Hiragana, katakana, and kanji make up the Japanese writing system. When you start learning Japanese, figuring out how to read and write can feel overwhelming; after all, Japanese is completely different from the Roman alphabet! You then learn that there are three different writing systems used all at once. How is that even possible? Not to worry – these systems are simpler than you might expect! Each one has unique, defining characteristics and uses; once you learn more about these, reading and writing Japanese will be a breeze!

We’ve covered smaller articles for each Japanese writing system. Don’t forget to check out our downloadable hiragana chart and quiz for a more detailed guide and resource recommendation.

Origins of the Japanese Alphabet

Do you know about the history and the origin of hiragana and katakana? Originally, the Japanese ancestors did not have a writing system. Around the fifth century, they started using kanji, ideograms that were adopted from China and Korea. They only used the phonetic reading of the kanji, regardless of their meaning. At that time, the ideograms were called manyogana (万葉仮名).

However, kanji’s characters are composed of many strokes. They take longer to write, as you have noticed by now! Due to their difficulty, those ideograms were slowly simplified into kana alphabets, namely hiragana and katakana. They are called syllabograms, as each character corresponds to one sound in the Japanese language. According to historians, the change was initiated by Buddhist priests who thought kanji could not accurately represent the Japanese language and that a phonetic alphabet would be better.

Examples of Change

On the left is the manyogana, and on the right are simplified hiragana and katakana forms.

• 安 →あ 阿 → ア (a)
• 以 →い 伊 → イ(i)
• 宇 →う、ウ(u)
• 衣 →え 江 → エ(e)
• 於 →お、オ(o)

This change is thought to have occurred between the eighth and ninth centuries.  Hiragana can be considered a simplified calligraphy form of the kanji’s strokes. On the other hand, katakana is taken from a single element of a kanji. In some cases, the Hiragana and Katakana are created from different ideograms.

Some hiragana and Katakana express the same sound and have similar shapes, such as り and リ. However, some can be dissimilar, such as あ and ア. Hiragana is said to be cursive, while katakana is more angular. Do take note that one sound can have more than one hiragana. In 1900 the two kana scripts, hiragana, and katakana were codified. This led to the clear establishment of rules for the Japanese system in 1946.

Japanese Writing System #1: Hiragana

Whenever you just start out learning Japanese, hiragana is usually the first writing system you learn. Hiragana is technically a syllabary or a way of writing where symbols represent whole syllables (such as “ba” and “to”) instead of individual sounds (such as “b” or “t”)⁵. This is because all Japanese words are made up of these small syllables, so there’s no need to write out individual sounds!

In Japanese, there are 46 basic syllables:

• the basic vowels: a, i, u, e, o.
• the k-line: ka, ki, ku, ke, ko.
• the s-line: sa, shi, su, se, so. (Notice that the “si” sound is instead replaced by “shi.”)
• the t-line: ta, chi, tsu, te, to. (Notice that the “ti” and “tu” sounds are instead pronounced closer to “chi” and “tsu.”)
• the n-line: na, ni, nu, ne, no.
• the h-line: ha, hi, fu, he, ho. (Notice that the “hu” sound is actually said as “fu.”)
• the m-line: ma, mi, mu, me, mo.
• the y-line: ya, yu, yo.
• the r-line: ra, ri, ru, re, ro.
• wa, o/wo, and n. (These sounds are unique, so they are generally placed together. The “o/wo” symbol can be pronounced either way and “n” is considered a whole syllable in Japanese.)

There are also 23 additional syllables in Japanese; these are formed with additional marks that we’ll cover in a minute.

• the g-line: ga, gi, gu, ge, go.
• the z-line: za, ji, zu, ze, zo. (Notice that “ji” is used instead of “zi.”)
• the d-line: da, ji, zu, de, do. (“ji” and “zu” are pronounced the same way as in the z-line but have different uses.)
• the b-line: ba, be, bu, be, bo.
• the p-line: pa, pi, pu, pe, po.

Writing Hiragana

So, now that we’ve covered the basic sounds let’s see how these syllables are written down in hiragana:

Hiragana is generally round in shape, with lots of curves and bends. This characteristic is a key way to tell what symbols are hiragana! You can also combine a consonant with a / ya / yu / yo / sound by attaching a small 「や」、「ゆ」、or 「よ」 to the / i / vowel character of each consonant.

Now, let’s take a look at those 23 additional sounds:

• the g-line: が(ga), ぎ(gi), ぐ(gu), げ(ge), ご(go).
• the z-line: ざ(za), じ(ji), ず(zu), ぜ(ze), ぞ(zo).
• the d-line: だ(da), ぢ(ji), づ(zu), で(de), ど(do). 
• the b-line: ば(ba), べ(be), ぶ(bu), べ(be), ぼ(bo).
• the p-line: ぱ(pa), ぴ(pi), ぷ(pu), ぺ(pe), ぽ(po).

Did you notice something about the above sounds? The hiragana for the g-line is identical to the k-line, and the same goes for the z-line and s-line, the t-line and the d-line, the h-line and the b- and p-lines! The only difference is the addition of diacritical marks; these marks go to the upper right of the hiragana and can be either two short diagonal marks (called a dakuten) or a small circle (called the handakuten). This is pretty nice, as you don’t have to memorize even more symbols!

There are also contracted sounds in Japanese. These sounds are basically combinations of sounds ending in “-i” and the y-line and are considered one syllable as well^. All you have to do for these is add a small y-line hiragana after the main hiragana! (Notice that not all of these syllables keep the “y” sound.)

