If you’re just starting to learn Japanese, looking for the right Japanese N5 textbook can feel more overwhelming than actually studying the language.
Check out our top 20 N5 textbooks for beginners to ace the JLPT with flying colors — or to start their study on the right foot. If you’re not that into textbooks, there are other ways to immerse yourself into the Japanese language (like fighting katakana monsters on a gaming app and watching Dogen’s skits)
While finding JLPT learning resources is great for self-learning, we also recommend finding the right support from a professional instructor. We offer online JLPT self-study courses for motivated individuals to help them pass the exam. By subscribing at 900 JPY a month (around 8 USD), you’ll get full access to all our JLPT self-study bundles.
We also have separate posts on JLPT N3 textbooks and JLPT N4 textbooks recommendations, so check them out later.
Should I take the JLPT N5 Exam?
If you plan on studying Japanese for a long time, signing up for the JLPT N5 helps you create a solid goal. Even though it will only cover the very basics, it’s the perfect way for beginners to stay motivated. JLPT N5 requires you to master at least 800 Japanese vocabularies and 100 kanji, so you can also assess your ability and level appropriately. Plus, you’ll need to master essential JLPT N5 grammar points.
Even if you’re not taking the JLPT N5, these textbooks are great for learners to soak in all the important beginner-level Japanese language components: hiragana, katakana, key vocabularies and basic kanji. But what’s the best one you can find online?
We have a range of affordable JLPT self-study guides, which you can have all-access by making a monthly subscription at only ¥900.
Japanese N5 Textbooks
1. Nihongo Fun and Easy
Nihongo Fun and Easy is Coto’s self-developed study book. This book is designed to help students who are new to Japanese, including those with no prior knowledge of the language, to acquire natural-sounding, essential Japanese that can be used immediately in daily conversation. It’s a great option for beginners who want to study on their own. All practice and examples come with full English translation. You don’t have to worry about knowing hiragana and katakana first, too. The textbook comes with romaji, and you will learn the alphabet along the way.
The book includes lessons on simple Japanese words and a list of verbs and adjective conjugations. You’ll also receive an audio CD for learning dialogues in both Japanese and English. The book comes with an audio CD for learning conversational dialogues in both Japanese and English.
The book currently has two volumes:
- Nihongo Fun & Easy: Survival Japanese Conversation for Beginners
- Nihongo Fun & Easy 2: Basic Grammar for Conversation for Beginners
Price: $24 (¥2,782)
Click on this link to purchase the book.
2. Genki
Genki is one of the most used Japanese language textbook series for beginners. Lesson chapters don’t focus on the JLPT itself but on everyday real-life situations and dialogues. For example, in the first lesson, they first teach you about conversations that can happen during the day combined with clear and concise explanations about grammar and vocabulary.
Keep in mind that Genki is a textbook that was specifically designed for classroom teaching, so it may not be perfect for self-learners.
Price: $39.90 (¥4,601)
Click this link to purchase the book.
3. Minna No Nihongo
Minna no Nihongo is another most popular classroom textbook. Lesson chapters include Japanese grammar, vocabulary, listening and speaking skills. The text in the book is also fully in Japanese, so you will have to know hiragana and katakana in advance.
Price: $28.80 (¥3,920)
Click this link to purchase the book.
4. Nihongo So-Matome N5
The Nihongo So-Matome N5 is an all-inclusive textbook. The book features 42 daily Japanese lessons that are been categorized as kanji, vocabulary, grammar and reading. It’s designed as a 6-week self-study aid. You’ll find common grammar points, guides on syntax and a list of kanji and vocabulary commonly found in the JLPT N5 exam. The textbook also includes a reading and listening practice with a pre-recorded audio CD.
Some popular topics covered in the textbook are
- What’s your name?
- What are you doing?
- Hands and feet
Price: $21.99 (¥2,535)
Click this link to purchase the book.
