This article may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For full information, please see the disclaimer here.
Are you a fan of Japanese anime and manga? Does your company cater to Japanese clients? Did you travel to Japan and fall in love with its culture and rich landscapes? Or are you simply a fan of learning new languages?
Whatever your motivation is, learning Japanese has many benefits and it may very well be one of the best decisions you will make in life.
But you may have also heard that learning Japanese is tough… but so are other languages! And why fret when there are so many resources that can help you learn Japanese?
Round-up of best resources to learn Japanese
Japanese is one of the most popular Asian languages, both among Asians and Westerners. Not surprising, given Japan’s role in global affairs and the world economy. This means there is great demand and availability for Japanese learning resources.
It can be hard and time-consuming to pick from a huge collection of language learning apps, books, courses, and other platforms for learning Japanese. If you can only check out a few resources, I recommend these:
- Download Mondly and Busuu. Both are beginner-friendly apps to learn Japanese vocabulary, grammar, and writing.
- Build conversational skills with Pimsleur and Rocket Languages’ high-quality audio courses.
- NHK World-Japan’s Easy Japanese is a great free resource for learning Japanese characters, building vocabulary, and getting immersed in Japanese culture.
- Find affordable Japanese tutors from Preply, italki, and Live Lingua.
- For structured lessons on vocabulary, grammar, kana, and kanji, read Japanese From Zero and Genki.
- The website Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese and the YouTube channel Japanese Ammo with Misa helps with strengthening grammar knowledge, expanding vocabulary, and learning Japanese culture. And both are free!
And with that out of the way, let’s take a closer look at the best Japanese learning resources!
Best apps to learn Japanese
Get off social media for a bit and use that time to learn Japanese. These Japanese learning apps offer a convenient and fun way to get started in the language.
1. Mondly
For beginner Japanese, Mondly offers daily bite-size lessons, chatbot conversations, and plenty of exercises. To help you practice your pronunciation, it features audio guides and a powerful speech recognition engine.
Daily lessons are free but you can unlock more lessons and features with this promo.
2. Busuu
Busuu’s systematic Japanese lessons cover reading and writing hiragana and katakana, vocabulary, and Japanese grammar. You can practice your conversational skills with its community of native Japanese speakers and you can even join live classes!
3. JapanesePod101
Featuring real-life conversations with native speakers, JapanesePod101 by Innovative Language uses podcast-styled audio lessons to teach grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and reading. Each conversation is dissected to study aspects of the language as well as cultural context.
4. LingoDeer
Crafted by language experts, LingoDeer’s Japanese lessons teach vocabulary and grammar through flashcards and bite-size lessons. That said, explanations of grammar concepts are detailed so there’s no guessing around.
The Story and Learning Tips features of this app introduce interesting cultural facts while teaching new words and grammar nuances.
5. Imiwa?
This powerful Japanese dictionary app contains over 170,000 Japanese entries with corresponding English translations. Some entries have French, German, and Russian translations, too.
Imiwa? also suggests conjugations, helping you switch between neutral or polite forms easily. Plus, it contains a whopping 13,000+ kanjis!
6. FluentU
Want to learn Japanese through immersion? You can do so with real-world videos on FluentU. This highly immersive app has a huge collection of Japanese music videos, commercials, movie trailers, news clips, and more — all with Japanese and English subtitles.
7. Lingopie
If learning Japanese through TV shows and movies is your cup of tea, Lingopie is for you. This app gives you access to thousands of hours of TV shows and movies to learn from.
Simply choose a Japanese show or movie and follow along with the transcripts. Click on the subtitles to get instant translations and hear a word’s correct pronunciation. You can also save words and turn them into flashcards! Try it for free!
8. Drops
Drops is a flashcard app that lets you learn over 2,000 Japanese words through five-minute daily lessons. Immersive and beautifully designed, these lessons can take you from beginner to intermediate level in the most non-boring way possible.
