Introducing Japanese Culture with Middle School English! "Enjoy Simple English Readers" Series' "Introducing Japan: A Guide to Japan in English" Reappears with Japanese Translation!!
NHK Publishing will release the audio download book "Introducing Japan: A Guide to Japan in English" on June 12, 2026, which introduces Japanese culture using middle school English level. It is a collection of practical dialogues, including easy-to-understand Japanese translations and vocabulary notes, as well as audio.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 12, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: June 12, 2026 at 11:21
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 12, 2026 at 16:52 (5h 30m after Collected)
NHK Radio's English program "Enjoy Simple English" trains English proficiency by reading and listening to many English sentences that suit the learner. From its spin-off mook series "Enjoy Simple English Readers," the popular CD book "Introducing Japan" has been re-released as an "audio download book" on June 12, 2026.
The English level is approximately that of a junior high school graduate. It selectively includes 18 practical dialogues that can be learned and used immediately. The content is ideal for preparation for high school and university entrance exams, as well as for all-English classes in schools.
Introduce Japanese specialties with middle school level English! A revised edition of a practical dialogue collection packed with usable expressions, including Japanese translations.
Rules of public baths (sento), how to make okonomiyaki, how to pray at a shrine... Humorous English conversations about Japanese specialties, from traditional culture to daily life. A collection of practical dialogues that can be learned and used as they are.
Approximately 500 words and 5 minutes of audio per episode. You can read and listen to a whole book in English without a dictionary!
The English level is approximately that of a junior high school graduate. A Japanese translation is included for easy learning.
Includes easy-to-understand Japanese translation, vocabulary notes, and audio!
This book includes a convenient Japanese translation for learning. Furthermore, for difficult English words within the text, a word list is provided at the end of the book, making it a perfect structure for practicing deciphering English texts on your own.
Difficult words can be checked in the word list at the end of the book!
Table of Contents
01 Sento
02 The Shinkansen
03 Rakugo
04 Koinobori
05 Akihabara
06 Ryokan
07 Curry
08 Maiko
09 Okonomiyaki
10 Shodo
11 Origami
12 Furoshiki
13 Obon
14 Shrines
15 Takarazuka Revue Company
16 Mount Fuji
17 Castles
18 Mochi
Word List
Japanese Translation
About the "Enjoy Simple English Readers" Series
To solidify learned grammar and vocabulary, it is important to be exposed to many sentences where they are actually used.
The "Enjoy Simple English Readers" series is a teaching material designed for extensive reading and listening, ideal for those who have studied English to some extent in school. By reading and listening to many English texts at an appropriate level, learners can smoothly understand English. It is also recommended for improving reading and listening skills. Each episode's audio is about 5 minutes long and consists of approximately 500 words.
Tips for Use
- Don't worry if you don't understand some words or expressions; focus on grasping the overall story.
- Enjoy the story. Feel free to skip a story if you find it uninteresting.
Recommended Usage
1. Look at the illustration directly below each episode title and check the meaning of important words in the story. Read through the entire English episode without worrying about minor details.
2. Read the Japanese translation. If you find something surprising, check how it was expressed in English.
3. Listen to the audio and enjoy the story.
4. Recall the English audio and reread the story multiple times. Reading aloud is effective.
"Enjoy Simple English Readers" is a series where English is thoroughly controlled for level, allowing you to experience "I could read it!" and "I could understand it!" without needing a dictionary. Please utilize it as a material for extensive reading and listening.
Supervisors Introduction
Yoshiki Takayama
Professor, Graduate School of Teacher Education, Tokyo University of Education
After working at a major English conversation school, he served as a teacher at Gakushuin Senior High School, a full-time lecturer at Rikkyo University, and a professor at Tokyo University of Education before assuming his current position. His specialty is English education. His main research themes include pronunciation instruction aiming for "understandable English" and English learning utilizing generative AI. His books include "The Ultimate English Pronunciation Gym" (ALC) and "Learn English Sounds by Listening, Watching, and Mimicking" (Taishukan Shoten, co-authored). He was an instructor for NHK E Tele's "Eei GO!" from 2015 to 2018, and for "Omotenashi Sokuresu Eikaiwa" and "Motto Tsutawaru! Sokuresu Eikaiwa" from 2020 to 2021. He has also been involved in editing English textbooks for junior high and high schools.
Daniel Stewart
Lecturer at Kaisei Gakuen
Born in Canada. Raised in Toronto and Montreal, he spent his university years in British Columbia. He has been teaching at Kaisei Gakuen since 1993. After serving as an overseas study advisor and director of the extensive reading program, he currently teaches mathematics, science, and social studies in English. He holds a Master's degree in Linguistics. He founded the Extensive Reading Special Interest Group at the Japan Association for Language Teaching (JALT). He is a board member of the Extensive Reading Foundation (ERF). His books include "Bringing Extensive Reading into the Classroom" (co-authored, Oxford University Press), "80 Conversations" (ETP), and "Listening Gym" (co-authored, Soken Publishing).
Product Information
Title: Audio DL BOOK NHK Enjoy Simple English Readers Introducing Japan: A Guide to Japan in English ~From Mt. Fuji to Okonomiyaki~
Supervisor: Yoshiki Takayama
Supervisor: Daniel Stewart
Editor: NHK
Release Date: June 12, 2026
Price: 1,540 yen (tax included)
Specifications: A5 variant, paperback, 164 pages
ISBN: 978-4-14-213458-8
NHK Publishing Product Page ▼
https://www.nhk-book.co.jp/detail/000062134582026.html
Amazon ▼
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4142134582/
Rakuten Books ▼
https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rb/18355356/
The English level is approximately that of a junior high school graduate. It selectively includes 18 practical dialogues that can be learned and used immediately. The content is ideal for preparation for high school and university entrance exams, as well as for all-English classes in schools.
