With our interactive and comprehensive courses, your child will learn to speak Japanese confidently in everyday situations. No prior experience is needed.
Our Kids Japanese Courses are perfect for young learners who want to start learning the Japanese language. We offer interactive, engaging lessons that focus on building a solid foundation in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Whether you’re looking for after-school Japanese classes or a more immersive experience, our small class sizes and experienced teachers ensure personalized attention for every child.
Availability:
Monday to Friday 9:00 – 21:00
Levels:
All levels
Class size:
Max 8 students
Location:
Minato and Yokohama Language schools
Length:
Depends on the course
Frequency:
50, 100, or 150 mins per day
Focus:
Reading, speaking, writing, and listening
Things to note: There is an age restriction for each type of course.
Kids Lite-Intensive Japanese Course
This beginner Lite-intensive course is designed as an after-school Japanese class!
It focuses on essential language skills, including creating basic sentences with verbs and adjectives and introducing katakana, hiragana, and vocabulary. Ideal for parents seeking an enriching after-school activity, this structured curriculum ensures steady progress in a supportive environment. If you’re looking for a comprehensive way to introduce your child to Japanese, this is the perfect choice!
・Class Schedule: March 4 – June 3, 2025; Tuesday and Thursday 17:10 – 19:00
・Class Duration: 2 Times A Week; 100 mins
・For Students Aged: 11-15
・School Location: Minato School and Yokohama School
Course Fees For Kids Lite-intensive Courses
Most popular!
3-Month Plan
150,000
2 times a week
Seasonal Kids Japanese Course
Introduce your child to the Japanese language while immersing them in cultural experiences.
Our interactive courses teach essential skills like grammar, reading, writing, listening, and speaking, with a focus on hiragana, katakana, and basic vocabulary. Learning extends beyond the classroom with fun field trips to cultural sites. Available in small international classes during summer, winter, and spring, we foster a love for learning Japanese in a supportive environment.
・Class Schedule: March 17 – April 4, 2025; 9:10 am-12:00 pm ・Class Duration: 5 Times A Week; 3 Hours A Day ・For Students Aged: 8 and Above ・School Location: Yokohama School
・Class Schedule: June 16 – August 22, 2025; 09:10-14:00 ・Class Duration: 5 Times A Week; 5 Hours A Day ・For Students Aged: 8 and Above ・School Location: Minato School and Yokohama School
・Class Schedule: January 20 – February 7, 2025; 1:10 pm ~ 4:00 pm ・Class Duration: 5 Times A Week; 3 Hours A Day ・For Students Aged: 8 and Above ・School Location: Minato School
Course Fees For Kids Seasonal Courses
A ¥10,000 registration fee is required for new students.
Summer Session
Winter and Spring Sessions
Starter Plan
75,000
1 week
Most popular!
Middle Plan
141,670
2 week
Growth Plan
200,000
3 week
Starter Plan
45,000
1 week
Most popular!
Middle Plan
85,000
2 week
Growth Plan
120,000
3 week
Private Kids Japanese Course
Our private courses cater to learners of all levels, adapting to their unique needs and schedules.
Are you seeking a customizable lesson plan or engaging Japanese lessons for your children? We provide personalized lessons that create a fun and effective environment, ideal for those preparing for Japanese language exams like the JLPT. Enjoy specialized instruction, exam preparation, and tailored progress reports from our experienced native instructors. Perfect for anyone seeking a customized learning experience!
・School Location: Minato School and Yokohama School
Course Fees For Kids Private Courses
Choose the best plan that fit you!
Yokohama, Iidabashi, Shibuya
Minato
Trial Plan
7,100
1 lesson
Starter Plan
52,800
8 lessons
Most popular!
Middle Plan
102,400
16 lessons
Growth Plan
198,400
32 lessons
Ultimate Plan
288,000
48 lessons
Trial Plan
8,100
1 lesson
Starter Plan
60,800
8 lessons
Most popular!
Middle Plan
118,400
16 lessons
Growth Plan
230,400
32 lessons
Ultimate Plan
336,000
48 lessons
FAQ
What are Kids Japanese courses?
Our Kids Japanese Courses are designed to help children who want to master their Japanese skills. We offer different kinds of kids’ courses, from casual, such as our seasonal courses, to more serious, like our Litet-intensive courses and Private lessons.
Can my child join the Kids Japanese Courses anytime?
It depends on course availability. Seasonal courses are only open for specific periods. Please complete the inquiry form for the Lite-intensive courses and Private lessons so we can send you the detailed schedule!
Are the courses suitable for children with no prior knowledge of Japanese?
Yes, our Kids Japanese Courses are designed for children with no prior knowledge of Japanese. We offer beginner-friendly courses that start with the basics, such as introducing hiragana, katakana, simple vocabulary, and essential sentence structures. Whether your child is completely new to Japanese or has some familiarity, our courses cater to all levels.
Enjoy flexible evenings Japanese lessons or weekend courses — ideal for residents in Japan balancing language study with work and personal commitments.
Limited Time Only! Enroll Now and Get 10% OFF for Your 96-Lesson Package!
About Part-time Japanese Classes
Want to improve your Japanese but struggle to find time? Coto Academy’s part-time courses are designed for learners who want to study Japanese after work, on weekends, or during the day, without needing a student visa. Receive personalized attention and practice speaking and listening skills. These classes are perfect for focusing on topics like Business Japanese.
Availability:
Weekday 9am – 9pm, Saturday 10am – 5pm
Levels:
All levels
Class size:
Max 8 students
Location:
Tokyo and Yokohama Language schools
Length:
50 or 100 mins per day
Frequency:
Depends on your study pace
Focus:
Conversation-based
Things to note: At the beginner level, lessons follow a structured curriculum.
Beginner-level Part-time Japanese Classes
For Japanese learners with little or no experience studying Japanese.
Learn the basics of the Japanese language, including hiragana and katakana, as well as simple grammar, conjugations, vocabulary. Our beginner classes will help you build a solid foundation and begin holding daily conversations in Japanese.
For experienced Japanese learners who want to boost their skills.
Coto offers part-time Japanese classes for intermediate and advanced learners, including business Japanese and advanced conversation-focused courses. Perfect for long-term residents, expats, and professionals looking to improve fluency and professional communication.
Evening and Weekend Japanese Courses for Residents
For Japanese learners who want to enhance their skills during their spare time.
Our weekday classes are ideal for working professionals, parents, and residents in Japan. Study Japanese after work or on weekends with a consistent, flexible schedule that fits into your daily life. These courses are designed to help you learn Japanese while working in Japan, with practical lessons you can immediately apply.
If you want to study Japanese with a structured curriculum but have limited time to commit, consider our Lite-intensive Course. This program follows the same curriculum as our Intensive Course but requires less time to study per week. Thus, you can balance your personal responsibilities while studying Japanese twice a week!
There are two types of plans you can choose from: package or subscription. A ¥10,000 registration fee is required for new students.
Monthly Plan
Package Plan
Starter Plan
20,000
2 lessons per week
most popular
Middle Plan
36,800
4 lessons per week
Growth Plan
50,400
6 lessons per week
Trial Plan
3,200
1 lesson
Starter Plan
43,200
16 lessons
most popular
Middle Plan
83,200
32 lessons
Growth Plan
120,000
48 lessons
Ultimate Plan
230,400
96 lessons
Step 1
Book your FREE consultation
Step 2
Meet us online or
at our school
Step 3
Start your Japanese
language journey
Get started!
Complete the form and our team will contact you as soon as possible!
4.8
Top Rated School In Japan
Hear from our students
4.5
Garrett
The class is fun, and the materials are great. I really appreciate the focus on conversation and would love to see lessons move at a faster pace.
5.0
Timothy
The friendly staff and relaxing environment make it a great place to study. I especially enjoy the conversation classes, which help with real-life Japanese.
5.0
Ynez
I found the real-life interactions with teachers very helpful and would love more opportunities to practice.
5.0
Ian
I appreciate how knowledgeable and patient the teacher is. The lessons are relaxing and easy to study, making learning enjoyable.
4.5
Kyle
The intensive class is great, and the teachers and staff are amazing. I’d love more interactive activities with students and teachers at similar levels.
4.5
Ebony
The staff is kind, and the teachers are great. I’d love more opportunities for real-life conversation practice to use Japanese in everyday situations.
FAQ
What are the Part-time Japanese Classes?
Our Part-time Japanese Classes are designed to teach practical aspects of Japanese. Instead of a comprehensive approach, part-time courses focus on teaching grammar, speaking, and other topics. These courses are good for students who have already learned some Japanese but want to improve their grammar, or their speaking specifically.
Does Coto Academy offer evening classes?
Yes, we do! Our part-time lessons are available in the evening. Please fill out the inquiry form, and we’ll be happy to share the schedule with you.
Can I start taking Japanese Lessons anytime?
Yes, you can join them anytime. Please fill in the inquiry form and ask about the schedule.