• the k-line: きゃ(kya), きゅ(kyu), きょ(kyo)
• the s-line: しゃ(sha), しゅ(shu), しょ (sho)
• the t-line: ちゃ(cha), ちゅ(chu), ちょ(cho)
• the n-line: にゃ(nya), にゅ(nyu), にょ(nyo)
• the h-line: ひゃ(hya), ひゅ(hyu), ひょ(hyo)
• the m-line: みゃ(mya), みゅ(my) みょ(myo)
• the r-line: りゃ(rya), りゅ(ryu), りょ(ryo)
• the g-line: ぎゃ(gya), ぎゅ(gyu), ぎょ(gyo)
• the z-line: じゃ(ja), じゅ(ju), じょ(jo)
• the b-line: びゃ(bya), びゅ(byu), びょ(byo)
• the p-line: ぴゃ(pya), ぴゅ(pyu), ぴょ(pyo)

So, that is the basics of how hiragana is written. However, there are also double consonants and long vowels, which are written with variations in hiragana (and katakana). We recommend checking out our full-length article here to learn more about those!

How to Use Hiragana

Hiragana can be used for many things; it’s like the all-rounder of writing Japanese, and it represents all the syllables of the Japanese language! Hiragana is used when writing verb endings, particles, grammar words (such as conjunctions), and many native Japanese words, as well as for words that do not have a corresponding kanji character. Hiragana is also used in furigana; this is when hiragana is written in a small font above kanji for those who don’t know the kanji’s reading.

Long Vowels and Double Consonants in Hiragana

In Japanese hiragana, double consonants are represented by adding a small “tsu” character (っ) before the consonant that is doubled. For example, the word “katta” (勝った), meaning “won”, would be written as かった, with a small “tsu” between the two “t” characters.

Long vowels in hiragana are done by extending a consonant or vowel with another vowel — depending on the vowel in accordance with the following chart.

For example, the word “ookii” (大きい), meaning “big”, would be written as おおきい.

Vowel Sound	Extended by	Example
a	あ	おばあさん
i, e	い	おおきい、きれい
u, o	う	こうこう、くうき

Example

Let’s start off with a simple sentence – “My pet’s name is Bob.” (What a funny name for a pet!) In Hiragana, this looks like this:

わたしの ぺっと の なまえ は  ぼぶ です。
Watashi no petto no namae wa bobu desu.

So, we can write a whole Japanese sentence just using hiragana! This is how most people (including native speakers) start off reading and writing Japanese. Of course, as you learn about katakana and kanji, some of these words will be replaced.  However, you will see that the particles (の [no] and は [wa]) and the native verb です(desu) will remain the same, as these are some of the things that specifically use hiragana!  

Now that you’ve learned the basics, it’s time for practice! Head on over to our list of practice sheets, apps, and quizzes to make sure you’ve got a solid understanding of hiragana!

Tips for Writing in Japanese

1. There are no spaces in the Japanese writing system

Japanese is written with no spaces, so a combination of hiragana, kanji, and katakana helps distinguish words within a sentence. As you improve your Japanese writing and reading skills, you’ll start to feel that reading kanji is often easier than reading a sentence that consists solely of hiragana.

2. Be careful of hiragana characters that sound and look similar

Pay more attention when pronouncing “tsu” and “su”. Beginner-level students also have a hard time discerning ro (ろ), re (れ), ru (る) — and nu (ぬ) and me (め) because they look similar.

3. Correct stroke order and direction are important

Writing hiragana with the correct stroke order and direction will help you intuitively know how to write new characters, and it has a big effect on how readable it ends up looking.

Japanese Writing System #2: Katakana

After hiragana, it’s a good idea to learn katakana next; katakana works the exact same way that hiragana does, just using different characters; some katakana’s symbols even look similar to their hiragana counterparts!  In fact, hiragana and katakana are often collectively referred to as kana, since they are so similar!

Writing Katakana  

the basic vowels	ア(a), イ(i), ウ(u), エ(e), オ(o)
the k-line	カ (ka), キ(ki), ク(ku), ケ(ke), コ(ko)
the s-line	サ(sa), シ(shi), ス(su), セ(se), ソ(so)
the t-line	タ(ta), チ(chi),ツ(tsu), テ(te), ト(to)
the h-line	ハ(ha), ヒ(hi), フ(fu), へ(he), ホ(ho)
the n-line	ナ(na), ニ(ni), ヌ(nu), ネ(ne), ノ(no)
the m-line	マ(ma), ミ(mi), ム(mu), メ(me), モ(mo)
the y-line	ヤ(ya), ユ(yu), ヨ(yo)
the r-line	ラ(ra), リ(ri), ル(ru), レ(re), ロ(ro).
	ワ(wa), ヲ(o/wo), and ン(n).

Now, let’s take a look at those 23 additional sounds:

• the g-line: ガ(ga), ギ(gi), グ(gu), ゲ(ge), ゴ(go).
• the z-line: ザ(za), ジ(ji), ズ(zu), ゼ(ze), ゾ(zo).
• the d-line: ダ(da), ヂ(ji), ヅ(zu), デ(de), ド(do). 
• the b-line: バ(ba), ビ(bi), ブ(bu), べ(be), ボ(bo).
• the p-line: パ(pa), ピ(pi), プ(pu), ぺ(pe), ポ(po).

The contracted sounds are also formed the same way as in hiragana. However, katakana has additional combinations with small vowel letters to transcribe foreign sounds that did not originally exist in Japanese. These are generally easy to pronounce, as you simply combine the consonant of the main katakana symbol with the vowel of the smaller one.

Examples of this include the フェ (fe) in カフェ (kafe), the ティ (ti) in パーティー (paatii), and the ウィ (wi) in ハロウィーン (harowiin)!

