Learn Japanese Pod
Hosted by Learn Japanese Pod
A dual-format podcast teaching the natural, conversational Japanese that textbooks miss, blending grammar lessons with casual interviews about life in Japan.
This is a dual-format Japanese learning podcast. One format features structured lessons where host Alex Brooke and co-host Ami-sensei break down specific grammar points or conversational phrases, focusing on natural, everyday language over textbook formality. The other format, "Fun Friday," consists of long-form, casual interviews with Alex's friends and family about their experiences living, working, and traveling in Japan.
“The show's strength is its blend of structured lessons on practical, colloquial Japanese with unscripted, personal interviews about life in Japan. Unlike purely academic or purely conversational podcasts, it bridges the gap by showing how the language is used in real-life situations by both native speakers and experienced learners.”
Who hosts this show
Host Alex Brooke, who studied Japanese at London University and in Tokyo, started the podcast in 2007 to teach the casual, conversational skills he felt were missing from formal education. He is often joined by co-host Ami-sensei, a native speaker from Osaka and professional voice actor, who provides cultural insights and native pronunciation. The show mixes grammar lessons with casual interviews about life and culture in Japan.
Credentials & credits
- Studied Music and Japanese at London University
- Studied Japanese intensively for one year at International Christian University, Tokyo
- Founder of Learn Japanese Pod (since 2007)
Other ventures
- Learn Japanese Pod Dojo (online courses)
- Learn Japanese Pod Premium Membership (Patreon)
What kind of podcast
- Country
- Japan
- Region
- east asia
When new episodes drop
- 01Podcast 50: How to refuse things in JapaneseJan 2, 2026 · 20 min
- 02Fun Friday 24: Interview with Matthew DonsSep 30, 2024 · 1h 05m
- 03Fun Friday: Things to see in KyotoJun 22, 2024 · 51 min
- 04Podcast#49: How to disagree with people in JapaneseJun 15, 2024 · 27 min
- 05Podcast 48: Levels of certainty in JapaneseMar 9, 2024 · 26 min
- 06Podcast 47: Small Talk in JapaneseFeb 27, 2024 · 33 min
- 07Podcast 45 (Shorts)Sep 1, 2023 · 11 min
- 08Podcast 45: How to agree with people in JapaneseAug 11, 2023 · 37 min
Notable episodes
- 01Fun Friday 24: Interview with Matthew Dons
A deep dive into Japanese homestay culture and etiquette with a long-term resident.
- 02Fun Friday: Things to see in Kyoto
An insider's guide to Kyoto, from food to tourist etiquette, with the host's brother, a professional tour guide.
- 03Podcast 50: How to refuse things in Japanese
A classic lesson episode that breaks down a crucial, culturally nuanced communication skill.
- 04Podcast#49: How to disagree with people in Japanese
Provides a practical scale of phrases for disagreeing, from polite to blunt, reflecting Japanese communication styles.
What you'll be asked on this show
For the "Fun Friday" interview episodes, Alex employs a very relaxed and informal style, often interviewing people he knows well, like friends or his brother. He typically opens by establishing a personal connection or context for the guest's appearance. The conversation is free-flowing, with Alex guiding it based on the guest's responses rather than a rigid set of questions. He frequently shares his own anecdotes to build rapport and provides a comfortable space for guests to speak at length about their experiences in Japan.
The show has two distinct styles. Lesson episodes are co-hosted by Alex and Ami-sensei, featuring a dialogue, a breakdown of grammar and vocabulary, and practice segments. "Fun Friday" episodes are casual, one-on-one interviews hosted by Alex, characterized by a warm, friendly tone and a loose, conversational structure.
Questions Learn Japanese Pod keeps coming back to
9 cataloguedIf you're going on this show as a guest, expect some version of each of these. Each note explains when Learn Japanese Pod reaches for it.
origin
1- Q.01
“Could you tell us about yourself and how you came to be in Japan?”
A classic opening to establish the guest's backstory and connection to Japan.
advice
4- Q.01
“What are some lesser-known gems in [city] that tourists might overlook?”
Used to elicit insider travel tips beyond the usual recommendations.
- Q.02
“What would you say about etiquette?”
