Whether you’re just beginning your Japanese studies or already at an advanced level, chances are you will still encounter unfamiliar words that leave you reaching for a dictionary. Whether it’s through an app or a traditional paper dictionary, having the right tool can make all the difference.

As interest in the Japanese language continues to grow, despite its reputation as one of the most challenging languages to learn so does the number of available Japanese dictionaries. But with so many options out there, how do you choose the right one? In this article, we will be reviewing the most popular Japanese dictionaries across categories, from paper dictionaries to smartphone apps.

What Makes a Good Japanese Dictionary? 

A good Japanese-to-English dictionary is a must-have tool for all learners of the language. These dictionaries helps us learn Japanese faster and more efficiently. It must have 100% accuracy and be up-to-date, meaning that it must be updated every few years. Looking at the learner level the dictionary is at is also very important, as a beginner isn’t going to be using or learning the same words as someone getting ready to take the JLPT N1.

And lastly, having key features in the dictionary to help users retain more of what they are reading will be useful. This could include having some basic grammar worksheet usage. So, depending on what you are looking for, these key distinctions will help you in deciding which dictionary it is that you may need and can get the most use out of.

Looking for apps to learn Japanese? Check out these 30 apps for Japanese learning!

Best Japanese Paper Dictionaries

Traditional paper dictionaries have been used by people for many years. Because they are printed, they are a reliable source of the most accurate and detailed explanations for words and sentences. Here are our recommended paper dictionaries for Japanese learners.

1. Kodansha’s Communicative English-Japanese Dictionary

Widely referenced as the most comprehensive English-Japanese dictionary available. It has an all-inclusive word bank of 22,000 words with the support of 190,000 sample questions. It includes Japanese translations for common words, technical terms, and even slang. Additionally, phrasal verbs, specific expressions, idioms, and related grammar points are also included. Most importantly, there is furigana to ensure users the ease of reading.

Buy Kodansha’s Communicative English-Japanese Dictionary
In conclusion, this is a well-rounded paper dictionary suitable for all levels of Japanese learners.

Buy Kodansha’s Communicative English-Japanese Dictionary on Amazon.

2.Oxford Beginner’s Japanese Dictionary (Multilingual Edition)

This highly rated dictionary was designed to help English-speaking learners have a comprehensive and straightforward introduction to Japanese. It covers vocabulary needed within the first year of study, has notes on grammar, and overall helps guide readers on the culture of Japan. They provide clear examples to show how the language will be used in varying contexts, and is overall well-organized. One of its key features, too, is that the dictionary is split into two sections: The first, where words are organized alphabetically in Japanese, then the second part is organized alphabetically in English.

Buy Oxford’s Beginner Japanese Dictionary on Amazon.

3. Kodansha’s Furigana Dictionary

If you are an absolute beginner and would like a dictionary that matches your beginner level, we recommend you use this. It is a basic English-Japanese and Japanese-English dictionary with 30,000 applicable basic Japanese words.
As its name suggests, there is always furigana on top of every kanji in the dictionary to assist the user as they read.
Despite having a smaller word bank, the explanations for each term are precise and comprehensive. For example, words are explained with thousands of examples of sentences. Differences in the usage of similar words are clarified in the dictionary. In conclusion, this is the first Japanese dictionary for beginners.

Buy Kodansha’s Furigana Dictionary on Amazon.

Electronic Japanese Dictionaries

If you feel that it is too troublesome flipping through thousands of pages on a paper dictionary, you may consider getting an electronic one.
Electronic Japanese dictionaries are portable, fast and with useful features such as kanji writing recognition and integrated audio. Some may also have multiple dictionaries stored. This allows you to avoid the trouble of carrying a heavy book around.

Electronic dictionaries have one big weakness – most Japanese electronic dictionaries are built for Japanese English learners. Therefore, the user interface is in Japanese most of the time. If you are a beginner in Japanese, we do not recommend you to get one.

The price of an electronic dictionary depends on its features and the number of dictionaries stored. While older models with basic functions cost less than 40 US dollars, some newer models have more features and bigger word banks are priced up to $500.

Because of the convenient translation websites and apps today, it is almost pointless to spend money on simple electronic dictionaries. As such, we advise you to purchase a newer model with better features. Specific models we recommend is Casio’s ED 9800 Series. It is the comprehensive English-Japanese dictionary series with the latest features. The latest model has the largest word bank supported by 20 English-Japanese dictionaries and 11 Japanese-Japanese dictionaries. Some online dictionaries have audiobooks attached to them, so users are able to double-check what they are saying sounds the same (or similar) to native speakers.

Best Online Japanese Dictionaries and Apps

If you are looking for an easy solution that is also free, we recommend you use an online dictionary and ap dictionary. Online dictionaries and apps only require your phone or laptop and an internet connection (some are even available totally offline). They are extremely convenient, easily accessible, and suitable for most people.
Here are our recommended online dictionaries and apps.

1. Weblio

Weblio is the largest Japanese dictionary website with about 11,370,000 words recorded. You can simply search for the English explanation of a Japanese word or vice versa. Detailed explanations from different dictionaries will be listed with example sentences, phrases, and related words. However, because of the Japanese UI, this website is only recommended to upper beginners and above.

Check out Weblio.

2. Jisho.org

This is a powerful English-Japanese online dictionary with a simple user interface and easy-to-use functions. Advanced search options allow you to search for Japanese translations, Kanji, example sentences, and names.
You can also look for words by their radicals, drawings, and even voice input in both Japanese and English. And what is really great for Japanese learners is that you can identify words based on their JLPT level. The Kanji from the words will also be listed on the right with their pronunciations and meanings. This online dictionary is extremely suitable for self-learners.

Check out Jisho.org.

3. Japanese Dictionary Takoboto (Android)

Rated the highest on Google Play, this is one of the best free offline Japanese dictionaries for Android. You can search for words using romaji, kana, kanji or alphabets. Additionally, you can also search for the translation of complete sentences – just like jisho.org, you can search for kanji by their radicals. Other useful features, such as flashcards and custom word lists, make it even more convenient for use by learners.  If you are using an Android device, we highly recommend this app.

Check out Takaboto on Android.

