First, watch Yuka-sensei’s video above about the JLPT N4 Grammar!
If you have been studying Japanese for a while now – there’s a good chance you have come across the Japanese grammar point も (mo).
As we stated in this article on basic Japanese grammar, the particle も is often used to signify similarity and agreement in Japanese. However, it can also be used to add emphasis to quantity or quantities.
In this blog article, we will examine the emphasis use of も, such as how to say “that many?!” This expression may appear on the JLPT N4 as well – so make note of its use!
For example, 枚 (まい/mai) is the counter for flat things, such as plates or pieces of paper, and 台 (だい/dai) is used to count machines and motor vehicles.
The structure is: number + counter + も
Example: Food
A: ケーキを30個食べました。 keeki o sanjyuu ko mo tabemashita I ate 30 cakes. B: え、30個も食べたんですか？ E, sanjyuu ko mo tabetan desu ka? Eh, you ate that many?
In Yuka-sensei’s example above, the literal translation is something like “you ate as many as 30 cakes?” However for conversation, a more accurate translation of this phrase into natural English would be merely:
Eh, you ate that many?
Saying も after repeating the quantity adds emphasis in Japanese, indicating surprise and/or that something is impressive.
Example: Cars
A: 私の友達は、車を5台持っています！ Watashi no tomodachi wa, kuruma o go dai motteimasu I have a friend who owns 5 cars! B: え、5台も持っているんですか？ Eh, go dai mo motteirun desu ka? What, they own 5 cars? These expressions often end with んですか？
As Yuka-sensei points out in the video above, this is a way to add more emotion to what you are saying. It conveys interest or even curiosity in what the other party is telling them.
Now you can practice using this yourself either in studying for the JLPT, or in your daily conversations!
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For Japanese language students who took the JLPT in December 2024, otsukare sama deshita! We’re proud that you took it and did your best. The JLPT results are available online around two months after the test day. The online test result announcement will be viewable for only a certain duration. With that, we thought we would give you a step-by-step guide on how to check your results for the JLPT.
Remember that due to traffic, there may be a delay in connection during the announcement date.
The physical result certificate will be delivered on a specific date for international residents in Japan. You can also issue a transcript, which will be immediately sent after the resulting certificate is received. Students who are in a hurry to get the transcript may apply for an express delivery request.
For more information and updates, kindly refer to the officialJLPT website.
If you plan to take (or re-take) the JLPT, let’s study together! Coto Academy offers online JLPT Prep lectures and in-person JLPT Prep courses. Contact us at info@cotoacademy.com or visit our contact page for a free Japanese-level check and consultation.
How to Check Your JLPT Results Online on MYJLPT
3 Steps to check your JLPT result online
1. Head to the official website for MyJLPT
Depending on where you take the JLPT, you must select the appropriate country to be directed to the correct webpage. Putting your MyJLTP ID on the wrong landing page may not be possible.
2. Click on the Login button on MyJLPT Page.
Head to this page to go to the official page for MyJLPT. For test-takers, you should be able to log in to your MyJLPT account, which was created when you applied for the JLPT.
To retrieve your login credentials, click on the links or refer to your application.
Find your JLPT ID here
3. Click on “Test Result and Certificate Issuance” to view your results
Your results for the JLPT will be available on this page. You may also apply for your certificate here. Looking at the results is pretty straightforward. A table will display your test level(s), registration number, result, and total score.
If you passed the test, the result will indicate “Passed”/
View your results here
Things to Note:
If your test results are not displayed on the ‘Test Result and Certificate Issuance’ screen, note that they only display results for tests that are applied using your MyJLPT ID. Tests taken before 2012, overseas, or applied by mail will not display their results. If the test was applied with another MyJLPT ID or the group representative used to block registration, results will also not be displayed.
You can change the address you registered for the JLPT application within the specified period after the test. The period when changes can be made will be announced on the MyJLPT site.
If you move after this period, you must submit a notification of change of address to a post office.
Changes can be made on the ‘Check and Modify applicants’ information’ page. If you require a change after the time period ends, you must mail your updated information to the post office.
What is The Score Required to Pass the JLPT?
For JLPT N1 to N5, one can get scores between 0 and 180 points. Depending on your level, the passing scores also change accordingly.
JLPT Level
Passing marks (Total)
N5
80 out of 180
N4
90 points out of 180
N3
95 points out of 180
N2
90 points out of 180
N1
100 points out of 180
There are also score requirements for individual sections of the test.
For N5 and N4, the sectional passing mark for Listening is 19 points out of 60 points. The passing mark for Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) and Reading is 38 points out of 120 points.
For N3, N2, and N1, the sectional passing mark for Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar), Reading, and Listening is 19 out of 60 points for every section.
Should examinees not meet the required passing mark for any of the sections, they will be deemed to have failed the entire exam. They will also be unable to pass if they miss a test section. No score result will show for the completed test sections on the score report. For more information about the passing scores, click here.
About the JLPT 2025
The JLPT 2025 will be held in early July (first test) and early December (second test). The application period will be opened between March and April for the first test and August and September for the second test. More details will be announced next year on the MyJLPT website. Individual and Group applications must be completed within the application period as stated.
The JLPT Test Sections
Ready to Pass the JLPT 2025?
You might have passed the last JLPT and wanted to take it to a new level — or you might want to retake the same test.
