The Best Free Resources to Learn Japanese Reading and Writing

📖 Why Learn Japanese Reading and Writing?

Japanese is the official language of Japan, spoken by over 127 million people. It is believed to belong to the Altaic language family, making it closely related to Korean. What makes Japanese unique is its four writing systems:

• Hiragana (ひらがな) – The core phonetic script for native Japanese words.
• Katakana (カタカナ) – Used mainly for foreign words, loanwords, and emphasis.
• Kanji (漢字) – Adapted Chinese characters, with over 2,500 commonly used in daily life.
• Romaji (ローマ字) – The Romanized version of Japanese, often used for beginners.

Beyond the language, Japan is famous for its stunning landscapes, deep cultural heritage, and artistic influence. Whether you’re fascinated by historic temples, serene national parks, world-class sushi, or bustling metropolises, learning Japanese opens up incredible opportunities to explore this unique culture.

Table of Contents

🎥 Free Japanese Video Lessons for Reading & Writing

🎧 Japanese Audio Lessons to Enhance Reading & Writing

📱 Top Free Apps for Learning Japanese

🎓 Free Online Courses for Learning Japanese

📚 Essential Free Textbooks for Learning Japanese Writing

📝 Best Free Tools for Writing and Kanji Practice

🗣️ Free Platforms to Practice Writing with Native Speakers

📰 Free Japanese Reading Materials & Easy News Sources

📖 Top Free Japanese Dictionaries & Reading Tools

📝 Test Your Skills with Free Japanese Language Quizzes

🚀 Boost Your Learning with These Free Study Guides

🎥 Best Free Video Lessons for Learning Japanese

Looking for step-by-step video lessons to help you read and write Japanese more effectively? Whether you’re a beginner mastering hiragana and katakana or an advanced learner tackling kanji and sentence structures, these free video tutorials will make learning Japanese reading and writing fun, visual, and easy to follow.

📌 Engaging Video Courses for Japanese Learners

1. Learn Japanese with JapanesePod101
   A comprehensive video series covering everything from basic phrases to complex grammar in a fun, interactive format. Whether you’re starting from zero or refining your skills, these bite-sized lessons make learning Japanese reading and writing effortless.
2. Erin’s Challenge! I Can Speak Japanese (By The Japan Foundation)
   This interactive learning program features 25 lessons blending skits, vocabulary exercises, and grammar breakdowns. Created by The Japan Foundation, it provides cultural insights along with essential reading and writing practice.
3. Let’s Learn Japanese Basic I & II
   A classic NHK video course using dramatized skits to introduce grammar and vocabulary in context. With 26 structured lessons per series, this is an excellent self-study resource for beginner learners.

🖋️ Learn Japanese Writing: Hiragana, Katakana & Kanji

4. Japanese Kana: Learn Hiragana & Katakana (iTunes | Emory College Language Center)
   A video-based guide teaching stroke order, pronunciation, and recognition of hiragana and katakana. Perfect for visual learners looking to write Japanese characters correctly.
5. Japanese Kanji Characters (iTunes | Kanji Learning Portal)
   A stroke-order-focused resource that helps learners visually memorize kanji characters, meanings, and writing techniques.
6. Learn Kanji Videos
   These animated video lessons use mnemonics and storytelling techniques to make kanji retention easier and more fun.
7. Kanji Link
   A YouTube channel dedicated to kanji usage and sentence structure, helping learners apply their writing skills in real-world contexts.

📚 Master Japanese Grammar & Sentence Structure

8. Tae Kim’s Japanese Grammar Guide
   Tae Kim, author of A Guide to Japanese, breaks down essential grammar in an easy-to-understand video series that builds strong reading and writing foundations.
9. Japanese Ammo with Misa
   A popular YouTube channel that provides deep dives into grammar and vocabulary, making even complex topics easy to grasp. Her detailed explanations make it a go-to resource for improving reading comprehension and writing fluency.
10. Dogen
    Combines humor with in-depth language insights, covering Japanese pronunciation, pitch accent, and cultural aspects in an engaging way. Ideal for learners aiming to refine their spoken and written Japanese skills.

