Over the years, I have accumulated a long list of Japanese online resources that I am using or have used. I will share my list on this page with all of you. Hopefully, this will be helpful for finding the right content for your own learning journey. This list will be updated every time I discover something new and interesting out there. If you have good suggestions, leave a comment, and I will check it out!
Apps
To view all the mobile apps that I use, see this article. There are so many apps available for learning Japanese, so I decided to make a separate list. This list contains all the apps that I have used or that I’m currently using.
Websites
An All-in-One type of platform. It is still in development, however, it looks very promising. Great for starting out with Japanese (learning kanji and basic grammar), and also still relevant for intermediate learners (N4 and N3). Content for advanced learners will also be added to the website. The platform is free to try out but to keep on using it you need a subscription. I have a more detailed review of this website here.
Here you can find multiple Japanese articles that are simple to read (with furigana) about various topics in Japan.
One of my favorite websites (and apps!) to start out with reading in Japanese. Multiple stories to choose from. In all stories, the reader can look up every word and grammar point with detailed explanations. Also free to use but only for the first three chapters, if you want to read the story further a subscription is needed.
Powerful SRS type of platform for learning kanji. The first three levels are free! In these three levels you already learn multiple radicals and kanjis, so check it out as a beginner! Later on, you need a subscription. I have been using the paid version of this website (and app!) for almost three years now and it helped me learn multiple kanjis (meanings, readings, and accompanied with vocabulary). One downside… the reviews can quickly pile up, and you need to go through them to advance further in the level.
A very powerful tool for learning Japanese. This website contains it all! From hiragana/katakana to advanced kanjis, vocabulary, and grammar points. Now, I use it mostly as a dictionary to look up kanjis or grammar points. However, at the beginning of my learning road, I also used it for reviewing the kana. This website could be your guide through learning Japanese (together with other guide-like websites: Tofugu, TaeKim, and MaruMori.
This website is one of my favorite spots to read about the Japanese language. They have an article for almost every grammar point! It is written in casual speech and it guides you through various levels of Japanese learning. I think that this is an unmissable tool for your learning. They also have an online ”textbook” which is very useful to start out (only season 1 of the textbook is available).
TaeKim’s Guide to Learning Japanese
An introduction to Japanese grammar. The book is entirely free and available online. It also serves as a guide into Japanese language learning. You can also buy the physical copy of the book if you like to read on paper.
Online Dictionaries
*Currently I’m mostly using Kanshudo as online dictionary; it allows me to make flashcards immediately after searching for a word.
Blogs
Youtubers
Japanese Native Content (for learning)
Native Content (vlogs, daily life, news, documentaries)
Vlogs in native Japanese about travelling in Vietnam.
Scary mockumentaries (fake documentaries) in Japanese.
Live Japanese news channel
Live Japanese news channel
About Japan
A channel about Japanese culture, traditions and beautiful locations, and at the same time intertwined with British humour (sarcasm). One of my favourite channels out there to learn and laugh.
In 2023, Chris Broad (the mastermind behind this channel) published a memoir about his first ten years in Japan, called ”Abroad in Japan: Ten Years in the Land of the Rising Sun. Check this book out if you are planning to visit Japan or have already experienced 日本 and want to reminisce about your memories.
Also, a ”life in Japan” channel that explores various interesting locations and traditions. I think this is one of the oldest channels about Japan on YouTube, so a lot of fun content to watch!
About Japanese Language and Learning Resources
Helps you learn grammar and vocabulary through video game fragments. This way, you see the specific grammar points in context.
Tips on mastering kanji through Anki. Other resources are also mentioned (like Duolingo and LingoDeer). Also, videos about his own Japanese language learning journey.
Great channel that provides lessons on both Genki Books (Genki 1 & Genki 2) and the Quartet book.
Videos on Japanese language and study method. Bunsuke also provides an interesting newsletter on Japanese literature, wherein he translates short fragments of literature and provides vocabulary list. This makes it easier to start out with reading Japanese literature.
Short videos on grammar, vocabulary and kanji. And lessons that follow the books of Japanese from Zero.
Dogen focuses on Japanese pitch accent but also other aspects of the Japanese language. Yet, he is most famous for his comedy videos about the Japanese language and culture.
A channel about learning Japanese and living in Japan.
Study Channels
Vlogs about language learning and daily life in Japan.
Videos on how to learn Japanese.
A channel dedicated to language learning that focuses on different languages. Mostly French and Japanese.
This is my own channel. I make videos about my own language-learning journey, and I also review the resources that I use.
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