TRY TODAY for free | Both Monthly plans include a

7-day free trial & the Latest Makoto Issue

LEVEL UP YOUR JAPANESE

Become a Makoto+ member today!

Money-back guarantee and cancel at any time.

LET ME JOIN MAKOTO+ NOW!

Interested in a lifetime deal? Click here.

Secure Transaction by Stripe & PayPal

Prefer to subscribe as a Patreon supporter? We also have a Patreon page which gives you the same benefits for the same price. Click Here.

Sign up for free now and

get the latest Makoto Issue (June 2023) in just a few seconds!

52 Pages | 3 eBook Formats | 21 Sound Files | Scan QR Codes for Quick Access to Sound Files | Free Anki Flashcard Deck (for this issue's main story)

About Makoto+
誠プラスについて

USE QR CODES FOR QUICK AUDIO ACCESS

For the PDF, ePub, and MOBI formats of Makoto (from Makoto issue #40 on), we are including QR codes atop each page with Japanese. Simply point your camera at the code and instantly hear the audio. Of course, all online material has the audio with the text.

All Makoto+ Members get access to NEW CONTENT published several times a week!

Here's a taste of a beginner level sentence which comes out every single Wednesday morning: (Click the arrow next to Vocabulary to listen to the sound files and view the vocabulary notes)

Shadowing and Repetition

7/28/2020: Jogging

今日(きょう)は、朝早(あさはや)く起(お)きてジョギングをしました。

Vocabulary

Too easy?! No problem.

We also publish a weekly intermediate-level sentence taken straight from the Japanese news. Not only will you learn about the language, but also, you'll learn about what's going on in Japan right now!

7/31/2020: Gas Explosion

昨日午前きのうごぜん8はち時じ57ごじゅうなな分ふんごろ、福島県郡山市ふくしまけんこおりやましの飲食店いんしょくてんで爆発ばくはつがありました。消防しょうぼうによりますと、建物内たてものないのガス栓せんが壊こわれてガスが漏もれ、このガスに引火いんかして爆発ばくはつしたものとみられています

Vocabulary

Slow Speed

NORMAL Speed

There was an explosion at a restaurant yesterday around 8:57 am in Koriyama city, Fukushima prefecture. According to the fire department, the explosion was caused by a gas leak from a faulty valve of a propane gas tank in the building which caught fire.

VOCABULARY

昨日 yesterday [昨 (previous; yesterday) + 日 (day; date)]

午前 am; before noon; morning [午 (noon) + 前 (before)]

時 o’clock [時 (time; hour; o’clock)]

分 minute

ごろ around; approximately [used as a suffix to indicate “around ~”]

福島県 Fukushima prefecture [福島 (Fukushima); 県 (prefecture)]

郡山市 Koriyama city

飲食店で at a restaurant [飲食店 (restaurant); 飲 (to drink) + 食 (to eat) + 店 (store); で (at; indicates the location of an action, happening or event)]

爆発 explosion [爆 (to burst) + 発 (to emit)]

ありました happened; occurred [from ある (for something to take place)]

消防 fire department; [消防 (firefighting); fire department; 消 (to extinguish) + 防 (to defend); 消防署 is “fire station”]

によりますと according to [によりますと is politer version of によると; に (by); よりますfrom よる (to be based on; to be due to); と (when; if); によると is a commonly used phrase]

建物内の inside of the building [建物 (building); 建 (to build) + 物 (thing); ~内の (inside of ~)]

ガス栓 valve of gas tank [ガス (gas); 栓 (valve); propane gas is commonly used for cooking in Japan]

壊れて broke and… [壊れて from 壊れる (to break); te-form conjunction]

ガスが漏れ gas leaked and… [漏れ from 漏れる (to leak); masu-stem conjunction, which sounds better instead of repeating te-form back to back]

このガス this (leaked) gas [この is pointing to “the leaked gas” which was just mentioned]

引火 ignition; catching fire [most of the time it is used in ~に引火する, rather than ~が引火する☞; (literally, “fire to ignite ~”); 引 (to draw; to pull) + 火 (fire)]

~に引火して ~ ignited and…; ~ caught fire and… [from に引火する (to catch fire); te-from conjunction; most of the time]

爆発した exploded

~ものとみられています it is thought to be the case that ~ [もの (the case; nominalizing particle very similar to こと.