📺 Structured Video Courses for Japanese Beginners

11. Learn Japanese from Zero
    Hosted by George Trombley, this structured video series covers beginner to intermediate grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary in an engaging and methodical way. His website, YesJapan.com, offers additional interactive learning materials.
12. Let’s Learn Japanese Series by NHK
    A public broadcasting series featuring structured video lessons designed to help learners build essential conversation skills while reinforcing reading and writing abilities.
13. Colloquial Japanese: The Complete Course for Beginners
    A structured video series that complements the Colloquial Japanese textbook, focusing on practical grammar and sentence building.

🗺️ Japanese for Travelers & Real-Life Situations

14. Easy Travel Japanese
    A practical video series designed for travelers, covering essential phrases for transportation, hotels, and restaurants.
15. Travel Linguist: Japanese 101 Video Lessons
    A 20-lesson series introducing essential vocabulary for navigating everyday situations in Japan.
16. Easy Japanese
    This non-profit language project features real-life interviews with native speakers, helping learners understand and respond naturally in Japanese.

🎥 Immersive Japanese Learning Through Video

17. Nihongo no Mori
    A Japanese-only YouTube channel that categorizes lessons by JLPT levels (N5–N1). Great for those who want full immersion in native Japanese explanations.
18. LangMedia
    A collection of video-based resources showcasing daily life situations, such as shopping, transportation, and cultural interactions, with transcripts and translations.
19. Shiro Neko Japanese
    A fun and engaging video series featuring Shiro, a Japanese-speaking cat, who teaches grammar, vocabulary, and conversational skills in a lighthearted way.
20. Takanori Tomito’s Japanese Lessons
    A beginner-friendly YouTube channel focused on learning kanji, hiragana, katakana, and improving pronunciation skills.

🎧 Best Free Audio Lessons for Learning Japanese

Want to boost your Japanese reading and writing skills while training your ear for native pronunciation? Audio-based learning is a powerful tool for reinforcing kanji recognition, expanding vocabulary, and improving overall reading fluency. Whether you’re commuting, working out, or relaxing at home, these free Japanese audio lessons will help you internalize sentence structures and pronunciation, making reading and writing more intuitive.

📢 Beginner-Friendly Japanese Audio Lessons

1. Easy Japanese by NHK (iTunes | NHK Website)
   Created by NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster, this 48-lesson audio series follows a university student in Tokyo learning Japanese. Each lesson includes MP3 files, PDF transcripts, grammar breakdowns, vocabulary lists, quizzes, and onomatopoeic words, making it a comprehensive free learning resource.
2. Learn Japanese with JapanesePod101 (iTunes)
   This engaging podcast covers all levels, from absolute beginner to advanced. Each episode breaks down natural Japanese conversations, explaining grammar, vocabulary, and cultural nuances. New lessons are free for three weeks before moving to the premium archive.
3. Japanese Survival Phrases (iTunes)
   Ideal for travelers and beginners, this series introduces practical Japanese expressions needed for shopping, dining, navigation, and social situations. Lessons include PDF study guides to reinforce learning.
4. One Minute Japanese (iTunes)
   Short on time? This quick and easy podcast teaches essential phrases in just a few minutes per lesson. Great for absolute beginners or those wanting a basic introduction to spoken Japanese.

🚗 Learn Japanese While on the Go (Car-Friendly Audio Lessons)

5. Learn Japanese by Complete Language Lessons (Spotify)
   A structured 10-lesson course, covering basic vocabulary and sentence patterns for beginners.
6. Learn Japanese in Your Car (Spotify)
   Designed for commuters, this audio-based course covers essential conversational skills and grammar while reinforcing pronunciation.
   📌 Available on Spotify:
   • Level 1
   • Level 2
   • Level 3
7. Vocabulearn Japanese
   A vocabulary-focused program featuring over 2,500 words and expressions across three levels. Perfect for intensive kanji and vocabulary training.
   📌 Available on Spotify:
   • Level 1
   • Level 2
   • Level 3

🎶 Rhythmic Learning: Audio Courses with a Unique Twist

8. Rhythmic Japanese by The Third Ear
   Uses a musical rhythm-based approach to help memorize words and phrases faster.
   • Volume 1: 230 Core Words & Phrases
   • Volume 2: 350 Core Words & Phrases
   • Volume 3: 350 Core Words & Phrases
9. Learn to Speak Japanese and Write Kanji Symbols (iTunes)
   A well-rounded podcast that teaches both spoken Japanese and written characters (Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana).