4. Imiwa? (iOS)

A wordplay on the Japanese phrase “What’s the meaning?”, Imiwa is a popular free offline multilingual Japanese dictionary for iPhone. Like the one introduced above, this app also has a strong search engine that allows you to search by meaning, romaji, kanji or alphabet. Of course, you can also search for a Kanji by radicals or by drawing it out. Animated stroke order diagrams, pronunciations, and definitions of the kanji are shown in many languages.
For revision, you can review the words in your search history and create your vocabulary lists. Many users rate this dictionary highly and recommend it online.

Check out Imiwa on iOS.

5. Japanese(iOS/Android)

“Japanese” is a comprehensive offline Japanese dictionary for both Android and iPhone. It compiles every useful feature you can find in other Japanese dictionary apps. There are over 175,000 entries and 58,000 example sentences in this app, covering every word you would see. Moreover, it is more than just a dictionary. For users sitting for the JLPT or the Kanji Kentei, it has ready-built study lists for each level to properly prepare.

Check out Japanese in iOS.

6. ALC

ALC is a well-established name in Japan’s language-learning world, known for its dependable and comprehensive resources. Its flagship online dictionary, Eijirou (英辞郎), is especially popular among professionals, including translators, thanks to its extensive database of example sentences, collocations, idiomatic phrases, and technical terms that are often missing from other dictionaries.

This dictionary helps learners understand specialized vocabulary and how people use it in different contexts.

Check out ALC.

7. Nihongo

If you’re learning Japanese and use a phone or iPad, Nihongo is one of the best dictionary apps you can get your hands on. The app was developed by Japanese learner Chris Vasselli and is designed for students and fellow learners.

What makes Nihongo stand out is its seamless mix of dictionary and study tools. It automatically creates flashcards from words you look up, lets you add photos to help with memory, and shows whether a word is common, uncommon, or rare. 

There are also some clever features that make learning smoother. The app includes a Safari extension that adds furigana to kanji on websites, a handwriting tool for when you don’t know a Kanji’s reading, and a “Clippings” feature that lets you save real Japanese text and study it later. You can even trace words you’ve saved back to the original content they came from. 

Check out Nihongo.

8. Kotobank

Kotobank is a Japanese-language online encyclopedia that lets you search across a wide range of dictionaries, encyclopedias, and databases.

It’s a go-to tool when you want quick, reliable definitions or need to better understand the deeper meaning of a Japanese term. The definitions often provide more nuance and cultural context than you’d get from a simple translation. 

Check out Kotobank.

9. Linguee

Linguee is a free online dictionary that supports multiple language pairs, including Japanese, German, Spanish, and more, translated from English. It’s easy to use and doesn’t require an account or login, which makes it a convenient tool for quick lookups.

What really sets Linguee apart is its vast number of example sentences. In addition to basic, tool-generated examples, it pulls real-world sentences from external sources like multilingual websites. These examples provide richer context and help you see words or phrase in natural writing. While not every translation is perfect due to the lack of manual review, this dictionary is still an excellent resource for learners. 

Check out Linguee.

10. Tagaini Jisho

Tagaini Jisho is a free Japanese-English dictionary app available for both Mac and Windows. While the interface may look dated, the platform offers a wide range of features that are useful for serious learners. You can filter vocabulary by JLPT level, parts of speech, or kanji elements, making it great for targeted study. It even includes Kanji stroke order animations to help with writing practice.

Other standout features include the ability to add custom tags and notes to entries, create flashcards, and even print out study booklets using foldable templates. These print-friendly sheets are perfect if you prefer offline learning or want something to carry around in your pocket.

Check out Tagaini Jisho.

11. Shirabe Jisho (iOS)  

“Shirabe Jisho” is owned by the same users who made Jisho.org, so now having a mobile interface that can be used in both Japanese-English or English-Japanese makes it all the better in our books. Its reliability stands out for users as well, with it having 4.9 stars out of 5 with over 7,500 ratings. 

Check out Shirabe Jisho.

Ready to Learn Japanese? Join Coto Academy!

There are many ways to go about learning Japanese, let alone many options for dictionaries. Take time for yourself and think about what will work best for you and your learning needs before you purchase your next dictionary. What are some features that you think will help you better comprehend Japanese? You could maybe trial a few to see what works best for you before totally submitting to one! 

If you’re looking for in-person practice or one-on-one help from a native speaker, Coto Academy may be what you need! With in-person classes or private online courses, Coto has a variety of options based on your needs to help you learn Japanese culture and language with ease!

If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo, find out more about our school by filling out the form below. Courses can be found here.

FAQ

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Let’s face it: Japanese YouTube channels redefine what it means to go above and beyond for online entertainment.

Content creators in Japan wear a lot of faces — both literally and figuratively. They’re propelled by outlandish challenges, mukbangs and squeamish close-ups of fish cutting. We’re talking about consuming ten packs of fire noodles in one seating and cracking open sea cucumbers and poisonous starfish.

But behind the questionably thick veil of Japanese Youtubers, a lot of Japanese Youtube channels have dedicated themselves to helping their international audience learn the Japanese language and culture, proving that YouTube can be an educational platform, too.

So where do you go when you’re looking to climb out of the rabbit hole of freaky Japanese content — and into something more, say, digestible?

Of all the many gathered in the digital creative landscape, we’ve collected 50 of our top Japanese YouTube channels you should subscribe to. A lot of them provide free online Japanese learning resources.

Regardless of whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced, there are Japanese YouTube channels waiting for you.

We’re breaking them down into three categories: Teachers, vloggers and Japanese culture content creators.

Don’t know where to start? Check out Coto’s YouTube account or Coto’s blog section for more helpful Japanese tips and learning materials.

Japanese Youtube Channels: Japanese Teachers

JapanesePod101.com

Recommended for beginners, JapanesePod101 is a channel that covers topics ranging from grammar to vocabulary to reading and many more! It is a verified Japanese Youtube channel with over 2.3 million subscribers. They would host daily YouTube live streams for Japanese listening, speaking and writing. 

Kendra’s Language School

This channel has listening practices. Not only that, the videos give you practice and they have romaji and Japanese words on the screen. It would be easy to follow. Their videos cater to both English and Chinese learners.

