How to Learn Japanese: 6 Effective Ways to Learn Japanese Fast

Langoly is supported by our readers. We review products independently, but we may earn affiliate commissions if you buy through links on this page. As an Amazon Associate, Langoly earns from qualifying purchases. Please read our full disclosure for more information.

Are you learning Japanese and want to find high-quality resources?

Japanese is often seen as a difficult language for English speakers to learn, but finding the right resource can make it easier. In this article, I’ll show you the most effective ways to learn Japanese and the best resources you can use. There’s everything from the best language-learning apps, online tutors, and courses to Japanese books, YouTube channels, and podcasts. No matter your level or learning style, you’re sure to find something suitable for you.

At Langoly, our team has over 5 decades of combined language learning experience, and we’ve tested and reviewed over 600 language products. We’ve helped millions of readers through the language learning process, and this article will help you find the best tools to improve your Japanese skills.

Best Japanese App

Try Rocket Japanese

Best Japanese Course

Try Japanese Uncovered

Best Japanese Tutors

Try italki

With over 125 million speakers, Japanese is one of the most spoken languages in the world. It has the third largest economy and has considerable influence in the technology sector, especially in robotics. Learning Japanese can open doors professionally. It’s also a gateway language that can help you learn other Asiatic languages, such as Chinese or Korean.

How to Learn Japanese: Achieve Fluency with These 6 Proven Methods

Learning Japanese is all about practice, practice, practice. It’s best to establish a language learning routine and be consistent. Finding a resource that interests you can motivate you to continue to study. It’s also a good idea to use multiple tools for studying, to fill in any skill gaps. For example, using a book can be useful for learning Japanese characters, but a podcast or an online course is better for improving listening and understanding.

That’s why we included 6 different ways you can learn Japanese. The methods and resources included on this list were selected because of their effectiveness to learn a language. We follow a strict testing methodology to make sure any products we recommend are high quality and worth your time. Any of the products you see below will help you master the difficulties of learning Japanese.

1. Use the Best Japanese Apps

Language learning apps have many benefits. They’re a convenient and budget-friendly way to learn Japanese. There’s a wide variety of apps that focus on different skills and teach the language using different methods. There are tons of options out there, but some are better than others. The 3 apps below, Rocket Japanese, Mondly, and Pimsleur, are high-quality options that are easy to use and effective at helping you learn Japanese.

Commitment: Low
Price: Low-Medium
Convenience: High

Try Rocket Japanese

Try Mondly

Try Pimsleur

Look at more Japanese apps

Rocket Japanese

Rocket Japanese is a perfect option if you want to learn with an app that has a set lesson plan. The lessons are laid out in a logical order that will take you from beginner to intermediate. It’s a thorough course, so you’ll focus on all aspects of language learning, as well as learn about Japanese culture and how it affects the language. You can try Rocket Japanese for free for 7 days or read more about it in this review.

Mondly

Mondly is a good choice for complete beginners. It uses cool technology and fast-paced lessons to teach the basics of Japanese. You can also track your progress and see how much you are learning. They even offer virtual reality lessons to make an interactive learning experience. Mondly has a 7-day free trial, and you can read more about it in this Mondly review.

Pimsleur

Pimsleur focuses on speaking and pronunciation to get you conversational fast. The lessons are all audio-based so you can learn Japanese anywhere. Each lesson features a conversation between native Japanese speakers, and then they break it down so you learn what it means and how to say it. Pimsleur offers a 7-day free trial so you can see if it’s right for you. Or you can read more about it in this Pimsleur review.

2. Take an Online Japanese Course

Taking an online Japanese course is the best option for learners who prefer to have structure and guidance. Courses walk you through the learning process step-by-step. They follow a logical order, so it’s clear what you should study next and you don’t waste time figuring out what your next lesson will be. Japanese Uncovered, Skillshare, and Udemy have courses that have helped hundreds of students learn Japanese.

