Japanese Learning Blog
41 guides, tips, and cultural insights for Japanese learners.
How to Learn Hiragana: Complete Beginner Guide
Master all 46 hiragana characters with proven memorization techniques and practice resources.
Katakana Made Easy: Learn All 46 Characters
Complete guide to katakana — when it is used, how to read it, and loanword strategies.
Small Kana (っ ゃ ゅ ょ): Double Consonants and Combo Sounds
Master small kana characters — double consonants with っ and combination sounds with ゃ ゅ ょ.
Japanese Reading Practice: 50 Easy Sentences for Beginners
Practice reading Japanese with 50 simple sentences using basic hiragana, katakana, and beginner kanji.
Japanese Handwriting: Write Beautiful Hiragana and Katakana
Learn proper handwriting techniques for hiragana and katakana with stroke order rules and practice tips.
Katakana Loanwords: 200+ English Words You Already Know in Japanese
Discover 200+ English loanwords in katakana and learn the pronunciation rules to decode new ones.
Japanese Writing Systems: Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji Explained
Understand all three writing systems — when to use each one, how they work together, and the best learning order.
Japanese Particles Explained: は が を に で
Demystify Japanese particles with clear explanations and examples.
Japanese Verb Conjugation: A Practical Guide
Learn the three verb groups and essential conjugation forms.
Japanese Counters: Complete Guide to Counting Objects
Master counters for people, objects, animals, and more with sound change rules.
JLPT Preparation Guide: Study Plans for N5 to N1
Complete study guide for every JLPT level with timelines and strategies.
JLPT N3 Kanji: 350 Essential Characters You Must Know
Complete JLPT N3 kanji study guide with readings, example words, and memorization strategies.
JLPT N2 Grammar: 50 Must-Know Patterns with Examples
Master 50 essential JLPT N2 grammar patterns with explanations, example sentences, and usage notes.
JLPT N1 Reading: Strategies for Tackling Long Passages
Proven strategies for the JLPT N1 reading section — speed techniques, analysis methods, and time management.
JLPT Listening Tips: Score Higher with Proven Techniques
Improve your JLPT listening score with note-taking strategies, question patterns, and daily practice methods.
100 Most Common Japanese Verbs Every Beginner Needs
Essential Japanese verbs with conjugations, example sentences, and memory tips for JLPT N5 level.
Japanese Adjectives: i-Adjectives vs na-Adjectives Complete Guide
Master i-adjectives and na-adjectives — differences, conjugation rules, and 80+ essential adjectives.
Japanese Counters: How to Count Everything Correctly
Complete guide to Japanese counters for people, objects, animals, time, and more with sound change rules.
How Long to Learn Japanese? Realistic Timeline by Level
Honest timeline for learning Japanese — from basic conversation to JLPT N1 with recommended study hours.
Japanese Keigo: Understanding Polite Language
Introduction to honorific language — the three levels and essential phrases.
Japanese Culture and Etiquette: Essential Guide
Understanding cultural norms from bowing to dining etiquette.
How to Order Food in Japanese: Restaurant Phrases and Etiquette
Essential phrases for ordering at restaurants, izakayas, and cafes with menu vocabulary and dining etiquette.
Japanese Honorifics: San Kun Chan Sama and More Explained
Understand honorific suffixes — when to use san, kun, chan, sama and the social rules behind them.
Keigo Guide: Master Japanese Polite Language
Learn keigo — sonkeigo, kenjougo, and teineigo with real business and social examples.
Japanese Slang and Internet Words: 50 Terms Not in Textbooks
Popular Japanese slang and internet expressions used by young people — from ワロタ to エモい.
Japanese Zodiac (Eto): 12 Animals and Their Meanings
Explore the Japanese zodiac system with all 12 animals, personality traits, and cultural significance.
Essential Japanese Business Phrases for Email and Meetings
60+ Japanese business phrases for email, meetings, phone calls, and professional self-introduction.
How to Introduce Yourself in Japanese: Complete Guide
Give a perfect Japanese self-introduction for casual, formal, and business settings with templates.
Japanese Onomatopoeia: 80 Sound Words That Bring Japanese to Life
80 essential Japanese onomatopoeia — sound words and mimetic words used in conversation, manga, and anime.
100 Basic Japanese Phrases for Travel: Survival Guide
The essential Japanese phrase guide for traveling — airports, hotels, restaurants, shopping, and emergencies.
Japanese Seasonal Words and Festivals: A Cultural Calendar
Explore Japanese culture through seasonal vocabulary and festivals across the four seasons.
How to Learn Kanji Effectively: Strategies That Work
Evidence-based methods: radical decomposition, spaced repetition, and contextual learning.
Best Free Resources for Learning Japanese in 2026
Curated list of the best free apps, websites, and tools for learners.
Learn Japanese Through Anime: A Practical Guide That Works
Turn anime into real study material — which shows to start with, subtitle strategies, and vocabulary tips.
How to Type Japanese on Phone Computer and Tablet
Set up Japanese typing on iPhone, Android, Windows, and Mac with input methods and keyboard shortcuts.
Is Japanese Hard to Learn? An Honest Assessment
Honest analysis of Japanese difficulty — what is genuinely hard, what is surprisingly easy, and how to approach it.
How to Memorize Kanji: 7 Proven Techniques That Work
Stop forgetting kanji with radicals, mnemonics, spaced repetition, and other proven memorization methods.
Japanese vs Chinese: Which Is Harder? Complete Comparison
Detailed comparison of Japanese and Chinese difficulty — writing, grammar, pronunciation, and practical factors.
15 Best Japanese TV Dramas for Language Learning by Level
Improve Japanese with 15 selected dramas organized by difficulty level with vocabulary and study tips.
Japanese Shadowing: The Fast Track to Natural Pronunciation
Master shadowing for Japanese fluency — how to practice, best materials, and why it transforms speaking skills.
Learn Japanese Through Songs: 10 Perfect Songs for Each Level
Build Japanese skills through music with songs for beginners, intermediate, and advanced learners.
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