You can see that katakana is simpler and has more straight lines than hiragana; this is one major way to tell them apart!

If you want to learn more about katakana, check out our article below and get a free, downloadable PDF of our chart!

Read More: What is Katakana? Free Katakana Chart and Learning Guide

How and When to Use Katakana

Another way to tell them apart is their usage. Katakana is used for foreign loanwords or words from different languages. ハンバーガー (hanbaagaa, hamburger) and アルバイト (arubaito, part-time job) are examples of Japanese words taken from English and German respectively. Many non-Japanese names are spelled using katakana as well!

Katakana is also used often used for onomatopoeic words, which are words that imitate sounds, such as “pikapika” (sparkling), “gacha” (clacking sound), or “wanwan” (dog’s bark).

Katakana can also be used to emphasize words, similar to how words might be italicized or bolded in English. You can usually see this more in signs or advertisements, like メガネ, megane (glasses) or ラーメン (raamen, glasses).

Long Vowels and Double Consonants in Katakana

Long vowels in katakana are so much simpler than hiragana. All long vowel sounds are denoted by a simple dash: ー.

For example, the word “アート” (aato), meaning “art”, has a long “a” sound represented by the horizontal line over the “a” character.

Double consonants in Katakana are represented using a small “tsu” character (ッ) just like in Hiragana. For example, the word “バッグ” (baggu), meaning “bag”, has a double “g” sound represented by the small “tsu” character.

Example of Katakana

Remember the pet with the funny name? Let’s take another look at that sentence, this time adding in katakana – try to guess where the katakana will be!

わたしのペットのなまえは ボブ です。
Watashi no petto no namae wa bobu desu.

Did you guess petto and bobu? Both of these words are English loanwords and names, so they would be written in katakana. Including katakana when writing Japanese is also a great way to make the words easier to distinguish from each other; writing in all hiragana could make it hard to tell words apart – since Japanese doesn’t normally use spaces!

Difference between Hiragana and Katakana

Why are there 2 syllabic Japanese scripts? In the event that the difference is stylistic, you will learn that hiragana is used to write native Japanese words. Those words will have no kanji representation, and the ideogram will be too ancient or too difficult to write. This kana script is also the one used to write grammatical elements such as particles: を (wo)、に (ni)、へ (he;e)、が (ga)、は (ha).

On the contrary, the Japanese use katakana to write words of foreign origin and foreign names. If you like to read manga in Japanese, you will certainly notice that katakana is also used to represent onomatopoeia and emphasis.

Have you heard of the word “furigana”? Furigana is hiragana and katakana characters written in small forms above kanji in order to show the pronunciation. Furigana is used in kids’ books and Japanese language textbooks for learners, in order to teach the reading of unknown kanji.

Japanese Writing System #3: Kanji                                                               

Kanji is usually the last system to be learned, even for native Japanese speakers! Kanji are Chinese characters and were Japan’s first writing system. They were first introduced to Japan over 1,500 years ago; hiragana and katakana actually evolved from these symbols!

Kanji are complex characters that represent words or ideas, and they form the backbone of the Japanese writing system. In fact, it is estimated that there are over 50,000 kanji characters, although only a fraction of those are commonly used.

Reading Kanji

Kanji is different from hiragana and katakana in that there are multiple ways to pronounce a single character. This is because there is a Chinese way to read a character (called the on-yomi) and a Japanese way (the kun-yomi). The on-yomi was the original way, but when kanji started to be used to write native Japanese words, new pronunciations were added¹. So, if you see a character pronounced one way in one word but differently in another, this is why!

Writing Kanji

Radicals

All kanji are made up of one or more radicals. A radical is simply a small symbol that, either by itself or when combined with other symbols, makes up a complete kanji character. Take, for instance, the radical 一. By itself, this is the complete kanji for ichi (one). But, it can be added with the radical亅to form the kanji 丁! There are 214 total radicals used in 13 different positions when forming kanji, though some radicals and positions are used more frequently than others. If you think of all kanji as being made up of these smaller radicals, then they will be easier to learn!

There are roughly four main types of kanji, based on how and why the radicals are arranged¹:

1. Pictograms

These kanji originally came from pictures, simply drawing the object itself to represent it in writing¹. It’s like writing “😊” to represent “smiley face” – just like emojis today! Take a look at 山 (yama, mountain) for example; doesn’t the character 山 remind you of how a mountain looks, with a pointy peak at the top?

2. Simple Ideograms

These kanji originally used lines and dots to “represent numbers or abstract concepts.¹” So, instead of drawing an object, you would try to visually represent the idea you wanted to convey. Take “up” and “down” for instance; drawing a dot above a line could represent “up” while a dot below a line would signify “down.” This is where 上 (ue, up) and 下 (shita, down) came from¹!

3. Compound Ideograms

Basically, these are kanji formed by combining two or more simpler kanji¹. The kanji used in 休む (yasumu, to rest), for example, is a combination of 人 (hito, person [often written as ⺅ when used as a radical]) and 木 (ki, tree)¹. A lot of the time, the two simpler kanji are chosen because of their connection to the resulting character. For 休, a person leaning against a tree would be resting – which is why 人 and 木 were chosen to form this character!  

4. Phonetic-ideographic Characters

These kanji are usually found when a character’s original on-yomi sounded like a native Japanese word, but the kanji associated with the sound didn’t represent the word’s meaning. So, to remedy this, those in the past added an additional kanji to clarify the meaning. In other words, these kanji are formed by combining one kanji that has the word’s pronunciation and another kanji that represents the word’s meaning. One example of this is the character for sei (clean). Water is generally associated with cleaning, so the kanji for water 水 (mizu, often written as ⺡) is added to the kanji 青 (sei, blue) to get 清 sei (clean).