Commitment: High
Price: Medium-High
Convenience: Medium

Try Japanese Uncovered

Try Skill Share

Try Udemy

See more Japanese courses

StoryLearning: Japanese Uncovered

With Japanese Uncovered, you learn Japanese through a story. During each unit, you listen to a chapter of the story and then take lessons that go in-depth into grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. There are currently 4 levels available to take you from complete beginner to upper-intermediate. You can try Japanese Uncovered for free for 7 days to see if this course is right for you.

Skillshare

Skillshare offers courses on a large number of subjects, and it’s a great platform to find language courses. While there are courses to learn Japanese grammar and vocabulary, the courses on hiragana and learning basic Japanese phrases are the most popular. Skillshare offers a 7-day free trial, so you can see if you like it before buying anything.

Udemy: Attain Online Japanese School

The Attain courses on the Udemy platform are incredibly popular and highly rated. They offer many different levels, from absolute beginner to N5-N1 courses. Each course has between 10-15 lessons and comes with a downloadable textbook that you work through alongside the video courses. You can watch a preview of the course and read past student reviews before you purchase. You can also read more about the platform in this overall Udemy review.

3. Find an Online Japanese Tutor

Once you reach a certain level of Japanese, practicing conversation will be very important. Depending on where you live, it might be difficult to find someone to practice Japanese with. Now, there are many platforms that have highly qualified Japanese tutors that can help you start speaking. Italki, Nihongo Online School, and My Lingo Trip are good places to start to find a teacher that fits your learning style.

Commitment: Medium
Price: Medium-High
Convenience: Medium

Try italki

Try Go! Go! Nihon

Try My Lingo Trip

italki

Italki is a massive language-learning platform that can connect you with a Japanese tutor who teaches online classes. There are currently hundreds of Japanese tutors that offer classes for a wide range of prices. You can search for one based on criteria like what you want to learn, availability, and price. Most teachers offer a discounted trial lesson so you can see if they are a good match for you. You can also read more about the platform in this italki review.

Go! Go! Nihon: Nihongo Online School

Nihongo Online School is specifically for students learning Japanese. All teachers are highly-qualified to teach Japanese and also speak English so you can take classes even if you are a beginner. It’s a comprehensive approach because you take online lessons via Skype, but also have homework between lessons to reinforce what you learned. You can take a free trial lesson, during which, your teacher will assess your level and create a personalized curriculum for you.

My Lingo Trip

My Lingo Trip is an online language school that only hires qualified teachers. You take 1-on-1 classes on Skype, and the teacher provides the curriculum and materials needed. The courses are flexible so you can take classes when you want, and study what you want to study. You can take a free trial lesson to see if you like the platform.

4. Study with High-Quality Japanese Books

Books continue to be one of the best ways to learn Japanese. They are extensive and have everything you need to learn in one place. Thanks to platforms like Amazon, it’s now easy to see which books are the best and most effective for teaching a language. Genki, Minna no Nihongo, and Basic Kanji Book are excellent options to help you with different Japanese skills. To see even more options, you can look at our Japanese book guide.

Commitment: Low
Price: Medium
Convenience: Medium

Genki

The Genki books are a series of textbooks that teach basic Japanese like you would learn in a traditional classroom. In fact, many Japanese teachers use this book in their classes. It introduces basic grammar and vocabulary and includes practice exercises. It’s also a good option if you’re studying for the JLP test. You can read more here to see if Genki is a good choice for you.

Minna no Nihongo

Minna no Nihongo is a comprehensive option. It’s entirely in Japanese, but you can purchase an additional grammar notes book that is available in many different languages so you can read the grammar explanations in your native language. This might not be the best choice for complete beginners because it throws you into the deep end by completely immersing you in Japanese, but some learners prefer this style. See if Minna no Nihongo is a good choice for you here.

Basic Kanji Book

The Basic Kanji Book is specifically for learning to read and write Kanji characters. You won’t learn any grammar or vocabulary, so it’s a good book to accompany one of the other two on this list. By the end of the book, you will have learned 250 Kanji characters. There are writing and reading exercises to help you remember and practice the characters. You can see if Basic Kanji Book is right for you here.