Nihonhonomori

This channel has listening practices. Not only that, the videos give you practice and they have romaji and Japanese words on the screen. It would be easy to follow. Their videos cater to both English and Chinese learners.

Minori Education

Minori is perfect for beginners learning N5 and N4 who want to take a challenge. All of their videos are in Japanese to hone your listening skills, but you can always turn on their multilingual subtitles if the lesson goes a bit too hard. The YouTube channel uploads almost daily, and all of the Japanese tutorials are designed for students to map smooth progress. They break down vocabularies, grammar structures and questions. You will also have a practice session at the end.

NihonGoal

There’s an ongoing debate among the Japanese learning community about textbooks: Minna no Nihongo, or Genki? Helmed by Rose, you pick the prior, then NihonGoal is the perfect YouTube channel to walk you through the book. They break down the study into three series: vocabulary, grammar and Kanji. Rose isn’t a native Japanese speaker, though, so if you are focusing on speaking and Japanese pronunciation, head somewhere else.

Tokini Andy

Andy’s presence is unmatched. Combining playful monologues and great presentation skills, Tokini Andy becomes a channel to help Japanese learners nail Japanese conversational fluency — all while having fun. The textbooks he uses are also the Genki books, and his videos are aptly slow and practical. You’ll get sample sentences, extra tips for Japanese grammar and useful vocabulary. He also has his own Patreon.

Dogen

If you hear him blindfolded, you might assume he’s a Japanese — or at the very least, a hafu — but Dogen is one of the few talented international Youtuber who just so happens to nail that spot-on Japanese native-level accent. His YouTube channel primarily consists of comedic skits and quirky storytelling about very relatable Japanese antics that foreigners will understand if they live in Japan long enough. You can head to his Patreon for more thorough (and serious) Japanese phonetic lessons. 

Japanese Ammo with Misa

Japanese Ammo with Misa is flexible for both beginners and advanced learners. She gives lessons on Japanese grammar and vocabulary. There are also videos for useful Japanese phrases as well as topics on Japanese culture. The channel has many playlists that can help you enhance your Japanese learning.

Miku Real Japanese

Miku’s videos are a fun and effective way of learning Japanese. Her playlist has grammar and listening to videos for practice for beginner to intermediate learners. Not only that, you can practice your speaking skill, as well as she has a playlist called “speak with me”. She also does videos on learning Japanese with Terrace House as it would be interesting and fun to take it out of the classroom. You’ll also have access to extra videos if you sign up for her Patreon.

Learning Kanji

This is one of our recommended Japanese Youtube channels that’s perfect if you are considering taking the JLPT exam. The person goes through questions about how to answer and tips on how to answer them. He explains vocabulary to suit everyone’s needs. His videos have a variety of question papers from JLPT, kanji, grammar, hiragana, and katakana. As for JLPT, he has N5 to N2 practice papers which he goes through it. He also does a video on the MEXT scholarship exam.

BondLingo

Learn Japanese Online with BondLingo upload videos about the Japanese language and cultures. Not only are there online lessons, but there are apps on mobile as well. Their playlist consists of the JLPT practice exam – grammar, N5 to N2 but also pronunciation videos as well! They also have live streams for Japanese study sessions, and it’s always good to join the room to make your learning journey less lonely.

Learn Japanese

This Japanese Youtuber gives free videos for JLPT preparations ranging from all levels. His lessons are pretty laidback and chill, and he even has some content dedicated to learning Japanese from anime. He has a dedicated playlist called the Writing Systems for introductions to all aspects of the Japanese writing system: hiragana, katakana and kanji.

Learn Japanese From Zero!

Learn Japanese From Zero is an informative channel that posts videos every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Every video goes through a respective lesson on the channel’s textbook, and materials are only available online. This makes it easy for anyone to learn Japanese and take notes. He also has his own Japanese textbook. 

Yuko Sensei

Yuko Sensei has been teaching Japanese at the university level for 20 years, so to say that she is a Japanese language expert would be a safe bet. Her videos discard any boring PowerPoint, and instead focuses on interactive color-coded animations to help you understand Japanese grammar, vocabulary, and scripts. For those learners who cannot attend classes or do not know where to start learning, this channel is good for online learning courses. She also offers free trial courses.

PuniPuniJapan

PuniPuniJapan’s videos are well-illustrated and narrated with clear explanations. It is more recommended for beginners who started learning Japanese. They cover topics such as katakana, grammar, vocabulary and more. Besides that, PuniPuniJapan also uploads videos about Japanese culture.

Tae Kim

The channel provides step by step learning. They have different episodes and on the episodes, they teach learners different topics such as negative state, adjectives and sentence ending. This channel has a lot of different variables when it comes to learning Japanese. Their video areas are very classroom-based and it is very easy to follow.

ライト Japanese Library 

ライト Japanese Library features Light, who is a foreigner who speaks Japanese, English, and Afrikaans. On his channel, he has videos teaching Japanese as well as some daily vlogs with his daughter. He also gives many different tips for living in Japan.

WORDPIE

This channel is good to learn Japanese because their videos are in songs. Their videos are appealing and it is easy to follow as they have Japanese words plus English words are well. Not only that, their videos are all about Japanese vocabularies.

Kanji – Link

It is very easy to learn Japanese grammar and kanji on this channel. Their videos have an animation of a teacher teaching. Their video content is also very easy to understand. Their kanji videos are step by step and it teaches you basic kanji and how to write it.

Organic Japanese with Cure Dolly

This channel is very good at making simplifying Japanese and making it easier to understand. Their videos are taught by an “android sensei”. Their explanations are very good and their content is original and engaging. Her methods of teaching Japanese are a little unorthodox, but very effective. Unfortunately, the owner of the channel has passed away, but the channel remains up and is still a very good resource.  

FunNihongo

This channel is good to learn basic Japanese because they make learning videos into songs so it would be easier to learn. The videos are interesting as well. They only have 1 playlist of videos such as day of the week song or the hiragana song. This channel is good for both adults and children.

わさび Japanese Teacher Vtuber

わさび or Wasabi is a Japanese Vtuber teacher that makes videos that are great for Beginner and Intermediate learners. She makes grammar and listening videos as well as a lot of YouTube shorts that go over vocab words. She is a much smaller creator, and is able to respond to a lot of questions in her comments.

