11 Best Websites to Learn Japanese

I have been itching to learn Japanese since the day I saw Shin-chan. Sadly, I haven’t gotten to it yet. But you guys can get a head start learning Japanese with our recommendation of the best websites to learn Japanese. You can all feel a sense of fulfillment when you finally reach the level you set for yourself.

Best Websites for Learning Japanese Language

Have you been wracking your brain trying to find ways to find the best websites to learn Japanese? Well, we have solved the problem for you. I have made a list of the best Japanese language learning websites for you to go through. Go ahead and pick one that best suits your needs.

Best Websites to Learn Japanese for Free

Not everyone can pay to learn a new language. It can be expensive; however, here are the best websites to learn Japanese for free. Don’t fret, sit back, and begin to learn Japanese to your heart’s content.

It offers short audio and video lessons that make learning easy. The tutors slow down to explain every word, making it possible for you to understand the words you hear. You do not have to hit the audio button repeatedly to make out what is being said. This website provides word lists, flashcards, quizzes, and slideshows for learners to ensure rapid learning.

Is this the best free website to learn Japanese? Maybe. The drawback of this website? You need to pay for the premium plus subscription if you want a personal tutor. Feedback on how well you are doing and one-on-one conversations would be great though, right? So, pay for it if you feel like you need a patient partner to learn with.

You are in for a treat if you have never used Anki before. The satisfied students rave about how great Anki is at making you remember things and not leave it to chance. Did you know? The word Anki comes from the Japanese word which translates as ‘memorization’. Need I say more? This is the best website to learn Japanese for free

The website is famous for its flashcards. The cards have notes – a word is first shown in its native language. Then an image of what the word means is shown; lastly, the word for that image in English is revealed. I am so ready to jump in and start using this website. What about you? You can also download the mobile version if you are interested.

This website is suitable for you only if you are at least at the second level of the Japanese Language proficiency test. Matcha writes various articles in simplified Japanese words that inform you about Japanese culture and etiquette. Are you planning on traveling to Japan? You might find some other helpful things in their articles.

This website is great for you if you want to hone your reading skills. The articles even have hyperlinks that take you to another page to explain the term or phrase in more detail. See how considerate they are? Good luck if you pick this website!

Best Websites to Learn Japanese for Beginners

What is the best website to learn Japanese? Well, we can’t answer that question, but we can pick out a few for you. The following are the best websites to learn Japanese for beginners:

You need to pay to learn Japanese in Italki. However, you can pick your instructor, and each instructor’s proficiency in English is also shown. The instructors charge only $6 – $10 per lesson giving this website a competitive advantage over other pay-to-learn websites. You can also practice what you have learned with other students from over 190 countries for free. 

You can also book a trial before choosing your instructor. I am on board, are you? How many websites let you find out which instructor you are comfortable with before starting to learn? You can also choose between one-on-one lessons and group lessons.

This seems like a pretty aggressive Japanese learning website. It urges you to find another website if you are pretending to learn. Choose Memrise if you like the tough approach. You can listen to native speakers to learn new words and build your vocabulary. The MemBot also helps you practice your speaking skills.

You need to set what you want to learn and the website will teach you the relevant vocabulary. The best thing about this app is you can listen to over 48,000 conversations between natives and learn. I will never have the patience to go through all that, but if it suits your style, go for it.

Who hasn’t heard of Duolingo? Yes, it can be a bit repetitive, but that is what makes it the best free website to learn Japanese. Your mind gets comfortable with hearing and typing Japanese words through repetitive exercises. That does not mean Duolingo is only for beginners. It provides more advanced resources and lets you play games once you level up.

I must say the matching game is fun to play. You do not have time to think as the game level difficulty increases. You have to match the Japanese and the English words using instinct alone. But it can be frustrating if you lose. So, don’t try it until you are sure you are sufficiently prepared to take on Duolingo’s games.

Japanese Learning Websites for All Levels

Do you want to level up from beginner to advanced learner? Finding a Japanese learning website for that may be nerve-wracking. So, let’s see what we can find for you.

This website offers tons of content, and they are all free. The best thing about this website? It’s not merely for beginners. This guide is for beginners and beyond – kind of infinity and beyond. Who is ready to learn Japanese? I am pumped right now because this is one of the best websites for learning Japanese.