Planning to register? With Coto’s online and in-person JLPT prep courses, you can do more than just pass the test: Tap your potential, achieve your target score — and go beyond. See our past JLPT success rate story.
You’ll learn all test sections, including how to master the reading section. Our teachers are highly specialized at teaching JLPT, and you’ll learn alongside motivated peers!
Contact us for a Japanese-level check and a free consultation on the best JLPT prep course for you!
This will be a thorough guide on how to apply for the JLPT online. It’s almost that time of the year again when most of us are getting all ready to sign up for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, otherwise known as the JLPT. With varying difficulty levels from N5 to N1 (with N1 being the most difficult), it is relatively important to start deciding on which level to take on the test date before applying for the JLPT online. With that being said, let’s get on with some of the details related to the test!
Test Dates
First things first, let’s go through the dates on which the tests are being held so you can mark them down on the calendar. Throughout the span of one year, there are typically JLPT tests being held biannually. These tests are usually held once in July and once in December.
First JLPT Test in 2023: July 2, 2023
Second JLPT Test in 2023: December 3, 2023
Registration Dates for 2023 July JLPT
Registration through the MyJLPT page is not yet open for the July 2023 JLPT.
Registration Dates for 2023 December JLPT
Registration through the MyJLPT page is not yet open for the December 2023 JLPT.
Test Location
Moving on, let’s see the various locations in which you can take the JLPT. You have two option: take the test locally in Japan or in an educational institute overseas. For the full and comprehensive list of overseas institutes which conduct JLPT, head on down to the link over here to check if it is an approved institute.
As the location in which you take the JLPT varies, there may be different procedures, windows or deadlines of which you have to take note. However, the test date still remains to be the same. For more information on how you would go about applying for the JLPT online or otherwise, please click on any one of the links below:
Looking at the test components, JLPT Test Levels N1 to N3 is composed of 3 Components: Reading (60 marks), Vocabulary (60 marks) as well as Listening (60 marks). As for JLPT Test Levels N4 to N5, there are 2 Components: Japanese Language Knowledge (120 marks) and Listening (60 marks).
Step 5: Confirm your Personal Information and check your Email Inbox for a Confirmation Email
Part 2: Registering for a Test Online with your MyJLPT Account
Once you have obtained the myjlpt id you will be asked to complete the online application from your myjlpt page. The website itself is more friendly to certain web browsers – and the site recommends that you use Microsoft edge.
Step 1: Log in to your My JLPT account
Step 2: Click on “Examination application
Step 3: Choose your application type
Step 4: Sign the agreement to the privacy policy
Step 5: Choose your level and fill in other details required
Step 6: Choose Payment type
If you are in Japan, you can pay the test fee through several payment methods: credit card, bank transfer or payment via the convenience store. Please confirm the available payment method for countries outside Japan. Generally, credit card is acceptable.
Step 7: Confirm your information
Final step: The application will be completed after confirmation of your information
Application Window
For local students, the application window can start anywhere from Mid-March (July Test) to Mid-August (December Test). As for overseas students, the application window can be anywhere from March to April (July Test) or August to September (December Test). Check your MyJLPT Account for more details and stay up to date on when you can apply.
Payment of Fees & Window for Payment to be Made
After completing your application, you must complete payment before your registration will be confirmed. Test Fees are approximately 5,500 Yen but may vary based on the location in which you decide to take the test.
If you are in Japan – the payment options for the JLPT range from online with a credit card to cash at a convenience store or post office. If you are outside of Japan – the payment method will depend on the test location.
From January 17, 2022, a separate fee of 110 yen will be required for a cash payment from Japan Post Bank ATM. For group applications, a fee of 110 yen will be required for each “payment number”.
The test payment window for December is early to late September.
After making payment, you will be set to receive a Test Voucher which you would need to bring into your test venue to confirm and verify your status as a participant of the JLPT you have signed up for. Ensure that this slip of paper is well-kept and not lost as it is very important.
If you sign up for the JLPT 2022 in December, you will likely receive your test voucher sometime in November.
With these, remember to bring in some form of identification together with your Test Voucher. With that, take the test and you’re all good to go.
Release of Results
After all that hard work, just sit back, relax and give yourself a well-deserved break. Until the time comes, enjoy yourself! But until when? Well, the release of results can vary based on whether you’ve taken the test locally or from an overseas educational institute but here are some dates you can stay on the lookout for!
Local July Test: Early September
Local December Test: Early February
Overseas July Test: Early October
Overseas December Test: Early March
Note: For Overseas Students, collect your Score Reports, and hopefully a Certificate of Proficiency, at your Local Host Institute. As for Local Students, the Score Reports and Certificates will be mailed to you directly based on the address associated with your MyJLPT Account.
If you have questions about our school or taking JLPT Prep lessons with us, don’t worry. Here’s a link to the FAQ site where you can check to see if it answers any queries you have. With that, we would like to wish you all the best and happy studying! 😀
When is the next JLPT and when can I sign up?
The next JLPT Examination is in: December 4, 2022
Registration is from: August 25 to September 15
Where do I apply?
To apply, you will need a MyJLPT account, which you can sign up for here. Once you have an account, you can sign in with your account and start to register.
When do the JLPT results come out?
Depending on when you take the test, the release of the results can differ. In general, you will get your results 2-3 months after the test. Here is when you should look out for your results depending on when you take the test!