5. Goukaku Dekiru JLPT N4 & N5
While the Minna no Nihongo or Genki are N5-level, they’re not necessarily targeted to students who want to take the JLPT. For that, the Goukaku Dekiru JLPT book series is by far the most popular choice for test-takers. The textbook breaks down the JLPT into two parts. Part one focuses on all grammar and vocabulary, with 863 questions to help you tackle the language knowledge section. Part two is a collection of mock tests in the official format of JLPT.
The book includes two CDs for the listening section and an answer book.
Price: $29.89 (¥3,446)
Click this link to purchase the book.
6. 55 Reading Comprehension Tests for JLPT N5
The textbook includes 55 different N5-related Japanese readings with over hundreds of questions. You will learn to analyze passages by understanding how to break down sentences into simple words to better comprehend the sentences. Questions in the book are modeled to represent the actual JLPT exam.
Price: $24.99 (¥2,881)
Click this link to purchase the book.
7. JLPT N5 Kanji, Vocabulary & Grammar Chokuzen-Taisaku
JLPT N5 Kanji, Vocabulary & Grammar Chokuzen Taisaku is a workbook perfect for anyone who looking to take mock tests for the JLPT N5 exam, focusing on vocabulary, kanji and grammar questions. Included is also an appendix section that contains important verbs, adverbs, adjectives related to the N5.
Price: $17.73 (¥2,044)
Click this link to purchase the book.
8. 1000 Essential Vocabulary for the JLPT N5
To pass the JLPT N5, you will need to know 800 vocabularies, so learning 1,000 is a safe bet that you’ll ace the test. The textbook is broken down into 10 different chapters. Vocabularies are sorted based on their function and related contexts, like friends, food, hobbies, shopping, living and health. This allows for better word retention.
There’s also a link to audio files for learners who want to hear the words and example sentences. Because of the small size of the vocabulary book, many learners will conveniently carry it around. There’s a red sheet to block the Japanese word (for a quick mini-quiz) and a checkbox for you to tick.
Price: $14.99 (¥1,728)
Click this link to purchase.
9. The Preparatory Course for the JLPT N5 Reading, Kanji, Vocabulary, and Grammar
This textbook is a study guide for the JLPT N5. Chapters of the book include all material related to N5 kanji, grammar, forms of speech, and model sentences with simple explanations making it easy to study on your own. There are multiple practice problems that allow you to check your comprehension level as well.
Price: $25.80 (¥2,974)
Click this link to purchase.
10. Tanki Master JLPT N5
With an audio CD, the Tanki Master JLPT N5 has five different categories of Japanese Learning: Japanese characters, vocabulary, grammar, listening and reading. The contents cover questions for every section of the test. The book is especially effective when used to help you review. It’s separated into two parts: practice questions and practice tests for mockups for learners to see how they did.
Price: $20.00 (¥2,304)
Click this link below to purchase.
11. Nihongo Challenge for JLPT N4 & N5 Kanji
Each chapter in the Nihongo Challenge series teaches about 10 new kanji, complete with their stroke orders and free blank spaces to practice writing them. What is unique about this textbook is that each kanji has it own illustration and explanation.
Price: $19.00 (¥2,189)
Click this link to purchase the book.
12. Mastering Kanji: Guide to JLPT N5 Kanji
All kanji is thoughtfully introduced with a number or illustrations, which makes your learning more interesting and effective, too. At the end of every chapter, there will be review questions to assess your progress. You can also check your level in a separate “achievement”.
Price: $25.00 (¥2,881)
Click this link to purchase the book.
13. JLPT Official Practice Workbook
Once you’re confident that you’ve learned everything needed for the test, you can start doing mock tests through the official JLPT practice workbook.
Acting as a revision guide, the workbook is perfect if you wish to practice before the actual exam. There’s an audio CD for the listening section. The workbook has over 33 vocabularies and kanji sections, as well as 26 grammar and 6 reading questions.
Price: $14.00 (¥1,613)
Click the link below to purchase the book.