Do you offer Japanese Intensive Courses?
Yes! Coto Academy offers Intensive Japanese Courses designed for students who want to make fast progress in a short time. Our intensive courses focus on practical conversation skills, grammar, and kanji, with interactive lessons to help you improve quickly.
Can I attend the Japanese Part-time Lessons Online?
Yes! Coto Academy offers Japanese lessons both in-person and online. You can join our online Japanese classes from anywhere, allowing you to improve your Japanese skills with flexible scheduling and interactive lessons. Check our website for available courses and schedules.
Do Coto Academy offer night Japanese language classes?
Coto Academy offered evening Japanese classes at our Tokyo and Yokohama schools, as well as online. These courses are ideal for residents, working professionals, or anyone with daytime commitments who wants to study Japanese after work.
Does Coto Academy offer weekend Japanese lessons?
Yes. Coto Academy offer weekend Japanese classes, both in-person and online. They’re ideal for those who work during the week or need more flexibility.
Can I join as a resident of Japan?
Our part-time and intensive courses are open to residents living in Japan, including those on working visas, spouse visas, student visas, dependent visas, or long-term stay permits.
Are your courses suitable for advanced learners?
Coto Academy has a range of courses for intermediate and advanced learners, including business Japanese and conversation-focused lessons.
Who are Coto Academy’s part-time classes good for?
Coto Academy’s part-time Japanese classes are ideal for expats and long-term residents living in Japan, working professionals with busy schedules or university students looking to supplement their studies. We also teach spouses or family members of Japanese residents.
Limited Time Only! Enroll Now and Get 10% OFF for Your 8 or 20 Week Courses!
About Intensive Japanese Courses
Fast-track your study with Coto Academy’s leading Japanese intensive course. Learn five days a week, three hours a day, and achieve maximum progress in minimal time.
This class is perfect for people living in Tokyo or Yokohama, as well as short-term visitors and tourists who are committed to learning Japanese full-time. Featuring small classes taught by native Japanese speakers, you will get to practice all aspects of the Japanese language
Things to note: Curriculum requirements apply only at the beginner level.
Intensive Japanese Lessons for All Levels
From complete beginners to advanced, our intensive Japanese courses are structured to correspond with JLPT levels, providing a structured learning experience.
Total Beginner-level Intensive Japanese Courses
For individuals who are completely new to the Japanese language.
Students will begin by learning the foundational aspects of Japanese writing, focusing on Katakana and Hiragana. They will then engage in practical exercises to learn a variety of simple phrases commonly used in daily conversations.
Suitable for Japanese learners with little prior experience.
Students will learn the fundamentals of reading, listening, speaking, and writing in Japanese. By the end of the course, they will feel confident in their ability to introduce themselves, ask basic questions, and engage in everyday interactions.
For experienced Japanese learners who want to enhance their skills.
Students will learn how to connect sentences for better communication and expand their kanji knowledge to read more complex texts. The main focus is improving conversational skills for more natural and fluent discussions in real-life situations.
Designed for advanced learners aiming to polish their Japanese skills.
Students will learn complex phrases, advanced vocabulary, and a broader range of kanji characters, improving their reading and writing. The course covers intricate grammar structures and cultural nuances, enabling more natural expression in various social and professional contexts.
Do you only have limited time to commit to studying Japanese?
Join Our Lite-intensive Course!
If you want to study Japanese with a structured curriculum but have limited time, consider our Lite-intensive class. This program follows the same curriculum as our Intensive class but requires less time to study per week. Thus, you can balance your personal responsibilities while studying Japanese twice a week!
You can choose how many weeks of classes you would like to take! If you sign up 6 weeks before your class starts, an Early Bird Discount applies! A ¥10,000 registration fee is required for new students. If you sign up for more than 3 months, the initial registration fee and material fee are waived.
Trial Plan
40,000
1 week
Starter Plan
136,000
4 weeks
Middle Plan
360,000
12 weeks
Growth Plan
648,000
24 weeks
Ultimate Plan
972,000
36 weeks
Step 1
Book your FREE consultation
Step 2
Meet us online or
at our school
Step 3
Start your Japanese
language journey
Get started!
Complete the form and our team will contact you as soon as possible!
4.8
Top Rated School In Japan
Hear from our students
4.5
Garrett
The class is fun, and the materials are great. I really appreciate the focus on conversation and would love to see lessons move at a faster pace.
5.0
Timothy
The friendly staff and relaxing environment make it a great place to study. I especially enjoy the conversation classes, which help with real-life Japanese.
5.0
Ynez
I found the real-life interactions with teachers very helpful and would love more opportunities to practice.
4.5
Kyle
The intensive class is great, and the teachers and staff are amazing. I’d love more interactive activities with students and teachers at similar levels.
5.0
Ian
I appreciate how knowledgeable and patient the teacher is. The lessons are relaxing and easy to study, making learning enjoyable.
4.5
Ebony
The staff is kind, and the teachers are great. I’d love more opportunities for real-life conversation practice to use Japanese in everyday situations.
FAQ
What are the Intensive Japanese Courses?
Our Intensive Japanese Courses are designed to help students master Japanese speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills. This course is more suitable for students who are fully committed to studying.
Are Intensive Japanese Courses available in the evenings and on Saturdays?
Yes, they are! Please fill in the inquiry form and ask us about the schedule.
Can I join Intensive Japanese Courses anytime?
Yes, you can join them anytime. The classes usually start on Monday. Please fill out the inquiry form and ask us about the schedule.
Is the course suitable for JLPT preparation?
Yes, our Intensive Japanese Courses align with the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) levels. Whether you’re preparing for JLPT N5, N4, N3, or higher, our courses are structured to help you improve all aspects of language proficiency, including speaking, listening, reading, and writing. However, we have a dedicated JLPT Courses available as well!
How many days do I study in the intensive Japanese class at Coto Academy?
You study 5 days a week, Monday to Friday, for about 3 hours per day.
What is the schedule for Coto Academy’s full-time Japanese class?
The schedule varies each month, but each intensive course lasts about 4 weeks per level. Check out our latest course schedules here.
Can I take morning or afternoon intensive Japanese classes?
Yes, classes are available in the morning or afternoon, depending on your level.
How do I sign up for a class at Coto Academy?
Fill out our contact form and schedule a free 1-on-1 consultation with our in-house education consultant, who will do a language test and help find the right course for you.
Who takes Japanese lessons at Coto Academy?
Our students are international residents in Japan, ranging from working professionals and career changers to spouses and family members of businesspeople. We have a diverse student body from countries like the U.S., Canada, France, and Germany, with ages ranging from their mid-20s to 70s. We have recently welcomed short-term visitors too.
How is Coto Academy’s intensive Japanese course divided?
Courses are divided into beginner (JLPT N5–N4), intermediate (N3), and advanced (N2) levels. Each level typically runs for 4 weeks.
What is the top full-time Japanese course in Tokyo?
Coto Academy is considered to be one of the top Japanese language school known for its intensive course.
Our Coto Online Japanese School is perfect for those interested in studying Japanese anywhere and anytime. It follows the same format as our in-person schools. You can learn online Japanese lessons such as hiragana, katakana, or even business Japanese with a native teacher virtually in real time! We ensure a small class with a maximum of 8 participants to guarantee everyone has plenty of opportunities to speak and practice Japanese with native instructors and classmates.
Availability:
Flexible schedule; go to Coto Online to know the details
Levels:
All levels
Class size:
Max 6 students
Length:
50 mins or 100 mins
Focus:
Reading, speaking, writing, and listening
Things to note: You must create a free account to study with us.
Online Japanese Lessons Offerings
Our Lite-intensive Japanese courses are perfect for people who want to learn Japanese and focus on conversational practice during busy schedules.
Our Part-time Japanese classes are for busy adults who want to learn Japanese at their own pace in a supportive and interactive environment.
Our Private Japanese lessons are for people who want to learn Japanese 1-on-1 with our teachers, allowing for a more personalized learning experience.
Our JLPT Prep course helps you reach your JLPT objectives optimally through expert guidance, practice exams, and in-house materials as you work towards your JLPT goals.
Online Enrollment Process In 3 Easy Steps
Step 1
Start by having a consultation with us
Fill out the form below and get a free consultation. We will walk you through creating a free account and book lessons!
Step 2
Purchase a suitable points plan
Before starting your first class, choose between package or subscription points plans!
Step 3
Book your lessons & start learning
After securing your lesson points, book a private or group class to start learning Japanese. We are always here to help!
Yes, Coto Academy provides Japanese courses in Tokyo and Yokohama. You can consult our courses for more information.
Looking for the perfect Japanese learning app? Or are you interested in mastering the Japanese language?
Whether you’re planning to travel to Japan, pursuing a career in the language, or simply fascinated by the culture, learning Japanese can be an enriching and rewarding experience.
With the rise of technology, language learning has become more accessible than ever before, thanks to a plethora of language apps available on your smartphone.