Local July Test: Early September
Local December Test: Early February
Overseas July Test: Early October
Overseas December Test: Early March
I have a question about the JLPT that isn't addressed here. What do I do?
If you have any JLPT related inquiries, you can visit the JLPT FAQ site. Your answer should be there.
Start taking Japanese lessons and pass the JLPT exam!
Confused about Japanese Particles? Want to know the difference between wa and ga? Check out this easy to use reference guide.
Japanese particles are an indispensable key in understanding Japanese sentences. Learn changing how a particle is used can change the entire meaning of a sentence. In this blog, we sort out 13 common Japanese particles for the JLPT N5-N4 level. This cheat sheet covers 17 common particles, the usages, meaning and example sentences.
You can get the free download of our learning cheat sheet below.
は
Noun+は
①topic
②emphasis; contrast
③at least
①わたしはケンです。
I’m Ken.
に
Noun+に
①time
②place
③target
①わたしはあさ6じにおきます。
I get up at six in the morning.
を
Noun+を
①object
②place
①わたしはまいあさ、しんぶんをよみます。
I read the newspaper every morning.
が
①Noun+が
②③Polite form +が
①object (like, be good at…)
②but
③～but～(preface)
③おなかがいたいんですが、かえってもいいですか。
My stomach hurts. May I go home?
で
Noun+で
①by～(means)
②at～(place)
③in～(time)
④make of
⑤because of
④にほんのいえはきでつくられます。
Japanese houses are made from wood.
と
Noun+と
①with
②and
③(say or write or think) that～
①わたしはともだちとあそびます。
I will play with my friends.
も
Noun+も
①also
②all
③as much as
④totality
②このスーパーのしょうひんはどれもやすいです。
Anything at this supermarket is cheap.
から
①Noun+から
②Polite form, Plain form +から
①from
②because
②きょうははこどものたんじょうびですからはやくかえります。
It’s my kid’s birthday today so I will be going home early.
まで
Noun+まで
Up to; until
わたしは5じまではたらきます。
I work until 5 PM.
しか
Noun+しか
only (used with negatives)
わたしはひらがなしかかけません。
I can only write Hiragana.
だけ
Noun+だけ
only
かいしゃにがいこくじんがひとりだけいます。
There is only one foreign employee at the company.
Start taking Japanese lessons and master Japanese particles!
Are you trying to pass the JLPT N2 level test? Maybe you want a promotion at work, are trying to pass a job interview – or you might just want to challenge yourself!
The JLPT N2 is quite a beast, but if you follow these study tips you can easily pass. In this guide, we will show you the way to victory so you can pass the N2!
The JLPT N2 is divided into three sections: language knowledge, reading comprehension, and listening comprehension. Each section is scored out of 60 marks, and to pass, you need at least 30 marks in each section.
At the lowest, you need 30/60 per section (90/180 total) to pass. Unfortunately, failing one section will result in a fail on the whole test.
But if you follow just this guide, you will be able to pass with flying colors.
How many Japanese Kanji should I know for the JLPT N2?
In total, you need to know roughly 1000 kanji for the N2.
If you have already passed the JLPT N3, you only need to learn an additional 350 Kanji. This is roughly the same gap from the N4 to N3, so it’s totally doable.
The secret with kanji is to just practice, practice, practice. The good news is there is no writing section, so you only need to be able to read the kanji. That being said, practicing to write the kanji is a great way to carve them into your brain.
What about N2 Vocab?
The vocabulary list for the N2 consists of roughly 6,000 words – around 2,500 more than the N3.
The best way to master the vocab is to memorize the words along with their kanji. Likewise this will also help you retain all of the kanji – so the vocabulary and kanji study reinforce each other.
Plenty of free resources online with kanji and vocabulary lists catered towards N2 study. (Like this list from Memrise)
Mastering the Japanese N2 Grammar will make the JLPT much easier for you. There are around 200 Grammar “points” you need to learn between N3 and N2.
The N2 grammar is tricky because there are many rules – and maybe just as many exceptions. But if you study carefully, the answers to the problems become easier than you might think.
Books are probably a better resource than websites or online flashcards. It is harder to capture the nuances of Japanese Grammar, especially when you get to the N2 level and above. We recommend ‘An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese’ for a book that covers N2 Grammar.
N2 Reading
Since the JLPT N2 has a whole section for reading comprehension, it is important to focus heavily on the reading. They often pull sections from articles or books for the test, and you can expect to be tested on their specific contents.
For reading practice, it is a good idea to focus on reading actual Japanese articles – especially those geared toward Japanese middle school students. You can also check out NHK News Web Easy.
There is usually a bit of furigana for the reading, but don’t count on it being very helpful. It’s best to be ahead of the game as much as possible.
Our Online JLPT N2 Prep Course has a section devoted to Grammar and Reading – check it out to see how you can pass the N2!
JLPT N2 Listening
How hard is listening to the JLPT?
It’s not too bad if you are used to hearing Japanese a lot. It’s often said to be the easiest section.
However, you do not want to underestimate or overlook studying for the listening portion. The questions come at you fast, and you can easily get behind. You are given a blank sheet of paper that you can use to take notes. However, you don’t want to rely on this too much because it can trip you up. Just relax and take each question as it comes.