When it is used in statements such as, “ものとみられる”, “ものと思われる”, or ”ものと考えられる”, it means that the preceding statement is assessed in theory and not completely proven to be a fact. こと could be used the same way but ものとみられる is a commonly-used phrase in the sense.); と (quoting “the theory”); みられて from みられる (to be seen; to be considered) which is passive of みる (to see); います from いる indicating the state “being considered as…for now”)]

福島 Fukushima

Located in the Tohoku area (area north of Tokyo), Fukushima was one of the primary regions hit by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.

The capital city is also called Fukushima.

Yet another weekly member benefit is "Which One is Correct?"

If you are a beginner, this column will help you with particles, grammar, and understanding Japanese sentence structure. The first one is free for non-members too. Click here to take a look at this weekly lesson.

One of these sentences is correct. Can you figure out which one and why?

Click Here for Your Free Preview

Sentences and other content (like haiku, podcast extra content, or Japanese tongue twisters) are being added on a near daily basis for both Samurai and Shogun members. The only difference is Shogun members get unlimited access to all the previous content and Samurai members only get the newest.

PLEASE NOTE: A subscription does not include the download version of previous issues, only the download of new and future issues. Shogun and Lifetime members do have full web-access to all back issues, but not as a download.

Makoto+ Members

For beginner to intermediate learners of Japanese

SAMURAI PLAN is only slightly more than buying a single Makoto issue -- And you get sooo much more!
SHOGUN PLAN has many of our eBooks and material in an interactive web format. Have complete and unlimited access to everything for only $10 a month or $99 a year!
LIFETIME SHOGUN PLAN - Become a lifetime Shogun member for $249. Pay once and get the monthly magazine (digital) plus unlimited access to everything MakotoPlus.com has to offer. Click here.

SAMURAI

Get the latest Makoto issue, access to the latest issue in an interactive web format, and exclusive TheJapanShop.com coupons and deals.

Download the latest Makoto Issue [PDF, ePub, Kindle MOBI, and MP3 Sound Files]
New "Find the Right Sentence" every Friday
Reusable 10% off TheJapanShop.com coupon - And Save up to 50% off Select Digital Bundles
New Repetition and Shadowing Sentences Added Weekly
Cancel at any time!

Free for 7 days and then...

$5/month

Become a SAMURAI monthly Member

$50/year

Become a SAMURAI annual Member

SHOGUN

Everything in Samurai plus unlimited access to everything ! All Makoto ezine issues, all books, all content -- everything in a new interactive web format.

Everything in Samurai plus...
Unlimited Access to EVERYTHING: All in an Interactive Web Format: ALL Makoto Back Issues (online format only), most of our eBooks (also online), and Shogun exclusive Lessons
Other Free Downloads Monthly [PDF, ePub, Kindle MOBI, and MP3 Sound Files]
Reusable 20% off TheJapanShop.com Coupon - And Save up to 50% off Select Digital Bundles
New Content Added Several Times a Week
More Benefits Coming Soon Such as Daily Email Lessons and Podcasts
Cancel at any time!

Free for 7 days and then...

$10/month

Become a SHOGUN monthly Member

$99/year

SAVE $21 | only $8.25 a month

Become a SHOGUN annual Member

Interested in a lifetime deal? Click here.

Instance 1

Makoto+ Members

For beginner to intermediate learners of Japanese

SAMURAI PLAN is only slightly more than buying a single Makoto issue -- And you get sooo much more!
SHOGUN PLAN has many of our eBooks and material in an interactive web format. Have complete and unlimited access to everything for only $10 a month or $99 a year!
LIFETIME SHOGUN PLAN - Become a lifetime Shogun member for $249. Pay once and get the monthly magazine (digital) plus unlimited access to everything MakotoPlus.com has to offer. Click here.

SAMURAI

Get the latest Makoto issue, access to the latest issue in an interactive web format, and exclusive TheJapanShop.com coupons and deals.