14. Basic Kanji Book
As one of the classic books for learning kanji, Basic Kanji Book Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 gives 500 fundamental kanji. You will learn to memorize kanji and write it according to their correct stroke order. Each unit has simple practice exercises to practice writing the kanji.
Price: $29.00 (¥3,344)
Click this link to purchase the book.
15. Try! Japanese Language Proficiency Test N5
As part of the Try! series, the N5 volume covers nine different chapters of everyday life conversations. The Try! series is specifically designed to help students focus on Japanese grammar. In total, there are nine chapters, each equipped with practice questions and a final review.
Price: $24.50 (¥2,825)
Click the link below to purchase the book.
16. Drill and Drill JLPT N5 Kanji, Grammar, Vocabulary, Reading and Listening
The Drill and Drill JLPT N5 has over 250 questions on vocabulary, grammar, reading, and listening. Answers to the questions are provided in a separate booklet at the back of the book. The booklet contains detailed explanations of each question as well as example sentences and tips to answer each question. You can also find an audio CD for the listening section of the test.
Price: $28.00 (¥3,229)
Click this link to purchase the book.
17. JLPT Preparation Book Speed Master – Quick Mastery of N4 & N5 Vocabulary
This is a book that combines N5 and N4 vocabularies. There are 1,800 words in total, separated into 50 units based on their relevant topics. Readings of the words are shown in both kanji and hiragana and have translations in English and Chinese. Every new word learned has a checkbox that makes it easy to continue where you left off.
Price: $19.99 (¥2,305)
Click this link to purchase the book.
18. JLPT Study Guide
Created by a popular JLPT mockup test website, JLPTBootCamp.com, the book has over 300 practice test questions with printable flashcards for vocabulary, hiragana, katakana, and kanji.
Price: $25.00 (¥2,883)
Click this link to purchase the book.
19. Yookoso! Invitation to Contemporary Japanese Student
This book serves as a two-volume series for basic Japanese. It’s known to be the first to integrate all the Japanese language technical skills. The book is comprehensive but simple to follow. Although it’s more on the expensive side, there’s a lot of example sentences and detailed explanation to help to break down complex sentences into simpler words and phrases.
Price: $146.01 (¥17,692.15)
Click this link to purchase the book.
20. Japanese Kanji Mnemonics JLPT N5
Centered to help readers pass the exam, the book focuses on 103 most common Kanji found on the N5 level test. The book is mostly used as flashcards as readers will be able to find kanji mnemonic on the front page and kanji information on the back of the page. Each mnemonic has its own drawing as well as sentence example and explanations for better memorization.
Price: $16.91 (¥1,937)
Click this link to purchase the book.
Not sure about your Japanese level? Take our free Japanese level assessment
What’s your Japanese learning goal and how far away are you from it? If you’re unsure where you are, we provide a free Japanese level check. After that, you can book a free consultation with our course coordinator.
Get in touch with us and let us know how we can help you achieve your Japanese language target.
How many words and kanji do you need for JLPT N5?
You will need to know about 100 kanji and about 800 vocabulary words.
How long does it take to pass the JLPT N5?
It should take roughly around 100 – 200 class hours depending on how you study and what resources you use.
How can you prepare for the JLPT N5?
Both the JLPT N5 and N4 levels have been designed to test classroom Japanese. The best way to prepare is to take an introductory or a beginner course in Japanese. We also recommend you buying N5 textbooks and workbooks and work through them on your own to better prepare yourself.
When I register for the JLPT N5?
The JLPT is held twice a year, usually in July and December. If you’re outside, the test may be held only once a year, in July or December. Registration is usually open until mid-March (for July) and mid-August (for December)
How can JLPT N5 help you in Japan?
It does not help you that much.
Passing the different levels of the JLPT can provide you with great opportunities to work in Japan. However, simply passing the N5 is not enough to help you since the N5 is just a test of basic knowledge of Japanese Language. You would require at least a JLPT N3 certificate if you want to work comfortably in Japan.
If you are planning to take the JLPT, we would recommend you to go through all 5 levels and until you feel comfortable to have conversations in Japanese fluently.