But you might be thinking, which one should you start with? In this blog, we asked the teachers from Coto Academy for suggestions and introduce you to the top 30 apps for learning Japanese.
From vocabulary building to grammar practice and sentence construction, these apps offer a variety of features to help you improve your Japanese language skills.
So, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, these apps are sure to help you achieve your language learning goals. Let’s dive in and explore the best apps for mastering Japanese!
📌 Why Use Japanese Learning Apps?
Learn anytime, anywhere 📱
Personalized study plans 🎯
Interactive & gamified lessons 🎮
Real-world conversation practice 💬
💡 Tips for Effective Learning
Set realistic goals – Focus on daily progress.
Practice consistently – Even 10 minutes a day makes a difference!
Use multiple resources – Combine apps, textbooks, and native content.
Engage with native speakers – Apps with chat functions boost confidence.
Review regularly – Use spaced repetition for better retention.
Top 30 Japanese language learning apps
Now that we’ve discussed the benefits of language-learning apps, let’s dive into the top 5 apps for learning Japanese!
Ideal for: Kanji learners & self-study 💰 Price: Free Midori is one of the most comprehensive Japanese-English dictionary apps available. It includes over 170,000 words, detailed kanji breakdowns, stroke order animations, and an offline mode for easy access. With a powerful search function, users can look up words by drawing kanji, inputting kana, or even using romaji. Midori is an excellent tool for learners who want to deepen their kanji knowledge and expand their vocabulary effectively!
Ideal for: Casual learners 💰 Price: Free (Premium available) Duolingo is a user-friendly app that makes Japanese learning fun with its bite-sized lessons, interactive exercises, and gamified elements. The app focuses on basic vocabulary, hiragana, and kanji while reinforcing learning through repetition. Though it lacks in-depth grammar explanations, Duolingo is a great starting point for beginners who want to build consistency in their language studies.
3. Memory Hint – Learn Kanji with Visual Mnemonics
Ideal for: Visual learners 💰 Price: Free Memory Hint helps learners memorize kanji by associating each character with a unique visual mnemonic. This method makes kanji recall easier and more intuitive, particularly for beginners who struggle with complex characters. The app also includes quizzes and interactive learning exercises to reinforce retention.
Ideal for: Intermediate learners & JLPT prep 💰 Price: Free (Premium available) Todaii allows learners to improve their reading skills by providing real Japanese news articles with built-in tools such as furigana, English translations, and JLPT-based vocabulary tagging. Users can highlight words for instant dictionary lookup and listen to native Japanese audio to enhance their comprehension. This app is ideal for those looking to transition from structured lessons to real-world reading practice.
Ideal for: Beginner to intermediate learners 💰 Price: Free or $14.99/month, $39.99/quarter, $79.99/year, $159.99 lifetime Lingodeer offers structured, comprehensive lessons focusing on vocabulary, grammar, and listening skills. Unlike Duolingo, it provides detailed grammar explanations, making it an excellent choice for serious learners. The second version, Lingodeer+, offers additional exercises to reinforce speaking, listening, and writing skills, helping learners to build fluency progressively.
Ideal for: Kanji learners & dictionary users 💰 Price: Free Yomiwa is an advanced kanji recognition app that allows users to scan Japanese text using their camera for instant translation. It supports handwriting input, making it useful for looking up kanji characters that are difficult to type. With its built-in dictionary, stroke order animations, and contextual usage examples, Yomiwa is an excellent tool for learners focusing on kanji acquisition and reading comprehension.
Ideal for : Beginner & Intermediate 💰 Price: Free (Premium available) HelloTalk is one of the best language exchange apps for learning Japanese through real conversations with native speakers. It provides text, voice messages, video calls, and instant translations, making it easier for learners to communicate confidently. The app also features a correction tool, allowing native speakers to edit your messages and improve your writing. Whether you’re a beginner or intermediate learner, HelloTalk is perfect for practicing Japanese in a natural, social setting.
Ideal for : Beginner & Intermediate 💰 Price: Free – Premium $12/month Busuu provides an AI-driven learning experience with structured lessons covering pronunciation, speaking exercises, and conversation practice. The app includes speech recognition technology, allowing users to refine their pronunciation. Additionally, Busuu features a community-based learning system where users can get feedback from native speakers. Ideal for those looking to build speaking confidence through guided practice and real-world interaction.
Ideal for : Beginner & Intermediate 💰 Price: $150 per level Pimsleur is an audio-based language learning program that focuses on developing conversational fluency through spaced repetition and interactive dialogues. Lessons are designed to improve listening comprehension, pronunciation, and sentence structure without relying on reading. This method is especially beneficial for learners who prefer audio-based learning and speaking drills over traditional textbooks.
Ideal for: Beginner & Intermediate 💰 Price: Free (Premium available) Umi is a unique Japanese learning app that teaches through popular anime, dramas, and movies. It provides interactive exercises, vocabulary breakdowns, and subtitles to help learners improve listening skills and contextual understanding. The app’s immersion-based approach makes it a great tool for learners who enjoy Japanese pop culture and want to learn naturally through entertainment.
Ideal for: Intermediate & Advanced 💰 Price: Free (Premium available) Skritter is an advanced kanji and kana writing practice app that uses spaced repetition and real-time stroke feedback. It provides detailed stroke order guidance, helping learners memorize and retain kanji characters effectively. Skritter is an essential tool for those preparing for the JLPT or looking to enhance their Japanese writing skills through structured and interactive learning.
Ideal for: Intermediate & Advanced 💰 Price: Free Anki is a powerful spaced repetition flashcard app that allows users to create and customize their own study decks. It is widely used for JLPT preparation, kanji memorization, and vocabulary retention. With thousands of pre-made decks, learners can access study materials tailored to different JLPT levels, making Anki an essential tool for serious Japanese learners.
Ideal for: Beginner to Advanced 💰 Price: Free trial, $5/month (Premium available) Bunpro offers structured grammar lessons aligned with JLPT levels. It features SRS-based exercises, native example sentences, and grammar explanations, making it one of the most effective tools for learning Japanese sentence structure and grammar rules. Ideal for learners preparing for the JLPT exam.
Ideal for: Beginner to Advanced 💰 Price: Free (Premium available) Renshuu is an interactive gamified learning platform featuring customizable quizzes, kanji drills, grammar breakdowns, and spaced repetition exercises. It offers a playful approach to language learning, incorporating daily challenges and adorable mascot rewards to keep learners engaged.
Ideal for: Beginner to Advanced 💰 Price: $99.95 per level Rocket Languages is an interactive, audio-based language course designed for learners who want structured lessons with real-world dialogues. The app includes interactive exercises, pronunciation practice with speech recognition, grammar breakdowns, and cultural insights. With its progress tracking system, learners can steadily advance from basic phrases to fluent conversation skills while reinforcing listening and speaking abilities.
Ideal for: Intermediate to Advanced 💰 Price: $20/month FluentU enhances Japanese comprehension skills by offering real-world videos, such as commercials, movie trailers, and news clips, with interactive subtitles and quizzes. It’s an excellent tool for learners who want to develop their listening abilities in a natural, immersive way.
17. Speaky – Connect with Language Partners Worldwide
Ideal for: Beginner & Intermediate 💰 Price: Free (Premium available) Speaky is a language exchange platform that helps learners connect with native Japanese speakers worldwide. It offers text, voice, and video chat options, allowing users to practice real-life conversations in a social and engaging way. The app also includes matching algorithms to pair learners with compatible partners, making it an excellent choice for those looking to improve fluency through real-time interaction.
Ideal for: Intermediate & Advanced 💰 Price: Free Kanji Senpai uses a spaced repetition system (SRS) to help learners memorize kanji characters and their readings. It features JLPT-specific kanji lists, quizzes, and progress tracking, making it an effective tool for mastering kanji efficiently.
Ideal for: Beginner to Advanced 💰 Price: Free (Premium available) Bunpo offers a structured curriculum covering JLPT grammar, sentence patterns, and conjugation rules. With interactive exercises, progress tracking, and clear explanations, it is an excellent app for learners looking to build a solid foundation in Japanese grammar.
Ideal for: Beginner & Intermediate 💰 Price: Free Mondo helps learners connect with native Japanese speakers through chat-based language exchange. Users can practice writing, speaking, and grammar correction with language partners, making it a valuable tool for improving fluency in an interactive setting.
🎮 Best Apps for Interactive & Gamified Learning
21. Mindsnacks – Fun Mini-Games for Learning Japanese
Ideal for: Beginners & casual learners 💰 Price: Free (In-app purchases available) Mindsnacks makes learning Japanese fun and engaging through bite-sized lessons combined with interactive mini-games. The app covers essential vocabulary, kanji, and grammar rules while keeping you entertained with colorful graphics and reward-based progression. Each game is designed to improve specific language skills, such as listening comprehension, sentence structure, and kanji recognition. By integrating spaced repetition techniques, Mindsnacks ensures long-term retention, making it an excellent choice for beginners who want to build a solid foundation while enjoying the process.