As you can see, kanji are definitely more complex than hiragana or katakana, but don’t worry – there are plenty of simple kanji too! Plus, knowing the radicals and kanji types will help to make learning and remembering kanji easier. Knowing the stroke order, or the steps in which each character is written, can help make memorization easier too; check out this site to look up any kanji and see its stroke order (and other helpful information)!

Uses

Kanji is used for nouns, verb stems, and adjectives. So, kanji are used for most major words that you will encounter in everyday Japanese! While hiragana and katakana are crucial, you also can’t rely on just those when reading and writing; you have to learn kanji as well!

Example

Let’s take one last look at Bob, this time reading the sentence as it would be written in everyday Japanese:

私のペットの名前はボブです。
Watashi no petto no namae wa bobu desu.

Well, using kanji certainly makes the Japanese sentence shorter! In this case, the pronoun watashi (I) and the noun namae (name) use kanji. If there was a different verb in this sentence (like “look” or “ate”), then there would most likely be kanji there as well. Finally, using these new symbols makes the sentence even easier to read, as they are visually quite different than hiragana or katakana!

While all of this might seem overwhelming at first, it’s nothing you can’t handle with a little practice! Simply writing the kanji out is a great way to see how the radicals work together and to memorize their combinations; but, if you’re looking for something a little bit more high-tech, there are also some kanji apps we recommend you can use to practice as well!

Conclusion

Well, we certainly covered a lot of ground today! Let’s review everything to make sure you remember what we learned.

Japanese has three types of writing systems: hiragana, katakana, and kanji. Hiragana is curvy, represents small syllables, and is used for grammatical information, particles, and native Japanese words! Katakana is straight, also represents small syllables, and is used for loanwords from other languages. Kanji are complex characters made up of radicals, represent a concept, a sound, or a mixture of the two, and are used for nouns, verb stems, and adjectives.

And those are the main points! Not so bad, right? You are now ready to start reading and writing Japanese like a pro! If you feel like you need more help though, feel free to reach out to us or join one of our many Japanese language classes here!

FAQ

What is the Japanese writing system?

The Japanese writing system uses Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji scripts.

What does Hiragana represents?

Hiragana represents native Japanese words, grammatical particles, and verb endings.

What does Katakana represents?

Katakana represents foreign words, loanwords, onomatopoeic words, and emphasis.

How many characters are there in hiragana and katakana?

There are 46 characters in each of the Hiragana and Katakana scripts.

What is the closet thing to English chracters?

There is no such thing as the Japanese alphabet, but the closest thing would be called hiragana and katakana.

How many kanji I should learn?

To be considered fluent in Japanese, you must learn from 1500 to 2500 kanji characters.

If you’re just starting to learn Japanese, you will probably be introduced to hiragana and the hiragana chart on your first day. This Japanese writing system is one of the fundamental building blocks of the language. But what exactly is hiragana, and why is it important?

In this blog post, you’ll find a free downloadable hiragana chart PDF, perfect for beginners, along with hiragana practice sheets to help you memorize each character. Plus, we’ve included links to some of the best apps for learning Japanese, so you can continue your practice on the go.

Want to start learning Japanese? Join Coto Academy’s Japanese course and start speaking with confidence! Start learning today. 

What is Hiragana?

Hiragana, spelled ひらがな, is one of the three Japanese writing systems, alongside katakana and kanji. 

There are 46 basic hiragana characters, and they are known for their soft, curved, and flowing strokes. These characters are used in everyday Japanese writing and are essential for reading and writing in the language.

Just started learning Japanese? Head to our main article about the Japanese writing system for a more comprehensive guide on katakana, hiragana and kanji. 

Download Free Hiragana Chart

If you prefer learning Japanese the traditional way, our free hiragana chart and practice sheets are perfect for you! Below, you’ll find our popular hiragana chart. 

Simply click the link to open it in a new tab, where you can easily print it out and start practicing anywhere, anytime! 

In this blog, we share our own PDF learning Hiragana practice sheets and links to some popular apps for learning Japanese. Just started learning Japanese? Head to our main article about the Japanese writing system for a more comprehensive guide!

Download Free Hiragana Practice Sheet

Ready to practice your hiragana? After you’ve memorized the characters, download our free hiragana practice sheet designed specifically for beginners. 

How to use the practice sheets:

• Print the sheets or complete them digitally on your laptop.
• In the first section, draw lines connecting the hiragana characters to their matching sounds.
• In the second section, practice writing each hiragana character yourself to reinforce your memory and improve your handwriting.

We have also combined hiragana chart and practice sheet! You can download them on view mode, and print them for a physical copy.

How Do You Read Hiragana?

Unlike alphabets in English and many other languages, where a group of  letters represent individual sounds, each hiragana character represents an entire syllable, such as “ka,” “no,” or “mu.” This makes hiragana a syllabary rather than an alphabet.

At the core of hiragana are the five basic vowel sounds: /a/, /i/, /u/, /e/, and /o/. These simple, consistent vowels form the foundation for reading all other hiragana combinations.

Hiragana	Romaji (Latin alphabet)	Sound
あ	a	like “ah” in “car”
い	i	like “ee” in “see”
う	u	like “oo” in “boot”
え	e	like “eh” in “get”
お	o	like “oh” in “go”

These vowels might be little compared to the English language, which has 12 to 14, including diphthongs — sounds formed by the combination of two vowels in a single syllable.