The best way to prepare for this section is to maximize your Japanese input. Use podcasts, Japanese Tv News, Television programs, and anything that uses proper spoken Japanese for study.
On another note, JLPT prep books come with CDs to accompany the listening. These will be the best way to prepare since the questions will come at you at the same pace as in the actual test. This way, you can get a feel for the rhythm and be comfortable when the listening test comes.
How to Prep for the JLPT N2
The best way to prepare for the JLPT N2 is with JLPT N2 practice tests. You can find PDFs of old JLPT N2 tests online, download them, and take them on a timer.
Taking multiple N2 practice tests has several benefits. The most obvious is getting used to the test format and the types of questions that you will be asked across all 3 sections.
Another big perk of taking the practice tests properly is that you will train your brain to complete the sections within the time limits. When the timer runs out at the JLPT test site, it’s pencils down (.02 pencils, actually). But if you can get used to taking the test on a timer, you will be able to finish the sections with time to go back and review.
If you are curious about study hours, check out our article detailing How Many Hours of Study it takes to pass each level.
If you are serious about passing the JLPT N2, we strongly encourage you to enroll in our Online JLPT Prep Course.
App Recommendations to Study for N2
Language and flashcard apps are a great way to prepare for the JLPT. Here are some of our favorite Apps for iOS and Android!
Bunpo: Learn Japanese – Android & IOS
Bunpo: Learn Japanese is available on both Android and IOS!
Bunpo is a free resource for studying Japanese Grammar on your mobile device. It covers JLPT levels N5 to N1!
When you first start the app, you can select a JLPT level to study for (in this case, N2). The Bunpo runs you through lessons and quizzes to help you prepare for the JLPT!
Obenkyo – Android
Obenkyo is available on Google Play as an Android app. Like Bunpo, however, it covers JLPT levels N5 through N1.
Obenkyo focuses on Japanese vocabulary and kanji, but they also have grammar.
Japanese – Android & IOS
Available on both Android and IOS, Japanese is a massive “study companion” for anyone learning the Japanese language – at virtually any stage.
Japanese has dedicated study lists for the JLPT, which feature Kanji, Vocabulary, example sentences, talk-to-text, and flashcard mechanisms.
What’s more is Japanese and the other apps above are all free to download!
Recommended Textbook to Study for the JLPT N2 – Shin Kanzen Master N2
Our ultimate Japanese textbook recommendation for passing the JLPT N2 is the New Kanzen Master series JLPT N2. This bundle (5 books) has all the information you need to pass the JLPT N2.
Each book in the bundle covers (respectively): Kanji, Grammar, Listening (w/ CD), Reading Comprehension, and Vocabulary.
It’s also our textbook for our Online JLPT N2 Prep Course, so we mean it when we say it’s our recommendation.
Online JLPT N2 Prep Course
If you are serious about passing the JLPT N2, consider enrolling in our Online JLPT N2 Prep Course. This course is perfect for anyone who is self-studying but wants to improve their understanding of the language – or anyone who wants an easy way to pass the JLPT N2.
Our N2 prep course focuses on grammar, reading, vocabulary, and Kanji, and you must pass the JLPT N2. You will have access to weekly sessions taught by Nagai-sensei in our virtual classroom.
By ensuring your JLPT N2 certificate, you will be in a good position in a Japanese working professional environment. The JLPT N2 is important for anyone pursuing a career in Japan.
The test is typically held once a year, usually in July and again in December. The application window may seem narrow, but it can be easy to miss it, so be careful!
You can apply and register for the JLPT online via the MyJlpt page. Choose the test level and then pay online. Then, you will be alerted to the zoning/location of the test when they send out your test voucher.
When living in Japan, Kanji can be seen in many places. These various locations include traffic signs, shop signs, restaurant advertisements, etc. Let’s practice using this Kanji Worksheet.
In our N3 kanji Workbook unit one, we’ll be presenting to you common kanji you will see on the street.
After working through ‘Minna no Nihongo’, gloriously passing JLPT levels N5 or N4 and mastering the basic grammar needed to order your favourite sushi, your next step should be to level up to JLPT N3.
This level is described as ‘the ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations. Looking to pass the easy way? Learn how to pass the JLPT N3 with our JLPT N3 Online Course!
Let’s take a look at what skills are needed to do well on each part, and get some useful tips on how to ace the test! Kanji Vocabulary Grammar Reading Listening
Note: Finding the right JLPT N3 textbook is just as important as studying the subject. That’s why we recommend you check our JLPT N3 textbook recommendations before you continue.
1. Kanji
Bad news: You must know approximately 650 kanji in order to pass. Good news: You should already know around 300 of them, from N5 and N4. You are already halfway there! The kanji is getting progressively more difficult. However, what works best is studying the most common radicals first, as it is easier to find meaning in each kanji. Most importantly, practice, practice practice! A website extremely useful is NHK’s New Web EASY. It is not always easy studying for N3, and I usually need a dictionary, but it is great reading practice. The thing that makes it easier, is that most topics will be familiar to you as they would be news articles. As texts on familiar topics are a lot easier to understand, I’m less likely to give up quickly. Another useful N3 Kanji resource is our JLPT N3 Kanji Writing Workbook! This do-it-yourself PDF workbook is downloadable and will help you master the 369 kanji gap between N4 and N3.