22. Studystack – Flashcard-Based Learning with Games
Studystack enhances traditional flashcard learning by incorporating interactive memory games such as Hangman, crosswords, and matching exercises. This app is particularly useful for learners who rely on repetition and recall to memorize new Japanese words, kanji, and grammar patterns. With customizable decks, learners can focus on specific vocabulary sets, JLPT kanji lists, and everyday expressions. The app’s spaced repetition system ensures that words and characters are reviewed at optimal intervals for long-term memorization.
Ideal for: Kanji learners, handwriting practice 💰 Price: Free
Ringotan is a must-have app for serious kanji learners looking to improve their writing skills. It helps users master stroke order and proper kanji formation through interactive handwriting exercises. The app uses a spaced repetition system to reinforce learning and ensure that users retain kanji characters effectively over time. By providing real-time feedback on stroke accuracy and order, Ringotan offers an experience similar to writing with pen and paper, making it an excellent digital alternative for kanji practice.
24. Ameba – Japanese Blogging for Reading & Writing Practice
Ameba is a popular Japanese blogging platform where learners can immerse themselves in authentic written content. By reading native-level blog posts on various topics, users can improve their reading comprehension and become more familiar with real-world Japanese expressions and grammar structures. Additionally, learners can start their own blogs in Japanese, practicing writing skills while receiving feedback from native speakers. This is an excellent way to build confidence in written communication while engaging with Japanese culture and current trends.
Waygo is an indispensable tool for travelers and beginners struggling with Japanese text. The app allows users to instantly translate printed Japanese words, phrases, and kanji by simply pointing their phone camera at the text. Whether deciphering restaurant menus, street signs, or product labels, Waygo provides accurate translations without requiring an internet connection. This makes it a perfect on-the-go tool for real-world interactions and survival Japanese.
Drops makes learning Japanese vocabulary quick and engaging with five-minute daily sessions. Using visual mnemonics, swipe-based interactions, and spaced repetition, it helps users memorize words effortlessly. With themed categories like travel, food, and daily life, Drops is perfect for building vocabulary in a fun, stress-free way.
27. Wagotabi – Learn Japanese Through Cultural Exploration
Wagotabi blends language learning with cultural immersion, offering interactive lessons based on real-life scenarios, history, and traditions. By engaging with authentic Japanese content, users enhance their comprehension and vocabulary while gaining a deeper understanding of cultural nuances. Perfect for learners looking to go beyond textbooks and experience Japanese in its real-world context.
Ideal for: Beginners & intermediate learners 💰 Price: 19.99$ one time purchase
Shashingo is a unique educational video game that teaches Japanese through photography. Players explore a visually immersive environment where they can take pictures of objects to reveal their Japanese names and translations. With a focus on real-world vocabulary and contextual learning, the game enhances memory retention through visual association. Perfect for those who enjoy interactive and experiential learning, Shashingo makes studying Japanese feel like an engaging adventure.
29. OTO Navi – Japanese Audiobooks & Listening Practice
OTO Navi offers a vast library of Japanese audiobooks, podcasts, and learning materials to improve listening skills. By exposing learners to natural speech patterns and authentic conversations, it helps bridge the gap between textbook learning and real-world Japanese comprehension.
30. Pocket Colony – Learn Japanese Through Virtual Interactions
Pocket Colony is a virtual world where users create avatars and chat in Japanese, making it a fun way to practice casual conversations. Through interactive storytelling and daily interactions, learners naturally absorb useful expressions and sentence structures in an immersive setting.
🎓 Additional Resources for Learning Japanese
Podcasts – Great for improving listening skills. Try JapanesePod101 or Nihongo con Teppei.
YouTube Channels – Follow Japanese Ammo with Misa or Dogen for grammar and pronunciation tips.
Books – Check out Genki, Minna no Nihongo, and Tobira for structured learning.
Final Thoughts
Japanese learning apps make studying fun, engaging, and efficient. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced learner, choosing the right app will make a huge difference in your progress.
🔥 Want to learn Japanese with expert teachers? Join Coto Academy for personalized lessons! Sign up here🎌✨
If you are interested in studying Japanese in Japan, find out more about our school by filling out the form below!
FAQ
What are the top apps to learn Japanese online?
The top apps to learn Japanese include Duolingo, Rosetta Stone, Memrise, FluentU, and Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese.
Is Duolingo good to learn Japanese online?
Yes, Duolingo is a popular app that offers gamified lessons, vocabulary practice, and interactive exercises to learn Japanese.
What is Rosetta Stone?
Rosetta Stone is known for its immersive language learning approach, offering speech recognition and interactive lessons to effectively learn Japanese.
What is Memrise?
Yes, Memrise is a vocabulary-focused app that uses spaced repetition and mnemonic techniques to help learners master Japanese vocabulary.
What is the most effective way to study?
A mix of structured learning (apps, textbooks, grammar guides) and immersion (native content, conversation practice) is the most effective method.
What makes Japanese such a challenging langugae to learn?
Japanese has simple pronunciation and basic grammar, but kanji and honorifics make it challenging. A step-by-step approach makes it manageable.d app that uses spaced repetition and mnemonic techniques to help learners master Japanese vocabulary.
What is JLPT N2 level like?
JLPT N2 is considered conversational fluency, while JLPT N1 indicates near-native proficiency required for work and academics.
How to learn Japanese fast?
Yes, but it requires discipline. Use structured apps (Anki, Bunpro), practice speaking (HelloTalk), and immerse yourself in the language daily.
How to start learning Japanese?
Begin with hiragana and katakana, learn basic grammar and phrases, then gradually introduce kanji and conversation practice.
Is learning Japanese thorough apps good for beginners?
Yes, most apps offer resources and lessons suitable for beginners, allowing them to start learning Japanese from scratch.
Get ready to transform your Japanese from “Konnichiwa” to fluent conversation this Golden Week! Coto Academy is excited to announce our limited-time, intensive Japanese course, designed to help you maximize your holiday and supercharge your language skills.
More details are down below!
Why Learn Japanese During Golden Week?
Golden Week is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Japanese culture. With schools and businesses closed, the entire country comes alive with festivals, parades, and vibrant celebrations. But why not add another layer of excitement to your Golden Week experience by unlocking the secrets of the Japanese language?
Golden Week Intensive Course Detail
Date: 2025/04/28 – 2025/05/02
Time: 9:30 AM – 12:20 PM
Location: Shibuya School
Textbook: Coto Original
Course Fee
Early Bird: 44,800 JPY (apply before March 31st to get a 5,000 yen discount!)
Regular: 49,800 JPY
Textbook Fee is included!
Available Courses
Beginner Course
Upper-Beginner Course
Intermediate Course
Registration
Registering for our 5-day Golden Week special intensive course is easy! Contact us or head to our booking page for a free online consultation, and our staff will help you register and answer any questions you might have about this special program in more detail!
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at info@cotoacademy.com. We’re always happy to help and look forward to seeing you in class!
Japanese Class Detail Class Detail
Beginner Course
The Beginner Course is designed to provide students with a strong basis for Japanese communication. The aim is to enable you to speak naturally using basic conjugated forms. This course is ideal for those who prefer to use the Genki 1 textbook for their studies.
Before joining, students should already know basic verbs and adjectives. They should be able to read hiragana and katakana fluently, too.
Upper-Beginner Course
In this course, you will reinforce your understanding of fundamental verb conjugations and sentence structures and learn to utilize them with everyday words. It is suitable for those interested in studying alongside the Genki 2 textbook. Before enrollment, students should have a solid grasp of the present and past tense, as well as the ~te verb form, and be able to construct basic sentences with appropriate Japanese particles.
Intermediate Course
In this course, you will learn fundamental Japanese sentence structures and increase your everyday vocabulary, allowing you to create more complex sentences. It is suitable for students who have completed the Genki 2 textbook, have a solid grasp of basic conjugations, and can converse in Japanese.
If you know any Japanese or listen to the language closely, you would have come across a little thing called particles (助詞). If you are using anime or dramas etc. to boost your Japanese, you might have a vague understanding of particles (without really knowing what they are called). You probably have come across something similar to the following:
「俺がやる」ore ga yaru – I will do it! (Line from Naruto)
「私はアメリカ人です」watashi wa amerikajin desu – I am an American.
The bolded “が” (ga)” and “は” (wa) in these examples are particles and they were used to indicate the subject, 俺, and 私 (“I”). But what actually are particles?
What Are Japanese Particles (助詞)?
In short, particles indicate the role of nouns and verbs in a sentence.
In linguistic terms (for the language nerds!) Japanese is an agglutinative language, meaning that words are composed of morphemes or word parts/elements. Other agglutinating languages include Korean, Mongolian, Turkish, and Finnish.
Conversely, English belongs to the “inflecting language” family, where nouns and verbs change to express things like tense. This is why the language’s structure is quite different.
