A2 Japanese Stories
Move into longer Japanese reading practice with more detail, dialogue, and familiar real-life situations.
全国大会の前日に折れた竹刀
A high school kendo student receives a special sword from his coach the night before an important tournament.
コンクールで零点をつけられた演奏
A pianist named Misaki breaks the rules during a competition by playing her own song, leading to a life-changing encounter with a judge.
知床で熊と目が合った朝
A traveler experiences a tense but profound encounter with a brown bear while trying to photograph a sunrise in Shiretoko.
築地の最後の競り
This story recounts a father's emotional final day at the historic Tsukiji fish market.
二十年ぶりの手紙
A story about a woman who receives an unexpected letter from her long-lost best friend after twenty years.
江戸の刀鍛冶が守った秘密
A legendary swordsmith protects a mysterious secret regarding the quality of his blades, eventually entrusting it to his dedicated apprentice.
廃校の黒板に残された名前
A girl named Yuki finds her grandmother's name written on a blackboard in an abandoned school, leading to a touching discovery about a long-lost promise.
深夜の銭湯で会った老人
A lonely young man working in Tokyo finds comfort and a new perspective after meeting an elderly man at a local public bath.
毎朝誰かが直す傾いた自転車
A story about a woman who discovers that her neighbor is secretly fixing her bicycle every morning because it reminds him of his daughter.
天狗が守る峠の三つの掟
A young man named Hiro learns a lesson about gratitude and sorrow when he crosses a mountain pass guarded by a Tengu.
神保町の古書店で三十年売れなかった本
A young woman discovers a mysterious, long-lost letter inside a forgotten book at an old bookstore.
深夜バスの終点で見つけた名もない温泉宿
After a stressful day at work, Kenji takes a random bus to the end of the line and discovers a mysterious, nameless hot spring inn that helps him reflect.
三ヶ月間聞こえた隣の練習曲が消えた日
A story about a narrator who gets used to their neighbor's piano practice and feels strange when it suddenly stops.
台風の翌朝、砂浜に現れた名もない小舟
A young boy named Kenji finds a mysterious boat washed up on the beach after a typhoon.
伊能忠敬が地図に描かなかった小島
This story follows Tadataka Inō as he carefully decides how to show a small rock that disappears under the sea at high tide.
同窓会で一人だけ旧姓を呼ばなかった友人
At a class reunion, Mika learns why Kenta calls her by her married name instead of her old surname.
弓道の決勝で最後の一本を射たなかった高校生
A high school archer chooses to protect a person instead of taking the final shot in a championship match.
輪島の朝市で交換された二つの弁当
At Wajima morning market, Misaki's lunch box is accidentally exchanged with a traveler's, leading her to reconnect with her father.
捨てられるはずだった昆布が変えた出汁の味
A story about an apprentice chef who accidentally uses a forgotten piece of kelp to create the perfect dashi.
母が標準語で残した最後の留守電
A man listens to his mother's final voicemails and discovers the love behind her last message in standard Japanese.
廃藩置県の朝に川へ捨てた刀
A former samurai reflects on the changing era as he parts with his sword on the morning of the Abolition of the Han System.
狐の嫁入りを見てはいけない橋
On a mysterious rainy night, Sota must cross a haunted bridge without looking back to save his sick mother.
台風で塩が届かなかった讃岐うどん店
When a typhoon prevents a salt delivery, a udon shop owner learns that kindness is as important as preserving a traditional taste.
父と二人で乗った最後のジェットコースター
A young adult recalls a meaningful final rollercoaster ride with their father before moving away for work.
津軽三味線の三本目の糸が切れた夜
A young Tsugaru shamisen player turns a broken string into an unforgettable performance.
二つの家が同じ名で売る若狭のへしこ
Two rival family shops in Wakasa rediscover an old friendship while making heshiko together for a hotel.
相撲部屋を逃げ出した新弟子の一日
A frightened new sumo trainee runs away before his first practice match, but an older wrestler helps him return and face his fear.
仏壇の引き出しに隠された兄の謝罪文
After discovering a hidden letter, Yumi learns the truth about why her brother left and decides to rebuild their relationship.
合唱団が最後に選んだ誰も知らない曲
A choir decides to perform a song written by a former member, discovering that even the most unknown songs can hold profound meaning for someone in the audience.
鎌倉の切通しに毎週届く白い封筒
A university student follows mysterious letters to reunite a brother and sister before an old path closes.