Introduce Japanese specialties with middle school level English! A revised edition of a practical dialogue collection packed with usable expressions, including Japanese translations.
Rules of public baths (sento), how to make okonomiyaki, how to pray at a shrine... Humorous English conversations about Japanese specialties, from traditional culture to daily life. A collection of practical dialogues that can be learned and used as they are.
Approximately 500 words and 5 minutes of audio per episode. You can read and listen to a whole book in English without a dictionary!
The English level is approximately that of a junior high school graduate. A Japanese translation is included for easy learning.
Includes easy-to-understand Japanese translation, vocabulary notes, and audio!
This book includes a convenient Japanese translation for learning. Furthermore, for difficult English words within the text, a word list is provided at the end of the book, making it a perfect structure for practicing deciphering English texts on your own.
Difficult words can be checked in the word list at the end of the book!
Table of Contents
01 Sento
02 The Shinkansen
03 Rakugo
04 Koinobori
05 Akihabara
06 Ryokan
07 Curry
08 Maiko
09 Okonomiyaki
10 Shodo
11 Origami
12 Furoshiki
13 Obon
14 Shrines
15 Takarazuka Revue Company
16 Mount Fuji
17 Castles
18 Mochi
Word List
Japanese Translation
About the "Enjoy Simple English Readers" Series
To solidify learned grammar and vocabulary, it is important to be exposed to many sentences where they are actually used.
The "Enjoy Simple English Readers" series is a teaching material designed for extensive reading and listening, ideal for those who have studied English to some extent in school. By reading and listening to many English texts at an appropriate level, learners can smoothly understand English. It is also recommended for improving reading and listening skills. Each episode's audio is about 5 minutes long and consists of approximately 500 words.
Tips for Use
- Don't worry if you don't understand some words or expressions; focus on grasping the overall story.
- Enjoy the story. Feel free to skip a story if you find it uninteresting.
Recommended Usage
1. Look at the illustration directly below each episode title and check the meaning of important words in the story. Read through the entire English episode without worrying about minor details.
2. Read the Japanese translation. If you find something surprising, check how it was expressed in English.
3. Listen to the audio and enjoy the story.
4. Recall the English audio and reread the story multiple times. Reading aloud is effective.
"Enjoy Simple English Readers" is a series where English is thoroughly controlled for level, allowing you to experience "I could read it!" and "I could understand it!" without needing a dictionary. Please utilize it as a material for extensive reading and listening.
Supervisors Introduction
Yoshiki Takayama
Professor, Graduate School of Teacher Education, Tokyo University of Education
After working at a major English conversation school, he served as a teacher at Gakushuin Senior High School, a full-time lecturer at Rikkyo University, and a professor at Tokyo University of Education before assuming his current position. His specialty is English education. His main research themes include pronunciation instruction aiming for "understandable English" and English learning utilizing generative AI. His books include "The Ultimate English Pronunciation Gym" (ALC) and "Learn English Sounds by Listening, Watching, and Mimicking" (Taishukan Shoten, co-authored). He was an instructor for NHK E Tele's "Eei GO!" from 2015 to 2018, and for "Omotenashi Sokuresu Eikaiwa" and "Motto Tsutawaru! Sokuresu Eikaiwa" from 2020 to 2021. He has also been involved in editing English textbooks for junior high and high schools.
Daniel Stewart
Lecturer at Kaisei Gakuen
Born in Canada. Raised in Toronto and Montreal, he spent his university years in British Columbia. He has been teaching at Kaisei Gakuen since 1993. After serving as an overseas study advisor and director of the extensive reading program, he currently teaches mathematics, science, and social studies in English. He holds a Master's degree in Linguistics. He founded the Extensive Reading Special Interest Group at the Japan Association for Language Teaching (JALT). He is a board member of the Extensive Reading Foundation (ERF). His books include "Bringing Extensive Reading into the Classroom" (co-authored, Oxford University Press), "80 Conversations" (ETP), and "Listening Gym" (co-authored, Soken Publishing).
Product Information
Title: Audio DL BOOK NHK Enjoy Simple English Readers Introducing Japan: A Guide to Japan in English ~From Mt. Fuji to Okonomiyaki~
Supervisor: Yoshiki Takayama
Supervisor: Daniel Stewart
Editor: NHK
Release Date: June 12, 2026
Price: 1,540 yen (tax included)
Specifications: A5 variant, paperback, 164 pages
ISBN: 978-4-14-213458-8
NHK Publishing Product Page ▼
https://www.nhk-book.co.jp/detail/000062134582026.html
Amazon ▼
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4142134582/
Rakuten Books ▼
https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rb/18355356/
FAQ
Who is the target audience for this book?
The target audience includes learners with English proficiency around junior high school graduate level, those preparing for high school and university entrance exams, and those who need to adapt to all-English classes in schools.
What aspects of Japanese culture are introduced?
A wide range of topics are introduced, from traditional culture to daily life, including public baths (sento), the Shinkansen, Rakugo, Koinobori, Akihabara, Ryokan, Curry, Maiko, Okonomiyaki, Shodo, Origami, Furoshiki, Obon, Shrines, Takarazuka Revue, Mt. Fuji, Castles, and Mochi.
Are there features to support learning?
Yes, it includes a convenient Japanese translation, a word list at the end, and audio downloads, making it easy to read without a dictionary.
Who supervised this book?
The book is supervised by Yoshiki Takayama, Professor at Tokyo University of Education, and Daniel Stewart, Lecturer at Kaisei Gakuen.
When will it be released?
It is scheduled to be released on June 12, 2026.