So, particles are a type of morpheme that attach to nouns to convey information about its function in the sentence. Particles by themselves do not carry any meaning, but do when attached to nouns.
Still not making sense, right? Not to worry, since particles don’t exist in English, they are very difficult concepts to grasp. So let’s take a look at some examples:
私がハンバーガーを食べる (わたしがはんばーがーをたべる)
Watashi ga hanbāgā o taberu – I eat a hamburger.
The particles are:
が(ga, subject marker): designates 私(watashi) as the subject
を (wo, object particle): indicates ハンバーガー as the object of the sentence or the thing being eaten by the subject.
私は公園で走る (わたしはこうえんではしる)
Watashi wa kōen de hashiru – I run in the park.
The grammatical particles are:
は (wa): designates 私(watashi, “I”) as the subject.
で (de): designates 公園 (kōen, “park”) as the place where the subject is running. You can think of it as saying “at”.
So far, we have just introduced four particles, but even at a beginner level, you will be exposed to about 11 common particles, including the following:
This may seem like a lot to take in at once, so feel free to save or refer to this cheat sheet which provides simple short-hands to help you understand and remember each of the particles’ functions.
Japanese Particles List: 11 Must-Know Grammar Rules
We will now explore each of these particles in a bit more detail so we can explain how they work and how they can be very useful.
1. が (Pronunciation: ga)
私の家族が東京に来ました (わたしのかぞくがとうきょうにきました)
Watashi no kazoku ga Tokyo ni kimashita – My family came to Tokyo.
The particle is “が” and it indicates “私の家族” (my family) as the subject of the sentence. However, there are 2 other main functions of “が” beyond being a subject marker.
In this sentence, the function of “が” is for exclusivity:
私が日本人です (わたしがにほんじんです)
Watashi ga nihonjin desu – I am Japanese.
In this case, the sentence does not just state that the subject, “I,” is Japanese; it also gives the sentence the context that “I am the one who is Japanese, not someone else.”
It implies excluding the possibility of others being Japanese.
The last function is as the subject in a question.
誰がアイスを食べたんですか (だれがあいすをたべたんですか)
Dare ga aisu o tabetandesuka – Who ate the ice cream?
In this example, the particle “が” follows the question word (誰, who).
2. は (Pronunciation: wa)
私は日本人です (わたしはにほんじんです)。
Watashi wa nihonjin desu – I am Japanese.
The particle is the essential “は” in Japanese grammar! Although written as “は” in hiragana, its pronunciation is “wa.” The function of “は” can be broadly divided into three main uses. The first is to introduce the topic (Topic marker).
For example, in the sentence “私は日本人です” (Watashi wa nihonjin desu), “私” (I) before “は” is treated as the topic of the sentence.
While the English translation is “I am Japanese,” a more literal translation, reflecting the grammatical meaning, would be “As for me, I’m Japanese.” It might be a little difficult to understand, so let’s look at another example.
ウサギは耳が長いです。(うさぎはみみがながいです)
Usagi wa mimi ga nagai desu – As for the rabbit, its ears are long.
In Japanese, both “は” and “が” can appear in the same sentence. If both “は” and “が” are used to indicate the subject, it would seem like there are two subjects in this sentence, which would make the meaning unclear.
In this case, “は” marks the topic (“ウサギ” or rabbit), and “が” marks the subject (“耳” or ears, specifically the ears of the rabbit). Since the topic and the subject sometimes refer to the same thing, “は” and “が” might seem to serve similar functions, but there is an important difference.
ピザは好きですが、パスタは好きじゃありません。(ぴざはすきですが、ぱすたはすきじゃありません)
Piza wa sukidesuga, pasuta wa sukija arimasen – I like pizza, but I don’t like pasta.
“は” also has a function of contrast. In the case above, “は” contrasts “ピザ” (pizza) with “パスタ” (pasta). The contrast between the two items is clear, but even when only one item is mentioned, for example:
コーラは好きじゃありません。(こーらはすきじゃありません)
Ko-ra wa sukija arimasen – I don’t like coke (but I like other sodas).
Even if you are only referring to one item, it can imply that “other things” (such as other soda) are liked. So, “は” can change the context of the sentence when used instead of “が” in the sentence above.
3.を (Pronunciation: o)
本を読みます。(ほんをよみます)
Hon o yomimasu – I read a book.
The third particle is “を.” (Note that the pronunciation of this hiragana “を” is “o,” not “wo!”)
“を” marks the direct object of the verb. To be more specific, it indicates the thing (book) is directly affected by the verb (read).
4. に (Pronunciation: ni)
キッチンに猫がいます。(きっちんにねこがいます)
Kicchin ni neko ga imasu – There is a cat in the kitchen.
“に” has many functions, and it’s one of the particles that many learners are often confused about.
So, to put it simply, there are 3 common uses: the first use is to indicate the location of something, as shown in the sentence above. The particle lets us understand the cat is located in the kitchen.
毎朝7時に起きます。(まいあさ7じにおきます)
Maiasa shichiji ni okimasu – I get up at 7 o’clock.
The second use is for indicating time. Using “に” after a specific time (such as hours or dates) to express when something happens.
私は母に花をあげました。
Watashi wa haha ni hana o agemashita. (I gave flowers to my mother.)
The third use is for indirect objects. In the sentence above, the direct object of the verb “あげます” (give) is “花” (flowers), and the indirect object is “母” (mother).
You need to use the particle “に” to make it clear your mother is who you gave the flowers to.
5. で (Pronunciation: de)
オフィスで会議をします。(おふぃすでかいぎをします）
Ofisu de kaigi o shimasu – We have a meeting in the office.
One of the main functions of “で” is to indicate the location of an action. As demonstrated above, “で” marks the place where the action (the meeting) is taking place. You can think of “で” as saying “at” or, in certain cases, “in.”
It’s not a perfect translation, but for now I think this will be a useful shorthand in remembering how to use this particle.
フォークで食べます。(ふぉーくでたべます)
Fo-ku de tabemasu – I eat with a fork.
Another use of “で” is to express the means or methods of how you did something. Here, “で” indicated that eating was done with a fork.
6. へ (Pronunciation: e)
台風は東へ向かっています。(たいふうはひがしへむかっています）
Taihu wa higashi e mukatteimasu – The typhoon is heading toward the east.
It’s written as “へ” in hiragana, but its pronunciation is “e”. The function of “へ” is to indicate the destination or direction of movement. At first glance, it may seem similar to “に,” but “へ” expresses a meaning that is more along the lines of “toward” or “in the direction of.”
For example,
日本に行きます。(にほんにいきます)
Nihon ni ikimasu – I’m going to Japan.
日本へ行きます。(にほんへいきます)
Nihon e ikimasu – I’m going toward Japan.
In the first sentence, “日本に行きます,” the destination, Japan, is clear. However, in the second sentence, “日本へ行きます,” implies “I’m going in the direction of Japan,” which carries a more nuanced meaning. It could mean that I might pass through other countries on the way or that I’m heading toward Japan but might end up somewhere else.
That said, in most cases, people are heading directly to their destination and will actually reach it, so the meaning is usually almost the same whether you use “に” or “へ.”
7. も (Pronunciation: mo)
私もです。(わたしもです)
Watashi mo desu – Me too.
“も” indicates addition or, simply put, means “also” or “too”. For example, in the sentence above, you are adding “私” (I) in response to someone else’s opinion.
ショッピングモールで、何も買いませんでした。(しょっぴんぐもーるで、なにもかいませんでした)
Shoppingu senta de nani mo kaimasendeshita – I didn’t buy anything in the shopping mall.
Adding も after “何” (nani) will actually somewhat change the meaning of 何, which you probably learnt means “what”. In the above sentence, it means “anything” and can only be used with a negative verb (e.g. not buy, not sleep, etc.).
For example, you could say something like “何もありません(nani mo arimasen)” meaning “I don’t have anything”. But in English, you can not say “I have anything” since it doesn’t make sense. It is the same in Japanese, saying “何もあります(nani mo arimasu)” is grammatically incorrect.
8. と (Pronunciation: to)
ノートとペンを買いました。(のーととぺんをかいました)
Nooto to pen o kaimashita – I bought a notebook and a pen.
There are 2 common functions of “と,” and in the sentence above, its function is to list all relevant items, similar to “and” in English. The key point with “と” is that it refers to all the items, so in this case, it means that the only things bought were a notebook and a pen.
今日大学の友達と電話しました。(きょうだいがくのともだちとでんわしました)
Kyo daigaku no tomodachi to denwa shimashita – Today, I called my university friend.
The above sentence demonstrates the second function, which is to indicate doing something together. You can think of it as saying “with.” Here, “と” shows that the action (making a call) was done with a friend.
9. から (Pronunciation: kara)
家から会社に行きます。(いえからかいしゃにいきます)
Ie kara kaisha ni ikimasu – I go to the office from (my) house.
