Do you know how to describe and write the position of something in Japanese using directions?
We have a new unit for your Kanji practice and studies! This features N5 Kanji that deal with directions such as up, down, north, south, etc.
This is the fifth unit in a series of free Kanji writing practice sheets that you can download and print. It features N5 Kanji that will appear on the JLPT N5, and mastering these kanji is an important step to passing the test!
This is the third in a series of free Kanji writing practice sheets that you can download and print.
This series deals with kanji related to the human body. If you want to learn Japanese Kanji that relates to the human body, then you can download these excerpts for free.
We will be releasing more over the coming weeks – so stay tuned to this page as we will update it with new links.
Learning kanji is one of the first big steps in mastering Japanese, and numbers are a great place to start. This free JLPT N5 Kanji Worksheet (Unit 1: Numbers) focuses on essential number-related kanji you’ll encounter early in your studies — perfect for beginners preparing for the JLPT N5. Download the PDF, practice writing each character, and build a strong foundation for your Japanese journey!
Getting ready for the JLPT? Boost your chances of passing with Coto Academy’s JLPT Prep Course — designed for busy learners. This class is perfect for students who plan to take the JLPT exam and work optimally towards their objectives. It covers exam practices and explanations of essentials such as Japanese grammar, vocabulary, kanji, and more!
These are the most basic kanji in Japanese — and they’re also the easiest to learn! Mastering numbers 1 to 10 will help you with counting, dates, prices, time, and more.
Number
Kanji
Kana
Meaning
1
一
いち
One
2
二
に
Two
3
三
さん
Three
4
四
し / よん
Four
5
五
ご
Five
6
六
ろく
Six
7
七
しち / なな
Seven
8
八
はち
Eight
9
九
きゅう / く
Nine
10
十
じゅう
Ten
Free Kanji Number Worksheet
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What is the 日本漢字能力検定?
日本漢字能力検定(Nihon kanjinouryoku kentei), usually knowns as 漢検(Kanken) or the Kanji Kentei, is a test that examines the candidate’s kanji skill. It tests on the candidate’s reading and writing ability of kanji as well as the ability to understand and use them in different contexts. Like the JLPT, it is another good proof of your Japanese knowledge and is useful when applying for jobs in Japan. Although anyone can sit for Kanken, it is challenging for foreign Japanese learners. As such, if you are a foreigner looking for jobs in Japan, acquiring a Kanken certificate will make you stand out from your competitors.
How Difficult is Kanken?
There are in total of 12 levels of Kanken, Grade 10 being the easiest and grade 1 being the hardest. Each level is set for different educational levels starting from primary 1. The requirements and scope of each level are as follows.
Grade 10 (Primary 1 level) Detailed Areas of Focus: Reading & Writing –Ability to read and write kanjis from the first year of the小学校学年別漢字配当表 (list of Kanji by school year). Stroke Order – length of points and strokes. Joints and intersections, stroke order and number of strokes.
Grade 9 (Primary 2 level) Detailed Areas of Focus: Reading & Writing- able to read and write kanji from the second year of the学年別漢字配当表 (list of Kanji by school year). Stroke order – Aware of Length of points and strokes, Joints and intersections; stroke order and number of strokes. Grade 8 (Primary 3 level) Detailed Areas of Focus: Reading & Writing – able to read and write kanjis from the 3rd year of the学年別漢字配当表 (list of Kanji by school year).
Understand onyomi and kunyomi
Write correct kana endings
Roughly understand the concept of antonyms
Roughly understand the concept of homonyms
Stroke Order – know correct stroke orders and number of strokes. Radicals – able to recognize and understand basic radicals.
Grade 7(Primary 4 level) Detailed Areas of Focus Reading and Writing -Able to read and write kanjis from the fourth year of the学年別漢字配当表 (list of Kanji by school year).
Understand onyomi and kunyomi
Write correct kana endings
Roughly understand the concept of antonyms
Roughly understand the concept of homonyms
Know about the fundamental composition of Japanese idioms
Stroke order- know correct stroke orders and number of strokes. Radicals- able to recognize and understand radicals.
