Learning Japanese for Beginners: Where to Start, Resources and JLPT Levels

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Learning Japanese looks scary at first: three writing systems, thousands of kanji and grammar that works very differently from English or German. But the first steps are easier than most people think, and even basic Japanese makes life and travel in Japan much richer. Living in Tokyo for three years showed me how much a few words and phrases open doors. This guide explains how Japanese works, where to start, the best resources and how long it takes to reach each level.

How Japanese Works

Writing system	What it is	How many
Hiragana	basic phonetic script for Japanese words and grammar	46 basic characters
Katakana	phonetic script for foreign words and emphasis	46 basic characters
Kanji	characters from Chinese, each with meanings and several readings	2,136 in the official list of common-use (Joyo) kanji

The good news: pronunciation is simple and consistent, there are no grammatical genders and verbs do not change for person. The challenges are word order (the verb comes at the end), politeness levels and, of course, kanji.

Where to Start

Step 1: Hiragana and Katakana

Learn hiragana first, then katakana. With daily practice and flashcards, most people can read both within two to four weeks. Katakana is especially useful for travellers, because menus and signs use it for foreign words like “koohii” (coffee) or “hoteru” (hotel).

Step 2: Basic Grammar and Vocabulary

Use a structured textbook. Genki I and II are popular with self-learners and university courses, Minna no Nihongo is widely used in language schools in Japan, and Tae Kim’s Guide to Japanese Grammar is a free online alternative.

Step 3: Kanji

Do not try to memorise kanji lists without context. Spaced repetition apps like WaniKani (kanji and vocabulary) or Anki (flashcards) help you learn a few new kanji every day and review them at the right time.

Step 4: Listening and Speaking

Watch Japanese TV, anime or YouTube with Japanese subtitles, listen to podcasts and read simple news like NHK News Web Easy. Find a tutor or language exchange partner to practise speaking from the beginning.

Best Resources for Beginners

Resource	Type	Cost
Duolingo	app, playful daily practice	free with paid options
Genki I and II	textbook and workbook	paid
Minna no Nihongo	textbook used in Japanese schools	paid
WaniKani	kanji and vocabulary app	first levels free, then subscription
Anki	flashcard app	free on desktop and Android, paid on iOS
Tae Kim’s Guide	free online grammar guide	free
Bunpro	grammar practice app	subscription
NHK News Web Easy	simple Japanese news	free

The JLPT: Japanese Levels Explained

The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is the most common way to measure your level. It has five levels from N5 (easiest) to N1 (hardest) and is held twice a year, on the first Sunday of July and December, although some cities outside Japan only hold one test date.

Level	What you can do	Approx. study hours (without a kanji background)
N5	basic phrases, hiragana, katakana and around 100 kanji	about 325 to 600 hours
N4	simple everyday conversations	about 550 to 1,000 hours
N3	everyday Japanese at a slower speed	about 750 to 1,500 hours
N2	work in a Japanese environment, read newspapers	about 1,250 to 2,500 hours
N1	advanced, complex texts and fast speech	about 3,000 to 4,800 hours

Many Japanese companies look for N2 or higher for jobs in Japanese. I write about working and studying in Japan in IT jobs in Japan, doing a Waseda master’s as a foreigner and Waseda AO admissions.

Japanese for Travellers

You do not need to speak Japanese to travel in Japan; my guide on travelling in Japan without speaking Japanese shows how. But a few phrases go a long way:

Japanese	Meaning
Sumimasen	excuse me, sorry
Arigatou gozaimasu	thank you very much
Onegaishimasu	please
… wa doko desu ka?	where is …?
Ikura desu ka?	how much is it?
Eigo no menyuu wa arimasu ka?	do you have an English menu?
Oishii!	delicious!

Learning a little etiquette helps too; see my Japan etiquette guide.

Tips That Help

• Study a little every day rather than a lot once a week.
• Learn words in phrases, not alone.
• Use Japanese in daily life: change your phone language, read signs, order in Japanese.
• Do not be afraid of mistakes; Japanese people appreciate any effort.
• Plan a trip to Japan as motivation; nothing beats real conversations.

Practise your Japanese on a trip to Tokyo:

Frequently Asked Questions About Learning Japanese

Is Japanese hard to learn?

The basics are easier than many people think: simple pronunciation and phonetic scripts. Reaching an advanced level takes years, mostly because of kanji and politeness levels.

How long does it take to learn hiragana and katakana?

Most learners can read both within two to four weeks of daily practice.

How many kanji do I need to know?

About 100 for JLPT N5, and around 2,000 to read newspapers comfortably. The official list of common-use kanji has 2,136 characters.

What is the best app to learn Japanese?

Duolingo is a fun start, but combine it with a textbook like Genki and a kanji app like WaniKani or Anki for real progress.

When is the JLPT held?

Twice a year, on the first Sunday of July and December, but some countries hold only one test date.

Do I need Japanese to travel in Japan?

No. Signs in cities are bilingual and translation apps help. But a few basic phrases make your trip much more enjoyable.

Can I work in Japan without Japanese?

In some international companies and IT jobs, yes, but N2 or higher opens many more opportunities.

Final Thoughts

Start with the kana, build basic grammar, add kanji slowly and speak as early as you can. Even a few months of study will change how you experience Japan. And when you finally order dinner in Japanese and the waiter smiles, you will know it was worth it.