[Listening Practice] Minna no Nihongo Shokyuu I – Lesson 12

In this twelfth episode, we bring to life the lesson 「祇園祭は どうでしたか」 (How was the Gion Festival?) from the Minna no Nihongo I textbook.

Follow Mike Miller as he returns to his apartment after a trip to Kyoto, carrying a small box of souvenirs from Japan’s famous Gion Matsuri. At the entrance, he greets his apartment manager, hands over a gift, and begins a warm conversation about his experience at the festival.

Through their dialogue, you’ll hear natural Japanese used to talk about past events — how to describe impressions, comment on crowds, and react politely. Mike shares what he saw in Kyoto, from the lively streets filled with people to the beautiful lanterns and traditional floats, while the manager explains why Gion Matsuri is one of the most famous festivals in Japan.

You’ll also see short flashbacks of Mike taking photos, walking through the festival, and observing the colorful atmosphere. The episode then returns to the quiet apartment lobby, where they finish their pleasant chat before Mike heads to his room for a well-deserved rest.

From lively festival scenes to everyday conversation in an apartment lobby, this episode immerses you in practical past-tense Japanese that you can use to talk about your own experiences.

🎆 From describing events to reacting politely, this episode helps you practice natural Japanese used when talking about trips, festivals, and memorable days.

🗣️ Target Level: JLPT N5–N4
📚 Based on: Minna no Nihongo I – Lesson 12
👥 Conversation Theme: Talking about past experiences, describing impressions, giving reactions, and practicing polite small talk in everyday Japanese.