Nami Ohara

Nami Ohara is another tJapanese grammar, vocabulary, and listening. Also, there are many videos on Japanese culture. Another feature of this channel is that there are many listening quizzes and tests for you to practice your listening skills. Not only that, they have many videos on learning Japanese through songs.

Masa Sensei

This channel is great for beginners in learning Japanese. Masa Sensei, the creator of this channel, makes weekly videos on Japanese grammar. In every video, she explains what grammar means and how to apply it. She also gives clear illustrations and examples in her videos.

三本塾 -Sambon Juku- 

This channel is very good for Intermediate and Advanced learners.  Sambon Juku has multiple playlists for everything from Phrases to Hiragana. He also has series going over N3, N2 and N1. He has very clear explanations and example sentences. His videos are narrated in Japanese, but he also has English subtitles if needed.

myjapanese

myjapanese is a channel covering levels from beginner to advanced. The topics covered are hiragana, kanji, JLPT, and business Japanese. There are many informative videos and are all well narrated and explained in English. The channel posts a new video every week.

Easy Peasy Japanesey

Watching anime and Japanese TV programs is a great vehicle to accelerate your Japanese skill. Easy Peasy Japanesey disects scenes from iconic anime like Attack on Titan and Demon Slayer and breaks down the Japanese vocabularies and grammar structure involved. It’s a great, seemingly effortless away to learn Japanese — just don’t binge watch them all at once if you’re an anime fan who’s avoiding gut-wrenching, tear-inducing spoilers. 

Yumi Ura

Yumi Ura is a channel that is especially good for Japanese students preparing to take the JLPT N2 and N3 level tests. All the videos in this channel are on topics for the N2 and N3-level tests. Their videos allow viewers to practice their listening skills as it is everything is explained Japanese.

Japanization

Japanization is good for learning basic Japanese. Started by a native Japanese, he makes lesson videos on Japanese grammar and vocabulary, as well as on different aspects of Japanese culture. He explains well in English in every video too. Thus, making it easy for non-Japanese listeners to follow.

Clayton MacKnight

Registering for a JLPT exam can be unnerving, let alone preparing for it. Enter Clayton MacKnight, your perfect virtual study buddy. He’s currently residing in Osaka and has recently passed N2. His channel that features a variety of videos to help those taking JLPT. Expect all things Japanese covered in his channels, from grammar and kanji to study guides to Japanese culture. It’s also great to get a learning support from a foreigner. The videos have graphic illustrations to them more engaging. .

Michiyo Wojnovich

Michiyo Wojnovich is a good channel for those learning Japanese with Genki textbooks. All the videos on the channel cover topics from the Genki textbooks. The teacher, Michiyo, narrates and explains each topic in every video in English.

31. Japonin

6 thousand subscribers

Japonin is a channel that can help learners to improve and enhance their Japanese reading skills. There are many videos that feature a text with clear narration. There are also various cultural topics such as ‘imported words’ and ‘origami’ for learners to enhance their Japanese culture knowledge.

Plain Japanese

Plain Japanese’s online lessons are being taught by a native Japanese teacher. Their videos are well-illustrated and explained, covering many different topics on the Japanese language such as grammar and kanji. There are also other informative videos such as ‘Japanese Greetings’ and ‘Counting Numbers in Japanese’.

Top Japanese Youtube Channels: Vloggers

Nihongo Mantappu 

You can leave it up to Jerome Polin to give you a full angle of what it’s like to live in Japan as a university student. As a MEXT scholarship awardee, Jerome is enrolled at Waseda University. His videos started from a humble ground: to help potential Japanese international students learn Japanese and kickstart their life here. It didn’t take long for his channel to skyrocket. After several vlogs, collaborations and fun challenges with his university friends, Jerome quickly grew to be the biggest star in Japan’s creator platform. Now, he has more than 7.5 million subscribers, and the numbers aren’t slowing down. 

Rachel and Jun

This channel is good for learning Japanese because they do vlogs about their daily lives. The channel, started by a Japanese husband and an American wife, who are both living in Japan. Rachel would speak in English while her husband would speak in Japanese. Sometimes both would speak each other’s languages. Their videos have Japanese subtitles so it would be easy to follow and learn about new words. Their videos are very interesting and sometimes funny too. They do not post on their main channel anymore, but still regularly upload on ‘Rachel & Jun’s Adventures!‘

Abroad in Japan

Abroad in Japan does vlogs which talk about how his interreaction experience with the Japanese culture and people here. Some of his interesting vlogs are “how to lose weight in Japan” and “Japanese thoughts on London magic man”

Life Where I’m From

Life Where I’m From has a series of Japanese documentaries and life in Japan starring their children. They give interesting and educational insight into their everyday. They also show how is life in Japan through a series of vlogs. 

39. Bilingirl Chika

A Japanese Youtube celebrity with over 1.4 million subscribers. Her channel has videos in both English and Japanese. Having moved to America at a young age, she has many things to learn about Japan and shares about them on her channel. She also shared many vlogs on her daily life.

Tokyo Lens

The name of this Youtuber is pretty self-explanatory. Tokyo Lens offers an interesting, otherwise unseen, angle to Japan. From exploring Japan’s smallest apartment to visiting Japan’s most active volcano, his videos provide a unique take on living in Japan. 

Tokyo Creative

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While there is plenty of excitement about moving to Japan, you will eventually need to do your laundry. Now it may seem to be just another ordinary, often mundane, routine of everyday life in your home country, but do you know what all the buttons mean on a Japanese laundry machine? Suddenly, things got a lot more complicated.

Worry not! Most washing machines in Japan just need a push of a button or two, and like magic, your clothes spin through cycles until you need to take them out. But if you are still wondering about how to actually use a washer in Japan, keep on reading to discover what the different functions on the washing machine mean and how to use them!

Want to be more familiar with the Japanese writing systems? Read our blog breaking down Japanese writing systems: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji.

Different Types of Japanese Washing Machines

There are a variety of washing machines in Japan, but the most common type that people own at home is the top-loading machine. Front-loading (drum-type washing machines) are also common but are usually more expensive. Lastly, there are coin laundry machines, which are often very large drum-type washing machines. Below is a description of each:

1. 縦型洗濯機 (Tategatasentakuki): Top-Loading Washing Machine

The most common personal washing machine found in Japanese homes. They tend to be cheaper but use more water. The controls are the most straightforward and might have fewer features compared to other washing machines. 

