Yumi Boutwell

Makoto Japanese Language & Culture Magazine Issue 90 (August 2025)Fun, culturally rich reading and listening practice for learners of JapaneseMakoto is a monthly digital magazine for beginner to lower-intermediate learners of Japanese. Each issue features short articles, cultural notes, language lessons, jokes, and native-audio recordings-designed to make learning fun, immersive, and memorable. In this issue (August 2025, Issue 90):This month's theme is ???? (The Heisei Era)-a reflective, nostalgic journey into the cultural currents that defined Japan from 1989 to 2019.
Whether you're a Showa old-hand, Heisei native, or Reiwa rookie, we hope this issue brings back memories-or makes some new ones. Highlights include: Laughs, Jokes, Riddles, and Puns - because language learning should never be boring Vocabulary Spotlight: ???? (lookalike; spitting image) Prefecture Spotlight: Mie - home of Ise Shrine and the ninja of Iga Etymology Deep Dive: ?? (???) - from bathrobe to summer fashion icon Anime Phrase of the Day - quote and explanation from a popular anime Onomatopoeia: Summer rain - the many moods of Japanese raindrops Haiku Spotlight: Yosa Buson - poetic imagery for rainy days Kanji Focus: ? (rain) Grammar Time! ~???????? (how to say "must do" in polite Japanese) Japanese Readers: Beginner: A summer vacation story Intermediate: An overview of the Heisei era (with Sentence Explorer integration on Makoto+) Includes: 63-page PDF and ePub formats 27 MP3 audio files (normal and slow speed) 1 Anki flashcard deck (beginner story vocabulary) Scan-and-listen QR codes for quick mobile access Integration with Makoto+ Sentence Explorer for the intermediate reading Perfect for learners who love Japanese culture and want engaging, real-world content.
Use it to build vocabulary, sharpen listening skills, and explore the language in all its cultural richness-rain or shine.