📰 Improve Reading & Listening with Bilingual Audio

10. Bilingual News (iTunes | Google Play)
    A unique Japanese-English bilingual podcast covering current events with a mix of formal and casual speech. It includes transcripts, vocabulary lists, and definitions, making it an excellent resource for reading comprehension and real-world language exposure.
11. Learn How to Speak Japanese (Spotify)
    A beginner-friendly podcast that breaks down Japanese phrases and sentence structures in an easy-to-follow format.
12. Colloquial Japanese: The Complete Course for Beginners
    A companion audio course to the Colloquial Japanese textbook, offering a structured approach to spoken Japanese.

📱 Top Free Apps for Learning Japanese

Mobile learning has never been easier! These top-rated free apps will help you master Japanese characters, reinforce kanji recognition, and improve reading speed on the go.

🌟 Essential Apps for Learning Japanese

1. LingoDeer – (iTunes | Google Play)
   A structured app offering HD audio from native speakers, grammar explanations, and offline access. Learn in Kana, Kanji, or Romaji at your own pace.
2. Drops – Learn Japanese – (iTunes | Google Play)
   Uses visual learning with 5-minute lessons, making it a great daily habit for memorizing Japanese words.
3. Duolingo – (iTunes | Google Play)
   A gamified learning experience perfect for beginners. Though kanji support is limited, it’s a great starting point for hiragana and katakana.
4. Memrise – (iTunes | Google Play)
   Features audio by native speakers, mnemonic learning techniques, and spaced repetition to help you remember Japanese vocabulary.
5. Clozemaster – (iTunes | Google Play)
   Ideal for sentence-based learning, this app helps improve kanji reading comprehension through interactive exercises.

📝 Best Apps for Practicing Japanese Writing

6. Anki Flashcards – (iTunes | Google Play)
   Create custom kanji and vocabulary decks or download pre-made sets with 80+ million cards.
7. Japanese Kana Alphabet by TenguGo – (iTunes | Google Play)
   Master hiragana and katakana through flashcards, quizzes, and stroke order guidance.
8. Japanese Kanji Study – (Google Play)
   Covers JLPT N5 kanji with unlimited access to radicals, hiragana, and katakana writing practice.
9. Kanji Memory Hint I & II – (iTunes | Google Play)
   Uses mnemonics and visual hints to simplify kanji recognition and retention.
10. Obenkyo – (Google Play)
    A comprehensive study app for hiragana, katakana, kanji, and grammar with writing practice.

🗣️ Apps for Japanese Reading Comprehension

11. TangoRisto – (iTunes | Google Play)
    A news-based Japanese reading app with furigana support and English definitions.
12. Riraku – Japanese Speaking – (iTunes | Google Play)
    Enhances listening, reading, and speaking skills through engaging exercises.

📖 Best Free Japanese Dictionary & Translation Apps

11. Google Translate – (iTunes | Google Play)
    Offers image translation, speech-to-text conversion, and handwriting recognition for Japanese.
12. Japanese English Dictionary & Translator – (iTunes | Google Play)
    Works offline and provides detailed word definitions, flashcards, and audio pronunciation.
13. Takoboto Japanese Dictionary – (Google Play)
    A free, ad-free Japanese dictionary supporting kanji, kana, romaji, and Latin alphabets.

🎓 Free Online Courses for Learning Japanese

A structured learning path is one of the most effective ways to build fluency in Japanese reading and writing. Whether you’re a complete beginner learning hiragana and katakana or an advanced student mastering kanji and complex sentence structures, these free Japanese courses provide a step-by-step approach to language mastery.