Although Japanese vowels are more stable and clearly defined, there are some divergence for /a/, /e/ and /o/. For example, Japanese has what we call long vowels, or chouon, where the vowels are pronounced “twice as long as a normal vowel. 

You can read more about the long vowels in our article below! But for now, let’s stay focused on the basics — beginner-level hiragana to get you reading and writing in Japanese!

Read More: Guide to Long Vowels and Double Consonants in Japanese Language

How Hiragana is Used

Once you’ve got a handle on what hiragana is, the next question is: how is it actually used in Japanese? The answer is — everywhere! Hiragana plays a critical role in reading, writing, and understanding Japanese, working alongside kanji and katakana to form the complete written language.

Here’s a breakdown of how hiragana is commonly used:

1. Grammatical particles 

Most obviously, hiragana is used for small grammar words (called particles) that show the role of each word in a sentence. For example, some of the most basic Japanese particles are:

• は (wa): Topic marker
• を (o): Direct object marker
• に (ni): Used to indicate time, direction, position and more.

Read More: 11 Essential Japanese Particles to Know

2. Okurigana

These are the hiragana characters that follow kanji to complete verb and adjective conjugations. Kanji often shows the base of the word, but hiragana shows the tense, politeness, or form.

For example, take the verb 食べる (taberu), which means “to eat.” In this word, 食 is the kanji representing the meaning “eat,” while べる is written in hiragana and completes the verb form. The conjugation can be:

• 食べます (tabemasu): To eat 
• 食べません (tabemasen): To not eat

Check out our handy guide on how to conjugate Japanese verbs if you want to learn more!

3. Words Without Kanji

Not all Japanese words have a kanji representation. Some common or simple native words are written only in hiragana, especially in children’s books.

For example:

• よく (yoku): Often
• さようなら (sayounara): Goodbye

4. Furigana (Pronunciation Guides)

Because hiragana is the most basic and accessible form of Japanese writing, it’s often used to support readers when they read a Japanese text. This is called furigana: small hiragana characters written above or beside kanji to indicate pronunciation that acts as a phonetic guide to help readers understand how to pronounce unfamiliar or complex kanji. 

This is especially common in manga, textbooks, and literature aimed at younger readers or learners.

Should I Learn Hiragana or Katakana First? 

Between learning hiragana and katakana, it is best to start with hiragana, as it forms the foundation of the Japanese writing system. Hiragana is used for native Japanese words, grammar particles, and verb endings, making it essential for reading and writing everyday Japanese. 

Most beginner courses and textbooks introduce hiragana first to help you build basic literacy skills. Katakana, on the other hand, is primarily used for foreign loanwords, onomatopoeia, and emphasis, so it’s typically learned after hiragana. By mastering hiragana chart first, you’ll set a strong base that makes learning katakana easier and faster.

If you are ready to learn katakana, head to our article below to download our free chart that you can print or store on your phone!

Read More: What is Katakana? Free Katakana Chart and Learning Guide

Tips for Learning Hiragana 

Some people can learn hiragana in a day, but for most, it takes consistent practice. Here are some effective tips to help you master hiragana:

1. Understand all the different hiragana first

Start by getting familiar with all 46 basic hiragana characters. Focus on recognizing their shapes and associating them with the correct sounds before moving on to more complex study.

2. Practice writing with your hand

While it’s easy to type in Japanese using a keyboard, writing by hand helps you build muscle memory and understand proper stroke order. Try taking five kana each day and write them out twenty times each. This repetitive practice is one of the most effective ways to retain what you learn.

3. Use flashcards, like Anki

Flashcards are a great tool because they promote active recall—forcing your brain to remember rather than just recognize. Apps like Anki can be used to study Japanese. It uses spaced repetition, which shows you cards just before you’re likely to forget them. 

Apps for Learning Hiragana

If you are just getting started with learning hiragana, you may think that it is easier to learn with an Japanese learning app, besides just relying on the hiragana chart.

Apps are convenient and easy to take with you to practice using while you are out and about. However, we also suggest that you take some time to physically write the characters, as it will cement them in your brain.

That being said, we recommend several apps for being fun and easy to use.

Learn Hiragana & Katakana with Dr. Moku

Dr. Moku’s Hiragana and Katakana Mnemonics are 2 separate apps. One for Hiragana and one for Katakana. In each app, they associate all the kana with pictures, making it easy for you to remember them.

It also uses mnemonic hacks (tying each character to a visual story-based meaning) rather than just rote memorization.

Mindsnacks (Limited Free Version)

Mindsnacks has a visually appealing interface, and the limited free version allows you to practice learning Hiragana and Katakana characters.

It is the closest thing to a learning video game that we have found.

If you want to learn Japanese with apps, check out our recommendation for the best Japanese learning apps!

Ready to Start Your Japanese Learning Journey?

Just started learning Japanese? After mastering hiragana, the next steps include learning katakana, basic phrases, and sentence formation. But studying Japanese doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. 

Start your learning journey with Coto Academy for fun, conversation-focused classes, perfect for beginners. Join intensive, part-time or online Japanese courses at Coto Academy.  Reach your goals faster!

Hiragana FAQ

What is hiragana used for?

Hiragana is a fundamental script in Japanese, used for writing sentences, grammatical particles (like は, が, を), and parts of words. It is also used for words that don’t have kanji or for furigana (small hiragana above kanji to show pronunciation).

How many hiragana characters are there?

There are 46 basic hiragana characters. Some characters can change their sounds when small marks (゛or ゜) are added, like か (ka) to が (ga) or は (ha) to ぱ (pa).

What’s the easiest way to learn hiragana?

