More Japanese Listening Content with Cotorich

Published on August 27th, 2009.

cotorich

If you’re using the AJATT (All Japanese All The Time) method for studying Japanese, one of the things you must do is to listen to Japanese as much as you can. This of course a good thing if you’re using another method as well, but is specifically important with the AJATT method. Listening content can be hard to come by, the books you’re using might include audio, but they’re most of the time using very staged and unnatural Japanese.

My recommendation is using YouTube vloggers as a source of good listening content. I specifically stumbled upon a user called cotorich today which inspired me to write this post. The thing I noticed, besides the videos being entertaining, is that she is speaking very slowly. So because of that, her videos are great for beginners of Japanese.

Below are a few randomly picked videos.

Hikaru’s Diary #57

Good night

Hikaru’s Diary #24

And just for the luls

Well, how’s that for easy/intermediate listening content? She’s cute, the videos are fun, you learn Japanese. cotorich, or Hikaru, also has a photography blog which you can find here. Her photos are quite stunning!

Another channel that might be worth checking out is megwin. It has a much higher pace but it’s a lot of fun^^

If you’re looking after even more listening content, here’s a couple of good reads:

Extract Audio from a Video to Increase Listening Content – DumbOtaku

Building a Tolerance/Pain Threshold for Hearing Japanese – DumbOtaku

If you know of any other channels like this I’d be happy to know about them, so please leave a comment if you do!

  • http://headingforjapan.wordpress.com Will

    I don’t use the AJATT method completely, but I definitely understand that surrounding yourself with the Japanese language is essential. You seem to have a great hold on listening^^ I never knew how to find good youtube videos of Japanese vlogger’s… until now! Thanks!

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      I’ll definitely post again if I find similar Japanese vloggers, they’re not that easy to find, but this is definitely a good source for beginners!

  • http://headingforjapan.wordpress.com Will

    I don’t use the AJATT method completely, but I definitely understand that surrounding yourself with the Japanese language is essential. You seem to have a great hold on listening^^ I never knew how to find good youtube videos of Japanese vlogger’s… until now! Thanks!

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      I’ll definitely post again if I find similar Japanese vloggers, they’re not that easy to find, but this is definitely a good source for beginners!

  • http://www.jamaipanese.com/ Jamaipanese

    She does speak slowly and clearly which is really good. I’ve seen the first video, looking forward to watching them all when I have the time.

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      Comment edited: She does not sleep slowly anymore^^

  • http://www.jamaipanese.com/ Jamaipanese

    She does speak slowly and clearly which is really good. I’ve seen the first video, looking forward to watching them all when I have the time.

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      Comment edited: She does not sleep slowly anymore^^

  • http://thenihon-suki.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-favorite-resources-for-learning.html Mary

    I’ve recently been using youtube for listening as well. I only use it though when at home n such. I still like to use my podcasts as well as audio books. Her vids are good as she does speak slower than normal. Nice post and thankx!

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      Yeah, I use podcasts a lot as well, I haven’t thought of audio books however, gonna have to look that up! :)

  • http://thenihon-suki.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-favorite-resources-for-learning.html Mary

    I’ve recently been using youtube for listening as well. I only use it though when at home n such. I still like to use my podcasts as well as audio books. Her vids are good as she does speak slower than normal. Nice post and thankx!

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      Yeah, I use podcasts a lot as well, I haven’t thought of audio books however, gonna have to look that up! :)

  • http://hoolan.wordpress.com Hoolan

    She speaks slowly and is cute but it seems a bit boring ):

    Although Megwin is hilarious and I could watch it all day without even understanding it.

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      I find it amusing, but I guess there are a few who don’t find stuff like this entertaining too! Indeed megwin is awesome and you don’t need to understand what he says, although it sometimes makes it better if you do understand what he’s saying^^

  • http://hoolan.wordpress.com Hoolan

    She speaks slowly and is cute but it seems a bit boring ):

    Although Megwin is hilarious and I could watch it all day without even understanding it.

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      I find it amusing, but I guess there are a few who don’t find stuff like this entertaining too! Indeed megwin is awesome and you don’t need to understand what he says, although it sometimes makes it better if you do understand what he’s saying^^

  • http://thenihon-suki.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-favorite-resources-for-learning.html Mary

    I have a few audio books I could give you if you want. My ipod has a nice section full of them :-)

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      That would be great! Are they kids’ books or are they more advanced? Or perhaps both…

    • http://thenihon-suki.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-favorite-resources-for-learning.html Mary

      I have a ton of kids stories.. A TON, but I do have some older books.. even Tale of Genji series!

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      That sounds good! I think I’d like to try something simple first, mind sharing something?