Best Japanese language programs and online courses
Apps are a great jump-off point to learning Japanese. But if you like Japanese learning resources with structure and systematic learning paths, language programs, and online courses are ideal for you.
9. Pimsleur
This 50-year-old language program and learning method employs SRS (spaced repetition system) to teach Japanese vocabulary at gradually increasing intervals. Pimsleur courses consist of thirty 30-minute core audio lessons per unit. Pimsleur Japanese has five units, so you get a total of around 75 hours for the whole course.
With this program, you will build conversational skills while learning Japanese words, phrases, and contextual grammar. It also teaches kana and select kanji characters. Learn more by reading this Pimsleur review or try Pimsleur Japanese for FREE!
10. Rocket Languages
Rocket Japanese features interactive audio lessons that expand vocabulary, teach grammar in context, and help train your listening and speaking skills. Step-by-step videos on how to write Japanese characters, plus informative culture notes, make it one of the most well-rounded resources to learn Japanese.
11. Cudoo
Want to master the Japanese language and discover more about Japanese society? You can do both when you take Cudoo’s Japanese online courses. After completing the course, you’ll have a wider vocabulary, a better understanding of Japanese grammar, and improved speaking skills. You’ll even receive a certificate of completion! Sign up here.
12. Skillshare
Whether you’re looking for lessons on Japanese grammar, Japanese cooking, or Japanese art, you’ll find over 100+ specialized courses on Skillshare. Some of the most popular language courses are Mikiko Miki’s Beginner Japanese course, Dai Max’s Hiragana Mastery class, and Matsu Sama’s Japanese grammar course. Get a discount on Skillshare membership here!
13. AOJ Language School on Udemy
Udemy offers various Japanese courses from beginner to advanced levels. AOJ Language School particularly provides well-paced, straightforward, and immersive courses. The lectures are fully in Japanese but with English subtitles, giving you more exposure to native speakers and lots of listening practice.
14. Easy Japanese Program by NHK World-Japan
NHK World-Japan’s free learning resources are some of the best online. Its newest program, the Easy Japanese Conversation Lessons consists of fun illustrated skits with videos, audio recordings, dialogue transcripts, a breakdown of vocabulary used, select kanji, and related culture tips.
The site also links to the older program, Easy Japanese Grammar Lessons, which helps you master basic Japanese grammar. To learn workplace expressions and Japanese business culture, there’s also Easy Japanese for Work.
Best podcasts to learn Japanese
Immersion is one of the best ways to quickly learn any language. How do you get immersed in Japanese when you’re not in Japan? There are many ways but here’s one of my favorites: listening to podcasts.
15. JapanesePod101
Although already listed among our favorite apps to learn Japanese, it’s worth mentioning JapanesePod101 again because its main tool for teaching vocab, grammar, and pronunciation is well, audio.
If you want the transcript or other reading materials, go for the website or app. But if you prefer immersing in the voices of native speakers as you do chores or travel to work, listening to the podcast via Apple Podcast, Spotify, or Google Podcast should do.
16. Tofugu
The Tofugu podcast doesn’t claim to teach Japanese but it does heavily feature useful Japanese phrases, study tips, and invaluable insights into the Japanese culture. With hundreds of episodes and counting, this podcast is useful whether you’re learning Japanese, thinking of traveling to Japan, or just love everything Japanese.
17. Learn Japanese Pod
Founded and hosted by Alex Brooke in 2007, Learn Japanese Pod is a podcast that doesn’t just build listening skills but also learn Japanese culture. Topics range from the basics like self-introduction and asking for help to more advanced themes like what to do when you lose your wallet or how to cheer up someone in Japanese.
18. Bilingual News
Launched in 2013 by Michael and Mami, Bilingual News is a free podcast that serves world news in a mixture of English and Japanese. Occasionally, the podcast features guests and free conversation but a regular episode delves into news stories of varying topics. You can access the podcast transcripts from the Bilingual News app.