Most machines do include a “spin-drying” cycle, which removes most of the excess water but does not completely dry the clothes, resulting in the clothes remaining damp after the cycle completes. 

Some machines do have a complete drying function, usually “tumble drying”, but if they don’t, you would need to hand the clothes to air dry. It’s common for most Japanese homes to hang clothes outside to dry.

2. ドラム式 (Doramu Shiki): Drum-type Washing Machines

These washing machines are considered more modern, advanced, and energy-efficient. They use less water than top-loading machines and can handle more delicate clothes. They also often have built-in dryer functions, called 全自動洗濯乾燥 (zenjidou sentaku kansou), which means washer-dryer functions. These types of washing machines also tend to be more expensive than top-loading models. 

Some models come with a separate dryer, but keep in mind, Japanese homes tend to be smaller, so having a separate washer and dryer might not be practical due to space concerns.

3. コインランドリー (Koin Randorii): Coin Laundry Machines

Coin laundries are common in urban areas and are usually conveniently located. You can often find one that is just a few hundred meters away from a hotel or your place of residence. They are usually significantly larger than home units and include separate washing and drying machines. People like to use them to wash large loads like futons or even small mattresses.

The specific features of coin laundry machines vary, but they often give customers options to wash with different temperatures and do delicate washes, and even options depending on what you are washing. Another convenient feature of coin laundries is that you don’t ever need to bring detergent. 

What do the Controls on Japanese Washing Machines Mean

Most washing machines have similar controls; some will have more features and therefore more buttons to select between the different options. But for now, let’s go over some of the most common controls and buttons that you will likely come across, based on the controls on the washing machine above.

Basic Buttons and Controls on Washing Machine in Japan

Starting with basic buttons, these include controls for turning on/off the washing machine, as well as starting/stopping a wash. These buttons are usually found on the very right.

Core Japanese Washing Machine Functions

These are the core Japanese washing machine functions; usually, each of these operations will be run automatically just by pressing スタート (sutaato) or the start button. But depending on your needs, for example, if your clothes still feel damp, you can press the 乾かす (kawakasu) button to just dry the clothes. The arrows at the very right allow you to customise things such as time or the amount of water. Here is a description of what each button does.

1. 洗 (Arai): Wash

The main washing/agitation cycle. The machine mixes water and detergent and scrubs the clothes. Use when you want to wash items normally or run a wash-only cycle.

2. すすぎ (Susugi): Rinse

This operation rinses detergent out of the clothes. Often repeats 1 – 3 times, depending on machine settings. Use if laundry still feels soapy or if you want to rinse hand-washed items.

3. 脱水 (Dassui): Spin or Spin Dry

This is a high-speed spin that removes water from clothes. Most washing machines, including top-loading models, have this function. Clothes come out damp but not dripping. You can use this option after hand-washing or if you need an extra spin to shorten drying time.

4. 乾かす (Kawakasu): Dry

This operation completely dries clothes, and clothes shouldn’t come out damp. The function uses warm or room-temperature air to dry clothes, depending on the model. It’s very useful if you don’t want to hang clothes outside and prefer to dry clothes more quickly.

Did you know drying clothes outside at certain times could be a bad omen in Japan? Find out about why by reading our blog: 20 Unique Japanese Superstitions Explained: Meaning & Origins

Additional Core Buttons on Japanese Washing Machines

These are the buttons found above the core operation buttons. They basically are shortcuts to do necessary operations, such as setting a timer for the wash to start, cleaning the drum (recommended once a month), and washing delicate clothes. 

Washing Modes on Japanese Washing Machines

The washing modes, usually called コース (Course) in Japanese, are controls for specific washing options. You can choose between the options by pressing the コース button. They usually include options such as quick, delicate, or standard washes. Here are the options found on the drum washing machine above:

1. 毛布 (Moufu): Blanket Mode

This setting is specifically designed for washing large, thick items and uses more water and gentler agitation so the blanket doesn’t get damaged or tangled. Some examples include:

• blankets
• comforters
• futon covers

2. 槽洗浄 (Sousenjou): Drum Cleaning

This function cleans the inside drum of the washing machine and usually takes a long time (1 – 3 hours). You can simply press the button alone to clean the machine, or you can also use specialised cleaning powder.

3. 時短 ( Jitan): Time-Saving / Quick Wash

A shorter, faster wash cycle, which is great when you’re in a rush, only have a small lightly used load, or staying in a hotel/Airbnb and need a quick wash.

4. 部屋干し (Heyaboshi): Indoor-Dry Mode

This mode is optimised for clothes that will be dried indoors rather than outside. It’s very useful in humid or rainy seasons, or in apartments without balconies. Below is what the function does:

• spins clothes more thoroughly
• reduces leftover moisture
• helps prevent musty smells

5. 標準 (Hyoujun): Standard / Normal Wash

When in doubt, choose 標準 (hyoujun), or the standard wash option; it’s the safest all-purpose mode that can safely wash most clothes. As the default washing cycle, it is ideal for most everyday laundry, ranging from t-shirts, sweatshirts, jeans, towels, socks, and general clothing overall.

6. おうち流 (Ouchi ryuu): “Home-Style” Wash

This mode mimics gentler, hand-wash-like agitation, similar to how you would wash clothes at home in a basin. It’s typically used for the following:

• delicate clothing
• knitwear
• items labelled “hand wash only”

Not all machines have this button; it’s also common for models such as 手洗い (tearai), which means hand wash or 柔らか (yawaraka), which means soft, for delicate clothes.

For other models, you might come across these button labels:

IIf you’re tired of relying on Google Translate for everyday tasks, it’s time to learn Japanese, even for practical, day-to-day life. Schools like Coto Academy focus on practical conversational Japanese, so everything you learn can be applied immediately.

They offer lessons on weekends and evenings, from part-time to intensive courses, giving you flexible options to learn Japanese according to your schedule and goals.

Washing, Dying, and Sanitization Functions

Found right next to the course selections, these functions are selected by pressing the 運転切替 (unten kirikae) button, which just means to “switch operations. These functions allow you to choose between different washing and drying cycles.