2. Vocabulary
For me, the most difficult part of studying Japanese is expanding my vocabulary. Especially at the beginning, all words sounded very similar to me. It’s getting better, but it is still hard. There was one website that greatly helped me expand my vocabulary, and that is renshuu.org. It is free, and one of the best resources for vocabulary cramming out there. I use it on the train, when waiting in line, and even before going to bed. The words are grouped by JLPT level, and I recommend studying N1 or N2, to be well prepared for N3.
3. Grammar
When it comes to grammar, I prefer books over websites. One book I particularly like is ‘An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese’. This book is not just dry grammar, as it contains interesting information about Japanese culture too. If you understand the grammar in the book, you should already be well prepared to take the JLPT N3 test. Another piece of advice I would like to give is to do mock tests online. Whatever you don’t understand you can look up and include in your studies. However, after studying the book mentioned above there shouldn’t be many unknown words or structures in the test anymore. For reference, the official website has a few practice questions.
4. Reading
For the reading portion of the JLPT test, it should not be too difficult after you followed the advice above. Texts in the tests follow a very similar format every time it is conducted, and the subjects of the texts are never too surprising. Even the kanji mostly have furigana to help you. Common themes are emails from a boss/co-worker, a trip (travel), someone talking about a memory they have, a bulletin with date/time information.
5. Listening
The JLPT N3 listening test is something you can’t learn from books only. The age-old adagio of conversation practice wherever you go comes into play here, and the TV can also be a useful study mate in this case. Listening to comedians making fun of each other can help you get used to the flow and sound of the language, but keep in mind that it will be very different from what you will actually hear during the test. What you will hear during the test is usually spoken quite slowly and clearly, so if you are used to people speaking at a natural speed you may be pleasantly surprised. One of the best ways to practice conversation and work on your specific language issues is to go to a language school. At Coto Japanese Academy, the small class size and professional teachers will help you reach your Japanese language goals, not only to pass the JLPT but also to use in your daily life and work! Click to tweet this Japanese tip to share it with more Japanese learners!
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.
Start taking Japanese lessons and pass JPLT N3 exam!
Are you currently studying Japanese? If so, then you might be interested in knowing more about the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, in short, the JLPT!
Launched in 1984 as a biannual testing service by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges & Services, the JLPT is a tool to evaluate and certify the Japanese proficiency of non-native speakers.
It’s reputation grew fast and wide, and currently more than 600,000 examinees around the globe pass the JLPT every year! In 2010, a revised version was introduced to better assess the Japanase language skills, taking advantage of 25 years of data from the previous JLPT along with research on Japanese language pedagogy.
How is the JLPT Japanese Test Structured?
The JLPT is divided into five levels, from N1 through N5, with the N5 being the easiest, testing the reading and listening skills of non native Japanese speakers. Let’s check a broad summary of the linguistic competence that are evaluated, resumed on the official website.
Since 2008, the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges & Services does not provide official study hour recommendations anymore no more than precise list of contents such as kanji or vocabulary needed for each level.
The Easiest JLPT Levels: N4 & N5
The Level 5 of the JLPT measures the ability to understand some basic Japanese. Typically, the test check if the examinee is able to read and understand typical expressions and sentences written in hiragana and katakana. Some basic kanji are also expected to be known. The examinee should be able to listen and comprehend conversations about topics of daily life and classroom situations. Since the conversations are spoken slowly and short, the test measure the ability to pick up information.
The Level 4 introduces more vocabulary and kanji. Examinee has to read and understand passages on familiar daily topics and be able to follow the contents of daily life conversations. Spoken slowly, the conversations of the listening part are longer, and covers daily life’s topics.
N4 and N5 measure the level of understanding of basic Japanese mainly learned in class.
The JLPT N3: A Mid-level Japanese Proficiency Test
The level 3 (JLPT N3) is a bridging level between N1/N2 and N4/N5 that has been launched in the revised version of 2010.
The Level 3 measures the ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations to a certain degree. The examinee should not only be able to read and understand written materials about everyday topics, but also be able to understand summary information such as a newspaper headlines and slightly difficult writings.
The listening part gets more difficult as conversations are spoken at a near-natural speed and the examinee should be able to follow their contents and understand the relationship among the people involved.
Business Level Japanese: JLPT N2 & N1
Those who desire to work or study in Japan are usually required to hold at least the JLPT N2, if not the N1, the most difficult level. They both measure the level of understanding of Japanese used in a broad range of scenes in actual everyday life.
Very often, the level 2 is considered to be the “business level” of Japanese whereas the level 1 is considered a proof of “fluency” in Japanese.
The level 2 measure the ability to understand Japanese language in daily life and a “variety of circumstances to a certain degree”. The corpus for the reading part is more dense, with long documents such as newspapers’ articles, commentaries, flyers…
Not only should the examinee comprehend the content but he is asked to understand the intents of the writers.
The listening part will have longer conversations a near natural speed and news reports about various topics. One should understand contents, ideas and main points of the conversation.
The level 1 goes even deeper in the comprehension of Japanese writings, asking examinee to be able to follow abstract writings and to understand structures, contents and intents of the documents. The listening part presents lectures, news reports and conversations at a natural speed.
The JLPT Does Have Limits in What it Can Measure
The summary of the linguistic competences expected from the test takers as helpful as it may be, seems to be quite abstract for who is not versed in linguistic.
