How to Learn Japanese

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Japanese is now the fourth most popular language to learn globally, surpassing German in 2025. Whether you want to learn Japanese for anime, travel, or work, you’re joining millions of learners worldwide who are trying to figure out how to learn Japanese effectively.

But here’s the challenge: Japanese has three writing systems, complex politeness levels, and no spaces between words. Where do you even start?

This guide will show you exactly how to learn Japanese step by step and how to start today — even if you’ve tried and quit before. Whether you’re learning Japanese by yourself at home or taking classes, this beginner-friendly Japanese study plan will get you there.

Step 1: Master the Japanese Writing Systems First

The foundation of Japanese is its three scripts. Don’t skip this — everything else depends on it.

Hiragana (Week 1-2)

Hiragana is your first priority. These 46 characters represent every sound in Japanese and are used for grammar, native words, and anything without kanji.

How to learn it:

Use Tofugu’s Hiragana Guide — it’s free and uses mnemonics
Practice with flashcards (Anki or Quizlet)
Write each character by hand at least 10 times

Goal: Read and write all 46 hiragana within 2 weeks.

Katakana (Week 2-3)

Katakana has the same sounds as hiragana but is used for foreign words, brand names, and emphasis. You’ll see it everywhere: コンピュータ (computer), アプリ (app), カフェ (cafe).

Same method — mnemonics plus repetition. One more week should do it.

Kanji (Ongoing)

Kanji are Chinese characters used for content words. There are about 2,000 commonly used kanji (the 常用漢字 list), but don’t panic — you’ll learn them gradually.

Smart approach:

Learn kanji through vocabulary, not in isolation
Start with the most common 300-400 kanji
Use WaniKani or the Heisig method (Remembering the Kanji)
Focus on meaning first, then readings

Key insight: Japanese kanji often have multiple readings. Learn readings through actual vocabulary, not memorization tables.

Example: Learning 日 through vocabulary

Kanji	Vocabulary	Reading	Meaning
日	日本	にほん	Japan
日	今日	きょう	today
日	日曜日	にちようび	Sunday
日	毎日	まいにち	every day

See how one kanji has different readings? By learning words, you naturally absorb the patterns.

Step 2: Build Core Japanese Vocabulary Strategically

Good news: You only need about 2,000 common words to understand 80% of everyday Japanese.

Learn words in context, not isolation

❌ Don’t just learn: 時間 = time

✅ Learn it in phrases:

時間がない (I don’t have time)
時間通り (on time)
時間を無駄にする (to waste time)

This is how native speakers actually use words.

Best tools for vocabulary:

Anki — free, uses spaced repetition, works offline
Renshu — tailored study paths for JLPT levels
WaniKani — combines kanji and vocabulary learning

What a good Anki card looks like:

Front: 食べる
Back:  たべる — to eat (ru-verb)
       Example: 朝ごはんを食べる (I eat breakfast)

Always include: reading, meaning, part of speech, and one example sentence. This context helps the word stick.

Vocabulary milestones:

500 words: Survive basic situations
1,000 words: Simple conversations
2,000 words: Comfortable daily life communication
10,000 words: Read novels and news comfortably

Step 3: Learn Japanese Grammar Through Structure

Unlike English, Japanese puts verbs at the end and uses particles to mark grammar relationships. Once you understand this, everything clicks.

Start with a structured textbook

Pick one and stick with it:

Genki I & II — Most popular, clear English explanations
Minna no Nihongo — Used in Japanese language schools, immersive approach

Core grammar concepts to master first:

Particles — These small words mark relationships:

は (wa) — topic marker: 私は学生です (I am a student)
が (ga) — subject marker: 雨が降っている (It’s raining)
を (wo) — object marker: 本を読む (Read a book)
に (ni) — destination/time: 東京に行く (Go to Tokyo)
で (de) — location of action: カフェで勉強する (Study at a cafe)

Verb conjugations — Japanese verbs change form. Here’s how 食べる (to eat) conjugates:

Form	Casual	Polite	Usage
Present	食べる	食べます	I eat / I will eat
Past	食べた	食べました	I ate
Negative	食べない	食べません	I don’t eat
Te-form	食べて	—	Connecting sentences, requests

Once you learn this pattern for one verb, you can apply it to hundreds of others.

Online grammar resources:

Bunpro — SRS for grammar points
Imabi — Comprehensive free grammar guide
Tae Kim’s Grammar Guide — Classic free resource

Should You Take Classes or Learn Japanese by Yourself?