🇺🇸 Foreign Service Institute (FSI) Japanese Courses

1. FSI Japanese FAST Course
   Originally designed as an intensive six-week program for individuals moving to Japan, this course prioritizes verbal communication over grammar. It features 30 lessons that combine practical conversation skills with cultural insights. The 522-page PDF textbook simplifies grammar concepts to help learners speak confidently from day one.
2. FSI Japanese Headstart Course
   Developed by the U.S. Department of State, this self-paced program includes ten learning modules, 26 audio lessons, flashcards, and PDF study guides. With over 9 hours of content, this course is perfect for those looking to navigate everyday conversations with ease.

🎓 University-Level Japanese Courses

3. Japanese Learning Objects by the University of Cambridge
   A collection of independent learning resources that focus on speaking and writing Japanese. These materials can be used as standalone study aids or as part of a structured language course.
4. MIT OpenCourseWare Japanese Program
   The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) offers several free Japanese courses, ranging from beginner to advanced levels. Each course includes lecture notes, assignments, and study materials to guide learners toward fluency.📌 MIT Japanese Courses:
   • Beginner Japanese I
   • Beginner Japanese II
   • Intermediate Japanese I
   • Intermediate Japanese II
   • Advanced Japanese I
   • Advanced Japanese II
   These university-level courses focus on grammar, vocabulary, kanji acquisition, and cultural understanding, making them ideal for structured self-study.

📚 Interactive Online Japanese Learning Platforms

5. Japanese E-Learning Minato by The Japan Foundation
   More than just a course provider, Minato serves as an interactive language learning community where students can connect with other learners worldwide. Courses range from absolute beginner (A1) to elementary (A2) and offer self-study lessons using e-learning materials.📌 Available Courses:
   • A1 Beginner Japanese Course
   • A2 Elementary Japanese Course
6. Japanese-Lessons.com
   Designed by a native Japanese teacher, this platform offers structured courses covering grammar, vocabulary, and writing systems.📌 Available Courses:
   • Basic Japanese Course (10 beginner lessons, 45-90 minutes per lesson)
   • Hiragana Course (Covers 500+ commonly used words and phrases)
   • Katakana Course (Covers 500+ commonly used words and phrases)

💡 Advanced Japanese Writing & Vocabulary Training

7. Elon.io Japanese Course
   A comprehensive self-study program featuring 17 learning units with 149 lessons. It uses spaced repetition to reinforce kanji, grammar, and vocabulary, allowing learners to customize their study experience.

📚 Essential Free Textbooks for Learning Japanese Writing

Traditional textbooks remain some of the most valuable tools for learning Japanese reading and writing. Whether you’re looking for in-depth grammar explanations, kanji breakdowns, or structured reading exercises, these free downloadable Japanese textbooks provide everything you need to build fluency step by step.

📝 Master Hiragana & Katakana

1. Learn Hiragana: The Ultimate Guide (By Koichi – Tofugu.com)
   This illustrated textbook provides a comprehensive, beginner-friendly approach to learning hiragana. It features mnemonics, stroke order diagrams, and practice exercises to help you memorize the Japanese syllabary quickly and efficiently.
2. Remembering the Kana (By James W. Heisig)
   A two-part textbook that focuses on hiragana and katakana recognition using memory techniques to simplify the learning process.
3. Japanese Hiragana & Katakana for Beginners (By Timothy G. Stout)
   Uses mnemonics and structured lessons to teach the 92 basic kana characters, making it an excellent first step for beginners.

📚 Essential Beginner-Level Japanese Textbooks

4. Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education Textbook
   Originally developed for foreign students studying in Japan, this beginner-friendly textbook provides useful vocabulary and expressions used in everyday school life. It’s available in 22 different languages and serves as a practical starting point for learning Japanese conversation and writing.
5. GENKI I: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese
   One of the most well-respected Japanese language textbooks, GENKI I covers listening, speaking, reading, and writing to build a strong foundation in Japanese grammar and vocabulary.
6. GENKI I Workbook
   Designed as a companion workbook to the GENKI I textbook, this resource includes practice exercises and drills for reinforcing reading and writing skills.
7. GENKI II: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese
   Picking up where GENKI I left off, this textbook helps learners progress into more complex sentence structures, kanji recognition, and fluency-building exercises.
8. GENKI II Workbook
   This workbook complements GENKI II, providing writing exercises, kanji drills, and comprehension tasks to strengthen language retention.