Like for all language proficiency test, we can debate on their accuracy and efficiency. Languages covers several types of skills – reading and writing, speaking and listening, and although one test examinee can be very good in reading, he might not be able to speak.
Nonetheless the JLPT measures skills for employment screening and as a form of qualification and is greatly valued by educational institutions and companies hiring foreigners. Recruitment companies in Japan will all tell you that holding the N1 or N2 level of the exam is extremely important for foreign nationals hoping to land a job in this country.
Which JLPT Level Should I Take?
If you wish to know if you are ready for the level you are taking this year, check the official “self-evaluation” list provided by the official website. You can also find sample questions to grasp a better understanding of the JLPT.
Our advice? Do not fear the JLPT! Learn practical Japanese and do not solely study grammar or kanji, but Japanese language as a whole. Practicing conversation – although your speaking ability is not measured, is a very good way to pass successfully the JLPT as you will know how to communicate and be better at understanding content!
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.
Let’s face it: Japanese YouTube channels redefine what it means to go above and beyond for online entertainment.
Content creators in Japan wear a lot of faces — both literally and figuratively. They’re propelled by outlandish challenges, mukbangs and squeamish close-ups of fish cutting. We’re talking about consuming ten packs of fire noodles in one seating and cracking open sea cucumbers and poisonous starfish.
But behind the questionably thick veil of Japanese Youtubers, a lot of Japanese Youtube channels have dedicated themselves to helping their international audience learn the Japanese language and culture, proving that YouTube can be an educational platform, too.
So where do you go when you’re looking to climb out of the rabbit hole of freaky Japanese content — and into something more, say, digestible?
Of all the many gathered in the digital creative landscape, we’ve collected 50 of our top Japanese YouTube channels you should subscribe to. A lot of them provide free online Japanese learning resources.
Regardless of whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced, there are Japanese YouTube channels waiting for you.
We’re breaking them down into three categories: Teachers, vloggers and Japanese culture content creators.
Don’t know where to start? Check out Coto’s YouTube account or Coto’s blog section for more helpful Japanese tips and learning materials.
Recommended for beginners, JapanesePod101 is a channel that covers topics ranging from grammar to vocabulary to reading and many more! It is a verified Japanese Youtube channel with over 2.3 million subscribers. They would host daily YouTube live streams for Japanese listening, speaking and writing.
This channel has listening practices. Not only that, the videos give you practice and they have romaji and Japanese words on the screen. It would be easy to follow. Their videos cater to both English and Chinese learners.
This channel has listening practices. Not only that, the videos give you practice and they have romaji and Japanese words on the screen. It would be easy to follow. Their videos cater to both English and Chinese learners.
Minori is perfect for beginners learning N5 and N4 who want to take a challenge. All of their videos are in Japanese to hone your listening skills, but you can always turn on their multilingual subtitles if the lesson goes a bit too hard. The YouTube channel uploads almost daily, and all of the Japanese tutorials are designed for students to map smooth progress. They break down vocabularies, grammar structures and questions. You will also have a practice session at the end.
There’s an ongoing debate among the Japanese learning community about textbooks: Minna no Nihongo, or Genki? Helmed by Rose, you pick the prior, then NihonGoal is the perfect YouTube channel to walk you through the book. They break down the study into three series: vocabulary, grammar and Kanji. Rose isn’t a native Japanese speaker, though, so if you are focusing on speaking and Japanese pronunciation, head somewhere else.
Andy’s presence is unmatched. Combining playful monologues and great presentation skills, Tokini Andy becomes a channel to help Japanese learners nail Japanese conversational fluency — all while having fun. The textbooks he uses are also the Genki books, and his videos are aptly slow and practical. You’ll get sample sentences, extra tips for Japanese grammar and useful vocabulary. He also has his own Patreon.
If you hear him blindfolded, you might assume he’s a Japanese — or at the very least, a hafu — but Dogen is one of the few talented international Youtuber who just so happens to nail that spot-on Japanese native-level accent. His YouTube channel primarily consists of comedic skits and quirky storytelling about very relatable Japanese antics that foreigners will understand if they live in Japan long enough. You can head to his Patreon for more thorough (and serious) Japanese phonetic lessons.
Japanese Ammo with Misa is flexible for both beginners and advanced learners. She gives lessons on Japanese grammar and vocabulary. There are also videos for useful Japanese phrases as well as topics on Japanese culture. The channel has many playlists that can help you enhance your Japanese learning.
Miku’s videos are a fun and effective way of learning Japanese. Her playlist has grammar and listening to videos for practice for beginner to intermediate learners. Not only that, you can practice your speaking skill, as well as she has a playlist called “speak with me”. She also does videos on learning Japanese with Terrace House as it would be interesting and fun to take it out of the classroom. You’ll also have access to extra videos if you sign up for her Patreon.
This is one of our recommended Japanese Youtube channels that’s perfect if you are considering taking the JLPT exam. The person goes through questions about how to answer and tips on how to answer them. He explains vocabulary to suit everyone’s needs. His videos have a variety of question papers from JLPT, kanji, grammar, hiragana, and katakana. As for JLPT, he has N5 to N2 practice papers which he goes through it. He also does a video on the MEXT scholarship exam.