Grade 6 (Primary 5 level)
Detailed Areas of Focus: Reading& Writing: Able to read and write kanjis from up to the fifth year of the小学校学年別漢字配当表 (list of Kanji by school year).
Understand onyomi and kunyomi
Write correct kana endings and careful with the correct usage of kana
Know about the structure of idioms
understand the concept of antonyms and synonyms
understand the concept of homonyms
Stroke order -know correct stroke order and number of strokes. Radicals – able to recognize and understand radicals.
Grade 5 (Primary 6 level) Detailed Areas of Focus: Reading and writing: – Able to read and write kanjis from up to the sixth year of the小学校学年別漢字配当表 (list of Kanji by school year).
Understand onyomi and kunyomi
Write correct kana endings and careful with the proper use of kana
Know about the composition of idioms
understand antonyms, synonyms, and homonyms
Idioms – understand four-character idiomatic phrases Stroke order – know the correct stroke order total number of strokes. Radicals – able to understand and recognize radicals.
Grade 4 (Secondary school level) Detailed Areas of Focus Reading & Writing – Able to read and write all kanjis in the 小学校学年別漢字配当表 (list of kanji by school year) as well as about 300 frequently used kanji. Able to use them in a passage appropriately.
Understand onyomi and kunyomi
Write correct kana endings and careful with the proper use of kana
Understand the composition of idioms
understand antonyms, synonyms, and homonyms
Understand the concept of 熟語訓 (special kanji readings) and 当て字 (phonetic equivalents)
Idioms – able to understand the meaning of four-character idiomatic phrases. Radicals – able to recognize the radicals and understand their meanings.
Grade 3 (Secondary school graduate level) Detailed Areas of Focus: Reading & Writing – Able to read and write all kanjis in the 小学校学年別漢字配当表 (list of kanji by school year) as well as about 600 frequently used kanji. Able to use them in a passage appropriately.
Understand onyomi and kunyomi
Write correct kana endings and careful with the proper use of kana
Understand the composition of idioms
understand antonyms, synonyms, and homonyms
Understand 熟語訓 (special kanji readings) and 当て字 (phonetic equivalents)
Idioms – able to understand 4-word idioms. Radicals – able to recognize radicals and understand their meanings.
Grade Semi-2 (High school level)Number of Kanji: 1940 Detailed Areas of Focus Reading & writing – able to read and write about 1940 frequently used Kanji and use them in a passage appropriately.
Understand onyomi and kunyomi
Write correct kana endings and careful with the proper use of kana
Understand the composition of idioms
Understand antonyms, synonyms, and homonyms
Understand 熟語訓 (special kanji readings) and 当て字 (phonetic equivalents)
Idioms -understand 4-word idioms with traceable origins. Radicals – able to recognize radicals and understand the meanings in terms of the composition of kanji.
Grade 2 (High school graduate/ university/ general public level) Detailed Areas of Focus Reading & writing – Mastered the reading and writing of all frequently used Kanji and able to use them in a passage appropriately.
Understand onyomi and kunyomi
Write correct kana endings and careful with the proper use of kana
Understand the composition of idioms
Understand antonyms and synonyms
Understand homonyms
Understand 熟語訓 (special kanji readings) and 当て字 (phonetic equivalents)
Idioms – understand 4-word idioms with traceable origins. Radicals: able to recognize radicals and understand the meanings in terms of the composition of kanji.
Grade Semi-1 (University/general public level) Detailed Areas of Focus Reading and writing – mastered the reading and writing of the 3000 kanji and able to use them appropriately in a passage.
Understand 熟語訓 (special kanji readings) and 当て字 (phonetic equivalents)
Understand anonyms, synonyms, and homonyms
Understand 国字 (Japanese-made Chinese Characters)
Understand Kanji used to represent locations/nations (this is a type of 当て字)
Understand multiple Kanji Labels. (multiple kanji used to indicate the same meaning interchangeably e.g. 国 and 國)
Idioms -able to understand four-character idiomatic compounds, Proverbs, and 故事成語 (idioms derived from historical stories). Classical literature – able to understand kanji, Chinese characters from Japanese and Chinese literature. Grade 1 (University/General Public Level) Detailed Areas of Focus Reading and writing mastered reading and writing of the 6000 kanji and able to use them appropriately in a passage.