The best ways to learn Hiragana are:

• Learn mnemonics (e.g., し (shi) looks like a smiling face)
• Practice writing daily
• Use flashcards to memorize characters
• Listen to hiragana songs or use learning apps

What’s the difference between hiragana and katakana?

Hiragana and katakana both represent the same sounds but are used differently. Hiragana is for native Japanese words and grammar, while katakana is used for foreign words, names, and emphasis. They look different but sound the same!

Can I write everything in Hiragana?

Yes, but it’s not ideal. Japanese writing combines hiragana, katakana, and kanji, so writing everything in Hiragana can be hard to read and understand.

What’s the difference between hiragana and romaji?

Romaji is the Romanized version of Japanese (using the English alphabet). Hiragana is the actual Japanese script used in writing.

How long does it take to learn Hiragana?

For most learners, it takes about 1 to 2 weeks to learn all 46 basic hiragana characters with daily practice. Some people can memorize them in a day, but becoming comfortable with reading and writing usually takes a bit longer.

Knowing how to write a proper Japanese business email is an important skill when working for a Japanese company. In Japanese business culture, email serves as a medium that reflects professionalism and respect for hierarchy. It mirrors the careful etiquette and structure you’d find in face-to-face meetings.

Historically, building business relationships in Japan has relied heavily on face-to-face interactions, often involving formal client visits. However, in recent years, digital communication has become the norm. Even if you are working for an international company, it is always good to write a well-crafted business email allows you to establish and maintain professional relationships with Japanese clients. reading our guide on how to write a formal business email!

Want to fast-track your career in Japan? Coto Academy’s 3-month Business Japanese Course is designed to help you master keigo (business Japanese) and improve professional communication skills. Gain the confidence to speak with colleagues and clients, navigate meetings like a native, and open up new career opportunities!

Japanese vs English Business Email

Surprisingly, Japanese business emails are quite different from English emails, and often more complex, even if both are technically used in a professional setting. Even many Japanese people find it challenging to draft a proper email!

Japanese emails tend to be highly formal, emphasizing politeness. They often begin with seasonal greetings or expressions of gratitude such as “いつもお世話になっております (itsu mo osewa ni natte orimasu),” and may include a self-introduction even after initial contact.

The main message is usually indirect and carefully worded to maintain harmony, and the closing remarks are elaborate, often including apologies or humble requests like “何卒よろしくお願い申し上げます.” In contrast, English business emails are more direct and concise, typically beginning with a simple greeting like “I hope you’re well” and getting to the point quickly. There is less emphasis on hierarchy and formality, and requests are often straightforward (e.g., “Please confirm”).

These differences reflect broader cultural values: Japanese communication prioritizes relationship-building and group harmony, while English communication values clarity, efficiency, and individual accountability.

Let’s take a look at how to make a request politely in a Japanese business email.

Japanese Phrase	English Equivalent	Notes
ご確認いただけますでしょうか？ Gokakunin itadakemasu deshouka?	Could you please confirm?	Very polite and common in business emails.
ご確認のほどよろしくお願いいたします。 Gokakunin no hodo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.	I would appreciate your confirmation.	Polite and humble, often used to close a request.

A Good Japanese Email Structure

Japanese email structure follows the same structure as an English email; the main difference lies in how you word it.

A Japanese email consists of 7 parts.

Section	Japanese (Kanji)	Hiragana Reading	Romaji	Meaning / Purpose
Receiver	宛名	あてな	Atena	The recipient’s name and title
Greetings	挨拶	あいさつ	Aisatsu	Opening greeting and polite expressions
Addressing Yourself	名乗り	なのり	Nanori	Introducing yourself (name, company, etc.)
Main Body Context	要旨	ようし	Youshi	Summary or purpose of the email
Details	詳細	しょうさい	Shousai	Detailed explanation or supporting info
Closing Remarks	結びの言葉	むすびのことば	Musubinokotoba	Polite closing remarks and expressions
Name & Signature	署名	しょめい	Shomei	Your name, title, and contact information

How to Write Business Emails in Japanese

Japanese business emails have a ceremonial element to them, and because of that, there is more of a templated formal structure than the freeform letters we are used to in a Western context.

1. Subject Line

Like in Western practice, the subject line in a Japanese business email should clearly communicate the purpose of the message. It needs to be specific and informative enough that the recipient can understand the general context without even opening the email.

Example:
【○○株式会社】6月20日打ち合わせのご確認
【○○Kabushikigaisha】Rokugatsu hatsuka uchiawase no gokakunin
[XYZ Corporation] Confirmation of Meeting on June 20

2. Opening

The first thing to remember when it comes to writing a Japanese business email is the use of the word 様 (sama), one of the many Japanese honorifics. This is an important and polite suffix/honorific that is standard procedure for Japanese business emails. Other than that, always remember to express gratitude when you start your email.

You can use phrases such as「お世話になっております」which means “We become indebted to you” literally.

After you open your email, you would need to introduce yourself. Introduce yourself by stating your full name and your current company you are working for with your current position.

If this is your first time meeting the person and you are doing a follow-up with the person, you may use this phrase「ABC株式会社のアダムと申します」which means “this is Adam from ABC Corporation”. If this is not your first time meeting the person, you should use this phrase instead「ABC株式会社のアダムでございます」which also means “this Adam from ABC Corporation”.

Example:

Japanese	Romaji	English
山田様 いつもお世話になっております。 ABC株式会社の田中と申します。	Yamada-sama, Itsu mo osewa ni natte orimasu. ABC kabushikigaisha no Tanaka to moushimasu.	Mr./Ms. Yamada, Thank you for your support. This is Tanaka from ABC Company.