Learn Japanese Online with BondLingo upload videos about the Japanese language and cultures. Not only are there online lessons, but there are apps on mobile as well. Their playlist consists of the JLPT practice exam – grammar, N5 to N2 but also pronunciation videos as well! They also have live streams for Japanese study sessions, and it’s always good to join the room to make your learning journey less lonely.
This Japanese Youtuber gives free videos for JLPT preparations ranging from all levels. His lessons are pretty laidback and chill, and he even has some content dedicated to learning Japanese from anime. He has a dedicated playlist called the Writing Systems for introductions to all aspects of the Japanese writing system: hiragana, katakana and kanji.
Learn Japanese From Zero is an informative channel that posts videos every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Every video goes through a respective lesson on the channel’s textbook, and materials are only available online. This makes it easy for anyone to learn Japanese and take notes. He also has his own Japanese textbook.
Yuko Sensei has been teaching Japanese at the university level for 20 years, so to say that she is a Japanese language expert would be a safe bet. Her videos discard any boring PowerPoint, and instead focuses on interactive color-coded animations to help you understand Japanese grammar, vocabulary, and scripts. For those learners who cannot attend classes or do not know where to start learning, this channel is good for online learning courses. She also offers free trial courses.
PuniPuniJapan’s videos are well-illustrated and narrated with clear explanations. It is more recommended for beginners who started learning Japanese. They cover topics such as katakana, grammar, vocabulary and more. Besides that, PuniPuniJapan also uploads videos about Japanese culture.
The channel provides step by step learning. They have different episodes and on the episodes, they teach learners different topics such as negative state, adjectives and sentence ending. This channel has a lot of different variables when it comes to learning Japanese. Their video areas are very classroom-based and it is very easy to follow.
ライト Japanese Library features Light, who is a foreigner who speaks Japanese, English, and Afrikaans. On his channel, he has videos teaching Japanese as well as some daily vlogs with his daughter. He also gives many different tips for living in Japan.
This channel is good to learn Japanese because their videos are in songs. Their videos are appealing and it is easy to follow as they have Japanese words plus English words are well. Not only that, their videos are all about Japanese vocabularies.
It is very easy to learn Japanese grammar and kanji on this channel. Their videos have an animation of a teacher teaching. Their video content is also very easy to understand. Their kanji videos are step by step and it teaches you basic kanji and how to write it.
This channel is very good at making simplifying Japanese and making it easier to understand. Their videos are taught by an “android sensei”. Their explanations are very good and their content is original and engaging. Her methods of teaching Japanese are a little unorthodox, but very effective. Unfortunately, the owner of the channel has passed away, but the channel remains up and is still a very good resource.
This channel is good to learn basic Japanese because they make learning videos into songs so it would be easier to learn. The videos are interesting as well. They only have 1 playlist of videos such as day of the week song or the hiragana song. This channel is good for both adults and children.
わさび or Wasabi is a Japanese Vtuber teacher that makes videos that are great for Beginner and Intermediate learners. She makes grammar and listening videos as well as a lot of YouTube shorts that go over vocab words. She is a much smaller creator, and is able to respond to a lot of questions in her comments.
Nami Ohara is another tJapanese grammar, vocabulary, and listening. Also, there are many videos on Japanese culture. Another feature of this channel is that there are many listening quizzes and tests for you to practice your listening skills. Not only that, they have many videos on learning Japanese through songs.
This channel is great for beginners in learning Japanese. Masa Sensei, the creator of this channel, makes weekly videos on Japanese grammar. In every video, she explains what grammar means and how to apply it. She also gives clear illustrations and examples in her videos.
This channel is very good for Intermediate and Advanced learners. Sambon Juku has multiple playlists for everything from Phrases to Hiragana. He also has series going over N3, N2 and N1. He has very clear explanations and example sentences. His videos are narrated in Japanese, but he also has English subtitles if needed.
myjapanese is a channel covering levels from beginner to advanced. The topics covered are hiragana, kanji, JLPT, and business Japanese. There are many informative videos and are all well narrated and explained in English. The channel posts a new video every week.
Watching anime and Japanese TV programs is a great vehicle to accelerate your Japanese skill. Easy Peasy Japanesey disects scenes from iconic anime like Attack on Titan and Demon Slayer and breaks down the Japanese vocabularies and grammar structure involved. It’s a great, seemingly effortless away to learn Japanese — just don’t binge watch them all at once if you’re an anime fan who’s avoiding gut-wrenching, tear-inducing spoilers.
Yumi Ura is a channel that is especially good for Japanese students preparing to take the JLPT N2 and N3 level tests. All the videos in this channel are on topics for the N2 and N3-level tests. Their videos allow viewers to practice their listening skills as it is everything is explained Japanese.
Japanization is good for learning basic Japanese. Started by a native Japanese, he makes lesson videos on Japanese grammar and vocabulary, as well as on different aspects of Japanese culture. He explains well in English in every video too. Thus, making it easy for non-Japanese listeners to follow.
Registering for a JLPT exam can be unnerving, let alone preparing for it. Enter Clayton MacKnight, your perfect virtual study buddy. He’s currently residing in Osaka and has recently passed N2. His channel that features a variety of videos to help those taking JLPT. Expect all things Japanese covered in his channels, from grammar and kanji to study guides to Japanese culture. It’s also great to get a learning support from a foreigner. The videos have graphic illustrations to them more engaging. .