📖 Grammar & Sentence Structure for Reading & Writing

9. An Introduction to Japanese Syntax, Grammar & Language (By Michiel “Pomax” Kamermans)
   A detailed yet beginner-friendly guide covering Japanese grammar rules, sentence structure, and writing principles. This self-study book is ideal for learners looking to understand Japanese from the ground up.
10. Practice Makes Perfect: Basic Japanese (By Eriko Sato)
    This book uses hiragana, katakana, and kanji along with phonetic translations to introduce essential grammar rules, pronunciation tips, and vocabulary-building exercises. It also includes interactive practice sections to reinforce writing skills.
11. Colloquial Japanese: The Complete Course for Beginners (By H.B.D Clarke & Motoko Hamamura)
    Unlike traditional grammar-focused books, this practical guide emphasizes conversational Japanese as it’s spoken today, helping learners communicate naturally and confidently.

📌 Advanced Japanese Reading & Writing Resources

12. Making Sense of Japanese: What the Textbooks Don’t Tell You (By Jay Rubin – Harvard University Professor)
    A highly-rated book that offers clear explanations of complex grammar concepts, making it an essential read for learners who struggle with tricky Japanese language structures.

📝 Best Free Tools for Writing and Kanji Practice

Perfecting your Japanese writing skills is essential for achieving fluency in reading and comprehension. Whether you’re learning kanji stroke order, practicing handwriting, or building vocabulary, these free resources will help you develop accurate and natural Japanese writing.

🎯 Kanji Learning & Stroke Order Guides

1. WaniKani
   An innovative kanji and vocabulary learning platform. While the full program requires a subscription, the first three levels are completely free, covering 100 kanji and 200 essential words—a great jumpstart for beginners.
2. Kanji Alive
   A free web app that helps Japanese learners master kanji stroke order, meanings, and proper usage. Search by pronunciation, stroke number, or English meaning.
3. Kanji Radicals by UT Austin
   This resource focuses on radicals, helping students break down complex kanji characters into simpler patterns to improve recognition and retention.
4. Kakijun: Kanji Stroke Order
   A useful web tool that visually demonstrates the stroke order of kanji characters to help learners write with accuracy.
5. Kanji Map
   A visual kanji learning tool that connects related characters, helping learners see how kanji elements are structured and related.

📖 Japanese Writing & Grammar Practice

6. A Guide to Japanese by Tae Kim
   A go-to Japanese grammar and writing guide, perfect for beginner and intermediate learners looking to refine their reading and writing skills.
7. Imabi
   One of the most extensive free resources online, offering detailed lessons on Japanese grammar, kanji usage, and sentence structures for all levels.
8. Joshu: Japanese Language Learning Resources
   Created by UT Austin, Joshu provides comprehensive grammar, vocabulary, and kanji practice sheets with interactive quizzes and exercises.
9. Japanese Lessons by Takanori Tomita
   This website features structured lessons, including hiragana, katakana, kanji writing drills, and audio-based practice to improve fluency.

✍️ Online Kanji Exercises & Flashcard Games

10. Quizlet: Japanese Study Sets
    A popular flashcard platform with thousands of user-created study sets focusing on JLPT kanji, grammar, and vocabulary.
11. Babadum
    A fun vocabulary learning site that uses interactive flashcards and memory games to help students reinforce kanji and kana knowledge.
12. Hello World
    Offers over 1,300 vocabulary words in 70+ categories through language learning games and quizzes designed for children and beginners.
13. Digital Dialects: Japanese Games
    A free, interactive website where learners can play games to memorize kanji, vocabulary, and essential phrases.
14. Polly Lingual
    A fun Japanese learning platform offering games, exercises, and beginner-level instruction with audio-enhanced lessons.

🎙️ Japanese Language & Cultural Resources

15. Japanese in Anime & Manga by The Japan Foundation
    Learn authentic Japanese expressions through anime and manga dialogues. Includes interactive quizzes, kanji games, and cultural insights for all levels.
16. Marugoto Plus: Japanese Language & Culture
    Based on the Marugoto textbook series, this platform offers kanji practice, grammar exercises, cultural lessons, and conversation videos for A1-A2 level learners.
17. Cultural Interviews with Japanese-Speaking Professionals (UT Austin)
    A unique resource featuring interviews with Japanese professionals, providing real-world examples of spoken and written Japanese.
18. Kids Web Japan
    Created by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, this platform introduces basic grammar, kanji, and vocabulary through kid-friendly stories and games.
19. Japanese Stories by BookBox
    A collection of animated Japanese children’s stories with same-language subtitles (SLS) to enhance reading and listening comprehension.

