Discover Japan Through Richy’s Eyes

Join Richy as he travels around Japan with his family, discovering exciting places, delicious food, famous attractions, and unforgettable experiences through authentic photographs.

Written as a real family travel story, this reader introduces learners to longer descriptive texts using simple past-tense verbs (～ました). Throughout the book, additional information, photo captions, and speech bubbles provide extra vocabulary and cultural insights, encouraging learners to look closely at each photograph and extend their reading beyond the main text.

The story finishes with one of Richy’s favourite memories—sharing a bath with his beloved grandfather after an exciting family adventure. This reader combines authentic experiences, meaningful repetition, and engaging visual support to help learners develop both reading confidence and a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.

Language Features

Students will practise:

• Reading longer descriptive sentences
• Using simple past-tense verbs (～ました)
• Learning vocabulary related to travel, family, food, and sightseeing
• Reading photo captions and speech bubbles to extend vocabulary
• Using authentic photographs to predict meaning
• Developing reading confidence through descriptive texts

Details: 

Japanese Reader Level:  4
Recommended for: Developing Learners
Language Focus: Descriptive sentences using simple past-tense verbs (～ました)
Vocabulary Theme: Family, travel, food, sightseeing, and everyday Japanese
Cultural Theme: Exploring authentic Japanese culture through a real family trip to Japan

Character Count: 637
Pages:20
Product Type: A5 saddle-stitched booklet
ISBN: 978-1-925808-04-9

Perfect For

• Learners progressing from simple readers to longer descriptive texts
• Primary school Japanese programs
• Beginning and lower secondary school students
• Adult learners
• Home learning
• Japanese language classrooms
• Exploring authentic Japanese culture through real family experiences

 Teaching & Learning Resources

Every reader includes free access to our Resource Library.

Included with every reader:

•  Audio recordings narrated by Mariko Sensei
•  English translation
•  Quizlet vocabulary activities

Also available for schools and teachers:

•  Class Sets with Online Flipbooks

💜 A Note from Mariko Sensei

This reader is based on my son Richy’s unforgettable childhood trip to Japan.

During his visit, Richy travelled with our family, explored exciting places, met famous Japanese characters, tasted delicious food, and experienced many wonderful parts of Japanese culture. Every page is based on real family memories and authentic photographs.

One feature I especially love is the extra learning on every page. Alongside the main story, learners can enjoy fun photo captions and speech bubbles that introduce additional vocabulary and expressions while encouraging them to look closely at each photograph.

My favourite memory is the final evening, when Richy enjoyed a relaxing bath with his grandfather, who was the most important person in his world. It reminds me that the happiest memories are often the simple moments we share with the people we love.

I hope this reader inspires learners to discover Japan through authentic experiences while building confidence in reading Japanese.

Happy reading!

— Mariko Sensei

📖 Your Next Japanese Reader

Now that you’ve explored Japan through Richy’s family adventures, continue discovering Japanese culture with these readers:

• こどものひ — Learn about one of Japan’s best-loved celebrations through authentic photographs and descriptive Japanese.
• つるしびな — Discover the beautiful tradition of Tsurushibina while building reading confidence through descriptive sentences and authentic cultural photographs.
• スイーツ — Explore traditional and modern Japanese sweets through authentic photographs and everyday Japanese.

These Japanese readers are intended for individual use and extensive reading (tadoku).

© Mariko Earle. All rights reserved.