Michiyo Wojnovich is a good channel for those learning Japanese with Genki textbooks. All the videos on the channel cover topics from the Genki textbooks. The teacher, Michiyo, narrates and explains each topic in every video in English.
Japonin is a channel that can help learners to improve and enhance their Japanese reading skills. There are many videos that feature a text with clear narration. There are also various cultural topics such as ‘imported words’ and ‘origami’ for learners to enhance their Japanese culture knowledge.
Plain Japanese’s online lessons are being taught by a native Japanese teacher. Their videos are well-illustrated and explained, covering many different topics on the Japanese language such as grammar and kanji. There are also other informative videos such as ‘Japanese Greetings’ and ‘Counting Numbers in Japanese’.
You can leave it up to Jerome Polin to give you a full angle of what it’s like to live in Japan as a university student. As a MEXT scholarship awardee, Jerome is enrolled at Waseda University. His videos started from a humble ground: to help potential Japanese international students learn Japanese and kickstart their life here. It didn’t take long for his channel to skyrocket. After several vlogs, collaborations and fun challenges with his university friends, Jerome quickly grew to be the biggest star in Japan’s creator platform. Now, he has more than 7.5 million subscribers, and the numbers aren’t slowing down.
This channel is good for learning Japanese because they do vlogs about their daily lives. The channel, started by a Japanese husband and an American wife, who are both living in Japan. Rachel would speak in English while her husband would speak in Japanese. Sometimes both would speak each other’s languages. Their videos have Japanese subtitles so it would be easy to follow and learn about new words. Their videos are very interesting and sometimes funny too. They do not post on their main channel anymore, but still regularly upload on ‘Rachel & Jun’s Adventures!‘
Abroad in Japan does vlogs which talk about how his interreaction experience with the Japanese culture and people here. Some of his interesting vlogs are “how to lose weight in Japan” and “Japanese thoughts on London magic man”
Life Where I’m From has a series of Japanese documentaries and life in Japan starring their children. They give interesting and educational insight into their everyday. They also show how is life in Japan through a series of vlogs.
A Japanese Youtube celebrity with over 1.4 million subscribers. Her channel has videos in both English and Japanese. Having moved to America at a young age, she has many things to learn about Japan and shares about them on her channel. She also shared many vlogs on her daily life.
The name of this Youtuber is pretty self-explanatory. Tokyo Lens offers an interesting, otherwise unseen, angle to Japan. From exploring Japan’s smallest apartment to visiting Japan’s most active volcano, his videos provide a unique take on living in Japan.
“3…2…1! Annnnd it’s finally 2019!” Or so it would have went weeks back. With the brand new year upon us, have you made your New Year’s Resolution yet? What is it? Is learning Japanese on the top of your list? Well, no worries as we’d be glad to help you out with achieving it!
Learning Japanese can certainly be a tough cookie if you lack prior knowledge in learning similar languages such as Chinese and Korean. But don’t let that put you down!
Before you go onto studying Japanese, write down a list of things that you’d like to achieve! For example, set targets for yourself: “I’d like to memorise 10 Kanji Characters by the end of the Week”. From there, test yourself on the deadline set to see if you did indeed meet the initial target you set for yourself. With all that hard work and effort put in, you are sure to become a pro at Japanese in no time!
Alternatively, you can also try out these Quizzes for yourself and let us know how well you’ve fared!
Preparing for JLPT
After putting in all that hard work and effort in learning Japanese, it may finally be time for you to take on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, otherwise known as JLPT. The test comes in 5 levels namely, N1, N2, N3, N4 and N5. When compared, N5 would be the easiest whereas N1 would be the most difficult. As for the test components, it is mainly made up of Listening, Grammar/Vocabulary and Reading.
If you’d like to find out more on how you can better prepare yourself for the N3 or N2 examinations, try heading down to any one of the blog posts below! JLPT N3 JLPT N2
Throughout the year, you may register with any host institution across the globe to take the test. Do take note, however, that there are only 2 tests being held throughout a year with one being in the mid-year whereas the other being held during the year-end. Nevertheless, do keep a lookout for the JLPT official website to keep yourself up to date with the dates! Pssst, make sure you are on time for the tests!
If you are planning to take the test from an overseas institute outside of Japan, here’s a list of host institutions that may be of interest to you!
Coming to Study in Japan
Studying in Japanese in Japan definitely comes with its own set of benefits. From being able to put what you have learnt to daily conversational use to even meeting other like-minded individuals.
However, there may be a ton of things for you to consider when coming to study Japanese in Japan. These can range from issues like accommodation, visa, transport and all sorts of stuff. If you’d like a rough overview of approximately how much would be spent across the span of 3 months in Japan, you can probably expect to spend about 7,000 to 8,000 USD.
For a more comprehensive breakdown on how we derived our figures, why not try heading down over here to find out more!
Useful Apps & Games
Besides spending all that time by your textbook, reading through notes and memorising, why not put all of those to good use! With so many Japanese Games out there these days, try getting your hands on any one of these to see if it would help you out! With dubs and subs available for Japanese dialogue, these can definitely come across as helpful if you’d like to pick up a Japanese word or two.
If learning Japanese through video games ain’t your cup of tea, fret not! There are a ton of resources and applications out there specifically designed to help you with your Japanese Learning! Moreover, these can all be done through your phone and on the go, how convenient is that!