1. 除菌 (Jokkin): Sterilisation / Sanitisation

This function helps kill bacteria on clothing by using hot water, longer soaks, or special agitation, depending on the machine. It’s most useful for:

• baby clothes
• underwear
• towels
• sportswear
• Items that tend to develop odor

2. 消臭 (Shoushuu): Deodorisation

A cycle designed to remove smells from clothing, often using strong rinsing or airflow rather than a full wash. This cycle is most ideal for the following:

• smoky smells
• food odors
• sweat odors
• clothes that sat damp too long

3. 洗濯 (Sentaku): Wash

The most basic function, this option indicates a wash-only cycle without any drying. You can use this function if you plan to air-dry or if you don’t want to heat-dry delicate items.

4. 乾燥 (Kansou): Dry

This is a cycle for completely drying your clothes, usually via tumble drying. This setting is not always included in every washing machine, such as cheaper top-loading ones. It’s a common function for many front-loading models. This option is great for those who don’t want to hang clothes, especially during the rainy or humid seasons. 

Keep in mind that most machines can only handle drying small loads (usually around half the full capacity of loads for washing). This cycle usually takes 2 – 4 hours, depending on the machine.

5. 洗〜乾 (Sen ~ Kan): Washing to Drying Sequence

This is a full cycle from washing to drying (automatically). The symbol 〜 indicates the process is continuous. Generally, this sequence:

• Uses less energy
• Skips certain washing motions
• Great for lightly soiled items

Typical Washing Machine Routine in Japan

Using a washing machine is quite simple, with just a press of a couple of buttons, and the washing machine will automatically go through the full cycle. Outlined below are the basic steps to follow after loading in your clothes:

1. Turn on the Washing Machine

Usually, under the label 電源 (dengen), meaning power, you can press 入 (iri) to turn on the machine.

2. Add Detergent

Depending on the machine, there is a slot for you to pour in the detergent. Oftentimes, with top-loading models, you just pour in the detergent over the clothes.

3. (Can Usually Skip) Select Preferred Course

You can usually skip this step if you just want to do a standard wash. But if you need to do a more specific operation, you can press one of the top buttons, such as おしゃれ着 (osharegi) for delicates. 

You can also press コース (koosu), or the course button, to select between the different operations mentioned earlier. To choose either the deodorisation or sanitisation functions, you can press the 運転切替 (unten kiri kae) button.

4. Press スタート (Start)

Just push the start button to start the wash. If you don’t customise the operations, it will automatically do a standard full cycle from washing to spin drying, and if the model has it, tumble or complete drying.

5. Check the Dampness or Wetness of clothes

Most models include cycles up to spin drying, which should leave clothes a bit damp so you can just hang them out to dry. If they are dripping wet, you select 脱水 (dassui), spin dry, to remove all the excess water. 

If your washing machine is like the image above and includes 乾燥 (kawakasu), or drying cycle, you can completely dry your clothes without hanging them. Just know drying is only possible with smaller loads with most models. 

Conclusion: Washing Machines in Japan are Simple & Easy-to-use

Washing machines in Japan can seem overwhelming at first, but all you have to do for a standard wash is turn it on, add detergent, and press start. That’s it! Pretty simple, right? And even doing more complicated washes just requires remembering a little more Japanese. 

It would be helpful, however, to read the instruction manual as well, since it could discuss how to best use it, what could go wrong, or how to make the product last longer. So to gain confidence in reading and speaking Japanese, we highly recommend taking classes with a professional Japanese teacher who can adjust to your specific goals and needs.

Here at Coto Academy, we offer practical lessons tailored specifically for the Japanese you will encounter in the real world. We provide both full-time intensive and more flexible part-time courses, and our teachers work closely with you to help you reach your unique Japanese learning goals! Sign up today by filling out the form below:

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You might be interested in our other How-to Guides in Japan:

• How to Use Japan’s Ramen Vending Machines
• Where to Buy Thanksgiving Turkey in Japan: 2025 Guide
• Ultimate Guide to Buying a Car in Japan: New or Used
• How to Buy a Commuter Pass in Japan: Step-by-Step Guide (2025)
• Guide to Your Japanese Rice Cookers
• Guide to Your Japanese Food Labels

While China and Japan may be relatively close geographically and both shape today’s cultural, economic, business, and pop culture landscapes, the Chinese and Japanese languages have clear distinctions.

The Chinese language is estimated to be spoken by more than one-fifth of the world’s population. Japanese, on the other hand, is primarily spoken in Japan. And due to the massive influence and reach of both China and Japan, many language learners often struggle with the dilemma of choosing whether to learn Chinese or Japanese, and the fundamentals of what makes each language so special and unique from the other. 

In this article, we will help distinguish between the Chinese and the Japanese languages so that you can adopt a greater appreciation and understanding of each one, and determine which language is more aligned with your language learning wants and needs! 

History of the Chinese and Japanese Languages

Chinese Language

The Chinese and Japanese languages have ancient roots, tracing back thousands of years for both written and oral communication.  The modern Chinese language originated from the Proto-Sino-Tibetan language family, which emerged in the Yellow River region of northern China approximately 6,000 years ago. The historical timeline of the Chinese language can be divided into 4 distinctive eras: 

1. Ancient Chinese: 18th century BC – 3rd century AD
2. Middle Chinese: 4th century AD – 12th century AD
3. Early Modern Chinese:13th – 20th century
4. Modern Chinese: 20th century to present day

Each of these evolutionary eras marks a distinct shift in both the spoken and written Chinese language. 

For instance, Ancient Chinese featured many monosyllabic consonants (a word with only one syllable, ex. “hi” or “see”) and lack of inflections (changing a word’s form to align with a certain tense, ex. “chased” or “jumped”), marking the early emergence of a language without the later fine-tuning and specifics quite yet. 

Middle Chinese marked the early development of tonal variation, including level (píng) — a stable pitch, rising (shǎng) — a pitch that rises during the syllable, and departing (qù) — a falling pitch. During this period, the distinction between aspirated and unaspirated sounds also emerged. Aspirated sounds required a stronger burst of air upon pronunciation, whereas unaspirated sounds involved much less airflow.