Understand 熟語訓 (special kanji readings) and 当て字 (phonetic equivalents)
Understand anonyms, synonyms, and homonyms
Understand 国字
Understand Kanji used to represent locations/nations
Understand multiple Kanji Labels
Idioms – able to understand four-character idiomatic phrases and proverbs. Classical Literature -able to understand kanji, Chinese characters from classical Japanese, Chinese literature.
Total Scores and Percentage to Pass
Grade 1 ~ 2: 200 full score, pass for scoring 80% and above
Grade semi-2 ~ 7: 200 full score, pass for scoring 70% and above
Grade 8 ~ 10: 150 full score, pass for scoring 80% and above
How to register for the Kanken:
The paper test takes place 3 times in a year, usually in February, June, and October. Registration opens 3 months prior to the test. You can simply register for Kanken online through a few simple steps. Click here to register for Kanken If you wish to take any level from Level 7 to Level 2, you can also register for Kanken CBT (Computer Based Testing). Few reasons why you should register for Kanken CBT
It is Much more convenient. You will be sitting for Kanken on a computer at a test venue on the date chosen by yourself. There are more than 150 test venues in the country. Select the one most convenient for you.
You will receive a physical certificate just like others taking the paper test.
You will get notified your test result much faster. Your result slip will be mailed to you in about 10 days after the test
The registration for Kanken CBT can also be done online. Click here for more registration information Registration fee The registration fees are as shown below. Grade 8 – 10: 1500 yen Grade 5 – 7: 2000 yen Grade Semi-2 – 4: 2500 yen Grade 2: 3500 yen Grade Semi-1: 4500 yen Grade 1: 5000 yen
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Vernal Equinox Day, also known as Shunbun no Hi (春分の日), is one of two Japanese public holidays that mark the times of the year when day and night are approximately equal in length. Shunbun no Hi is the first of these and typically falls on March 20 or March 21. It is often referred to as the spring equinox. The second equinox occurs in autumn and is called Shubun no Hi (秋分の日).
In Japan, the months of March, April, and May make up the spring season, but what makes the Vernal Equinox especially significant? In this blog, we’ll explore the dates on which the Vernal Equinox falls, its cultural and historical importance, and how you can celebrate this unique holiday!
What is Vernal Equinox Day, or Shunbun no Hi (春分の日)?
The Japanese word for Vernal Equinox Day, Shunbun no Hi, consist of three kanji. Shun (春) is a kanji character for spring, and bun (分) is an ideogram meaning “to divide”. The Vernal Equinox marks the end of winter and the start of spring. It marks the changing of seasons, after which, days will eventually get longer while nights get shorter. Temperatures start to warm up, and cherry blossoms start to bloom.
What is an ‘Equinox’?
The word equinox comes from Latin, meaning ‘equal night’. Although contrary to popular belief, the lengths of day and night are not exactly equal.
The first equinox of the year occurs in March and is called the Vernal Equinox, which indicates the end of winter and the start of spring. The second equinox of the year occurs in September and is called the Autumnal Equinox, which indicates the beginning of autumn. Japan also celebrates the autumnal equinox with a national holiday, Autumnal Equinox Day.
Why Do Japanese People Make Vernal Equinox a Public Holiday?
The vernal (spring) equinox actually occurs across the world, but Japan is one of the few countries that make this event a public holiday.
The reason is that the vernal equinox in Japan is not just an astronomical event—it also has deep cultural and spiritual meaning. It marks the arrival of spring and a natural balance between day and night, which reflects the Japanese appreciation for harmony in nature. At the same time, it is traditionally a period for honoring ancestors, when many people visit family graves and pay their respects. Because it combines seasonal significance with important cultural practices, Japan recognizes it as a public holiday.
When exactly is Japan’s Vernal Equinox?
The date of Vernal Equinox Day happens on either March 20th or 21st. The date changes each year slightly because it is based on astronomical calculations, not a fixed calendar date.
