Apart from the Japanese language schools, many online resources are also available for learning Japanese. These resources include websites, online dictionaries, YouTube & Spotify channels, online courses, browser extensions, forums & communities, and platforms to connect with Japanese people to practice conversational Japanese, etc.
We prepared the following list of some useful resources to help you in your Japanese language learning journey.
Please note that some of these resources are free while others are paid.
Websites and Platforms for Studying Japanese:
NHK World – Free Japanese Learning Tools
This is a free Japanese learning tool provided by The Japan Broadcasting Corporation, also known as NHK. It offers a variety of programs, including the essentials, grammar, work language, travel, and more. They offer lessons in videos, podcasts, and free PDF texts that you can download.
Coto Academy Online Japanese Lessons
Cotoacademy offers in-person Japanese classes located in Tokyo and Yokohama and online lessons. They have different private and group lessons and different kinds of lessons to fit your schedule in person and online. It is a perfect place to learn Japanese if you prefer to learn languages through speaking.
Pitch Demo Migaku for Spoken Japanese
This website is for mastering Japanese accents. It will help you with your pronunciation and therefore improve your speaking skills.
Japansubi – Free JLPT Resources from Chika SenseiChika Sensei
This website is for those who are studying for /thinking of taking the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). It offers free content for JLPT N1 to N5 with grammar and sentences that you will need to pass each level.
Sail Global to Communicate with Japanese People in Real Time
Sail is an online platform where you can connect with mature Japanese citizens to chat and ask them about any topic of interest about Japan that you have. It allows you to practice Japanese.
WaniKani is an online education platform that provides an effective way to learn kanji. This method combines mnemonics and spaced repetition to make learning effective and to help users retain knowledge. Not only that, but users also stand to gain more than 6,000 Japanese words to build their vocabulary.
To use WaniKani you need to know Hiragana and Katakana.
Japanese Courses by the Japan Foundation
Japan Foundation provides Japanese–Language Courses (JP language courses) for the general public in 28 cities worldwide. They provide lessons for improving your Japanese and host various events to experience Japanese culture, including music, film, art, and cuisine. You can check this website to see if the Japanese language course is.
JapanesePod101 provides short audio and video lessons based on your goals and needs. You can also have personalized guidance where your teacher gives you a personalized program to follow and weekly assignments.
Genki by Japan Times for Learning Japanese
GENKI is a study resource for people who are starting to learn Japanese. They provide textbooks and workbooks that are useful for JLPT N5 and N4. This link directs you to their “self-study room,” where you can find free videos and access to their apps.
Marugoto is a website where you can learn about the Japanese language and culture and their own content published based on the Japan Foundation standards. Their contents offer everything from conversational Japanese, grammar, and kanji to their challenge drama series.
This website provides free access to videos, flashcards, and practice questions on different kinds of grammar that you would use in day-to-day life in Japan.
Rocket Languages has one of the most comprehensive Japanese courses available. If you’re just starting out or want to be totally fluent, this program is perfect. They have organized sessions, progressing from beginner to more difficult material. They offer classes in a fun podcast-like format with conversations.
Rather than paying for a subscription, you can purchase individual lessons. There are three levels to select from, depending on your level of Japanese. The lessons are also adaptable; you can do 5-minute drills or full hour-long classes.
KAI Japanese Language School offers the “Online Study Abroad” option, which allows you to take the general course online (by Zoom) from anywhere.
Browser Extensions
These browser add-ons are very useful when you need to decipher Japanese characters on your web browser.
Just hover your mouse over a Japanese word or kanji, which will provide a translation and some extra knowledge.
It’s a fantastic tool for people who are starting to learn Japanese reading.
Websites with a list of useful resources:
JLCSE by the University of Tokyo
This is a website offered by The University of Tokyo where you can access their links for useful tools to study Japanese.
Nihongo e-na is a website where you can find recommended apps and sites/tools to learn Japanese.
This is the official Japanese Language Proficiency Test’s website. You can get official information on JLPT, test registration process, and any questions that you may have.
Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Japanese Courses
The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program provide 3 different Japanese language courses, Japanese Language Courses (Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced), Translation& Interpretation Course and Japanese for JETs. The Japanese Language Courses are free and take 6 months to complete. You can check the website for more information.
YouTube / Spotify Contents:
This is the YouTube channel of Japanese Pod 101. They have over 2 million subscribers with so many different videos of different contents. You can find anything from grammar to conversational Japanese.
This YouTube channel posts animated videos of different scenarios and Japanese that you can use in those situations. It is a fun way of learning Japanese and knowing more about Japanese culture.
YouTube – Speak Japanese Naturally
This is a YouTube channel run by Fumi, a native Japanese speaker. She makes videos on Japanese pronunciation, intonation, rhythm, and more. The contents are for beginners and intermediate-level learners.
This is a YouTube channel run by Miku. She makes fun and effective content for people to enjoy learning Japanese. She also has videos of traveling in Japan for you to get an idea of how it is to travel in Japan.
YouTube – Learn Japanese from Zero
Learn Japanese from Zero is an excellent resource with an extensive collection of videos for learning Japanese.
https://open.spotify.com/show/7rzB4zCdrSf67jd3nHm8Vy
https://open.spotify.com/show/6Nl8RDfPxsk4h4bfWe76Kg
These two podcasts on Spotify are perfect if you are familiar with Japanese and want to practice listening to authentic Japanese. You can also learn more about living in Japan by listening to these podcasts.
Online Dictionaries:
Online Japanese Accent Database by the University of Tokyo
This is Online Japanese Accent Dictionary, where you can look up the words that come up in respective textbooks listed on the website to check the pronunciation and the accent.
Jisho is a Japanese-English dictionary. It lets you find words, kanji, and example sentences quickly and easily.
Weblio Japanese – English Dictionary
Weblio is a popular English-Japanese and Japanese-English online dictionary that are used by many people in Japan.
Takoboto is a Japanese/English dictionary. You can also search Japanese grammar in addition to just the definition of words.
Online Communities
Reddit Lear Japanese Community
r/LearnJapanese subreddit is an excellent online community with many resources and discussions around learning Japanese.
The online resource list for Japanese learning is compiled by Ryoko Nagai. Ryoko is a native Japanese and is a graduate of Molecular Biology & Medical Biology from the University College Utrecht, Netherlands.