Besides that, depending on the context, you may also want to include additional phrases, such as apologizing for a late reply, thanking the recipient for a quick response, or offering a polite apology for sending a sudden email.

Japanese	Romaji	English
早速のお返事ありがとうございました。	Sassoku no ohenji arigatou gozaimashita.	Thank you for the quick reply
お返事が遅れて、失礼いたしました。	Ohenji ga okurete, shitsurei itashimashita.	Sorry for the late reply
突然のメール、失礼いたします。	Totsuzen no meeru, shitsurei itashimasu.	Sorry for the sudden email
お忙しいところ大変申し訳ございませんが、〜	Oisogashii tokoro taihen mōshiwake gozaimasen ga, ~	Sorry to interrupt while you are busy, but…

Though not common, you can also use a very formal way of saying “How are you doing?”: お元気でいらっしゃいますか。

3. Email Body

The email body is where you clearly and politely state the main purpose of your message. It usually starts with a brief summary or context, followed by the details or requests. Use polite and humble language, and avoid sounding too direct or demanding.

An important tip when writing Japanese emails is that each sentence typically starts on a new line. This is different from English, where sentences are grouped together into paragraphs.

Japanese	Romaji	English
先日の会議でご提案いただいた件について、追加で確認させていただきたい点がございます。 お手数をおかけいたしますが、ご確認のほどよろしくお願いいたします。	Senjitsu no kaigi de go-teian itadaita ken ni tsuite, tsuika de kakunin sasete itadakitai ten ga gozaimasu. Otesuu o okake itashimasu ga, go-kakunin no hodo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.	Regarding the matter you proposed in the previous meeting, there are some additional points I would like to confirm. I apologize for the inconvenience, but I would appreciate your confirmation.

4. Conclusion and Closing

The closing phrases in a Japanese email should match the tone and content of your message while showing proper politeness and respect. Here are some effective closing phrases you can use:

Japanese Phrase	Romaji	English Meaning
何卒よろしくお願い申し上げます。	Nanitozo yoroshiku onegai moushiagemasu.	I humbly ask for your kind cooperation.
引き続きよろしくお願いいたします。	Hikitsuzuki yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.	Thank you for your continued support.
ご検討のほどよろしくお願いいたします。	Go kentou no hodo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.	I appreciate your kind consideration.
お忙しいところ恐れ入りますが、よろしくお願いいたします。	Oisogashii tokoro osore irimasu ga, yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.	Sorry to trouble you when busy, but thank you in advance.
失礼いたします。	Shitsurei itashimasu.	Excuse me (used to close politely).

Tip: While ご返信お待ちしております (Gohenjin omachi shite orimasu), meaning “I look forward to your reply” is very polite, it can sometimes feel like you are putting pressure on the recipient to respond quickly. Because of this nuance, it’s often better to use more neutral closing phrases in formal Japanese business emails.

Using Keigo in Japanese Business Emails

Depending on the type of relationship of business relationship you are writing to, there are 2 types of language forms.

The first form is 尊敬語 (Sonkeigo), which is the honorific language. This form conveys courtesy and respect for the person you are writing to. This form can be used not only to your listeners but also to a third person as well. The only difference is from the polite form. Keep in mind that this form is usually too formal, and instead, the humble form is used more often.

As for the second form, it would be 謙譲語 (kenjougo), which means humble form. This form is used when you want to show your respect to the person you are writing to for your actions by humbling yourself.

This step is very important as you would need to show your respect to the recipient. Thus, you would need to be very careful about which language forms to use.

If the two parties already have a close relationship, they can both leave some parts out. However, a word of caution that this would make the email less formal and more casual.

Vocabulary Business Japanese Vocabulary

Here is some vocabulary for you to help you in writing your own Japanese business email!

Dear: 拝啓・はいけい・Haikei
Subject: 件名・けんめい・Kenmei
Sender: 差出人・さしだしにん・Sashidashinin
Address: 宛先・あてさき・Atesaki
Urgent: 至急・しきゅう・Shikyuu
Notice: 通知・つうち・Tsuuchi
To whom it may concern:  ご担当者様・ごたんとうしゃさま・Gotantoushasama
Best Wishes: 敬具・けいぐ・Keigu
Signature: 署名・しょめい・Shomei

Tips for Writing Japanese Business Email

• Japanese business emails are usually more structured as compared to those from Western countries.
• It is important to leave a line between each new topic.
• When you are sending the same email to multiple people in the company, please make sure that you rank the names in accordance with their rank in the company

Business Japanese Email Template

Now that you have learned about Japanese emails, let’s look at a few examples!

1. Email templates for following up

You’ve sent important documents or materials to a client or colleague and haven’t received a response. It’s common practice in Japan to send a polite follow-up email. Below is a professional template you can use to follow up and kindly ask for confirmation regarding the materials you sent.

Japanese:

件名：資料ご確認のお願い（ABC株式会社・田中）

株式会社DEF
営業部　山田様

いつもお世話になっております。
ABC株式会社の田中と申します。

先日お送りいたしました資料について、ご確認いただけましたでしょうか。
お忙しいところ恐縮ではございますが、内容に問題がないかご確認いただけますと幸いです。

ご不明な点やご質問等ございましたら、どうぞお気軽にご連絡ください。
何卒よろしくお願いいたします。

失礼いたします。

ABC株式会社
田中太郎
tanaka@abc.co.jp
03-1234-5678

English:

Subject: Request for Material Confirmation (ABC Corp. – Tanaka)

Mr./Ms. Yamada, Sales Department, DEF Corporation

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.
My name is Tanaka from ABC Corporation.