Best websites to find Japanese tutors
Self-studying Japanese is fun. But let’s face it: you will likely progress more quickly if you have a guide, preferably a native speaker. Enter online Japanese tutors. Sure, you’ll have to pay to get coaching but you’ll get what you pay for in the form of guided learning, personalized lessons, and plenty of speaking practice.
19. Italki
Serious Japanese learners will not be disappointed with italki, as this review can prove. This platform connects learners to over a thousand Japanese teachers who offer conversational Japanese classes, structured lessons catered to your learning goals, business Japanese, and more. The best part? You can learn at a schedule and budget that fits you!
20. Preply
Preply has about 900 certified Japanese tutors with various specialties, from beginner level to business Japanese to courses tailored to JLPT takers. You can choose based on your goals, budget, and schedule. What’s great is that you can get your first lesson for free — no need to commit to a tutor just yet.
21. Live Lingua
Boasting certified and experienced Japanese tutors, Live Lingua offers personalized lessons based on your learning goals. Pricing is fixed but you do get matched with a tutor depending on your learning style, needs, and fluency level. What’s great is that the tutors not only teach the language but also share cultural insights.
22. AmazingTalker
Offering a wide range of classes for all levels from kids to adults, AmazingTalker seeks to help improve conversational skills, Japanese grammar, Japanese for business, and more. To learn Japanese from this platform, simply browse through tutor profiles or choose from AI-recommended tutors.
23. Wasabi
Based in Tokyo, Wasabi offers one-on-one lessons with certified and trained Japanese tutors via Skype. The courses follow CEFR and JLPT standards and focus on building core skills such as grammar, speaking, and listening. The lessons are well-structured and you get lots of free self-study materials.
24. Japanese Online Institute
Also based in Japan, the Japanese Online Institute offers classes for every schedule, level, and objective. You can choose between private classes or sessions in small groups of up to seven students. The teachers are government-certified, so you know you’re getting quality instruction.
Best books to learn Japanese
Japanese textbooks, grammar books, and workbooks are reliable sources of structured lessons. They help you progress to fluency as you pore over grammar points, new vocabulary, forms of speech, and more. Here are our favorite books to learn Japanese.
25. Japanese from Zero! 1: Proven Techniques to Learn Japanese for Students and Professionals
No products found.
This bestselling Japanese textbook for beginners introduces over 800 words and expressions and easy-to-grasp grammar concepts through fun dialogues. The first volume of Japanese From Zero uses romaji (Romanized Japanese) but introduces five or six syllabic kana in each chapter. This book is ideal for self-paced learning.
26. Genki Volume 1 3rd edition (Multilingual Edition)
One of the most popular books for Japanese learners, Genki teaches reading and writing, vocabulary, and grammar through real-world conversations. This provides contextualized lessons through cultural notes. It also covers JLPT level N5, making it ideal for newbies and test-takers.
27. Japanese the Manga Way: An Illustrated Guide to Grammar and Structure
Japanese grammar may be one of the trickiest aspects of the language. But learning it doesn’t have to be boring. Japanese the Manga Way teaches and entertains at the same time, helping you grasp grammar essentials through actual manga strips.
28. A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
No products found.
A handy reference for anyone learning Japanese, A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar collates in-depth grammar lessons in dictionary format. Entries are broken down into parts of speech with all possible meanings, definitions, usage, sample sentences, collocations, and more.
29. NihonGO NOW!: Performing Japanese Culture – Level 1 Volume 1
NihonGO NOW! is a textbook and workbook that teaches context-sensitive and culturally coherent Japanese. This means you won’t be getting overly formal and stiff dialogues, although formal speech is also taught. You will learn grammar without the jargon and you’ll be tested through challenging vocab and grammar exercises.