🖥️ Online Japanese Learning Platforms

20. J-Learning: Learn Japanese Online
    A free website offering 50 Japanese grammar lessons, with PDF worksheets, exercises, and kanji practice tests.
21. Online Nihongo
    A comprehensive learning platform with kana stroke order guides, pronunciation practice, and writing exercises.
22. Yookoso! Japanese Language Portal
    A gateway to various Japanese language resources, including kanji exercises, grammar drills, and vocabulary-building activities.
23. Tokyo University of Foreign Studies Language Modules
    Web-based Japanese education resources that teach listening, speaking, and writing with video tutorials and quizzes.
24. Tokyo University of Foreign Studies JPLang
    A comprehensive e-learning platform providing step-by-step Japanese lessons covering grammar, vocabulary, reading, and kanji practice.
25. University of Tsukuba: Japanese Language Lessons
    Interactive lessons designed for self-study, featuring audio, video, and grammar explanations to enhance writing and reading fluency.

🔄 Best Free Language Exchange Platforms for Learning Japanese

One of the fastest ways to improve Japanese reading and writing comprehension is by engaging with native speakers. Getting real-time feedback on your writing, sentence structure, and pronunciation can make a significant difference in your learning progress. These free language exchange platforms connect you with native Japanese speakers who can correct your writing, provide explanations, and help refine your fluency—all while you assist them in learning your language.

📝 Get Native Speaker Feedback on Your Writing

1. Lang-8
   A community-driven language exchange network where native speakers review and correct your writing for free. In return, you help others by correcting writing in your native language. This mutual exchange system makes it an invaluable tool for improving Japanese writing skills.
2. HiNative (iTunes | Google Play)
   Created by the Lang-8 team, HiNative allows you to ask questions directly to native speakers via text, audio, and video. Unlike Lang-8, which focuses on journal-style writing, HiNative is a Q&A-based platform, making it great for quick grammar checks, cultural insights, and sentence clarifications.

🎙️ Improve Pronunciation & Listening Skills

3. RhinoSpike
   Need to hear how a native Japanese speaker pronounces a specific sentence? RhinoSpike allows you to submit written text and receive an audio recording from a native speaker. In return, you can record your native language for others. This is perfect for enhancing listening comprehension, pronunciation, and spoken fluency.

🗣️ Real-Time Conversation & Writing Practice

4. MyLanguageExchange.com
   A global language learning network that connects you with native Japanese speakers for real conversation practice. You can engage in writing-based exchanges (email, text) or practice speaking via voice or video calls. The platform also offers structured lesson plans to help guide conversations.
5. Italki
   While primarily known for its paid tutor services, Italki also has a huge free language exchange community. Connect with millions of Japanese learners and native speakers to exchange your language skills—helping each other improve speaking, reading, and writing fluency.

🌍 Best Free Japanese News & Article Websites

Reading authentic Japanese content is one of the best ways to improve reading comprehension and expand vocabulary. Whether you’re a beginner looking for simplified news with furigana or an intermediate learner tackling real-world articles, these free Japanese reading resources provide news, blog posts, and digital stories to help you build fluency.

Many of these sources also offer audio-assisted readings, allowing you to listen while you read, reinforcing both pronunciation and comprehension skills.

🗞️ Japanese News for Learners

1. Easy News by NHK
   Designed for Japanese learners, NHK News Web Easy provides current event articles in simplified Japanese, with furigana over kanji, vocabulary explanations, and audio-assisted reading options.
2. Slow News by NHK Radio
   A 24/7 Japanese news broadcast where you can adjust the speed of the audio (slow, normal, or fast) to match your comprehension level.
3. Hiragana Times
   A bilingual Japanese-English magazine that features articles in both languages, making it a great way to compare sentence structures and improve reading skills.

