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Learn Japanese online and have fun! Introducing the best Japanese language learning sites for foreigners.

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Woman studying Japanese online

Japanese is a very difficult language, but it is also one of the best languages to learn on your own. Grammar is regular and pronunciation is relatively easy. Nevertheless, it is also true that learning Japanese requires a certain amount of effort and time. Therefore, in order to learn efficiently, it is important to find a learning method that suits you best.

If you want to study Japanese while having fun and spending as little money as possible, online learning is the way to go. There are many free Japanese study sites, and if you find one that suits your level and purpose, you will be able to continue learning without getting bored. There are also sites that allow you to tackle Japanese language problems as if you were playing a game, so you can forget about "studying" and enjoy learning Japanese with a sense of entertainment.

In this issue, we will introduce recommended Japanese language study sites for foreigners, divided by purpose. From basic "reading and writing" to practical conversational Japanese, please try to make use of these sites according to your own learning stage and needs. In addition, we will also provide tips on how to learn Japanese while having fun, so please be sure to refer to them.

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【 Japanese study site recommended for foreigners by 】 type

Everyone has different goals and needs for learning Japanese. For example, "I want to be able to read hiragana," "I want to increase the number of expressions I can use in daily conversation," etc. The emphasis of each learner is different.

However, beginners may feel at a loss, saying that they do not know where to start. Therefore, we have carefully selected and introduced recommended sites for learning Japanese online, by study category.

3 Japanese language study sites to learn 【 basic Japanese 】 reading and writing

The first step in learning Japanese is to learn hiragana and katakana. We have therefore carefully selected three recommended websites where you can effectively learn how to read and write Japanese. These sites are perfect for beginners, as they are written in easy Japanese and correct your writing.

If you cannot write hiragana or katakana yet,Hiragana/katakana stroke order animationPractice with

NHK News Web Easy (free)

This is a site that compiles NHK news in easy Japanese. Two pieces of the latest news in various genres such as politics, economics, international, and sports are published every day. All kanji are marked with furigana, and difficult words are accompanied by English translations, making the site easy to read even for beginner-level learners.

The sentences are generally short, so it takes about 5 minutes to finish reading one article. You will be able to steadily improve your Japanese reading comprehension skills by utilizing your spare time. It is also a great way to increase your vocabulary through current affairs. By answering the "questions" and "quizzes" attached to the articles, you can check your learning level.

We recommend that you start with one article a day and gradually increase the pace.

Reference:NEWS WEB EASY

2. MATCHA (free of charge)

Japanese learning content for foreigners provided by MATCHA, a popular information site for tourists visiting Japan, supports translation in 10 languages, and features furigana for kanji in easy Japanese and English translations for difficult words.

Most of the articles introduce Japanese culture and tourist spots, so you can improve your Japanese reading comprehension skills while relaxing. The articles are rather long, around 1,000 characters, but you can choose topics that interest you and continue reading, so your reading speed should gradually improve.

You can also answer questions in Japanese on the site or send questions to writers living in Japan. This is a great way to practice conversation when actually traveling in Japan, so it is perfect for pre-travel preparation. It is a site where you can master realistic Japanese expressions while having fun.

Reference:MATCHA (easy Japanese)

3. HiNative

This is a Q&A site where language learners from around the world gather. The greatest attraction of this site is that you can ask questions directly to native speakers of the language you are learning, and you can get a lot of information not found in textbooks, such as detailed nuances of grammar and natural expressions used in daily conversation.

It is also possible to have your Japanese sentences corrected or to have your pronunciation listened to and advised. You may find a reliable online teacher who will kindly answer learners' questions and concerns.

If you live in Japan, you can find a language exchange partner nearby, or you can meet Japanese people you have met through "HiNative" at a cafe or library to practice Japanese. By actually using the Japanese you have learned, you can expect to make further progress.

Reference:HiNative | Q&A service for all foreign language learners

3 Japanese language study sites to learn 【 correct Japanese 】 grammar

Once you have become accustomed to reading and writing Japanese, you are at the stage of learning grammar systematically. Let's step up gradually from basic sentence patterns to more complex expressions. Studying grammar may sound difficult, but with easy-to-understand explanatory articles, you can enjoy the learning process.

Here are three reliable sites where you can learn Japanese grammar for free on the website. Each site has different study items and difficulty levels, so please choose the site that best suits your level.

1. kim tae's Japanese study guide (free of charge)

This is a Japanese grammar site run by Kim Tae, a Japanese language teacher. As the name of the site suggests, it provides an easy-to-understand "guide" to the structure of grammar. The large number of grammar items covered is also attractive, and the key point is that you can learn systematically by level, from beginner to very advanced.

Each grammar item is carefully explained in terms of basic usage, connotations, and differences from similar expressions. The abundance of example sentences will help you get an idea of usage. In addition to English, translations are also available for Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese, and other languages.