Early Modern Chinese set the groundwork for the Chinese that we recognize today, including more disyllabic words (a word with more than one syllable, like  “sunshine” or “rainbow”), as well as the gradual shift towards Mandarin. 

Modern Chinese marks a significant change as the Mandarin dialect, which emerged in Beijing, becomes the official language across China and is widely spoken by the vast majority of the Chinese population. 

Japanese Language

The Japanese language is a member of the Japonic family, which comprises all of the languages spoken on the Japanese islands. The origins of the Japanese language date back approximately 2,000 years, coinciding with the Yayoi peoples’ arrival on the Japanese islands. The Japanese language can be sectioned off into three evolutionary categories:

1. Old Japanese: 710-794 
2. Early Middle Japanese: 800-1200
3. Late Middle Japanese: 1200-1600
4. Modern Japanese: 1600 to present day 

The Japanese language developed across each of these distinctive eras. Old Japanese utilized Man’yogana, which was an ancient Japanese writing system that focused on sounds derived from Chinese characters to convey meaning instead of a literal translation, as well as the introduction of a basic syllable before it later advanced. 

Early Middle Japanese saw the beginning stages of hiragana (native Japanese words) and katakana (loan words from foreign languages) in the written Japanese language, as well as an increased volume of words borrowed from Chinese characters to implement their meaning into the Japanese language, known as kanji. 

Late Middle Japanese saw the erasure of many nominal inflections (modifying a noun to adjust to a new element such as number or possession, like “horses” or “the horse’s hay”), which were previously used, as well as the introduction of loan words (katakana) from English. 

An important aspect of Modern Japanese as we know it today is the introduction of keigo, which is an honorific language that modifies words and titles depending on who the speaker is talking to and the degree to which they are showing respect or familiarity. The modern era also saw increased romaji, or romanized spelling of Japanese words (like “arigato gozaimasu” or “sumimasen”). If you are interested in tips and tricks to learn for newcomers to the Japanese language, take a look at our article detailing how to learn Japanese from scratch. 

Chinese vs Japanese Writing Systems 

The Chinese and Japanese writing systems are quite different from one another in many ways. 

Chinese Writing System

First and foremost, Chinese utilizes two writing systems called hanzi, which encompasses all Chinese characters, both traditional and simplified, and pinyin, which uses the Latin alphabet to convey Chinese sounds. There is also zhuyin, which is predominantly used in Taiwan to transcribe sounds from Mandarin. 

Japanese Writing System

Japanese, on the other hand, has three writing systems. It utilizes hiragana, which includes all native Japanese words; katakana, which is used for foreign loan words; and kanji, which is composed of logographic Chinese symbols. For an in-depth look into the Japanese writing systems, check out our article diving into hiragana, katakana, and kanji. 

While Japanese may borrow certain logographic symbols from Chinese, the pronunciation can be entirely different. For example, the logograph 水 (shuǐ) means water in Chinese, and the Japanese Kanji for water 水 (mizu) are identical in terms of character and meaning, but are pronounced differently. 

Chinese also has simplified and traditional characters, unlike Japanese. Simplified characters are easier to write and involve fewer intricate details, while traditional characters are more akin to historical accuracy but involve far more complex designs. Simplified characters are often utilized in mainland China and Taiwan, while traditional characters are more common in the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau. Japanese also has its own writing system composed of simplified Kanji, called shinjitai. 

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Pronunciation and Phonetics

Chinese and Japanese pronunciation differ quite a bit from one another. Before we discuss the differences between the two, it is helpful to understand the key differences between pitch and tone as they relate to language. Pitch is what conveys the emotion or emphasis on a word, while tone utilizes pitch to create an entirely different meaning of a word.

Chinese Language

Chinese is a tonal language, with four distinct tones that can change the meaning of a word entirely. In the Modern Chinese language, the four tones are: 

1. 1st tone: level pitch (ex. wēn) where you maintain a high and steady pitch
2. 2nd tone: rising pitch (ex. wén) where you begin with a middle pitch and increase to a higher pitch
3. 3rd tone: falling-rising (ex. wěn), whee you begin with a middle pitch and then lower it, then proceed to raise your pitch again 
4. 4th tone: falling (ex. wèn), where you start off high-pitched and then sharply drop your tone 

Depending on the tone used, the meaning of the word above changes significantly, so mastering tones is a key element of learning the Chinese language! 

There is also a “neutral tone” in Chinese, although it is not considered its own tone; rather, it is considered an unaccented and unstressed syllable and lends its pitch to whichever tone appeared before it, as the neutral tone cannot exist alone. 

Japanese Language

Japanese is far less reliant on tonal variations to convey meaning. However, the importance of pitch is still prevalent in the Japanese language, with high and low pitches distinguishing words that are otherwise pronounced the same. 

Before we discuss the different pitches and how to make them, we must first understand what a mora is. 

Mora is the unit of sound that the Japanese language follows, similar to a syllable in English. However, moras are unique since they are given equal length, whereas syllables can be given unequal length in terms of time. An example of this is バス (basu) versus bus, with ba-su being two moras and the English spelling of bus only having one syllable. With this information taken into account, the four pitch patterns in Japanese are as follows:

1. Heiban (平板). Unaccented and flat (most Japanese words fall under this category) 
2. Atamadaka (頭高). The first mora begins high, and then the second mora drops to a low pitch
3. Nakadaka (​​中高). The first mora is low-pitched before transitioning to a higher pitch in the middle, and then falling back to a low mora 
4. Odaka (尾高). The first unit is flat and then rises to a high pitch for the duration of the word

For example, “ame” can mean either rain (雨) or candy (飴) depending on the pitch, with rain being a higher-pitched and candy being lower-pitched. 

If you are interested in learning more about the intricacies of the Japanese language and what makes it challenging to learn, feel free to read our other article detailing why Japanese is a challenging language to learn. Context clues can help Japanese learners differentiate between meanings and are more beginner-friendly since a Japanese speaker can likely still understand what is trying to be said, whereas Chinese is more difficult as improper tonal variation makes it far more difficult to discern the intended meaning. 

Grammar Sentence and Structure 

Chinese sentence structure uses subject-verb-object (SVO) order, while Japanese structure consists of subject-object-verb (SOV) order. 