🌏 International News in Japanese

4. BBC Japanese News
   The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) provides world news coverage in Japanese, making it an ideal resource for learners wanting to stay informed while improving reading fluency.
5. Google News Japan
   Access global and local news in Japanese by browsing topics through Google’s news aggregator.
6. CNN Japan
   Read global and Japan-specific news in authentic, journalistic Japanese from CNN’s official Japanese site.

📰 Japanese Newspapers for Advanced Learners

7. Asahi Shimbun
   One of Japan’s largest and oldest newspapers, covering politics, business, and cultural events.
8. Yomiuri Shimbun
   Japan’s most widely circulated newspaper, offering detailed articles and streaming video content for immersive learning.
9. NTV News
   A 24-hour Japanese news station, providing up-to-date reports on current affairs, politics, and social trends.
10. FNN News (Fuji News Network)
    A major television news network delivering national and international news coverage in standard Japanese.
11. TBS News
    Owned by the Japan News Network (JNN), this source offers TV and digital news content, allowing learners to read and listen simultaneously.

🎙️ Japanese Radio & Podcast News

12. SBS Radio Japanese Program (iTunes)
    Australia’s SBS Radio provides Japanese-language news, interviews, and community stories, making it a great resource for listening comprehension and cultural insights.

📚 Best Free Online Japanese Dictionaries

A reliable Japanese dictionary is essential for deciphering kanji, mastering grammar, and improving pronunciation. Whether you’re looking for detailed translations, stroke order guides, or pronunciation assistance, these free Japanese dictionaries and reading tools will help you decode complex sentences and characters with ease.

🔍 Comprehensive Japanese-English Dictionaries

1. Jisho
   One of the most popular and user-friendly Japanese-English dictionaries, Jisho allows you to search for words, kanji, and example sentences using English, kana, romaji, or kanji. It also includes stroke order diagrams and JLPT kanji lists for structured learning.
2. Kotobank
   A powerful resource that aggregates definitions from 51 Japanese dictionaries and encyclopedias, offering detailed explanations, synonyms, and usage examples for approximately 470,000 entries.
3. Tangorin
   A fast and accurate online dictionary with multiple search methods (English, Japanese, Romaji, Kana, and Kanji). It provides kanji readings, conjugation tables, and example sentences to help learners understand words in context.
4. Honyaku Star
   A robust Japanese-English dictionary featuring over 2.2 million word entries, making it a great tool for detailed translations and language learning.
5. JMdictDB by EDRDG
   One of the most extensive Japanese dictionary and conjugation databases, providing detailed word definitions, example sentences, and grammatical insights.

🖋️ Kanji & Stroke Order Dictionaries

6. Kanji Alive
   A visual kanji learning tool that offers stroke order animations, English meanings, and pronunciation guides, helping learners master kanji writing with accuracy.
7. Kanji.Jitenon.Jp
   A feature-rich kanji dictionary offering various search options, including kanji radical search, stroke count lookup, and JLPT categorization.
8. Tagaini Jisho
   A free, open-source kanji and vocabulary dictionary, featuring stroke order animations, JLPT lists, and extensive kanji breakdowns for better retention and practice.
9. Yamasa Online Dictionary
   A multilingual kanji and vocabulary dictionary available in English, German, Korean, Chinese, Spanish, and Czech. It includes three versions of each kanji: printed form, animated stroke order, and handwritten recognition aid.
10. Kanji Radicals by UT Austin
    A comprehensive tutorial that teaches how to use kanji dictionaries efficiently, helping learners identify kanji radicals and meanings faster.

📢 Japanese Pronunciation & Reading Tools

11. Forvo
    A crowd-sourced pronunciation guide where native Japanese speakers record words, phrases, and sentences, allowing learners to hear authentic pronunciation in different regional accents.
12. OJAD (Online Japanese Accent Database)
    A unique tool that helps learners understand Japanese pitch accent. It includes textbook-based vocabulary lists and audio recordings to help learners pronounce Japanese words naturally.
13. Talkify
    A text-to-speech website that reads Japanese text aloud using AI-powered natural voice synthesis. Simply insert a URL or text, and Talkify will read it aloud, helping learners improve listening comprehension.