Start with the complete guide to Japanese if you are a rookie. It explains the essential grammar and vocabulary to get you started. Then move on to guide to Japanese grammar. What makes it the best website to learn Japanese is the ease of navigation and the rich content. Kim even offers tips to level up to more advanced levels.

Tofugu is the best website for learning Japanese because of its articles with hilarious titles and high-quality content. Come on, don’t you want to know the secret to convert English into Japanese? The website has an article for that, and that is not the only interesting article so far. It offers quiz tools and multiple updated resources to help you learn Japanese.

The website not only helps you learn Japanese, but it also helps you survive if you ever set foot in Japan for a long trip or to settle in. Who knew secondhand shopping was a big thing in Japan? Apparently, the things are good as new and do not suck out your life savings. I would say this makes it one of the good websites to learn Japanese.

This one is sure to pop up if you search for websites for learning Japanese. This public broadcaster offers some great resources to learn from. You can listen to audio clips, watch videos, or learn from pre-recorded news broadcasts and learn Japanese. NHK is a fun Japanese learning website, and who doesn’t need more fun in their life?

The videos are short and you can watch a plethora of programs that help you start your Japanese-learning journey. This website will be a huge help whether you are learning Japanese for work, traveling, or reading manga in peace. The only drawback about learning from this website is the lack of tutors. It would be nice to know someone has our back, right?

Best Websites to Learn to Speak Japanese

Finding the best Japanese learning websites and apps is already an ordeal. Finding sites that focus more on your speaking skills is a hellish experience. So, here are our recommendations. Try them and see whether they suit your purpose.

This website has been around for 20 years – an accomplishment that makes it one of the best online websites to learn Japanese. Rocket Japanese promises to make you gain knowledge about their language and culture on par with the locals. That is not something to be taken lightly. You can start a free trial to see whether their claims are true.

You can opt for the paid version if you like what you find. Like Udemy, Rocket Japanese, too,  offers lifetime access. Updates and improvements are available for free even if you decide to take a break and come back later to the website. The website boasts of a state-of-the-art voice recognition system that will help you practice and perfect on-the-spot speaking.

This is the best Japanese learning website for kids. I am not exaggerating; this website is awesome. I love how the first lesson in ‘Say it out Loud’ the website lets you download the audio, listen to it, and practice speaking as much as you want. Then it moves on to grammar, the Japanese alphabet, and characters. Finally, there are exercises to complete. 

It even lets you play and learn about folk legends, and so on. It is exciting to see so much effort put into giving kids a carefree environment to learn. You can also learn about traditional Japanese houses, Sumo wrestling, and Kendama. Fun, isn’t it? It is the best website to learn Japanese from scratch.

How to Choose the Right Website for you to Learn Japanese?

What level are you at? Think about that question. Your choice will rely heavily on whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced learner. Different websites offer courses and resources for learners at various levels.

Do you prefer apps? You can choose websites that offer mobile-friendly apps if that is the case. If not, then you can simply choose the best website you like and start learning.

Self-study or Tutors? Do you need someone to be with you throughout the learning process? Then choose a website that offers one-on-one tutors. Choose the website that provides you with the best resources if you prefer self-studying.

Tips for Success with Japanese Language Learning

Remember what you learn – That remark deserves a scathing look, but it is not easy to remember everything you have learned. You might feel overwhelmed when learning a new language. So, use interactive games or fun activities to help your memory.

Train your ears – this may sound a bit silly, but our brain is hardwired to our native language. Therefore, we don’t immediately pick up or understand foreign words without necessary practice. Listening to audio files on a loop could help you learn the language faster.

Practice writing and reading – this may seem daunting, but in the future, you will thank yourself for the effort you made. The fastest way to learn Japanese is to learn to think in Japanese instead of trying to translate English into Japanese.

Watch movies – of course, you can keep the subtitles on until you are comfortable watching movies without them. Besides, it is a stellar excuse to binge-watch movies on your favorite OTT platforms, right? But seriously, it does help a lot.

We can’t tell you what website is the best way to learn Japanese. You know your needs, and only you can make that decision. You won’t be sold on the idea even if we take a risk and say this is the best website to learn Japanese. So, come on soldier, rally yourself and start learning Japanese, and don’t stop until you reach the finish line – even though some say learning is a life-long process.