An example showcasing this differentiation is the sentence “I listen to music” in Chinese and Japanese. 

In Japanese, it is “私は音楽を聴きます” (Watashi wa ongaku o kikimasu), or “I music listen to” if translated literally into English. 

The same sentence in Chinese would be “我听音乐” (Wǒ tīng yīnyuè), or “I listen to music”, which sounds more familiar to speakers of SVO languages, including English.

Japanese grammar also differs quite a bit from Chinese grammar when it comes to affixes, which are additions to the beginning or end of a root word to alter its meaning and purpose. This is represented by the usage of honorifics such as -chan (ちゃん), -san (さん), -sama (様), and -kun (君), which are added onto the end of a person’s name to convey varying levels of relation and formality. While Chinese also utilizes honorifics, it is far less integral grammar-wise to the overall structure and tone of a sentence than is the case in Japanese.   

Verbs in Chinese vs Japanese Language

The ways in which verbs are used and modified in Chinese vs. Japanese writing marks another area in which the two languages contrast with each other. 

In Chinese, verbs do not inflect and remain the same regardless of the tense or number; instead, the usage of particles such as 了(le) for completed actions and 在 (zài) for actions which are still being undergone indicates tense. An example of this is “I swam” or “ 我游泳了” (Wǒ yóu yǒng le), as well as “I am swimming” or “我在游泳” (Wǒ zài yóu yǒng). On the other hand, Japanese verbs can be altered depending on aspects such as tense, negation, and politeness level. For example, some forms of “to eat” include: 

As you can see, there are many different ways in which verbs can be conjugated in Japanese! Saying “to eat” in Chinese, on the other hand, would simply be 吃 (chī), regardless of any and all factors which may influence Japanese conjugation. 

Vocabulary and Share Words: Japanese vs. Chinese Characters  

Many Japanese characters are borrowed from Chinese logograms (kanji), intrinsically linking certain parts of Japanese vocabulary with those of Chinese.  

Surprisingly, Japanese features far more foreign loan words (katakana) than Chinese, with Chinese placing more emphasis on translating the meaning of the word rather than the sounds produced. As a result, certain Kanji can be recognized by Chinese speakers, and borrowed words such as テレビ (terebi), カメラ (kamera), and ホテル (hoteru) can be understood by English speakers, giving Japanese vocabulary much more foreign influence than Chinese vocabulary. 

In the case of Kanji, however, pronunciation may differ from its Chinese origins. A few of these “false friends” include:

Similarities Between Chinese and Japanese Languages 

While both Chinese and Japanese may have many differences from one another, there are also a few noteworthy similarities that the two languages share. As discussed previously, a sizable portion of Japanese words are derived from Chinese logograms, oftentimes with shared meanings even if the pronunciation differs. Examples of this include: 

Another similarity between Japanese and Chinese languages is the name order placement, with the family name coming before the first name in both introductions and in writing. 

Additionally, the use of measure words is a commonality shared between Chinese and Japanese, which is a concept that classifies the specific objects or things that are being counted. For example, when counting people, instead of using the generic numberings of ichi (1), ni (2), san (3) in Japanese or yī (1), èr (2), sān (3) in Chinese, there is a specific counting system that the category of “people” falls under. Hitori, futari, sannin, and so on, and yī rén, liǎng ge rén, sān ge rén, and so on are the counting systems that would be used to count people in Japanese and Chinese, respectively. 

So, Which is Easier? Chinese or Japanese Language?

Now that we have done a deep dive into Chinese and Japanese languages, it boils down to the question: which one is easier?

Both the Chinese and Japanese languages have their fair share of language-specific and common difficulties, so learning each will be a rewarding challenge for those who are willing to tackle it head-on. However, taking into account all the factors we have discussed in this article and our comparisons of the two languages, the question of “which language is more difficult?” ultimately boils down to two categories: speaking and writing. 

In relation to speaking, Chinese is more difficult than Japanese due to the complex tones, which require hard work and discipline to be able to master and discern during spoken conversation. 

Japanese, on the other hand, is not reliant on tone and is easier to speak and understand, with more leeway in terms of context clues and less need for a trained ear. On the other hand, in terms of writing, Japanese is more challenging than Chinese due to the three writing systems (hiragana, katakana, kanji) and more complex grammar and sentence structure. Being already familiar with Chinese will give you a helpful upper hand! Check out our article detailing the unique relationship between understanding Chinese and learning Japanese.

Which Language Should You Learn?

Both Chinese and Japanese are challenging yet rewarding languages to learn, and both will offer you great satisfaction. So, which one should you study? If you are planning on living, studying, or working in either China or Japan, then you should learn the native language of the respective country. 

Chinese language is a great choice if you plan on going into business, economics, or international relations due to its global dominance and power. Japanese, on the other hand, is an amazing choice due to its worldwide influence in the entertainment, media, technology, and pop culture spheres. Or if you simply want to learn a language for fun, then both are great options!

Conclusion

Both Chinese and Japanese are becoming increasingly popular languages to learn, and Japan is quickly emerging as a top destination for people looking to build their careers.

The good news? If you’re a native Chinese speaker, learning Japanese can be easier than you think! That’s where Coto Academy’s Intensive Japanese Lessons come in.

Our programs are designed to support learners at every level, from complete beginners to advanced speakers. With experienced teachers, immersive lessons, and a clear, step-by-step approach, you’ll strengthen your grammar, expand your vocabulary, and gain confidence using Japanese in real-life situations. Chinese learners can also take full advantage of their kanji knowledge while focusing on areas that need extra attention.

And for English speakers deciding between learning Japanese or Chinese, why not start your journey with Coto Academy? If you choose to learn Japanese, join our well-balanced lessons that focus on every aspect of the language: grammar, kanji, vocabulary, reading, and listening — all while getting plenty of conversation practice.

Why join Coto Academy?

• Small classrooms with only up to 8 students for personalized support
• Professional native Japanese teachers, all trained to help you succeed
• Over 60 different Japanese classes across 18 levels, tailored to your needs
• School locations in Shibuya, Minato, Iidabashi, and Yokohama, plus a fully online Japanese language school, so that you can learn anywhere, anytime!

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