanese-American speaker, making it great for understanding natural Japanese conversations. The episodes break down real-life dialogues, explaining nuances in both English and Japanese. It focuses on daily conversations, slang, and cultural insights, making it ideal for learners who want to improve their listening and speaking.

📝 Best For: Learners who want a mix of English explanations and native Japanese speech to help bridge the gap between the two languages.

📌 How to Listen: Available on podcast platforms & Hapa Eikaiwa website
💰 Cost: Free (Basic); Premium (~$8.99/month) for additional lessons

4. The Japanese Consulate Podcast

🎧 Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Why You’ll Love It:
This podcast brings authentic Japanese discussions about news, culture, and current events, featuring interviews with native speakers and experts. The content is great for learners who want to improve their vocabulary, understand real spoken Japanese, and keep up with modern Japanese culture.

📝 Best For: Learners who are comfortable with Japanese and want real-world exposure to current events and conversations.

📌 How to Listen: Available on podcast platforms & official consulate website
💰 Cost: Free

5. Uncensored Japanese by Street Japanese

🎧 Level: Intermediate

Why You’ll Love It:
This podcast dives into the real, everyday Japanese that textbooks don’t teach you. If you want to understand slang, casual speech, and street-level Japanese, this is a great option. It covers phrases actually used by native speakers, including informal language and some "risky" words—so use them wisely!

📝 Best For: Learners who want to sound more like a native speaker and understand informal conversations.

📌 How to Listen: Available on podcast platforms & Street Japanese website
💰 Cost: Free (Basic); Premium (~$7.99/month) for extra lessons & resources

6. Japanese with Shun

🎧 Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Why You’ll Love It:
Hosted by Shun, a native Japanese speaker, this podcast is all about helping learners reach conversational fluency. Shun discusses various topics in slow, clear Japanese, making it perfect for intermediate learners who want to improve their comprehension without overwhelming themselves. The podcast also features guest speakers and practical language tips.

📝 Best For: Learners who want a natural but easy-to-follow listening experience with useful, real-world vocabulary.

📌 How to Listen: Available on podcast platforms & Shun’s website
💰 Cost: Free

7. JapanesePod101

🎧 Level: Beginner to Advanced

Why You’ll Love It:
One of the most popular Japanese learning podcasts, JapanesePod101 offers a massive library of lessons across all proficiency levels. From beginner grammar lessons to advanced dialogues, this podcast covers everything. Each episode comes with accompanying notes, transcripts, and extra learning resources, making it a complete language-learning experience.

📝 Best For: Learners who want a structured program with additional learning materials.

📌 How to Listen: Available on podcast platforms & JapanesePod101 website
💰 Cost: Free (Limited content); Premium (~$8-$25/month)

8. Real Japanese with Miku

🎧 Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Why You’ll Love It:
Miku is an enthusiastic native speaker who shares real, everyday Japanese conversations. Her podcast focuses on natural, unfiltered speech, covering a variety of topics like pop culture, daily life, and casual expressions.

📝 Best For: Learners who want to improve their listening skills with real conversational Japanese.

📌 How to Listen: Available on podcast platforms & Miku’s website
💰 Cost: Free (Basic); Premium (~$5/month)

9. Bilingual News

🎧 Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Why You’ll Love It:
This unique podcast presents news stories in both Japanese and English. The bilingual hosts discuss global events, switching between Japanese and English, making it a great way to train your ears for real conversations while learning about current topics.

📝 Best For: Learners who want a mix of English explanations and real Japanese speech.

📌 How to Listen: Available on podcast platforms & Bilingual News website
💰 Cost: Free

10. The Kansai Japanese Podcast

🎧 Level: Intermediate

Why You’ll Love It:
Want to learn Kansai dialect? This podcast teaches you the regional Japanese spoken in Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. Since many textbooks only focus on standard Tokyo Japanese, this is an excellent way to broaden your language skills.

📝 Best For: Learners who want to understand different accents and dialects in Japanese.

📌 How to Listen: Available on podcast platforms & Kansai Japanese Podcast website
💰 Cost: Free

Final Thoughts: Choose a Podcast and Start Listening!

No matter where you are in your Japanese-learning journey, there’s a podcast perfect for your level and goals. Whether you want structured lessons, casual conversations, or cultural insights, these podcasts will help you improve your listening skills and deepen your understanding of Japanese.

📢 Which one will you start with? Grab your headphones and immerse yourself in Japanese today! 🚀