5. Watch Japanese YouTube Videos

Using YouTube to learn a language is unconventional, but can be one of the most fun ways! Some YouTubers make educational videos as if you were in a Japanese classroom, and others focus more on the culture and daily life of Japan. It’s a great way to hear a native speaker and learn about Japanese culture at the same time. The channels below post videos that are both educational and entertaining. You can check out even more YouTube channels to learn Japanese here.

Commitment: Low
Price: Low
Convenience: High

Japanese Ammo with Misa

Misa’s YouTube channel is full of useful and interesting short videos. She teaches specific pronunciation, must-know phrases, as well as a series of skits that show how different types of people speak. She has over 478,000 subscribers and posts a few new videos every month. Check out Japanese Ammo with Misa to hear how Japanese is spoken in everyday life.

Easy Japanese

Masa and Asami post videos where they speak in slow Japanese about everyday topics. I like the concept because they don’t resort to English to explain difficult words, but instead break it down into simpler Japanese words. It’s a great way for intermediate learners to train their ear and practice understanding. They post new videos every couple of days so there’s frequently new content.

Dogen

Dogen’s YouTube channel has short videos that talk about his daily life in Japan as well as interesting cultural tidbits. He also has a series of videos that help with Japanese pronunciation. His videos are geared toward upper-intermediate and advanced speakers. He posts new videos regularly, and you can subscribe if you don’t want to miss one!

6. Listen to Japanese Podcasts

Listening to podcasts is another unique way to learn Japanese. They are super useful for people who want to learn on a busy schedule because you can listen to them anywhere and complete other tasks at the same time. You can learn Japanese on your commute to work, while running errands, or just relaxing at home. JapanesePod101, NHK Easy Japanese, and Sakura Tips have tons of podcasts you can listen to improve your listening and understanding.

Commitment: Low
Price: Low
Convenience: High

JapanesePod101

JapanesePod101 has thousands of podcast-style lessons that teach every aspect of Japanese language and culture. You can follow a “pathway” to learn in a logical order, but you also have the flexibility to jump around and take the lessons that you want. The platform has tons of additional resources like videos, vocabulary lists, and more. You can try JapanesePod101 for free, or read more about it in this JapanesePod101 review.

NHK Easy Japanese

NHK Easy Japanese is a good, free resource for beginners. The podcasts are about 10 minutes long, and each one includes lots of additional resources, like a transcript, grammar tips, pronunciation, and more. You can download the audio and the transcripts for offline listening. It won’t get you past a basic level of Japanese, but it’s an interesting way to start learning.

Sakura Tips

Sakura Tips is for intermediate to advanced Japanese learners. The podcasts are completely in Japanese and discuss different topics from daily life in Japan. Beginners can find a few extra resources for learning Japanese, but it’s meant for more advanced learners who want to be immersed in Japanese.

How to Learn Japanese Fast: Tips and Tricks

Learning Japanese will take hard work and lots of practice. In order to see steady progress, it’s important to be consistent with your studying. It’s best to set up a language learning routine and stick with it. Block out a few minutes every day or a larger chunk of time a few times per week that you dedicate to practicing Japanese.

Another way to learn quickly is to use a variety of resources. There’s no perfect app or platform that can help you improve all your skills, so it’s a good idea to use a few to cover all skills and have a well-rounded understanding of Japanese. For example, podcasts are great for improving listening, but you might need to take online lessons from a tutor to improve speaking.

How to Learn Japanese: Final Thoughts

There’s not just one way to learn Japanese. This guide shows you a variety of resources that can help you find a good fit for your learning style. All the resources mentioned will add value to your study routine. Most offer a free trial or some free content so you can try it out before committing to buying anything. Once you’ve found the right way for you, it’s time to learn! With consistent practice, you’ll be speaking Japanese in no time!

Want to learn more? Check out our Japanese resource page.

How to Learn Japanese: FAQ