
Learning Japanese can be a fun and exciting journey. It helps you understand a rich culture, connect with people from Japan, and enjoy a language with unique characters. The best part is you don’t have to spend much money to get started. Many free online resources exist for all levels, from beginners to advanced learners. Here’s a guide to some of the best free tools.
Coto Academy is a Japanese language school located in Tokyo and Yokohama. With its small class sizes and flexible course schedule, we ensure the students find their community here in Japan and learn practical and useful daily-life Japanese by focusing on conversational practice.

A Quick Jump To…
- Duolingo
- NHK World Easy Japanese
- WaniKani
- JapanesePod101
- Anki
- Tofugu
- Memrise
- Imabi
- Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese
- YouTube Channels
- FAQ
Duolingo
Duolingo is a popular language-learning app that offers a comprehensive course in Japanese. The app uses a gamified approach, making learning fun and engaging through interactive lessons, quizzes, and daily challenges.
Duolingo is perfect for beginners, providing a solid foundation in vocabulary, grammar, and basic sentence structure.
Duolingo motivates learners to study regularly by encouraging them to maintain their ‘streaks’. The app sends reminders if you haven’t finished your daily lessons and offers rewards for maintaining long streaks. This feature helps in developing a consistent language-learning routine. Check out our complete review of learning Japanese with Duolingo here.
NHK World Easy Japanese
NHK World offers a series called Easy Japanese, designed for beginners. It includes 48 audio and text lessons covering basic conversations and grammar.
Anna, a fictional character who guides learners through various scenarios, presents the lessons. This resource is handy for improving listening skills and understanding everyday Japanese.
WaniKani

WaniKani is a unique tool that teaches kanji and vocabulary through mnemonics and spaced repetition.
The free version includes access to the first three levels, providing a solid introduction to kanji and critical vocabulary. It’s an excellent resource for learners who want to build a strong foundation in reading and writing.
JapanesePod101

JapanesePod101 offers a wealth of audio and video lessons for all levels of learners. While there is a premium subscription option, the free version includes significant content, including lessons on vocabulary, grammar, listening, and cultural insights.
The lessons are engaging and taught by native speakers, helping learners improve their listening and speaking skills.
Anki

Anki is a powerful flashcard app that uses spaced repetition to help learners memorize vocabulary and kanji efficiently.
Numerous pre-made decks are available for Japanese learners, covering everything from basic vocabulary to advanced kanji. Anki is highly customizable, allowing learners to tailor their study sessions to their needs.
Memorization is essential in your learning journey; find Easy Ways to Remember Japanese here, and make your learning simple with Anki.
Tofugu

Tofugu offers various free resources, including guides on learning hiragana and katakana, comprehensive articles on Japanese culture and language, and tips for effective learning.
Tofugu’s content is well-researched and presented humorously and engagingly, making it a great resource for learners looking for information and entertainment.
Memrise
Memrise is another language-learning app that offers courses in Japanese. The app helps learners retain information by combining video clips featuring native speakers, interactive quizzes, and mnemonic devices.
The free version includes access to substantial content, making it a valuable tool for vocabulary building and listening practice.

Imabi

Imabi is an extensive resource that offers detailed lessons on Japanese grammar, vocabulary, and writing.
The site is well-organized, with lessons categorized by difficulty level. Imabi is particularly useful for intermediate and advanced learners seeking in-depth explanations and examples.
Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese
Tae Kim’s Guide is a thorough and detailed resource covering all aspects of Japanese grammar. The guide is well-structured, starting with basic grammar and progressing to more complex topics.
It’s an excellent resource for learners who prefer a structured approach and want to explore the intricacies of Japanese.
YouTube Channels
In Additional, YouTube channels provide free Japanese lessons, including:
- Learn Japanese – Coto Japanese Academy: This channel provides practical lessons on Japanese language and culture, catering to beginners and advanced learners.
- Japanese Ammo with Misa: Misa offers detailed grammar, vocabulary, and conversational Japanese lessons.
- That Japanese Man Yuta: Yuta’s videos focus on real-life Japanese and cultural insights.
- Learn Japanese with JapanesePod101: The channel offers a wide range of video lessons for learners at all levels.
Extra Tips!!
Click here for extra recommendations for free resources for learning Japanese.
With the abundance of free online resources, learning Japanese has never been more accessible. Whether you prefer structured courses, interactive apps, or in-depth guides, there’s something for everyone. Start exploring these resources today and embark on your journey to mastering the Japanese language. Happy learning!
You Might Be Wondering …
How long does it take to learn Japanese?
The time it takes to learn Japanese varies depending on your study habits, prior language experience, and the level of proficiency you wish to achieve. Consistent daily practice can lead to basic conversational skills in a few months, but fluency can take several years.
Which resource is best for beginners?
For beginners, Duolingo and NHK World Easy Japanese are highly recommended. Duolingo provides a gamified learning experience, while NHK offers structured lessons with audio and text.
Can I learn Japanese just by using YouTube?
Yes, YouTube can be a valuable resource for learning Japanese. Channels like Learn Japanese- Coto Japanese Academy and more offer comprehensive lessons on grammar, vocabulary, and culture.