You can absolutely learn Japanese through self-study, especially today:

Self-study is great if you’re motivated and like working at your own pace.
Classes help if you need structure and accountability.

A good middle ground:

Use a textbook + online resources for structure
Add online tutors (italki) 1–2 times a week for feedback and speaking
Use AI translation tools to quickly check sentences and get unstuck

Step 4: Train Your Ear with Comprehensible Input

You can’t learn to understand Japanese by reading textbooks alone. You need to hear real Japanese — but at a level you can mostly understand.

Start simple

Complete beginners:

NHK World Easy Japanese — Free lessons with audio
Peppa Pig in Japanese (seriously, it works)
JapanesePod101 — Structured audio lessons

After a few months:

Anime with Japanese subtitles (not English!) — need to translate subtitles? We have a guide for that
Japanese dramas on Netflix
YouTube channels like Comprehensible Japanese
Podcasts: Nihongo Con Teppei (beginner-friendly, all in Japanese)

The key: Choose content you actually enjoy

If you like cooking, watch Japanese cooking videos. If you like games, play games in Japanese. Motivation matters more than “optimal” content.

Step 5: Start Speaking Early (Even If It’s Scary)

Most people think: “I’ll wait until I’m better before I speak.”

Big mistake. You get better BY speaking, not before speaking.

Shadowing practice (10 minutes a day)

Shadowing is the fastest way to improve pronunciation:

Find a short audio clip (30-60 seconds)
Listen once
Play again and speak along simultaneously
Repeat until you can match the rhythm and intonation

This trains your mouth muscles and helps with pitch accent.

Pitch accent: Why it matters

Unlike English (which uses stress), Japanese uses pitch patterns — your voice goes high or low on different syllables.

Example: はし (hashi)

Word	Pitch Pattern	Meaning
はし	HA-shi (high-low)	chopsticks 箸
はし	ha-SHI (low-high)	bridge 橋

You don’t need to master this immediately, but training your ear early prevents bad habits. Resources like OJAD (Online Japanese Accent Dictionary) show pitch patterns for any word.

Practical tip: When shadowing, pay attention to the rise and fall of the speaker’s voice, not just the words.

How to practice speaking:

italki — Book tutors for $10-20/hour
HelloTalk — Free language exchange app
Tandem — Find conversation partners

Even 10 minutes of speaking practice daily beats 3 hours once a week.

Step 6: Read and Write for Reinforcement

Reading consolidates everything — vocabulary, grammar, and kanji recognition. Writing forces you to produce, not just recognize.

Graded reading resources:

Satori Reader — Stories with built-in dictionary and grammar notes
NHK News Web Easy — Simplified news with furigana
Tadoku graded readers — Physical books for different levels

Writing practice:

Write 3-5 sentences about your day in Japanese
Paste them into OpenL and compare the Japanese → your native language translation to catch mistakes
Use LangCorrect — Native speakers correct your writing for free
Keep a simple Japanese diary

If you’re learning Japanese for work, check out our guide on translating business emails professionally.

Level up gradually:

After 6-12 months, try:

Manga (start with slice-of-life genres)
Light novels
Visual novels (games with lots of text)
PDF documents in Japanese — learn to translate while preserving formatting

Step 7: Study Japanese Every Day (Consistency Beats Intensity)

Here’s the truth: Most people fail not because Japanese is hard, but because they quit.

The secret? Small daily practice beats big occasional study sessions.

15-30 minutes every single day is better than 3 hours once a week.

Sample daily study schedule:

Time	Activity	Duration
Morning	Review Anki flashcards	10 min
Commute	Listen to Japanese podcast	15 min
Lunch	Watch one YouTube video in Japanese	10 min
Evening	Anime with Japanese subtitles	20 min
Before bed	Write 3 sentences + review new words	10 min
Total		65 min

Adjust based on your schedule. Even 30 minutes split across the day works.

The “habit stacking” trick:

Connect Japanese to something you already do:

After brushing teeth → Review 10 flashcards
While making coffee → Listen to 5 minutes of Japanese
Before bed → Read one page of a graded reader

Start tiny. Even 5 minutes counts. The goal is to never skip a day.

How to Learn Japanese with AI Tools (Without Cheating)

AI tools can either supercharge your Japanese learning or make you lazy. The difference is how you use them.