Basically, “から” means “from”. In the sentence above, it allows the listener to understand the place from where the subject departed. While “に” is used to communicate where the subject is going. But “から” can be used for more than just physical places.
Watashi wa itsumo gozen 9 ji kara gogo 5 ji made hatarakimasu – I always work from 9 am to 5 pm
In this example, “から” is used to discuss from which time you work and it’s often used along with the particle “まで” to indicate a range of time you are working.
10. まで (Pronunciation: made)
飯田橋駅からCoto Japanese Academyまで、歩いてどのくらいかかりますか。(いいだばしえきからCoto Japanese Academyまで、あるいてどのくらいかかりますか)
Iidabashi eki kara Coto Japanese Academy made, aruite donokurai kakarimasuka – How long does it take to walk from Iidabashi Station to Coto Japanese Academy?
“まで” essentially means “until,” so in the example above, you are using から and まで to say “from Iidabashi station until Coto Academy”. You can think of “まで” as indicating a final limit. For example, you could say “30分まで(30 pun made)” to say “until (or up to) 30 mins”. Although often used with “から”, it can be used on its own as well.
11. より (Pronunciation: yori)
妹は私より背が高いです。(いもうとはわたしよりせがたかいです)
Imoto wa watashi yori se ga takaidesu – My little sister is taller than me.
Lastly, “より,” which means “then.” You use it for making comparisons.
The thing before “より” serves as the reference point, and it expresses how the subject (or topic) compares to it. In the example above, “私” (me) is the reference, and it shows how tall “私の妹” (my little sister) is in comparison.
Essential 11 Japanese Particles Table
Below is a table summarizing the 11 essential Japanese particles discussed above. Feel free to refer to this in conjunction with the Cheat Sheet to help you remember and use these 11 particles.
Particle
Function
Example
が(ga)
Designates subject
いぬがすきです。(I like dogs)
は(ha)
Designates topic
いぬはたべた。(The dog ate)
を(wo, pronounced “o”)
Designates Object
いぬをたべた。(I ate the dog)
に (ni)
Designates to or at a place/time
アメリカにいった。(I went to America)
で (de)
Designates place of action
アメリカでステーキをたべた。(I ate steak in America)
へ (he, pronounced “e”)
Designates movement toward a place
アメリカへいった。(I went toward America)
も (mo)
Indicates addition (”also” or “too”)
にほんもいった。(I went to Japan too)
と (to)
Connects words together (“and”)
いぬとねこがすきです。(I like cats and dogs)
から (kara)
Establishes start point (“from”)
モンゴルからきた。(I came from Mongolia)
まで (made)
Establishes end point (“until”)
でんしゃはしぶやまでいく。(The train goes until Shibuya)
より (yori)
Indicates comparison (“than”)
しんじゅくはよこはまよりいそがしいです。(Shinjuku is busier than Yokohama)
With so many particles and some that have similar uses, I’m sure you found it a bit confusing. Here are some common pitfalls people fall into when making Japanese sentences with particles.
“が(Ga)” vs “は(Ha)”
誰はパーティーに行きましたか？(だれはぱーてぃーにいきました) ❌
Dare wa pa-ti- ni ikimashita ka? – Who went to the party?
The correct usage of “が” and “は” in relation to the subject can be pretty confusing, even for advanced learners. As mentioned earlier, the particle used with question words should be “が.” So the correct sentence would be, “誰がパーティーに行きましたか?” (だれがぱーてぃーにいきました – Who went to the party?)
“Ni” vs. “De”
公園に遊びました。(こうえんにあそびました) ❌
Koen ni asobimashita – I played in the park.
This is another very common mistake. Since both “に” and “で” are used to indicate a place, many people get confused about when to use each one.
When expressing a place, “に” refers to the location of something or someone, while “で” indicates the place where an action or event happens. In the example sentence, since “遊ぶ” (to play) is an action, the correct expression should be “公園で遊びました” (I played in the park).
Time + “に”
毎日に散歩します。(まいにちにさんぽします) ❌
Mainichi ni sanpo shimasu – I go for a walk every day.
As mentioned, “に” can indicate time. However, when it come to frequency and not a specific time, you don’t need to use “に.” In the sentence above, “毎日” (every day) doesn’t require “に.” So, the correct sentence would be: “毎日散歩します.” (I walk every day.)
In English, expressions like “9 o’clock” or “March 5th” use prepositions like “on” or “in,” but we don’t use any prepositions with expressions like “every day,” right? It is exactly the same in Japanese; there are time expressions that don’t need a particle.
Key Features of Japanese Particles
In languages like English, you can form sentences without particles, so you might wonder: Do we really need particles in Japanese?
Particles make it possible for the Japanese to rearrange the order of nouns and verbs to some extent while still making sense!
In Japanese grammar, the typical word order is: subject → time/frequency → place → object → verb. However, in many cases, changing the word order still conveys the same meaning.
For example:
私がハンバーガーを食べる (Watashi ga hanbāgā o taberu)
can change to
→ ハンバーガーを私が食べる (Hanbāgā o watashi ga taberu)
→ 私が食べるハンバーガーを (Watashi ga taberu hanbāgā o)
While these rearrangements might sound unnatural, the meaning “I eat a hamburger” remains clear.
Conclusion About Understanding Japanese Particles
Starting your journey into the world of Japanese can be overwhelming, and particles are no exception. However, as you keep using and studying Japanese, you will get the hang of them. So, exposing yourself to as many Japanese sentences as possible will help you to get accustomed to how they are used in different situations and contexts. Watching anime is a great way to gain exposure in Japanese especially for particles, check out our article recommending Detective Conan.
Just like most grammar in your mother tongue, native Japanese speakers don’t consciously think about particles and just naturally use them to express what they want to. Believe it or not, you will reach this level too as you keep practicing and develop a sense of what feels right for what you want to say.
In Japan, we have the saying “習うより慣れろ” (“ならうよりなれろ” – “It’s better to learn by doing”), so immersing yourself in listening and reading Japanese to develop your own understanding might prove to be one of the most effective methods of learning this rather confusing concept.
The best way to expose yourself to as much Japanese as possible is through our Coto Academy Japanese lessons. The classes immerse you in the Japanese language and will have you practice making sentences with our native teachers. Take a look through our Coto Academy Courses to find lessons that are right for you!
FAQ
There are many different types of particles, and it’s difficult to count exactly how many there are. However, the most common ones at the beginner level include “が” (ga), “は” (wa), “を” (wo), “に” (ni), “で” (de), “へ” (e), “も” (mo), “と” (to), “から” (kara), “まで” (made), and “より” (yori).
The main differences are:
Topic marker (“は”) vs Subject marker (“が”)
Old information (“は”) vs New information (“が”)
Contrast (“は”) vs Exclusivity (“が”)
More detailed explanations of these differences will be covered in future articles.
It’s essential to understand the meaning and usage of each particle. Additionally, listening to and reading lots of Japanese is a helpful way to develop an instinct for correct usage.
I recommend the book “イメージでわかる！日本語の助詞https://www.ask-books.com/jp/978-4-86639-540-1/“, which explains particles with illustrations and is available in English, Chinese, and Vietnamese for easier learning.
Learning Japanese can feel overwhelming at first, but mastering basic greetings and essential vocabulary is a great way to start. Whether you’re planning a trip to Japan, interacting with Japanese speakers, or just curious about the language, these words and phrases will help you build a solid foundation.
At Coto Japanese Academy, we specialize in creating personalized learning experiences for Japanese language learners. Located in the heart of Tokyo, we offer small class sizes, experienced teachers, and a variety of courses tailored to meet your goals—whether you’re looking to improve conversational skills, prepare for the JLPT, or immerse yourself in Japanese culture. Start your language journey with us today!
Mastering Basic Japanese Greetings and Essential Words
Basic Japanese Words for Greetings
Japanese
Pronunciation
Meaning
おはようございます
Ohayou gozaimasu
Good morning (formal)
こんにちは
Konnichiwa
Hello/ good afternoon
こんばんは
Konbanwa
Good evening
おやすみなさい
Oyasuminasai
Goodnight (formal)
ありがとうございます
Arigatou gozaimasu
Thank you
すみません
Sumimasen
Excuse me/ sorry
ごめんなさい
Gomennasai
Sorry (formal)
はい
Hai
Yes
いいえ
Iie
No
Cultural Tip: In Japan, bowing while saying greetings is a common practice and shows respect. Try incorporating a slight bow when greeting people.
Talking About Family in Japanese
Japanese
Pronunciation
Meaning
わたし
Watashi
I/me
あなた
Anata
You
お母さん
おかあさん Okaasan
Mother
お父さん
おとうさん Otousan
Father
お爺さん
おじいさん Ojiisan
Grandfather
お婆さん
おばあさん Obaasan
Grandmother
おじさん
Ojisan
Uncle
おばさん
Obasan
Aunt
お兄さん
おにいさん Oniisan
Older brother
お姉さん
おねえさん Oneesan
Older sister
弟
おとうと Otouto
Younger brother
妹
いもうと Imouto
Younger sister
Did you know? The use of honorifics like “-san” adds politeness and respect to family terms.