I’m following up regarding the materials I sent the other day.
I apologize for troubling you while you’re busy, but I would be grateful if you could kindly confirm there are no issues with the content.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Thank you very much in advance for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Taro Tanaka
ABC Corporation
tanaka@abc.co.jp
03-1234-5678

2. Email templates for apologizing

Here’s a simple template you can use to apologize for the delay and resend your documents professionally.

Japanese:

件名：資料送付のご連絡とお詫び（ABC株式会社・田中）

株式会社DEF
営業部　山田様

いつもお世話になっております。
ABC株式会社の田中と申します。

資料の送付が遅くなり、誠に申し訳ございませんでした。
本日、改めて資料を添付させていただきますので、ご確認いただけますと幸いです。

お忙しいところ恐れ入りますが、ご確認のほどよろしくお願いいたします。
ご不明な点がございましたら、どうぞお気軽にご連絡ください。

何卒よろしくお願い申し上げます。

失礼いたします。

ABC株式会社
田中太郎
tanaka@abc.co.jp
03-1234-5678

English:

Subject: Apology and Notice of Material Submission (ABC Corp. – Tanaka)

Mr./Ms. Yamada, Sales Department, DEF Corporation

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.
My name is Tanaka from ABC Corporation.

I sincerely apologize for the delay in sending the materials.
I am resending the materials today and would appreciate it if you could kindly review them.

I apologize for troubling you while you are busy, but I would be grateful for your confirmation.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Thank you very much for your kind cooperation.

Sincerely,

Taro Tanaka
ABC Corporation
tanaka@abc.co.jp
03-1234-5678

Level up your professional Japanese with the Coto Academy Business Japanese Course!

Looking to advance your career or find a new job in Japan? Coto Academy offers Business Japanese and advanced-level courses tailored for working professionals, as well as classes for intermediate to advanced learners looking to build confidence in professional communication. Fill out the form below, and our friendly team will get in touch with you shortly!

Want to land a job in Japan? Don’t forget to read our guide on:

• How to Work in Japan in This Economy
• How to Write Rirekisho (Japanese Resume): Free PDF Template
• Common Japanese Job Interview Questions You Need to Master
• Ultimate Guide to Job Hunting in Japan

FAQ

What are the key features of a Japanese business email?

Japanese business emails are typically formal and polite. They use honorific language (keigo), clear structure, and often start with seasonal greetings or expressions of gratitude. Proper etiquette and humility are important to maintain respect.

How long should a Japanese business email be?

Keep it concise but polite. Avoid overly long emails; focus on clarity and respect.

How do I address a Japanese business person in an email?

Address the recipient with their family name + 様 (sama), which is a very polite honorific.

You’ve decided to take on JLPT N5, but looking for the right Japanese N5 textbook can feel more overwhelming than actually studying the language.

So, read this guide to find out the top 20 N5 textbooks for beginners to ace the JLPT with flying colors — or to start your studies on the right foot. When you’re ready to jump to the next level, we have also JLPT N3 textbook and JLPT N4 textbook recommendations!

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 concrete goal to reach. 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 vocabulary words and 100 kanji, so you can also assess your ability and level appropriately.

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 vocabulary, and basic kanji. But what’s the best one you can find online?

Don’t know where to start with the JLPT? Check out our full guide on how to study for the JLPT!

What Will I Need To Pass the JLPT N5?

In order to pass the JLPT N5, you will need to know hiragana, katakana, kanji (around 100 characters), and master some essential grammar. You will also need to understand basic conversation in Japanese since there is a listening section. So, the best textbooks often prepare you specifically for the JLPT N5 or focus on one of the key areas, such as vocabulary, fundamental grammar, etc. There are a variety of options out there, but here are our top 20 picks!

Read More: Top 100 JLPT N5 Vocabulary List

Top JLPT 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.

Many of our courses use this textbook as well. Feel free to contact us about our JLPT Courses and more!

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 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 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 a hundred questions. You will learn to analyze passages by understanding how to break down sentences into simple words to better comprehend them 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 is 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, and 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 vocabulary, 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,s 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 its 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 of 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 vocabulary 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 them 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 are a lot of example sentences and detailed explanations to help 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 the 103 most common Kanji found on the N5 level test. The book is mostly used as flashcards as readers will be able to find the kanji mnemonic on the front page and the kanji information on the back of the page. Each mnemonic has its own drawing as well as a sentence example and explanations for better memorization.

Price: $16.91 (¥1,937)

Click this link to purchase the book.

What’s Next After Finding The Best JLPT N5 Textbook

Once you have found the best JLPT Textbook, use you will need to it to help strategize how to pass the JLPT N5. It’s a pretty long test and your chosen textbook(s) should cover every area from reading to listening in Japanese.

While finding JLPT learning resources is great for self-learning, we also recommend finding the right support from a professional instructor. We offer both JLPT self-study courses as well as online or in-person JLPT Courses taught by an experienced teacher who can help you dissect the N5 exam and be fully equipped to pass!

FAQ

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 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 beginner course in Japanese. We also recommend you buy 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 Japan, 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 the 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 that you go through all 5 levels until you feel comfortable having conversations in Japanese fluently.

Shhould I take JLPT lessons?

Taking JLPT lessons can significantly boost your chances of success by providing structured learning with experienced Japanese teachers. With Coto Academy, you’ll benefit from expert instruction, flexible schedules, and a proven track record of helping students pass levels N5 to N1.

Check out our guides for other JLPT levels as well:

• Ultimate Guide to Passing the JLPT N1 Exam
• Ultimate Guide to Passing the JLPT N2 Exam
• Ultimate Guide to Passing the JLPT N3 Exam
• Ultimate Guide to Passing the JLPT N4 Exam