In the city of Wakkanai, Hokkaido, people are making the specialty bodara. Fresh cod caught in the sea around Hokkaido are hung and dried using machines and wind. Taking the time to harden them thoroughly will make them tastier. Around July next year, they will be shipped mainly to the Kansai region and eaten on festive occasions. A person from a processing company said, "We are working hard in the cold to make them."

Note: Bodara literally means "cod stick."

(The next installment of this series will be published on January 8, 2025.)

Japanese original

Easy Japanese news is taken from the Mainichi Shogakusei Shimbun, a newspaper for children. This is perfect material for anyone studying Japanese who has learned hiragana and katakana. We encourage beginners to read the article in English followed by Japanese, or vice versa, to test their comprehension.

A fresh set will be published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4 p.m., Japan time. Click/tap here for past installments.

Intermediate learners who do not need English assistance can directly access the Mainichi Shogakusei Shimbun site here. Furigana (hiragana) is added to all kanji in the text.