Download the latest Makoto Issue [PDF, ePub, Kindle MOBI, and MP3 Sound Files]
New "Find the Right Sentence" every Friday
Reusable 10% off TheJapanShop.com coupon - And Save up to 50% off Select Digital Bundles
New Repetition and Shadowing Sentences Added Weekly
Cancel at any time!

Free for 7 days and then...

5/month

Become a SAMURAI monthly Member

50/year

Become a SAMURAI annual Member

SHOGUN

Everything in Samurai plus unlimited access to everything ! All Makoto ezine issues, all books, all content -- everything in a new interactive web format.

Everything in Samurai plus...
Unlimited Access to EVERYTHING: All in an Interactive Web Format: ALL Makoto Back Issues (online format only), most of our eBooks (also online), and Shogun exclusive Lessons
Other Free Downloads Monthly [PDF, ePub, Kindle MOBI, and MP3 Sound Files]
Reusable 20% off TheJapanShop.com Coupon - And Save up to 50% off Select Digital Bundles
New Content Added Several Times a Week
More Benefits Coming Soon Such as Daily Email Lessons and Podcasts
Cancel at any time!

Free for 7 days and then...

10/month

Become a SHOGUN monthly Member

99/year

SAVE $21 | only $8.25 a month

Become a SHOGUN annual Member

Interested in a lifetime deal? Click here.

Try today risk free!

Both Samurai and Shogun monthly plans have a 7 day FREE trial
No hidden fees and cancel at anytime (if you buy the annual subscription and decide it isn't for you, just contact us for a friendly refund on the unused portion)
PLEASE NOTE: A subscription does not include the download version of previous issues, only the download of new and future issues. Shogun and Lifetime members do have full web-access to all back issues, but not as a download.
We are adding new features and benefits all the time. For example, we recently added our weekly The Makoto+ Letter newsletter which features some fun tidbit about the Japanese language or culture (here's the second issue as an example)

What is Makoto?

Makoto - a monthly e-zine for beginner to intermediate learners of Japanese. It is a digital magazine with all the good stuff not usually found in textbooks. It has articles on Japanese grammar, kanji, culture, and art. Each issue also includes two complete short stories with vocabulary, grammar explanations, and two sound files of each story (normal speed and slower).

I love this e-zine. It helps me understand the culture and the language. I highly recommend it.

Makoto Subscriber

But! Makoto+ is sooo much more...

Become a member and experience Makoto in a new and interactive way. Not only will you be able to download the latest Makoto e-Zine issue (as PDF, ePub, or Kindle MOBI + MP3 sound files), but you will also get instant access to the web-based format too. Click on the audio above every Japanese sentence to hear it read.

You can still print the PDF version or send the ePub or Kindle Mobi versions to your e-reader or phone app. This web-based version is in addition to the downloadable files.

Your website (Makoto+) is easy to use, has lots of authentic, interesting language and I LOVE all of the audio clips for practicing.

Current Makoto+ Member

Enjoy bonus features like our weekly "Repetition and Shadowing with This Week's Topic." Listen to a sentence taken directly from this week's headlines over and over again until you can not only understand it completely, but also mimic the speaker's pronunciation. Each sentence has 2-3 keywords that are the hot topic today in Japan.

I would like to add that the new shadowing feature is a stroke of genius. My Japanese is nowhere near good enough to attempt a newspaper article, but giving key vocab and structures like this helps with getting to know what's in the news in Japan. Thank you for your excellent work.

Current Makoto+ Member

We have more benefits coming soon including exclusive daily email lessons on kanji, vocabulary, geography, and more. We want Makoto+ to not only help improve your Japanese proficiency but also to help you learn about Japanese history and culture.

The Web-Based Version Looks Great on Mobile too!
and desktop and tablets...

Samurai? Shogun?

Let's Compare...