30. Learning Japanese Hiragana and Katakana: A Workbook for Self-Study
A beginner-friendly workbook for self-study or classroom use, Learning Japanese Hiragana and Katakana provides a comprehensive intro to the origin, functions, pronunciation, and usage of each Japanese character. Before you go into the drills and stroke order, you’ll have a deeper understanding of the script first.
Best websites to learn Japanese
Apps, books, and online classes — this is the perfect recipe for a well-rounded approach to learning Japanese. To get the most out of these Japanese learning resources, supplement them with informative websites like the ones below.
31. Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese
A well-loved resource for learning Japanese, Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese teaches essential grammar and vocabulary through lots of examples, interesting dialogues, and suggestions for practical applications. The website contains two comprehensive guides, links to other resources and tutorials, and useful blog posts from Tae Kim.
32. Japanese-Lesson.com
Ideal for self-study, Japanese-Lesson.com offers programs and materials produced by a native-speaking Japanese language teacher. The site features courses on hiragana, katakana, kanji, and basic Japanese. The whole program covers JLPT levels N5 to N1 and helps build strong foundations in vocabulary, grammar, reading, and writing.
33. ComicWalker
For intermediate and advanced learners who want to squeeze some manga into their study time, ComicWalker is a great resource. This website has a huge catalog of free (and legal) manga series published by KADOKAWA. Not yet confident with your Japanese reading skills? There are English versions, too!
34. Matcha
Focusing on travel and culture in Japan, Matcha is not a language learning website. But it does heavily feature the different aspects of daily life in Japan and facts about the Japanese language, which helps get a firmer grasp of the language.
For intermediate learners, the site is available in ten languages, including Japanese. You can read the articles to practice your Japanese skills!
Best YouTube channels to learn Japanese
YouTube isn’t just for cute puppy videos, celebrity gossip, conspiracy theories, and vlogs. If you’re a language learner, you can take advantage of how-to videos and language lessons on the platform. Best of all, they’re free!
35. JapanesePod101
While the podcast version is great for learning on the go, JapanesePod101’s YouTube channel is great if you have more time on your hands and want to learn with visual aids. Here, you get the benefit of seeing the Japanese characters when watching, which helps improve your writing skills.
36. Japanese Ammo with Misa
Run by Misa sensei, a multilingual (and energetic) Japanese translator and teacher, Japanese Ammo goes in-depth about Japanese grammar and conversational Japanese. Although most videos are suited for beginners and intermediate learners, advanced learners will also benefit from her Japanese-only videos.
37. NihonGoal
If you own a copy of the Minna no Nihongo textbook, you can make the most out of it by checking out NihonGoal, a YouTube channel created by non-native Japanese speaker Rose.
Many of the lessons on this channel follow the textbook, and some follow JLPT standards. Even if you don’t have the textbook series, Rose’s comprehensive and fun videos are worth watching.
38. Learn Japanese
While you can’t learn Japanese just by watching anime, you can certainly improve with the help of your beloved anime characters. The YouTube channel, Learn Japanese, teaches Japanese through clips of well-known anime like One Punch Man, Tokyo Ghoul, and One Piece. The channel hasn’t been active in a long time but the content remains relevant.
Best FREE resources to learn Japanese
Don’t let your limited budget stop you from achieving Japanese fluency! There are lots of free resources that you can take advantage of.
Free apps to learn Japanese
39. Duolingo
With over 500 million users and over 100 courses in 40+ languages, Duolingo is one of the most popular language learning apps online. Using a gamified approach, this app teaches Japanese vocabulary, hiragana, and kanji. One of the best free resources if you have only 5-10 minutes a day. Learn more about Duolingo.
40. Obenkyo
Catering to all proficiency levels, Obenkyo teaches kanji, hiragana, and katakana. The app tests your Japanese writing skills through multiple-choice quizzes and handwriting tests that assess your form and stroke order. As for grammar, it uses Tae Kim’s guide.
