Japanese Language Resource Reviews

We look at a lot of Japanese resources. Here’s the ones that we either like a lot or are considered “popular.” If you’re looking to learn Japanese of if you’re learning it already, you’ll definitely find a Japanese resource here that will help you to move forward in your studies.

Too many resources to handle? Check out our Top 10 Japanese Resources list. It’s more concise and only contains the best of the best.

Japanese Language Textbooks

Of course, if you're just starting out with Japanese, learning with a textbook is going to be a good, guided way to go. Not all textbooks are good, though, and some work best for certain people. Figure out which textbook is good for you so that you don't shoot yourself in the foot even before you get started.

TextFugu

TextFugu is a Japanese language textbook made specifically for self-learners. If you're learning alone, you'll want to check this textbook out.

Secondary:
Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Kanji, Speaking/Listening

Tae Kim's Guide To Japanese

Tae Kim started with just a Japanese grammar guide but it has grown into so much more. This is a good free Japanese textbook.

Secondary:
Reading, Writing, Vocabulary

Genki I

The go-to "real-paper" textbook for a lot of people. Good balance, especially with the add-ons, most people who need a physical textbook will go with Genki.

Secondary:
Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Kanji

Japanese The Manga Way

Chances are half of you want to learn Japanese to read manga. The other half of you are liars. This combines the both worlds.

Secondary:
Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Kanji

Japanese For Busy People

A no-nonsense Japanese textbook. Just be sure to get the kana version, because the romaji version is useless.

Secondary:
Reading, Writing, Vocabulary

Japanese For Everyone

Japanese for Everyone is for, well, everyone. But sometimes when you try to be for everyone you end up being for no one.

Secondary:
Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Kanji

Japanese The Spoken Language

A very standard Japanese textbook with lots of structure. You'll see this in the classroom quite a bit.

Secondary:
Reading, Writing, Vocabulary

Kana (Hiragana & Katakana)

Hiragana is where you should start when you start learning Japanese, so if you pick a bad resource right from the beginning it can be kind of discouraging. Here's the ones we've looked at for you.

Hiragana42

Not called Hiragana42 for the number of kana there are. Instead, this free text is the answer to life, the universe, and hiragana. What a hoopy frood.

Secondary:
Reading

RealKana

A great way to practice and solidfy that kana. Also helps you to learn about different writing styles and will get your reading kana faster.

Secondary:
Reading

Kanji

What a pain! Everyone hates kanji! Eww! It doesn't have to be that way, though. You can learn to love the kanji bomb if you choose the right resource.

WaniKani

We made WaniKani with the plan to make it possible to learn the Joyo kanji plus ~5000 vocab words in 1-2 years. And we did it. All praise the Crabigator!

Secondary:
Reading, Writing, Vocabulary

Remembering The Kanji

A very popular choice when it comes to learning the meaning of all the Joyo kanji. Doesn't really cover readings well, though.

Secondary:
Reading, Writing, Vocabulary

Skritter

Find yourself wishing you could write kanji with your hands more but don't like pencils? Skritter has you covered, combining technology with writing.

Secondary:
Reading, Writing

Reading / Writing

Reading and writing is a big subject that inovlves a lot of practice. Luckily these resources have you covered. They're more than just kanji. They're more than just vocab. They're reading and writing

Lang-8

Write a journal entry in Japanese and a Japanese native speaker will correct it for you. For free! Of course, you should help them with their English, too.

Secondary:
Vocabulary, Kanji

Gakuu

When you study Japanese you rarely study "real" Japanese. Gakuu has you covered with lessons that use real Japanese from real Japanese things.

Secondary:
Vocabulary, Kanji

Rikaichan

Don't know a kanji and want to cheat? Just hover your mouse over it and the answer will be revealed. With great power comes great responsibility...

Secondary:
Kanji, Vocabulary, Dictionary

subs2srs

So you just watched something in Japanese but you're too lazy to make your own Anki deck. Do you have the subs? Cool! Just let subs2srs do it for you, then.

Secondary:
Vocabulary, Kanji

LinguaLift

Lingualift is a Japanese learning site that includes several learning tools to help subscribers to learn the Japanese language.

Secondary:
Vocabulary, Kanji, Speaking, Listening

Learning With Texts

This web app lets you take Japanese text from wherever you want, break it down, and then study it more effectively.

Secondary:
Vocabulary, Kanji

Skritter (iOS)

Take Skritter with you. You can write the kanji with your finger instead of your mouse or a tablet. A real "hands on" approach to learning kanji.

Secondary:
Vocabulary, Kanji

Japanese Please (iOS)

A free app that includes simple games to help you to learn beginner Japanese.

Secondary:
Vocabulary

Speaking / Listening

If you want to talk to someone, you need to speak. If you want to understand them, you need to listen. These resources cover one or both of these things as their main attribute.

JapanesePod101

The largest collection of Japanese audio and text on the web. Listen anywhere, practice speaking, and even read as you go along.

Secondary:
Reading, Writing, Vocabulary

RhinoSpike

Have some Japanese text you want read aloud? Put it on RhinoSpike and somebody will make a recording for you. You should help with your native language too.

Secondary:
Reading, Writing, Vocabulary

Mango Languages

Mango Languages is good for those of you who want to learn some basic Japanese quickly, perhaps before going on a trip.

Secondary:
Vocabulary

Vocabulary

Vocabulary is what allows you to communicate. Even without grammar, vocabulary can be used to express the things you want to say. If you don't have vocabulary, you can't do anything, making it one of the most important aspects of Japanese!

Anki

The crowd favorite when it comes to flashcards. Make your own decks, download other people's decks, and study in style with their SRS.

Secondary:
Kanji, Reading

Memrise

Memrise is a flashcard web application with an SRS. There are pre-made decks as well as the ability to make your own.

Secondary:
Kanji, Reading

iKnow

A flashcard web application with SRS. There are plenty of pre-made decks to choose from to help you to learn Japanese.

Secondary:
Kanji, Reading

AnkiMobile (iOS)

When you're not at your computer to study your Anki decks you're away from your computer studying your Anki decks. This app lets you do just that.

Secondary:
Kanji, Reading

Forvo

Want to know how a word is pronounced? Being a repository for vocabulary of the wordl, Forvo just might have what you're looking for.

Secondary:
Listening

Japanese Language Cheatsheets

Sometimes it's easier just to cheat. There are plenty of things that come up a lot that are also hard to learn. That's when cheatsheets come in and make you feel smart.

Japanese Particles Cheatsheet

All those particles are so hard to remember! This cheatsheet covers the basic ones with explanations, all on one page.

Secondary:
Reading, Writing

Japanese Conjugation Cheatsheet

Can't remember how to conjugate that verb? That adjective? That noun? This cheatsheet has you covered.

Secondary:
Reading, Writing

NihonShock's Japanese Cheat Sheet

If there's a cheatsheet for it, Nihonshock has probably made it. The masters of Japanese cheatsheets, you'll find everything you need to cheat here.

Secondary:
Reading, Writing

Tofugu's Hiragana Chart

When you're learning hiragana it's helpful to have a hiragana chart to refer to. Don't use it too much though, or you won't learn anything!

Secondary:
Reading, Writing

Tofugu's Katakana Chart

When you're learning katakana it's helpful to have a katakana chart to refer to. Don't use it too much though, or you won't learn anything!

Secondary:
Reading, Writing

Japanese Dictionaries And Reference

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