Header
Price	$5 / Month (after 7 day free trial) -OR- $50 / Year	$10 / Month (after 7 day free trial) -OR- $99 / Year (It's like getting two months free!)
WORKS WITH PCS, MACS, TABLETS, AND MOBILE DEVICES
Download the latest Makoto Issue [PDF, EPUB, KINDLE MOBI, AND MP3 SOUND FILES]
NEW CONTENT ADDED WEEKLY
View All Makoto Back issues in Web Format (not download)	Only the latest issue
TheJapanShop.com Coupon	10% Off	20% Off
ALL Repetition and Shadowing Sentences	Limited to 1
Weekly Haiku	Limited to 1
Monthly Free Downloads	Occasionally
Access to dozens of eBooks in Web Format
TALES FROM OLD JAPAN
EXCLUSIVE DAILY EMAIL LESSONS	Coming soon!	Coming soon!
No Hidden Fees and Cancel at any time

Want to try an issue out? Click here to read the complete first issue including all the eBook formats and sound files. But please keep in mind, the newer issues are bigger and better than our early issues!

The (Makoto+) site feels very generous and makes me feel special / appreciated / part of a group of other happy Japanese learners.

Current Makoto+ Member

So, what are you waiting for? Sign up today for instant access.

As with ALL our products, if you are not 100% satisfied, just email us for a no-questions-asked refund.

Instance 1

Monthly Samurai Subscription

5.00

/mo

Subscribe Now

Annual Samurai Subscription

50.00

/yr

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Monthly Shogun Subscription

10.00

/mo

Subscribe Now

Annual Shogun Subscription

99.00

/yr

SUBSCRIBE NOW

There is something for every lover of Japan and Japanese.

Jokes, vocabulary, kanji lessons, hiragana readers, stories for upper beginners and intermediates, cultural articles, and much more.

Give Makoto a try by scrolling up and choosing a plan. If you are unhappy for any reason (too hard; too easy; not enough kanji!), just let us know and we'll issue a no-questions-asked refund.

Become a Makoto+ Member For:

Coupons for TheJapanShop.com
10% for Samurai and 20% for Shogun - reusable for as long as you are a member
Download the latest Makoto issue
PDF, ePub, MOBI read on most devices + sound files
Monthly Freebie - Every month download a free eBook with sound files and usually Anki flashcard decks too! This is yours to keep even if you cancel your membership.
Podcast extras
Such as transcripts, downloads, ad-free content, and printable PDFs

Weekly Japanese Sentence Breakdowns
For beginners and intermediates with slow and normal speed audio
Weekly Haiku
With vocabulary, explanation, and audio
Access dozens of our books (Shogun)
With our interactive web format
Even more extras
Freebies, Sleep Stories in Japanese, tongue twisters, and much more

sharing is caring!

Makoto+ Membership

Already a member? Samurai Members, Click Here | Shogun Members, Click Here

Need help? Contact us here

About Makoto+ 誠プラスについて

USE QR CODES FOR QUICK AUDIO ACCESS

All Makoto+ Members get access to NEW CONTENT published several times a week!

7/28/2020: Jogging

Vocabulary

Slow Speed

NORMAL Speed

7/31/2020: Gas Explosion

Vocabulary

Slow Speed

NORMAL Speed

Makoto+ Members

SAMURAI

SHOGUN

Makoto+ Members

SAMURAI

SHOGUN

Try today risk free!

What is Makoto?

But! Makoto+ is sooo much more...

$5 / Month (after 7 day free trial)

-OR-

$50 / Year

$10 / Month (after 7 day free trial)

-OR-

$99 / Year (It's like getting two months free!)

Only the latest issue

10% Off

20% Off

Limited to 1

Limited to 1

Occasionally

Coming soon!

Coming soon!

So, what are you waiting for? Sign up today for instant access.

Monthly Samurai Subscription

Annual Samurai Subscription

Monthly Shogun Subscription

Annual Shogun Subscription

Jokes, vocabulary, kanji lessons, hiragana readers, stories for upper beginners and intermediates, cultural articles, and much more.

Give Makoto a try by scrolling up and choosing a plan. If you are unhappy for any reason (too hard; too easy; not enough kanji!), just let us know and we'll issue a no-questions-asked refund.

Become a Makoto+ Member For:

sharing is caring!

Already a member? Samurai Members, Click Here | Shogun Members, Click Here

About Makoto+
誠プラスについて

$99 / Year
(It's like getting two months free!)