This site is recommended for a wide range of learners of Japanese, from beginners to advanced learners. In particular, it is ideal for self-study students who want to solidify the basics of grammar, and for intermediate and advanced learners who want to confirm the use of sentence patterns. Another appeal of this site is that it offers a steady progression of learning in small steps.

Reference:Tae Kim's Guide to Learning Japanese

2. wasabi

This is a learning site that distributes a number of online Japanese language materials. The site features particularly extensive self-study content for grammar, and is characterized by its practical content tailored to the trends of questions on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).

For example, with JLPT N3 level materials, you can concentrate on frequently appearing grammar items such as "reason," "comparison," and "~ if". In addition to grammar explanations, a wide variety of exercises, such as practice questions and dictation exercises, will help you to steadily acquire the grammar.

All materials are of high quality, and the careful and easy-to-understand explanations are recommended for beginners. Visual explanations with plenty of animation and illustrations make it easy to grasp the grammatical image, and one-on-one lessons are also available, making this site a good choice for those seeking to further improve their skills.

Reference:Wasabi - Learn Japanese Online

3. JLPT teacher (free of charge)

This is a grammar-centered site for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). The site covers more than 100 grammar items for each level, and you can check your ability with questions that follow the actual test format.

The questions are presented randomly, so you will be able to improve your knowledge by trying again and again. In addition to grammar, there are also vocabulary and reading comprehension questions, and detailed explanations will be displayed after each answer. You will be able to find hints that will help you overcome your weak points.

Study records are saved on the site, so you can look back on your past scores and areas of weakness. This is a nice feature that will help you develop a habit of continuous study.

This site is recommended for those who are preparing to take the JLPT, but it is not limited to test preparation; it is also a great resource for developing practical grammar skills. We hope you will make use of this site.

Reference:JLPT Sensei | Learn Japanese & Study for the JLPT

If you are considering taking the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), please also refer to the following article.

3 Japanese language study sites to learn 【 practical Japanese 】 speaking (pronunciation) and listening

The next step after learning Japanese expressions, vocabulary, and grammar is "listening and speaking" training. By increasing the amount of output practice, you will be able to transform the Japanese knowledge in your head into usable Japanese.

Here are three excellent learning sites to help you improve your speaking and listening skills. Start by listening to native speakers' pronunciation and gradually practice expressing yourself in your own words.

1. nhkworld-japan (free)

This is a news site for foreigners provided by NHK. Videos in a wide range of genres such as health, cooking, animation, etc. are available in "easy Japanese.

The announcer's clear pronunciation is ideal for beginner to intermediate level learners, and since it is spoken at a slower speed, you will be able to improve your listening skills without difficulty. It is also effective to practice by stopping the video and repeating phrases that interest you.

Subtitles can be switched between Japanese and English, and the smooth input of kanji and words used in the tickers can be checked for meaning.

By searching for keywords, you can quickly find videos in your area of interest, so you can continue to enjoy learning without getting bored.

Reference: Easy Japanese Learn Japanese | NHK WORLD-JAPAN

2. connect and expand your life in Japanese (free of charge)

This is a site where you can learn practical Japanese expressions for everyday situations of foreigners living in Japan. You can enjoy learning useful expressions for each situation, such as hospitals, schools, and government offices, through animated videos.

The key point is that you can practice speaking through role-play style tasks as well as listening, and you will be able to acquire expressions that you can actually use, such as "describing symptoms" or "talking about your child's school life.

The videos are also subtitled, so you can study while checking the meaning of new words on the spot. Another nice feature is that you can choose the course that suits you best by taking a level assessment test.

We hope you will make use of these expressions, which are immediately useful for your daily life in Japan.

Reference:Tsunagaru hiragana nihongo de no kurashi (Tsunahiro)｜Learning Japanese｜Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

3. YouTube (free)

YouTube is a well-known video-sharing website, and a search using keywords such as "Japanese lessons" will turn up many videos for different levels of study, from beginner to advanced.

One of the most recommended is lesson videos by Japanese language instructors. Some channels carefully teach the basics of pronunciation, while other popular teachers give tips for daily conversation. It is a great way to find your favorite teacher and learn while getting to know them.

Also, using YouTube's functions, you can adjust the playback speed, display subtitles, and repeat the part you are interested in as you wish, allowing you to practice as many times as you want before giving up and saying, "I can't hear...".

Another attraction of YouTube is that you can be exposed to live Japanese speech. For more information on how to learn Japanese on YouTube, please refer to the following articles.
▶︎ Learning with YouTube and Drama! The best guide to learning Japanese for foreigners

Reference:YouTube

Three entertainment options for learning Japanese

Japanese is said to be a difficult language, but it is also a language that anyone can enjoy improving if they get the hang of how to learn it.

In particular, learning through your favorite content is the key to continuing without getting bored. Why not improve your Japanese language skills while experiencing the richness of Japanese entertainment such as manga, anime, and music? Here we introduce a study method that will help you learn Japanese naturally while having fun.