Use a translator like OpenL to:

Check if your Japanese sentences sound natural — Write a sentence, translate it back, and see if it matches your intent
Understand difficult sentences — Paste a confusing manga panel or news article sentence to get a clear translation
Learn how politeness works — See how です/ます forms and keigo (敬語) are translated differently
Compare nuances — Same word, different contexts? OpenL shows you the differences

Avoid:

❌ Translating whole textbooks and trying to “study” the translations
❌ Copy-pasting AI-generated Japanese without reading it carefully
❌ Using translation as a replacement for actual study

The right mindset: Treat OpenL as a smart coach that checks your understanding, not as a crutch. First guess the meaning yourself, then use OpenL to verify and refine your intuition. That’s how you build real language skills.

📅 Your First 12 Months Learning Japanese: What to Do

This 12-month Japanese study plan is designed for beginners learning Japanese by themselves at home. Adjust the pace based on your available time.

Months 1-2: Foundation

Master: All hiragana and katakana
Learn: 100-200 basic vocabulary words
Start: First 50-100 kanji
Goal: Read simple sentences without romaji

Months 3-4: Grammar Basics

Complete: Genki I or equivalent
Learn: 200-300 kanji, 500+ vocabulary
Practice: Basic listening with beginner content
Goal: Introduce yourself, order food, ask directions

Months 5-6: Speaking Begins

Add: Daily shadowing practice
Start: First conversation sessions (italki/HelloTalk)
Continue: Grammar progression, 400+ kanji
Goal: Have a simple 5-minute conversation

Months 7-9: Expand Input

Read: Graded readers, NHK Easy News
Watch: Anime/drama with Japanese subtitles
Build: 500+ kanji, 1,500+ vocabulary
Goal: Understand the gist of native content

Months 10-12: Consolidation

Prepare: JLPT N5 or N4 (optional but motivating)
Practice: Regular conversation sessions
Read: Simple manga, children’s books
Goal: Comfortable basic conversation, read simple texts

Understanding JLPT Levels

The JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) has 5 levels:

N5–N4: Basic grammar and everyday conversation
N3: Comfortable daily life Japanese
N2: Business and work-level Japanese
N1: Advanced academic and professional Japanese

Most learners can reach N4 within 12 months of consistent self-study.

❌ Mistakes to Avoid

Common pitfalls and how to fix them:

Mistake	Why It Hurts	Solution
Staying in romaji	You can’t read real Japanese; your brain won’t adapt	Switch to hiragana/katakana in week 1
Only “immersing” without study	Incomprehensible input doesn’t become comprehensible by magic	Study grammar/vocab first, then immerse
Waiting to be “ready” to speak	You’ll never feel ready; speaking ability comes from speaking	Start conversation practice by month 3
Memorizing kanji in isolation	You learn readings but can’t use them in words	Always learn kanji through vocabulary
Binge studying then stopping	Memory works through repetition over time, not cramming	15 min daily beats 3 hours weekly
Ignoring pitch accent	Bad habits become permanent; native speakers notice	Train your ear from day one
Using only one resource	Different skills need different tools	Combine textbook + SRS + speaking + input
Translating everything in your head	Slows you down; prevents natural comprehension	Practice thinking in Japanese directly
Perfectionism	Fear of mistakes prevents practice	Embrace errors as learning opportunities

Do this instead:

✅ Use kana from day one
✅ Balance input (listening/reading) with study (grammar/vocabulary)
✅ Start speaking within the first few months
✅ Learn kanji through words, not isolation
✅ Practice a little bit every single day
✅ Train your ear for pitch patterns early
✅ Make mistakes — that’s how you learn

🛠️ Essential Tools (All You Really Need)

Free Resources:

Anki — Best flashcard app
Tofugu — Comprehensive learning guide
NHK Easy News — Simplified Japanese news
HelloTalk — Language exchange
Jisho — Best Japanese-English dictionary

Worth Paying For:

WaniKani ($9/month) — Kanji + vocabulary
italki ($10-20/lesson) — Private tutors
Bunpro ($5/month) — Grammar SRS
Genki textbooks (~$50) — Structured learning

You don’t need a huge stack of apps. With one SRS app (Anki), one textbook, one conversation platform, and a good AI translator, you have everything you need to go from zero to conversational Japanese.

💪 When You Feel Stuck

Problem: “I understand Japanese but can’t speak”

Solution: Increase output practice. Force yourself to speak more, even if it’s to yourself.

Problem: “I keep forgetting kanji”

Solution: Learn kanji through vocabulary. Use mnemonics. Review with spaced repetition.