📖 Romaji, Kana, and Grammar Dictionaries

14. RomajiDesu
    A multi-function dictionary that includes a Kanji dictionary, Romaji to Kana converter, and Japanese-to-English translator. It also offers a browser extension for instant on-page translations.
15. Lexilogos
    A search engine that gathers results from multiple dictionaries, allowing users to compare translations and meanings across different sources.
16. Bad.La
    A multi-language dictionary portal featuring 44 dictionaries across 28 languages. It also includes games, quizzes, verb conjugators, and phrasebooks to support language learning.
17. ALC Japanese Dictionary
    A favorite among professional translators, ALC specializes in technical terms, business vocabulary, and idiomatic expressions, making it a valuable tool for advanced learners.
18. WordReference Japanese Dictionary
    A trusted language learning resource that provides detailed translations, synonyms, and grammatical explanations. The active forum community allows learners to ask questions and get answers from native speakers.

📚 Sentence Databases & Contextual Translations

19. Tatoeba
    A crowd-sourced sentence database where users can search for a word and see how it is used in real Japanese sentences with English translations.
20. LearnWithOliver
    A vocabulary-focused learning platform that combines a dictionary, flashcards, and sentence examples, helping learners understand words in context.

📖 Bonus: General Language Learning Tools

21. Cambridge Online Dictionary
    A reliable dictionary offering Japanese definitions, pronunciation guides, and grammar explanations.

🎯 Best Free Japanese Proficiency Tests & Quizzes

Want to measure your Japanese reading and writing skills? Whether you’re working on kanji recognition, grammar mastery, or reading comprehension, these free online Japanese quizzes and proficiency tests will help you evaluate your progress and pinpoint areas for improvement.

Regularly testing yourself ensures you’re retaining what you’ve learned and staying on track toward fluency. Take these quizzes to assess your kanji knowledge, vocabulary, and overall Japanese language skills.

📊 Full Japanese Language Proficiency Tests

1. J-CAT (Japanese Computerized Adaptive Test)
   A widely recognized online proficiency test that evaluates your listening, vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension skills. The test adjusts to your level, making it a great tool for both beginners and advanced learners.
2. Marugoto Online Test
   Developed by The Japan Foundation, this test assesses your language ability across listening, reading, and writing. It’s a great way to see how you align with the Marugoto textbook series and the JF Standard for Japanese Language Education.
3. Transparent Language Level Test
   A free online assessment from Transparent Language, a language learning software company. It helps learners identify their level and focus on improvement areas.

📝 Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana Quizzes

4. Japanese UP
   This site offers fun and interactive quizzes to test kanji, hiragana, and katakana recognition. It also includes Japanese vocabulary challenges, pronunciation guides, and phrase-building exercises.
5. Goethe Verlag Japanese Tests
   A massive database of 120 Japanese vocabulary quizzes, allowing learners to test word recognition, grammar understanding, and translation skills.

🌍 General Language Proficiency Tests

6. Cactus Language Level Test
   A UK-based language learning organization that offers a comprehensive Japanese level test. It’s a useful tool for determining your fluency level before joining a structured language course.
7. Language Trainers Level Test
   A free, online assessment provided by Language Trainers, helping learners evaluate their reading, vocabulary, and comprehension skills.

🚀 Boost Your Learning with These Free Study Guides

Want to take your Japanese skills to the next level? Download these 100% free study guides to improve your reading and writing fluency:

📌 100+ Essential Japanese Phrases – Perfect for daily conversations.
📌 Counting to 100 in Japanese – Learn numbers effortlessly.
📌 Hiragana & Katakana Cheat Sheet – The must-have beginner guide.

🎯 Final Thoughts – Start Learning Japanese Today!

With these free resources, you can enhance your Japanese reading and writing at your own pace. The key to success is staying consistent, practicing daily, and using a combination of reading, writing, and listening exercises. To finish off, I want to give a huge thanks to GratisGlobal. They saved me a LOT of research and 80% of the provided resources come directly from them, so make sure to also check their page!

🔥 What’s next? Pick one or two resources from this list and start practicing today! 🚀