1. cartoon

Japanese manga, which are popular worldwide, are excellent teaching materials for Japanese language study because of the lively conversations and emotional depictions of the characters.

You will naturally learn natural expressions for each situation, as well as vocabulary such as exclamations, onomatopoeia, and young people's words. Although some conversational expressions may not be grammatically correct, they are the very essence of real Japanese. It can be said that this is an indispensable spice for improving your conversational ability.

Thanks to the frame layout, it is easy to relate the dialogue to the pictures and understand them. If you can imagine the overall content, you can enjoy the story even if you do not understand the meaning of the detailed words.

For beginners, we recommend works with furigana. How about starting with "Doraemon" and "Chibimaruko-chan" which are written in easy language? If you like cats, we also recommend "Ojisama to Neko (The Cat and the Mister)," which is easy to read with a small number of words.

2. animation

With anime, you can visually grasp the meaning of the words through the facial expressions and gestures of the characters. If you choose a work with a lot of conversational scenes, it will be useful for you to learn the expressions of daily conversation.

Since the Japanese language can be input from both auditory and visual sources, the retention rate of the language will be improved, and by watching the video over and over again, the words may come out of your mouth naturally.

The best anime to watch without subtitles are those for children. It is easy to start with anime such as "Anpanman" and "Shimajirou" that are spoken in simple language. Once you reach the intermediate level, try "Doraemon," "Chibimaruko-chan," or other works with many scenes of daily conversation.

Find anime in your area of interest and have fun while expanding your vocabulary and listening comprehension. To learn more about learning anime, check out the following articles.
▶︎ Learning Japanese through Manga and Anime for Foreigners!

3. music

Simply listening to a Japanese song is good pronunciation and rhythm training. It is also recommended to try singing the song out loud while looking at the lyrics.

Grammatically complex expressions such as colloquialisms and inverted forms will also come naturally out of your mouth. Above all, music is a great change of pace, and it is a great way to relax and get in touch with the Japanese language, free from the pressure of "studying Japanese".

Recommended songs that are easy to listen to include "Mirai e" by Kiroro, "Robinson" by Spitz, and "Arigato" by Ikimono-gakari. Looking up the meanings of lyrics that resonate with you in a dictionary is also an effective way to improve your vocabulary.

If you can sing the songs of your favorite artists, mastering Japanese is no longer a dream. Let's have fun improving your Japanese language skills with the help of music!

3 Tips for Studying Japanese Well Online

Finally, we offer three tips for effective online learning. No matter how good the materials and sites are, if you do not have the skills to use them, they are a waste of treasure. Learn wisely and establish a learning method that works for you.

1. find the right site for you

There are many Japanese language study sites to choose from. Start by considering your objectives and level of Japanese and choose the best site for you.

For example, "Kim Tae's Japanese Study Guide" is recommended if you want to focus on basic characters and sentence patterns, and "JLPT Sensei" is recommended for test preparation. Those who wish to improve their practical Japanese language skills should utilize "Wasabi" and "Tsunagaru hirogana Nihongo de Kurashi".

It is a good idea to compare several sites at first. Please check the features of the sites based on your own criteria, such as ease of use, detailed explanations, and motivation to learn.

2. take notes

Just browsing the site will end up being an input shower. Make a habit of taking notes of words, expressions, and questions that remain in your mind.

Whether you use a PC or a smartphone, you can easily take notes by utilizing a note-taking application. Whether you use a handwritten notebook or a digital notepad, choose the method you are comfortable with. In addition to text, taking notes with images and audio is also effective.

It is also important to take time to look back over your notes: once a week, go back over your previous notes and say, "Hey, what did I mean by that word? "Hey, what does this word mean?" Whenever you think, check it again on the study site. This will help you review what you have learned and organize your knowledge.

3. aloud

Even Japanese expressions that you have taken the trouble to memorize will not be truly acquired unless you use them aloud. Practice saying out loud all the grammar examples and words you have learned.

If you want to practice alone, shadowing is recommended. Try speaking out loud slowly in accordance with the audio or video content of the site. As you repeat several times, your speed will naturally increase.

If you have someone to talk to, it is also good practice to try using the expressions you learned that day in conversation. If you have a chance to speak with a Japanese friend or tutor, please give it a try. Using online language exchange sites is also recommended.

It may feel embarrassing when you are not used to it, but as you continue to train yourself to speak out loud, your speaking ability will naturally improve. It is important to have the courage to take the first step.

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summary

Although it is often thought that learning Japanese on one's own is difficult, we live in an age when, if you have the motivation, you can learn efficiently using the abundant resources available on the Internet. If you can find a learning method that suits you, you will be able to make steady progress while having fun.

Please use the sites and tips introduced here to broaden your online learning horizons. If you acquire the skills to use high-quality teaching materials, you will be on the shortcut to mastering the Japanese language.

Steadily build on your learning each day, balancing reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

For more useful information on learning Japanese, please also check the following articles.

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