JLPT N3 – Page 2

[N3] 飯田（いいだ）くん

June 16, 2022June 16, 2022 Ariane

Iida Kunihiko was born in Manchuria in 1942, but was soon brought to Hiroshima by his mother. There he experiences and survives the atomic bombing in 1945… This story was created by the NPO 平和(へいわ)の大切(たいせつ)さを伝(つた)える日本語教材(にほんごきょうざい)をつくる会(かい) which I would translate as 'Association for the creation of Japanese language teaching materials to convey the importance of peace'.… Continue reading [N3] 飯田（いいだ）くん

Book Review, Fiction, Manga, N3

[N3] 君の名は。

May 30, 2022October 22, 2023 Ariane

When Mitsuha and Taki wake up, they sometimes find themselves in the wrong body. Mitsuha experiences life as Taki in Tokyo and Taki learns about Mitsuha's life as a shrine maiden in a small town. They leave eachother messages in their notebooks and phones, but of course still cause some problems for each other. Publisher:… Continue reading [N3] 君の名は。

Book Review, fairy tale, Fiction, N3

[N3] かぐや姫（ひめ）

May 17, 2022May 18, 2022 Ariane

This version of the fairy tale of Princess Kaguya for learners with N3 abilities was written by Takahashi Sōko for a graded reader series by ask and NPO Tagengo Tadoku. I've introduced it already during the #letsreadkaguyahime reading challenge. Kaguya is found inside fresh cut bamboo as a child and grows up to become a… Continue reading [N3] かぐや姫（ひめ）

Advice, Blog

Introduction to reading Japanese novels – Where to get books with furigana

May 15, 2022April 24, 2025 Ariane

Reading novels in Japanese can be a real challenge if your reading flow comes to a stop every time you encounter a kanji you can't read. These books with 100% furigana on all kanji will help cutting back on that frustration so you can focus on reading in Japanese.

Book Review, children's literature, Fiction, N3

[N3] ふしぎ駄菓子屋（だがしや）銭天堂（ぜにてんどう）

May 2, 2022February 3, 2024 Ariane

This children's book by Hiroshima Reiko is about a magical candy shop that seems to pop up whenever a little magic is needed in the lives of their future customers. From young to old, poor to rich, the customers either find their fortune here or an important lesson in their lives. Author: 廣嶋玲子（ひろしま　れいこ）Illustrator: jyajyaPublisher:… Continue reading [N3] ふしぎ駄菓子屋（だがしや）銭天堂（ぜにてんどう）

Book Review, Fiction, N3

[N3] 大きな帽子（ぼうし）の女

April 11, 2022April 11, 2022 Ariane

This is a story about a young man, Ueda Kazuo, who reflects on his family and his career and just why his life has been this way so far. When a woman with a big hat enters his life on his 35th birthday, he believes that now his life will turn around. With more than… Continue reading [N3] 大きな帽子（ぼうし）の女

Book Review, fairy tale, Fiction, N3

[N3] 赤ずきんちゃん

March 28, 2022 Ariane

This post is part of the #letsreadakazukinchan reading challenge. I've read the fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood in fairy tale database hukumusume's version. This retelling was the longest of all versions I've put together for the challenge. This was mostly because there was a lot of dialog added while also keeping the descriptions.… Continue reading [N3] 赤ずきんちゃん

Blog, Challenge

Let’s read 「赤ずきんちゃん」

March 24, 2022March 25, 2022 Ariane

Little Red Riding Hood is one of the most well known fairy tales collected by Brothers Grimm. While not a Japanese story in origin, because of its popularity it of course has many versions and retellings in Japanese as well. Since many of you are probably already very familiar with the story's plot, 赤(あか)ずきんちゃん is… Continue reading Let’s read 「赤ずきんちゃん」

Book Review, graded reader, N3, Non-Fiction

[N3] しいたけ

March 11, 2022February 3, 2024 Ariane

This text explains, from the perspective of an exchange student from Kenya, how a mushroom farm works and why there are so many of them in Ōita Prefecture. It was written by 渡辺わたなべ若菜わかな for the 「大分おおいた発はつわくわく読よみものをつくる会かい」and published as a level 3 story on the NPO Tagengo Tadoku's free graded reader site. I liked how this… Continue reading [N3] しいたけ

Book Review, Fiction, graded reader, N3

[N3] 少女とシロクマ

February 23, 2022February 3, 2024 Ariane

A girl from Russia endures the coldest time of the year, but her mother becomes sick. It is a long way to the next town, but she sets out to find a doctor amidst the heavy snow. This story was written by ディナ・クスヌリナ and her sister スヴェトラナ drew the cute illustrations. It was published on… Continue reading [N3] 少女とシロクマ