Counting in Japanese: Numbers 1-10
Japanese
Pronunciation
Meaning
一
いち Ichi
One
二
に Ni
Two
三
さん San
Three
四
し/よん Shi/yon
Four
五
ご Go
Five
六
ろく Roku
Six
七
しち/なな Shichi/nana
Seven
八
はち Hachi
Eight
九
きゅう Kyuu
Nine
十
じゅう Juu
Ten
Tip: “Shi” (four) is sometimes avoided because it sounds like the word for “death” in Japanese.
Months of the Year in Japanese
Japanese
Pronunciation
Meaning
一月
いちがつ Ichigatsu
January
二月
にがつ Nigatsu
February
三月
さんがつ Sangatsu
March
四月
しがつ Shigatsu
April
五月
ごがつ Gogatsu
May
六月
ろくがつ Rokugatsu
June
七月
しちがつ Shichigatsu
July
八月
はちがつ Hachigatsu
August
九月
くがつ Kugatsu
September
十月
じゅうがつ Juugatsu
October
十一月
じゅういちがつ Juuichigatsu
November
十二月
じゅうにがつ Juunigatsu
December
Days of the Week & Times of the Day in Japanese
Japanese
Pronunciation
Meaning
月曜日
げつようび Getsuyoubi
Monday
火曜日
かようび Kayoubi
Tuesday
水曜日
すいようび Suiyoubi
Wednesday
木曜日
もくようび Mokuyoubi
Thursday
金曜日
きんようび Kinyoubi
Friday
土曜日
どようび Doyoubi
Saturday
日曜日
にちようび Nichiyoubi
Sunday
昨日
きのう Kinou
Yesterday
今日
きょう Kyou
Today
明日
あした Ashita
Tomorrow
朝
あさ Asa
Morning
昼
ひる Hiru
Noon
夕方
ゆうがた Yuugata
Evening
夜
よる Yoru
Night
Quick Fact: The days of the week are named after natural elements such as the moon (Getsu) and fire (Ka).
Must-Know Japanese Adjectives
Japanese
Pronunciation
Meaning
楽しい
たのしい Tanoshii
Happy
悲しい
かなしい Kanashii
Sad
高い
たかい Takai
High/expensive
低い
ひくい Hikui
Low
安い
やすい Yasui
Cheap
早い
はやい Hayai
Fast/early
遅い
おそい Osoi
Slow
忙しい
いそがしい Isogashii
Busy
美味しい
おいしい Oishii
Delicious
不味い
まずい Mazui
Awful
甘い
あまい Amai
Sweet
塩っぱい
しょっぱい Shoppai
Salty
酸っぱい
すっぱい Suppai
Sour
苦い
にがい Nigai
Bitter
辛い
からい Karai
Hot/ spicy
熱い
あつい Atsui
Hot
暖かい
あたたかい Atatakai
Warm
冷たい
つめたい Tsumetai
Cold
明るい
あかるい Akarui
Bright
暗い
くらい Kurai
Dark
Try This: Describe your meal using these adjectives next time you eat Japanese food!
Common Japanese Verbs for Daily Use
Japanese
Pronunciation
Meaning
する
Suru
To do
見る
みる Miru
To see
聞く
きく Kiku
To listen
話す
はなす Hanasu
To talk/speak
言う
いう Iu
To say
書く
かく Kaku
To write
食べる
たべる Taberu
To eat
飲む
のむ Nomu
To drink
歩く
あるく Aruku
To walk
走る
はしる Hashiru
To run
座る
すわる Suwaru
To sit
立つ
たつ Tatsu
To stand
Practice Tip: Create sentences combining verbs with nouns, like “ごはんを食べる” (Gohan o taberu – I eat rice).
Food Japanese Vocabulary
Japanese
Pronunciation
Meaning
食べ物
たべもの Tabemono
Food
飲み物
のみもの Nomimono
Drinks
ご飯
ごはん Gohan
Rice/meal
水
みず Mizu
Water/cold water
お湯
おゆ Oyu
Hot water
肉
にく Niku
Meat
野菜
やさい Yasai
Vegetable
魚
さかな Sakana
Fish
ラーメン
Ra-men
Ramen
寿司
すし Sushi
Sushi
おにぎり
Onigiri
Onigiri
Start taking Japanese lessons and master these 100 basic Japanese words!
For the next step after learning these basic Japanese words, equip yourself with basic Japanese grammar.
If you wish to have a short-term study in Tokyo, check out our 3-month intensive Japanese courses. Also, feel free to send us an inquiry if you have any questions!
Sure you have all the foundation you need to learn Japanese? Find more useful, beginner-level learning content below!
These words will help you navigate basic conversations respectfully.
What is "gozaimasu"?
Gozaimasu is a polite ending often added to expressions to show respect. For example, “Arigatou gozaimasu” is a formal way of saying “thank you.”
Is 1 year enough to learn Japanese?
It depends on your goals. In one year, with consistent study and practice, you can achieve conversational proficiency in daily scenarios. However, mastering advanced grammar and kanji will take longer. At Coto Japanese Academy, our tailored courses and immersive programs are designed to help you maximize your learning and see real progress within a year.
How do I introduce myself in Japanese?
A basic introduction looks like this:
“よろしくおねがいします (Yoroshiku onegaishimasu)” – Please treat me well.
“はじめまして (Hajimemashite)” – Nice to meet you.
“わたしのなまえは [Your Name] です (Watashi no namae wa [Your Name] desu)” – My name is [Your Name].
What does "moshi moshi" mean?
Moshi moshi (もしもし) is a greeting used when answering the phone in Japanese. It’s informal and typically used among friends or family.
What are some good resources for learning Japanese?
Flashcard apps like Anki for vocabulary.
Language exchange apps like HelloTalk.
Enrolling in immersive courses like our 3-month intensive program.
Why are there two words for "four" (shi/yon)?
“Shi” is often avoided because it sounds like the word for “death,” so “yon” is used more commonly in daily life.
Did you know that children between 7 and 15 are the best age to learn a second language? Introducing your child to the Japanese language can be a rewarding experience. It offers cognitive benefits and a deeper appreciation for a rich culture. At Coto Japanese Academy, we provide engaging kids Japanese courses for young Tokyo and Yokohama learners. Our kids courses are interactive, combining field trips and activities to ensure a comprehensive and enjoyable learning journey.
Why Teach Kids Japanese? The Top 4 Benefits
Learning Japanese young is a valuable investment in your child’s future. Children have a natural ability to absorb new languages fast, making this an ideal start time. Here are the reasons why it is beneficial for kids to learn Japanese:
Cognitive Benefits: Learning a second language helps enhance children’s memory, problem-solving, and multi-tasking skills. It also encourages creativity and adaptability, which are essential in academics and other activities.
Cultural Appreciation: Learning Japanese allows you to explore a vibrant culture filled with art, history, traditions, and innovations. Our in-class Coto activities help children learn more about Japanese culture.
Future Opportunities: As a global leader in technology, business, and entertainment, Japan provides abundant career and academic opportunities. Proficiency in Japanese can give your child a competitive edge.
Broadening Perspectives: Learning a new language helps children enjoy cultural diversity and develop a global mindset, fostering a lifelong love for learning.
What kids Japanese courses do we offer?
We offer various types of kids Japanese courses, some more serious and some more fun, including field trips. No matter what you are looking for, we have a spot for you!
Seasonal Kids Japanese Courses
Our seasonal kids’ courses provide a dynamic and immersive learning experience designed to introduce children to the Japanese language in a fun, engaging, and interactive way. These courses focus on building a strong foundation in essential language elements such as hiragana, katakana, basic vocabulary, and introductory grammar.
Beyond traditional classroom instruction, we incorporate hands-on activities, storytelling, and games to make learning enjoyable and effective. To further help them learn the language, students can apply their skills in real-world settings through exciting field trips to local attractions such as aquariums, museums, and cultural sites. These outings encourage children to use Japanese in everyday interactions, reinforcing their confidence and comprehension while making lasting memories.
Our goal is to create a learning environment where young learners can develop an interest in the Japanese language and culture while having an unforgettable experience. Whether your child is a complete beginner or has some prior knowledge, our seasonal courses are tailored to support their learning journey!
We usually offer seasonal kids’ courses three times a year. However, availability is subject to change, so please stay tuned to our social media for updates! If you want to sign up for a course for your children, check the link below!
Our kids lite-intensive courses are the perfect option for families looking for an evening after-school Japanese language program with a structured curriculum. Designed for beginners, this course provides a solid foundation in Japanese, helping young learners develop confidence in speaking, reading, listening, and writing.