41. Takaboto
Japanese-English dictionary app Takaboto has over 200,000 entries with English translations. You can search as you type in kana, kanji, romaji, in the English alphabet, or even through voice. Each entry contains sample phrases, sentences, conjugated forms, and kanji stroke order.
42. JF Japanese e-Learning apps
Produced and developed by the Japan Foundation, these free apps help you learn kanji, katakana, hiragana, and Japanese vocabulary through mnemonics, quizzes, games, comics, and other interactive exercises. All of the apps are designed for beginners.
43. HelloTalk
Language exchange app HelloTalk supports over 150 languages, which means you’ll definitely find a Japanese study buddy. This collaborative app lets you connect with native speakers who can help you practice the language while you also teach them your native language. Making global friends is the cherry on top!
Free forums/communities to learn Japanese
44. Reddit
From resource recommendations to study tips and discussions, the Subreddit r/LearnJapanese is your handy hub for all things related to the language. With over 500,000 users, this one’s a helpful community for learning and staying motivated.
45. Japanese Stack Exchange
A Q&A site for Japanese language students, teachers, and linguists, the Japanese Stack Exchange is a great venue for interesting discussions related to Japanese grammar and vocabulary. From detailed explanations on word choice to breakdowns of usage and nuance, this site is one of the most informative channels for learners.
46. Japan Reference
A community for all things Japanese, Japan Reference or JREF is a hub for articles, discussions, and resources on Japanese culture, language, history, and travel. The forum contains all kinds of conversations, from current events to translation assistance to tourist spots in Japan. The language section itself is robust and the users are very helpful.
Free podcasts to learn Japanese
If like me, you’re a fan of podcasts, you’ll be pleased to know that all of the podcasts listed above (e.g., JapanesePod101, Tofugu) are available for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. Just type “learn Japanese” on the search bar of these platforms and you’ll find plenty of options!
Free Japanese classes to learn Japanese
47. Waseda University Beginner Japanese Courses on edX
Waseda University is a 140-year-old institution in Japan and has educated several politicians, business leaders, journalists, scientists, artists, and other world changers. Its beginner-friendly Japanese language courses are available on edX and can be audited for free.
48. Marugoto
Marugoto online courses are based on the Marugoto textbook series, which is the official coursebook of the Japan Foundation.
These self-study courses meet the A1 and A2 requirements of CEFR standards and are available in various languages such as English, Thai, Spanish, French, and more. You can choose between two study styles: Katsudoo, which stands for casual studies, and Rikai, which is for serious learners.
49. Smile Nihongo Academy
Designed and taught by a real Japanese teacher, Smile Nihongo’s paid courses include video lessons, PDF materials, quizzes, and MP3s.
But if you don’t want to jump into the paid courses right away, you can check out the free mini-courses for beginners. Learn to introduce yourself, count in Japanese, identify the differences between formal and informal speech, and more!
Free Japanese books to learn Japanese
50. NHK World-Japan Easy Japanese
This free PDF download contains all 48 lessons from the Easy Japanese Conversation lessons program of NHK World-Japan. The lessons feature fun skits that teach Japanese vocab, grammar, and Japanese culture. It also contains a useful appendix of verb conjugations, polite and plain forms of verbs, adjectives, and nouns, useful Japanese words, and hiragana and katakana charts.
51. e-Douwa
Reading popular folktales like Momotaro, Kachi-Kachi Yama, and The Tongueless Sparrow in their original language can be a fun way to get more reading practice. You can access free digital copies of Japanese folktales, origami picture books, and even Western titles translated into Japanese via e-douwa.com.
52. Tadoku Supporters
Tadoku is a method of studying Japanese by reading easy books. On the website Tadoku Supporters, you can find free graded readers categorized into five levels and Tadoku-friendly materials.
The low-level books contain short conversations while higher-level books contain short paragraphs. All books include furigana (reading aid consisting of smaller kana or syllabic characters printed either above or next to kanji), illustrations, and audio recordings.
