[Free] How to Turn Your Commute into a Japanese Classroom: Best Audible Books for Expats

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"Japanese Rush Hour Trains are absolute hell..."

Every morning, you're packed in like sardines, unable to even pull out your smartphone. Are you spending your commute stressed out and wasting time? However, your "ears" are still free.

What if you could turn that 1-hour round trip into a "Japanese Language Class"? That's 20 hours a month, or 240 hours a year. You can get the same amount of study time that would cost over ¥20,000 a month at a Japanese language school, just by using your commute.

In this article, we’ll introduce how to use Amazon's audiobook service, "Audible," to turn your commute into the ultimate study session. You can try it right now with a 30-day Free Trial.

1. Why is Audible the "Ultimate Tool" for Foreign Residents?

Audible is known as a service that "reads books to you," but Audible Japan offers 3 massive benefits specifically for foreign residents. It’s even becoming a hot topic in communities like Reddit (r/JapanLife) as a "Commuting Hack."

1. "All-you-can-listen" Japanese Materials:
   • Famous vocabulary series like "Kikutan" are included in the membership at no extra cost.
2. Huge Selection of English Bestsellers:
   • When you're tired of Japanese, you can relax with English novels or podcasts.
3. Offline Playback & Speed Adjustment:
   • You won't waste data underground. You can also slow the speed down to 0.7x to practice "Shadowing."

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2. [Unlimited Listening] Recommended Japanese Learning Materials

All of the following are available to Audible members for zero extra charge. You don't need to buy the individual books.

① The Definitive Vocab Tool: "Kikutan" Series

Words are played to a rhythm in the order of "Japanese → English → Japanese." You don't even need to open a book.

• Kikutan Japanese N3 / N2 / N1:
  • Essential for JLPT prep. Since they are divided by level, download the one that matches your proficiency.
• Kikutan Eikaiwa (English Conversation) [Basic]:
  • Although the order is "English → Japanese," this is actually perfect for memorizing daily conversation phrases used in Japan.

② Train Your Conversation Skills: "Ultimate English Listening" Series

The title says "English Listening," but the structure is actually "Japanese Situation Explanation → English Dialogue." This makes it an excellent resource for advanced Japanese listening practice (Listening Practice).

• How to use: Listen to the Japanese narration and practice instantly visualizing the situation in your head.

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3. [Relax] Recommended English Content

If you only study Japanese, your brain will burn out. When that happens, refresh yourself with content in your native language.

① Fiction & Best Sellers

• Harry Potter Series:
  • If you already know the story, listening to the Japanese version and comparing it with the English version is also a fun way to learn.
• Project Hail Mary (Andy Weir):
  • A must-listen for Sci-Fi fans. The narration quality is extremely high.

② Podcasts (Free for Members)

• Global News Podcast (BBC):
  • Since Japanese news topics are often covered in English, this serves as great preparation for understanding current events in Japan.
• TED Talks Daily:
  • Episodes are short, making them perfect for quick train rides.

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4. 3 Steps to Turn Your Commute into a "School"

Here is a concrete routine you can start tomorrow.

1. Download Before You Leave:
   • Download "Kikutan" and your "Favorite English Book" while on WiFi at home.
2. Morning Commute: "Japanese"
   • Use the morning when your brain is fresh for Japanese study. "Silent Shadowing"—moving your mouth slightly under your mask—is very effective.
3. Evening Commute: "English"
   • Heal your work-weary brain with English stories or podcasts on the way home.

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5. Start with the "30-Day Free Trial"

Audible normally costs ¥1,500 per month, but the first 30 days are Free (Free Trial).

• Zero Risk: If you cancel during the free period, it costs you absolutely nothing.
• Easy Cancellation: You can cancel with just a few clicks from the website.

💡 Smart Tip: As soon as you register, put a notification in your smartphone calendar for "Cancel Audible in 29 days." That way, there is zero worry about being charged. Of course, if you like it, you can just keep going.

This is your chance to turn "dead time on a crowded train" into "skill-up time." Why not try it out for free first?

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📝 Summary

1. Learning with your "ears" is the strongest strategy for Japan's packed trains.
2. With Audible, you get unlimited listening to the JLPT "Kikutan" series.
3. [Conclusion] The smartest move is to start the 30-day free trial to see if it fits your lifestyle.