Students will focus on constructing basic sentences using essential verbs and adjectives while being introduced to katakana, hiragana, and fundamental vocabulary. Children will gradually build their language skills in a supportive and encouraging environment through interactive lessons, engaging activities, and practical exercises.
If you’re looking for an enriching after-school opportunity for your child, we’d love to welcome them to our program! Click the links below to learn more and enroll today!
Our private kids courses provide a fully personalized Japanese learning experience tailored to each child’s unique needs, learning pace, and goals. Designed for students of all levels and ages, these one-on-one lessons create a fun, supportive, and effective learning environment where young learners can thrive.
This program is especially beneficial for children preparing for specific Japanese language exams, such as the JLPT, or those requiring a more customized approach to help master the language. Our experienced native instructors provide detailed lesson reports and regular progress updates, ensuring students and parents stay informed and engaged throughout the learning journey.
Whether your child is just starting or looking to sharpen their Japanese skills, our private lessons offer the flexibility and personalized attention needed to achieve their language goals. If you are interested, apply now!
How to Motivate Your Child to Learn Japanese
Now that you have decided to let your children learn Japanese, how can you motivate them to do so more? Motivating your child to learn Japanese starts with making the process enjoyable and meaningful. Encourage their curiosity by introducing fun and engaging resources, such as Japanese cartoons, songs, or games. This will make language learning feel less like a chore and more like an adventure. We have blogs on how to learn Japanese through video games. Maybe you can start learning the language through Wagotabi! Another way is to set achievable goals and celebrate small milestones to build their confidence and sense of accomplishment.
Additionally, having a supportive learning environment at home can deepen the children’s interest and commitment to learning Japanese by practicing simple phrases at home, sharing cultural experiences like cooking Japanese food, or enrolling them in interactive classes. For instance, Coto Academy’s seasonal kids course offers weekly field trips to let the students explore the city and learn Japanese in various places like museums.
Why choose Coto Japanese Academy?
At Coto Japanese Academy, we have native teachers who create a warm and supportive environment. Besides that, these teachers are professionally trained to teach children and are all experienced in taking good care of your children. Besides that, we also designed the kids’ course to be engaging, meaning we incorporate activities such as field trips and cultural excursions to help deepen their interest in Japanese culture.
FAQ
We welcome students of any level, from beginner to advanced.
Students must bring study utensils. If the course occurs during lunchtime, we will ask students to get lunch!
Yes, parents are allowed to observe lessons if needed, but please contact the staff beforehand!
You can teach kids Japanese through music or games! Read this blog to learn about other ways your children can learn Japanese.
Learning a second language at a young age is always easier. Research shows that starting to learn a second language, like Japanese, at age 7 is optimal.
The best way for kids to learn Japanese is to make the process enjoyable. For example, let the children learn the language through video games like Wagotabi or take interactive kids Japanese classes like the ones offered by Coto Japanese Academy!
What’s a better way to dip your toes into the Japanese language besides converting your name into Japanese? English-base or foreign names are generally written using the phonetic katakana alphabet. An exception would be a name with Chinese characters, which you can choose to be read with Japanese reading.
It has become more common in Japan (at least in newspapers and other media) to refer to people with Chinese and some Korean names that are kanji-based using the original pronunciation instead of reading the kanji in the Japanese way. For example, if your Chinese surname is 林 (pronounced Lim or Lin), you can pronounce the character as “Hayashi”—the most common surname in Japan in the 19th century.
Luckily, building a Japanese name is easy. You don’t need a name generator — just basic knowledge of hiragana (don’t forget to download our hiragana chart!) and katakana.
How to Say “What is your name?” in Japanese
In Japanese, to ask someone their name, you can say these:
お名前は何ですか？ Onamae wa nan desu ka? What is your name?
Here’s a quick question: Why don’t we say “あなたの名前は何ですか“?
The reason is that the Japanese often omit words if interpreted through context. In this instance, if you speak directly to someone, you don’t need to use the words “your” or “you”. If you’re not talking with anyone else, your conversation partner should know you’re referring to them directly.
An even easier way to ask someone “what is your name” in Japanese is to use:
お名前は？ Onamae ha? Your name is…?
How to Say “My Name Is” in Japanese
There are several ways to introduce your name to someone in Japanese. It depends on who you speak with, your social hierarchy, and your relationship with the listener.
For example, the most basic way to say it is:
私の名前はサムです。 Watashi no namae wa Samu desu. My name is Sam.
However, although this is technically correct, it’s not the most natural expression. In the same way, you don’t include “you” in many Japanese sentences (unless indicated); Japanese people tend not to use first-person pronouns.
The easiest and most common way to tell someone what your name is in Japanese is to state your name and attach です (desu) simply. For example:
サムです。 Samu desu.
This is entirely different if you’re in a more formal environment, like a business meetup or meeting someone new who might be older than you.
Fun fact! In Japan, we usually write our last name first and follow with the first name—for example, 江戸川 コナン, the infamous detective Conan. 江戸川, or Edogawa, is the last name, and コナン, or Conan, is the first name. However, in Western culture, for instance, Tom Holland. Tom is the first name, and Holland is the last name.
How the Japanese Language Recognizes English Vowels and Consonants
Think of your name as a borrowed English word directly transliterated to Japanese in katakana form. A katakana transcription of foreign words is based on how the word sounds — not how it is spelled.
The English language has 20 distinct vowel phonemes, making it one of the most complex vowel systems of any language in the world. The Japanese language has only 5 vowels: a, i, u, e, o. They are terse vowels pronounced clearly and sharply.
So what does this mean? How a word appears as katakana depends on how it is heard by native speakers. Japanese has fewer different sounds than English, and it does not have many ending consonants. Words tend to gain extra vowels or be reduced to the language’s closest sound.
For example, the English word “cat” becomes katakana キャット (kyatto) with an extra “o” at the end. The word “hug” has the vowel that’s closest to “a”, so Japanese people will say it as “ハッグ”.
How to Write Your Name in Japanese Katakana, Hiragana, and More
Japanese has two alphabets and one pictorial writing system based on Chinese characters.
The writing systems in Japanese are:
Kanji (Chinese characters)
Hiragana (Japanese phonetic alphabet)
Katakana (Japanese phonetic alphabet used for words of foreign origin)
If you’re new to learning Japanese, don’t worry. We have a 30-day hiragana challenge to speed up the process and motivate you.
Japanese people write their names in Kanji. If you’re a foreigner, you’ll mostly have to write your name in katakana. Below is a katakana chart.
Some sounds in Japanese don’t directly transfer from English. For example, the “v” is not a natural sound in Japanese. The pronunciation sounds similar to that of a bee in English when translated into Katakana.
For example, if your name is David, it becomes “デービッド or De-biddo.
There are no set ways of writing English names in Katakana, but there are more popular ways of doing it.
For example, the name Samuel can be written as “サミュエル”or Samyu-e-ru or as “サムエル”. You can use the above chart to create your name! Or, if you don’t know what you’re doing, you can also use a Japanese name generator.
Here are some common names that have been converted into Japanese:
Male Names
James ジェイムズ
Michael マイケル
Robert ロバート
John ジョン
Joseph ジョセフ
Henry ヘンリー
Lucas ルーカス
Jackson ジャクソン
David デイビッド
Female Names
Mary マリー
Jessica ジェシカ
Sarah サラ
Karen カーレン
Michelle ミシェル
Amy エミー
Julie ジュリー
Jessica ジェシカ
Sophia ソフィア
Isabella イサベラ
Rules of Conversion to a Japanese Name
Traditionally, some names have unusual pronunciations — at least in Japanese. Vowels are usually changed into the nearest equivalent Japanese vowel. Japanese has fewer vowels than English, so the two different vowels in “fur” and “far” get turned into Japanese ファー.
This might look complicated, but the table below outlines the rules for transcribing English sounds. They consist of short and long vowels, consonants, schwa sounds, and diphthongs.
Japanese Name Generator: Convert English Names to Japanese
If you want a lazy way of finding out how to write your new name in Japanese, you can also use a katakana name converter; we have linked to a few that you can use:
Learn more than just your name in Japanese with our Japanese lessons!
FAQ
How are foreign names converted into Japanese?
Foreign names are typically transliterated into katakana, one of the Japanese writing systems used for non-Japanese words. The name’s pronunciation is adapted to fit the syllable-based nature of Japanese.
Can my name be written in kanji?
Creating a version of your name using kanji is possible, but it’s uncommon for transliterations. Kanji-based names are more interpretive and involve choosing characters that match the sounds and possibly a desirable meaning.
Are there specific rules for katakana transliteration?
Yes, the rules ensure the name fits Japanese phonetics:
Sounds not found in Japanese are approximated (e.g., “V” becomes “B,” for example, David is デービッド).
Long vowel sounds are indicated with a dash (e.g., “Kate” becomes ケイト, Keito).
How do I write my name in katakana?
You can use a katakana chart and match the sounds of your name to the Japanese syllables. Alternatively, you can use online tools or consult a native Japanese speaker for accuracy.