    • http://thenihon-suki.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-favorite-resources-for-learning.html Mary

      yes yes I’ll have to give you a list when I get home. I’m currently at work and can’t remember the podcast title.. there is a site that goes with it but.. I’ll make a list of them when I get home and give you a heads up!

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      Cool! Looking forward to that! :)

  • http://thenihon-suki.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-favorite-resources-for-learning.html Mary

    I have a few audio books I could give you if you want. My ipod has a nice section full of them :-)

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      That would be great! Are they kids’ books or are they more advanced? Or perhaps both…

    • http://thenihon-suki.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-favorite-resources-for-learning.html Mary

      I have a ton of kids stories.. A TON, but I do have some older books.. even Tale of Genji series!

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      That sounds good! I think I’d like to try something simple first, mind sharing something?

    • http://thenihon-suki.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-favorite-resources-for-learning.html Mary

      yes yes I’ll have to give you a list when I get home. I’m currently at work and can’t remember the podcast title.. there is a site that goes with it but.. I’ll make a list of them when I get home and give you a heads up!

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      Cool! Looking forward to that! :)

  • rrabano

    Don’t know what they’re saying. But it sound good.

  • http://rrabano@wordpress.com rrabano

    Don’t know what they’re saying. But it sound good.

  • Eleonora

    May I suggest Drama CD? Especially the ones including your favorite seiyuu :D maybe you won’t understand a thing (like I do D:) but it’s not that unpleasant ;)

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      Drama CD? I’ve never heard of it… But do suggest something, I’d like to try it! :D

  • Eleonora

    May I suggest Drama CD? Especially the ones including your favorite seiyuu :D maybe you won’t understand a thing (like I do D:) but it’s not that unpleasant ;)

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      Drama CD? I’ve never heard of it… But do suggest something, I’d like to try it! :D

  • http://www.dumbotaku.com Dumb Otaku

    From what I have seen most anime soundtracks will come with a drama of that series on it. If you like Rosario + Vampire do a bit of searching and there are some drama cd’s for it. Also Zero no Tsukaima is a good one too.

    • http://www.dumbotaku.com Dumb Otaku

      And in my haste to reply i forgot to say thanks for the linkage :D I am glad they helped someone.

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      Oh cool, I had no idea! I’ll have to look that up. I wonder if there are any drama cd’s for Lucky Star…

  • http://www.dumbotaku.com Dumb Otaku

    From what I have seen most anime soundtracks will come with a drama of that series on it. If you like Rosario + Vampire do a bit of searching and there are some drama cd’s for it. Also Zero no Tsukaima is a good one too.

    • http://www.dumbotaku.com Dumb Otaku

      And in my haste to reply i forgot to say thanks for the linkage :D I am glad they helped someone.

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      Oh cool, I had no idea! I’ll have to look that up. I wonder if there are any drama cd’s for Lucky Star…

  • Eleonora
    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      Oooh, must have! Thanks^^

  • Eleonora
    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      Oooh, must have! Thanks^^

  • Shining Star

    Cotorich is hot, I had her in my youtube since a long time subscribed, did you know she has hairy armpits? (where she shows it it’s one of her most watched videos xD) I do agree it’s a good and fun and entertaining to watch Japanese girls talking. :D
    I am going to check out your other url’s soon.

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      Yeah I saw that video, it was definitely a shocking moment… I was seriously surprised^^

  • Shining Star

    Cotorich is hot, I had her in my youtube since a long time subscribed, did you know she has hairy armpits? (where she shows it it’s one of her most watched videos xD) I do agree it’s a good and fun and entertaining to watch Japanese girls talking. :D
    I am going to check out your other url’s soon.

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      Yeah I saw that video, it was definitely a shocking moment… I was seriously surprised^^

  • Shining Star

    I don’t think it’s the only place she’s hairy. :P Se seems like a natural to me. xD

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      What do you mean? Like… is she hairy on her feet?^^

  • Shining Star

    I don’t think it’s the only place she’s hairy. :P Se seems like a natural to me. xD

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      What do you mean? Like… is she hairy on her feet?^^

  • Shining Star

    :P I think I can’t tell on the squeay clean website.

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      I believe in freedom of speech, as long as it’s not spam ;)

  • Shining Star

    :P I think I can’t tell on the squeay clean website.

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      I believe in freedom of speech, as long as it’s not spam ;)

  • coco

    This place offers audio downloads for money:

    http://www.hearjapan.com/store/genre?genre=72&page=
    1

  • coco

    This place offers audio downloads for money:

    http://www.hearjapan.com/store/genre?genre=72&page=
    1

  • Sarah

    She’s a porn star, you know.

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      Haha really? I had no idea :D

    • whaaat

      “was”

  • Sarah

    She’s a porn star, you know.

    • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

      Haha really? I had no idea :D