The equinox occurs at the exact moment when the Sun crosses the celestial equator, moving from south to north. This precise moment doesn’t fall at the same time on the calendar each year because a year is not exactly 365 days. It’s approximately 365.24 days. To keep the calendar in sync with the Sun, Japan uses the Gregorian calendar with leap years. The extra day every four years shifts the equinox slightly on the calendar.
Check out the schedule for Japan’s Vernal Equinox Day from 2026 until 2030!
Year
Date
Day
2026
March 20th
Wednesday
2027
March 21st
Thursday
2028
March 20th
Friday
2029
March 20th
Sunday
2030
March 20th
Monday
How did the Vernal Equinox Holiday start?
The first observance of Vernal Equinox Day, also known as Spring Equinox Day, was in 1948, yet, as with many other Japanese holidays, its origins go back much further than that. Prior to WWII, this day was known as Shunki koureisai (春季皇霊祭), which was connected to Shintoism. During this festival, people would pray for the deceased members of the Imperial Family and their ancestors. Due to the separation of religion from the state, via Japan’s post-war constitution, this holiday had to be repackaged into the non-religious holiday of today.
This day is part of a seven-day period known as Haru no higan (春の彼岸), which consists of the three days before and after the equinox, along with the equinox day itself. The same can be same for the Autumnal Equinox, which also has a higan (彼岸).
Ways to celebrate Vernal Equinox Day in Japan and Tokyo
1. Give gratitude to your loved ones who have passed
Perhaps the best way to spend this time is expressing gratitude to loved ones who have passed over. As per the tradition, if you have ancestors in Japan, you could tend to their graves. If not, you could ask friends if they would like any support in their families.
2. Watch the cherry blossoms bloom
Vernal Equinox Day isn’t the only way to indicate the beginning of spring. This is the time when the cherry blossoms will start to bloom as well. Grab some beer or umeshu (梅酒) (and food of course) and head down to your local park for a cherry blossom viewing, or hanami (花見) party. Three of the most popular locations in Tokyo are Shinjuku Gyoen, Chidorigafuchi Moat and Ueno Park.
3. Visit a shrine or a temple during Vernal Equinox Day
While the religious aspects of the holiday are long gone, the traditions related to the Vernal Equinox still remain. This is a good opportunity to visit a shrine or temple in Japan, as the Vernal Equinox occurs during the period in which the cherry blossoms start to bloom.
4. Eat Botamochi (牡丹餅)
There isn’t really a set meal to eat on Vernal Equinox Day, but Botamochi is a customary snack that people use as an offering to temples, shrines, and family grave sites. It’s made out of glutinous rice, white rice, and sweet azuki paste. While both the Vernal Equinox and the Autumnal Equinox have the same tradition of eating mochi, the version eaten during Autumnal Equinox Day is called Ohagi (お萩).
5. Appreciate nature
This holiday is just about visiting the graves of your ancestors and deceased loved ones, it’s also about appreciating nature as well. What better way to do that than to go on a nature walk? We recommend going to a park or a garden such as Koshikawa Korakuen to really take in the nature around you.
What’s Next After the Vernal Equinox?
After Vernal Equinox Day, the annual spring holiday period begins, which ends at the start of Japan’s fiscal year, around April. Some people take this opportunity to have hanami parties throughout Japan to really appreciate the full bloom of the cherry blossoms.
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FAQ
Will shops still be open on Vernal Equinox Day?
Just like any public holiday in Japan, public institutions, such as government buildings, post offices, and banks will be closed on Vernal Equinox Day. Most shops and restaurants will still be open on that day, however.
How is Vernal Equinox Day celebrated in Japan?
Most Japanese people celebrate Vernal Equinox Day by visiting and tending to the graves of their ancestors. The religious aspects of the holiday might be gone, but the traditions still remain.
What are some common foods eaten during the Vernal Equinox in Japan?
There isn’t a specific food made for the Vernal Equinox in Japan, but botamochi (牡丹餅) is a customary snack that is mainly used for offerings at gravesites.
