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Guides/Learning Japanese

Learning Japanese

Study routes and the words you need to get things done.

Learning Japanese6 min read

Reading Japanese signs: kana basics + the kanji you actually see

A gentle, no-pressure intro to hiragana and katakana, plus the ~30 everyday kanji on Tokyo's doors, stations, and shop windows — with readings and meanings.

Learning Japanese6 min read

Survival Japanese for your first week in Tokyo

About 18 essential phrases to get you through your first week in Tokyo: greetings, sumimasen, please and thank you, asking about English, numbers, and the basics for shops, restaurants, and stations. Each comes with romaji and kana.

Learning Japanese11 min read

JLPT Study Roadmap N5 → N1 + How to Register (2026, in Japan)

A pillar guide for learners in Japan: what the JLPT is, what each level (N5→N1) roughly means, a realistic study sequence from kana to mock tests, and exactly how and when to register in Japan (twice a year in July & December via the official MyJLPT/JEES system, with application windows months ahead).

Learning Japanese8 min read

Japanese for Seeing a Doctor: Hospital Phrase Cards (Reception, Symptoms, Pharmacy)

Medical visits, broken into scenes — reception, describing symptoms, pointing to body parts, 'how many days', allergies, and the pharmacy. Each line gives the Japanese + reading + English so you can read it aloud.

Learning Japanese8 min read

Japanese for city hall: counter dialogue templates

Copy-and-say Japanese for the ward office (区役所/役場): opening lines, handing over your residence card, asking which counter, requesting easy/slow Japanese, numbers and dates, and confirming next steps — grouped by scene with readings and English meanings.

Learning Japanese9 min read

50 Everyday Japanese Phrases for Life in Japan (Konbini, Restaurants, Trains & More)

Around 50 high-frequency Japanese phrases grouped by scene: greetings & politeness, convenience store & shopping, restaurants, trains & directions, phone & delivery, neighbours, and 'I don't understand / please repeat / do you speak English'. Each phrase has reading + English meaning so you can read it aloud and get things done.

2026
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