Problem: “I can’t understand native speakers”

Solution: Your input level is too high. Step back to easier content. Shadowing helps bridge the gap. If a sentence completely loses you, use an AI translator to get a clear translation, then re-listen with that understanding in mind.

Problem: “I feel like I’m not making progress”

Solution: Take a JLPT practice test. Compare yourself to 3 months ago, not to native speakers.

Everyone gets stuck sometimes. It’s normal. Just keep practicing.

🎯 How to Know You’re Improving

After 1 month:

You can read all hiragana and katakana
You recognize common words in anime/songs

After 3 months:

You understand basic sentence structure
You can introduce yourself and have simple exchanges

After 6 months:

You can hold a basic conversation
You understand the gist of simple native content

After 12 months:

You can read NHK Easy News comfortably
You can have 15-20 minute conversations
You recognize 500+ kanji in context

Signs you’re really getting better:

You start thinking some words in Japanese
You catch mistakes in subtitles
You understand jokes sometimes
Speaking feels less exhausting

✨ Your First Step (Do This Today)

Don’t just read this and do nothing. Pick ONE thing right now:

Learn the first 10 hiragana characters
Download Anki and add 10 vocabulary cards
Watch a 5-minute beginner Japanese video
Change your phone language to Japanese
Find one Japanese song and look up the lyrics

That’s it. Just one small action today.

Then tomorrow, do one small thing again.

That’s how you learn Japanese.

Final Words: You Can Do This

Learning Japanese is not magic. You’re not too old, too busy, or too bad at languages.

Every person who speaks Japanese fluently now was once a beginner just like you. They felt confused by kanji, struggled with particles, and mispronounced everything.

The only difference? They didn’t quit.

You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need to study for hours. You just need to:

Practice a little bit every day
Use real Japanese (not just textbooks)
Speak even when you’re scared
Keep going even when it’s hard

One day soon, you’ll watch an anime episode and realize you understood it without subtitles. You’ll read a sign in Japan and know exactly what it says. You’ll have a conversation and realize you didn’t translate in your head.

Start today. Your future self will thank you.

FAQ: Common Questions About Learning Japanese

How long does it take to learn Japanese?

For most learners studying 1–2 hours a day, reaching conversational Japanese (around JLPT N4–N3) takes about 1–2 years. If you study 30 minutes a day consistently, expect 2–3 years. The key is consistency — 15 minutes daily beats 3 hours once a week.

Can I learn Japanese by myself at home?

Yes. Many learners reach fluency through self-study using textbooks (like Genki), online resources, SRS flashcards, and AI translation tools. The main thing you can’t skip is speaking practice — use online tutors or language exchange apps.

Is Japanese really harder than other languages?

The writing system and kanji are more challenging than European languages, but Japanese grammar is very regular — no gender, no articles, and simpler verb conjugations than many languages. With a clear study plan and daily habits, it’s absolutely manageable.

Do I need to learn kanji to speak Japanese?

You can start speaking with just hiragana and katakana. But to read menus, signs, websites, and messages, you’ll need kanji. This guide shows you how to learn kanji through vocabulary, which is more efficient than memorizing isolated characters.

What’s the best app to learn Japanese?

There’s no single “best” app — different tools serve different purposes. Use Anki for vocabulary, WaniKani for kanji, Bunpro for grammar, and italki for speaking. Add an AI translator to check your understanding and translate real-world content.

What’s the fastest way to learn Japanese?

There’s no magic shortcut, but the fastest path is: learn hiragana/katakana immediately, start kanji through vocabulary (not isolation), get daily listening input, and begin speaking within 2-3 months. Use AI translation tools to quickly understand tricky sentences without getting stuck. The structure in this guide is optimized for speed without sacrificing retention.

Need Help with Japanese Translation?

Throughout this guide, you’ve seen how important it is to read, listen, and write real Japanese. A good translator doesn’t replace that work — it helps you check your understanding, get unstuck faster, and learn from real sentences.

OpenL Japanese Translator uses advanced AI to deliver accurate, natural-sounding translations between Japanese and 100+ languages.

Perfect for learners who want to:

Check if their Japanese diary or homework sounds natural
Understand tricky grammar or nuance in native materials
Compare polite vs casual Japanese in context
Avoid embarrassing mistakes in messages or social media posts

Whether you’re translating business emails, subtitles, or PDF documents, OpenL preserves context and nuance that generic translators miss.

Try OpenL Japanese Translator →