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Sado Island is a short boat ride from mainland Japan.
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Sado Island is a short boat ride from mainland Japan.
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It has a population of only about 50,000,
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despite being one of the nation's largest islands.
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A gold mine on Sado boosted Japan's wealth in the 17th century.
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There are cultural riches too,
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such as cute tube-like boats, and ancient performing arts.
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One family is preserving Sato's culinary traditions.
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And everything they do starts with delicious rice.
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Let's follow their story by looking through the kitchen window.
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A vast flatland sits between Sado's rugged terrain.
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Farmers here have been harnessing the nutrient-rich mountain water for thousands of years.
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Even today, they produce some of the best rice to be found anywhere in Japan.
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Sado's rural areas aren't just good for farming farming.
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They also provide an ideal habitat for the Japanese crested ibis.
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Conservationists in the country have brought it back from extinction.
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They sleep in the woods and feed on creatures in the paddies.
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People in the community have worked hard to maintain this healthy ecosystem.
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The sound of the birds are the same.
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The sound of the birds are the same.
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Yes, it was the same.
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The birds are the same.
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I've been here for 10 years since I've been a bird.
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It's nice and nice and nice.
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I've been working on the birds with a bird.
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I can also have a lot of fun to do with the food.
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Aida Tadaki is the latest in a long line of rice farmers to manage these patties.
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Friends and family chip in too.
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Growing season starts in spring.
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It all begins with the seeds.
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Just one can produce 300 to 500 grains of rice.
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They're first mixed with soil to create seabeds.
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And a week later, they're sprouting.
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Tadaaki takes the seedlings to his paddies.
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Tadaaki takes the seedlings to his patties.
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Some of the work needs modern machinery.
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Tadaki currently manages the paddies with just three other people,
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so efficiency is key.
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Growing rice is hard work,
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but even more so back in the day.
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Tadaki's wife, Naomi, is preparing lunch at home.
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The family grow a popular variety of rice called koshihikari.
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And their efforts have won high praise.
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Our rice is sometimes dubbed Super Koshihikari.
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Today's lunch is onigiri rice balls.
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The other ingredients include homemade miso paste and umeboshi pickled plums.
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The rice needs to be squeezed firmly so it doesn't fall apart,
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but not too hard or the texture will be spoiled.
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Onigiri are like an extension of the person who made them.
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Naomi coats these with a generous layer of miso paste.
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No filling inside.
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Miso and umeboshi are tasty and functional.
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Because they act like preservatives,
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stopping the rice from going bad.
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That's not so important if eaten right away,
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but oniguri were invented as a meal for farmers out in the field.
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Naomi arrives at the paddies.
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She's also brought fried eggs and other side dishes.
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But naturally, her onigiri are the highlight.
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Simple, tasty, and to be enjoyed wherever you may be.
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Onigiri, a fast food like no other.
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Tadaaki has recharged, and he finishes planting the seedlings in no time.
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Tadaaki was born and raised on Sado Island,
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but he moved elsewhere and worked as a civil engineer.
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He later returned with his family and found a job at the city hall.
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I was a little sick and I decided to live in 2010 to make a job.
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Tadaaki's father Yasuaki is the pioneer of an organic farming method using local oyster shells
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Tadaaki had only been at the helm a short while before Yasuaki became ill too
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Suddenly he had to take on all the work himself
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Things
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started
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looking up when Tada Aki drew on his experience as an engineer.
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Tadaaki came up with all sorts of ideas to improve the quality of his rice.
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He uses mineral-rich sea water to raise the seedlings.
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And he's embraced technology.
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Satellite imagery shows the paddy from above.
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The red areas are not well fertilized,
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and the green areas have too much.
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The rice planting machine uses the data to optimize distribution.
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Tadaaki wasn't just aiming for large-scale production.
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He also wanted to grow rice with care,
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like the farmers of old in their small patties.
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The hard work has paid off.
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He consistently produces high quality rice,
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and he's now one of Sado Island's key rice producers.
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Still, Japan's rice industry is facing a significant hurdle.
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People don't eat as much of it as they used to.
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Tada Aki has found a new way to promote his produce.
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He makes rice dumplings called dango.
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for a delicious treat dating back more than 1,200 years.
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And making them is all so simple.
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Mix rice flour with water,
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roll into balls, and steam.
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Tadaaki and his family even opened a store in 2024.
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Sounds weird.
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Customers can also have their they're to be eaten quickly while they're still hot.
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This is to See Little Mu butter.
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That's rare, and seen the Could.
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And at the heart of it all, Rice.
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Here's Tadaaki's mother, Katsumi This is a red-nigth.
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If you grow this, you'll have a red-nigth.
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The family mostly eat vegetables.
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She grows organically.
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It's always been that way for Tadaaki.
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This is a pachy.
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Today, they'll dine in the open air.
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A feast of colorful dishes made with homegrown vegetables.
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And of course, rice.
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It's been made in a traditional cooker called mushi kamado.
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They are designed to be airtight,
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which traps the umami flavor and produces a wonderful chewy texture.
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Let's eat.
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It's delicious.
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It's not only good to say it.
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I'm happy.
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Tadaki's grains have earned his father's seal of approval.
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But I am very happy to say, so smooth.
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I experienced the nuovo dog community today,
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and there is much like the dancing industry.
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Keeping somebody standing us while walking and joining them and fighting I expect it's It's about belonged.
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My place as a last 풍ido ratic of Sado Islander.
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Whatever you call it as a Vernado.
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That's the story of one Sado Islander and his family.
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Why Practice Speaking with This Video?

This video provides an immersive experience into the cultural and agricultural aspects of Sado Island, Japan. By using the shadowing technique, learners can practice their English speaking skills in a dynamic context. As you listen and repeat phrases from the video, you will not only improve your pronunciation but also gain insights into Japanese culture and rice farming traditions. Engaging with this content helps develop your ability to incorporate new vocabulary and expressions into your conversations, which is crucial for IELTS speaking practice. Additionally, by exploring the fascinating stories presented, you'll feel motivated to share your own experiences, further enhancing your English speaking practice.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

Several key structures from the transcript can enhance your understanding of English grammar and usage. Here are a few notable examples:

  • Present Simple Tense: "Farmers here have been harnessing..." This structure indicates ongoing actions and can be practiced by discussing daily routines.
  • Present Perfect Continuous Tense: "The community has worked hard..." This form emphasizes the duration of an action, useful for talking about experiences or actions that continue into the present.
  • Imperative Mood: "Let's follow their story..." The use of the imperative can encourage participation and is often used for invitations or suggestions.
  • Quantifiers: "One can produce 300 to 500 grains of rice." Learning how to use quantifiers effectively will help you provide precise information when discussing quantities in English.

Common Pronunciation Traps

English learners may encounter certain tricky pronunciations while watching the video. Here are some words and phrases to pay particular attention to:

  • Sado - The pronunciation may seem unfamiliar. Practicing the correct intonation will enhance clarity when discussing global locations.
  • Onigiri - This Japanese word for rice balls can be challenging. Focus on syllable segmentation to achieve accurate pronunciation.
  • Koshihikari - As a specific type of rice, mastering its pronunciation will enable you to incorporate cultural vocabulary into conversations.
  • Conservationists - This term involves several syllables and may require practice to ensure smooth delivery, especially in fast-paced dialogue.

By integrating these elements into your learn English with YouTube practice sessions, you can enhance your speaking skills while gaining a deeper appreciation for cultural narratives. Moreover, utilize shadowspeak methods to reinforce your learning process, ensuring you speak confidently and accurately.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

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