A broad question to open up a discussion on cultural dos and don'ts.
- Q.03
“When's the best time to visit [place]?”
A practical question to provide actionable travel advice.
- Q.04
“Who do you think [experience, e.g., a homestay] would be best for?”
Seeks to help listeners evaluate if a particular experience is right for them.
craft
1- Q.01
“What is [Japanese term]?”
Asked to define specific cultural or technical terms for the listener's benefit.
personal
3- Q.01
“What don't you like about Japan?”
A probing question to get a more critical and nuanced perspective on living in Japan.
- Q.02
“Why are you visiting [city]?”
A conversational opener to establish the immediate context of the interview.
- Q.03
“Where can people find you online?”
The standard closing question allowing guests to promote their work.
Signature segments
- · Fun Friday (interview episodes)
- · Dialogue breakdown (lesson episodes)
- · Switching into "Japanese mode" (practice segments)
Topics covered repeatedly
Who gets booked here
Guests on the "Fun Friday" episodes are typically personal connections of the host, such as his brother or friends, who are long-term foreign residents or experts in a particular aspect of Japanese life (e.g., tour guides, business owners).
- Matthew Donson Fun Friday 24: Interview with Matthew Dons
- Ben (host's brother)on Fun Friday: Things to see in Kyoto
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
The podcast is primarily supported by its own premium offerings, including a Patreon membership for show notes and extra audio, and online courses available through the "Learn Japanese Pod Dojo".
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
Pitch Learn Japanese Pod
i•••@•••.comFree: limited reveals · Pro: unlimited reveals + CSV export
You’re only charged when we return a verified hit.
People also ask
- What are the hosts' real names?
- The main host is Alex Brooke. He is often joined by co-hosts Ami-sensei and Asuka.
- Is the podcast still running?
- Yes, it releases episodes occasionally. After a period of less frequent updates, new episodes were released throughout 2025 and into 2026.
- What is the format of the show?
- It has two main formats: structured language lessons with dialogue breakdowns, and casual "Fun Friday" interviews with guests about life and culture in Japan.
- Who is the podcast for?
- It's aimed at beginner to intermediate learners who want to learn natural, conversational Japanese beyond what's taught in textbooks.
- Where can I listen to the podcast?
- The podcast is available on its official website, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and other major podcast platforms.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
- [01]About Us - Learn Japanese Podlearnjapanesepod.com
- [02]Home - Learn Japanese Podlearnjapanesepod.com
- [03]Learn Japanese Pod by Alex Brooke | Grep.FMgrep.fm
- [04]14 Best Japanese Conversation Podcasts to Listen to in 2026podcasters.spotify.com
- [05]10 best podcasts to learn Japanese in 2026 - Preplypreply.com
- [06]12 Best Podcasts About Japan for Travel, Food, Culture, Learning Japanese Language & Moreboutique-japan.com
Podcasts like Learn Japanese Pod
DIVE Studios / 다이브 스튜디오
A media company and podcast network where K-pop idols and Korean-American artists discuss culture, careers, and personal identity.
PARANORMAL EXPERIENCE
PARANORMAL EXPERIENCE
Um podcast brasileiro de longa duração onde dois apresentadores entrevistam médiuns, mentores e especialistas sobre suas experiências paranormais e estruturas espirituais.
Saad Rashid - YouTube Automation
Saad Rashid
A Pakistani host interviews creators of 'faceless' YouTube channels, breaking down their niche strategies, AI workflows, and revenue generation.
The History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered
A history storyteller who narrates short, engaging videos about forgotten events and figures, typically in 15 minutes or less.
Silicon Valley Girl
Silicon Valley Girl
An entrepreneur interviews the founders and scientists building the next wave of AI to uncover practical strategies for career and business growth.
The Arena
The Arena
A daily sports debate show where 3-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas and a panel of former pros give unfiltered takes on basketball news.
Shallu Nisha Podcast
Shallu Nisha
A long-form interview podcast exploring the careers and business of North Indian digital creators, artists, and entrepreneurs.
Backstage with Millionaires
Pankaj Chauhan
A weekly news show and documentary-style channel breaking down the biggest stories and trends in the Indian startup and venture capital ecosystem.