Best Netflix TV shows and movies to learn Japanese
Watching Japanese shows and movies on Netflix won’t be the same as taking online Japanese classes or reading Japanese books. But as long as you’re using it to supplement other Japanese learning resources, these shows and films can be useful in developing your listening skills and learning more about Japanese culture.
53. Ainori
Dating back to 1999, Ainori is a popular Japanese reality show that follows seven strangers traveling around the world in a pink wagon. Their goal is to find love amongst the other participants, declare their love, and return to Japan as a couple. Part-dating show and part-travelogue, Ainori features everyday language. Definitely an interesting show if you’re into travel and reality shows.
54. Midnight Diner
If you’re into yummy Japanese foods and fascinating stories of regular Japanese people, you’ll love Midnight Diner. The show takes its name from the small Tokyo restaurant that only opens from midnight to 7 am. Each episode follows the story of the customers who visit the diner and share their lives over meals.
55. Old Enough
Old Enough follows small children (from as young as 2 years old) who go on errands by themselves for the very first time. As they shop, retrieve laundry, visit shrines, and talk to shopkeepers, you’ll see Japan’s unique culture of training kids to be independent at an early age — and how safe the roads are for kids!
56. Terrace House
Like Ainori, Terrace House is a reality dating show, except it is filmed in a house. Six young Japanese men and women from different walks of life live under the same roof while getting to know each other and ultimately, ending up dating each other. There are no competitions or prizes and participants are free to come and go. It’s as banal and simple as can be, and that’s what makes the show unique.
57. Attack on Titan
Dark post-apocalyptic anime Attack on Titan is not what you’d like to watch if you want to relax as the scenes are often violent and graphic. But this gory anime has an amazing plot, excellent action sequences, and a masterful soundtrack. And learning Japanese through some of its most unforgettable quotes is guaranteed fun!
58. Studio Ghibli films
Finally, a list of outstanding Japanese shows and movies won’t be complete without entries from the most popular Japanese animation film studio.
Aside from providing listening practice, Studio Ghibli movies are so visually satisfying and plots often feature social commentary and human interest themes. Titles like My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Ponyo are among the most popular, but I recommend checking out Whisper of the Heart and Arrietty, too!
How to learn Japanese
As you can see from this list, there’s no shortage of Japanese learning resources online. But learning Japanese quickly and effectively ultimately falls on your hands.
Here are some study tips to help you.
Learn the Japanese writing system
Knowing polite greetings, self-introduction, and how to ask for directions can be useful if you’re traveling to Japan for a short time. But if you plan to study Japanese long-term, it’s best to learn how to read and write early on. Once you get a better handle on kana and some kanji, you’ll have an easier time learning vocabulary and grammar.
Mix up your tools and methods
Scientists and scholars have been dismissing learning styles as a myth. This means you should no longer label yourself as a visual learner only, an auditory learner, or a kinesthetic learner — you can be all three. And so, when choosing tools and methods to learn Japanese, it’s best to use a mix of resources. How do you know which one’s most effective? By giving them a try, of course.
But stick with two to three resources at a time
That said, be careful not to overwhelm yourself. Identify your goals first. Then, choose apps, books, courses, or materials that you think can meet your goals and complement each other.
Immerse yourself and practice
Surrounding yourself with Japanese content — be it podcasts, books, Netflix shows, or even native speakers — will train your listening and reading skills as well as familiarize you with Japanese culture. Let it not stop with consuming media though. Practice what you learn, too!
Stay motivated
Learning should not be boring nor should it not feel like a chore. Even if you’re learning Japanese for work, it should still be fun. You are, after all, exploring a new culture. The key to having fun lies in staying motivated and enjoying the process. Make sure to go back to your whys, set achievable goals, and celebrate your wins.
And that’s a wrap! I hope this list of resources to learn Japanese helped inspire my fellow Japanese learners out there. Don’t give up, continue improving, and don’t forget to have fun!