12 Greatest YouTube Channels for Learning Japanese

It is undeniable that YouTube is the largest video sharing media in the world today, which allows us to watch various videos uploaded by YouTube users around the world. Why don’t use Youtube for learning Japanese?

Since you can get free Japanese language learning lessons ranging from structured language learning programs to funny videos about Japanese culture, learning Japanese with Youtube is an effective way to go!

Let’s take a look at the following list of 10 highly recommended YouTube channels for learning Japanese that we bring to you as the best reference for learning Japanese in today’s easy era – thanks to the digital transformation of education!

1. JapanesePod101 (Since 2006)

JapanesePod101 is one of the channels with the largest and most complete Japanese learning videos compared to the Japanese learning channels on YouTube today. This channel is highly recommended for both beginners and those who want to improve their Japanese skills.

The videos uploaded are diverse and the content is very varied, ranging from beginner, intermediate, expert, listening, reading, writing and speaking courses to special programs like weekly Japanese word learning with Risa.

The presenter Risa is very popular among foreign students because she presents the material in a light and cheerful way! Sometimes there are giveaways or freebies on this YouTube channel.

They also provides an entertaining way to learn by using songs or mangas, the learning process is guaranteed not to be boring! This channel now has 2.67 million subscribers with over 805 millions total views!

Please visit and become a subscriber to this best Youtube Channel for learning Japanese of all time!

2. 出口日本語 (Deguchi Nihongo – Since 2009)

For those of you who are looking for real Japanese learning materials directly from a very professional Japanese teacher, then visit the youtube channel called “出口日本語“.

This channel was created in 2009 by Dr. Hitoshi Deguchi, a native Japanese who has obtained 5 Japanese teaching certificates, is very experienced in Japanese and foreign language education, teaches Japanese in Taiwan, Taipei and has taught Japanese in many companies and community colleges.

In the 出口日本語 channel, you will get a variety of comprehensive discussions on the Japanese language. You will really feel like you are learning in a Japanese class at one of the Japanese language schools in Tokyo. You must subscribe this channel!

3. Learn Japanese with Punipuni Japan (Since 2012)

Older Japanese learners will be familiar with the name PuniPuni Japan, a cute alien who presents Japanese learning materials for beginners.

The Youtube channel “Learn Japanese with PuniPuni Japan” is highly recommended for those of you who are beginners in learning Japanese.

You can get a variety of interesting, useful and light information in each video presented – a very effective teaching method.

The topics you can watch nowadays vary from basic vocabulary, grammar, phrases, recommended resources for learning Japanese, Japanese proverbs, JLPT and many more!

This channel is a must subscribe and follow! It’s worth it and don’t miss it!

4. 日本語の森 (Nihongo no Mori – Since 2013)

This channel is highly recommended for those who already have the basics and want to further the Japanese study ranging from N3 ~ N1 lessons in particular.

This channel has a classroom atmosphere with fun teachers as opposed to school classes that are very scary and rigid.

This channel will really help you pass the JLPT test to get into one of the universities or work in a Japanese company.

This Nihonggo No Mori channel is the right choice for you if you have such interests, and also for the JLPT test, Nihongo no Mori will help you prepare for this test.

As a reminder, this YouTube channel is completely in Japanese, without subtitles. So you can really concentrate without being distracted by other languages. It is very great choice for intermediate and advanced Japanese learners. Don’t forget to hit the subs!

5. Japanese Ammo with Misa (Since 2014)

Japanese Ammo with Misa is the channel of Misa, a famous vlog blogger from Japan.

Her videos cover basic vocabulary as well as how to write hiragana, katakana, and kanji. The videos include situations that Japanese people often encounter in their daily lives, which is very practical.

Misa is a cheerful lady who delivers her videos in an interesting and relaxed manner. The videos on this channel use several good teaching techniques, such as showing incorrect Japanese and how to spot the mistakes.

The videos also focus a lot on slang and colloquialisms used by young people in Japan. Don’t worry for those of you who can’t read kanji well, the videos also have romaji with English translations underneath.

For you, as anime and manga fans. As an anime and manga fan, Misa also has some videos where she reads manga in Japanese.

Most of her videos have subtitles in Japanese, English and Romaji, so it’s easy to follow along. Don’t forget to subscribe this channel!

6. あかね的日本語教室 (Since 2017)

The next recommendation is the Youtube channel of a Japanese language teacher named Akane. Akane sensei started this channel about 5 years ago.

The learning videos created by Akane-sensei are very comprehensive and great for intermediate and advanced Japanese learners.

However, even if you are a beginner, the content is still friendly to you. As you quickly get used to the material presented by Akane-sensei, your Japanese language skills, especially listening skills, will improve.

The content themes are also very applicable, ranging from how to conduct daily conversations, job interviews, JLPT, Kanji, grammar, and useful vocabulary in public places, and many more.

You have to definitely subscribe this channel!

7. 日本語勉強チャンネル (Since 2018)

For those of you who want to strengthen your learning of JLPT N1, N2 and N3, the youtube channel 日本語勉強チャンネル is a must have!

Started by Sato-sensei in 2018, this channel has attracted the attention of many Japanese language learners who are serious about acquiring proficiency in Japanese and in particular, passing the JLPT!

You can now watch interesting and insightful videos on grammar, JLPT questions and answers, tips and tricks for answering questions and much more!

You absolutely have to subscribe!

8. Miku Real Japanese (Since 2018)

Another YouTube channel for learning Japanese is Miku Real Japanese. The video’s contents on this channel tend to be shorter, but that does not mean they are any less effective and can even be used more specifically in certain situations in everyday Japanese.

Then, you will get a general lesson in Japanese grammar and a kind of review and quick test to check to what extent you have understood the given learning material, creating a communicative chemistry between teacher and student.

To relieve the boredom of learning Japanese, the videos on this channel use a lot of humor and recreate real-life situations. In this way, what is learned can stick in the memory better than with explanations from the textbook.

Currently, the Miku Real Japanese channel also offers product packages for customers who want to learn with more intensive materials. Well worth the subscription!

9. Learn Japanese with Taka (Since 2020)

Learn Japanese with Taka is a YouTube channel aimed at those who prefer a relaxed and familiar teaching style and are not in a hurry to understand a subject matter.

The material presented on this channel is very diverse ranging from JLPT, discussing news in Japanese, learning Japanese with games, and many more useful materials to strengthen your listening skills!

When you learn through this channel, you will feel like you are talking to a Japanese language instructor. For further learning, you also can book for their private Japanese lessons.

Taka performs general and very easy delivery to make you understand what content he wants to convey. Learning Japanese with Taka is a wise choice to add to your list of learning resources.

10. Minori Education (Since 2020)

If you want to improve your basic Japanese, such as learning hiragana, katakana, vocabulary, grammar with JLPT N4 and N5 levels, then Minori Education’s YouTube channel will be the answer for you!

Apart from YouTube, Minori Education also shares various useful Japanese materials with very comprehensive and applicable examples on their website, Minori Education.

It’s definitely worth a visit and don’t forget to subscribe to this channel!

11. Learn Japanese with Noriko (Since 2020)

Another YouTube channel option that is also very popular among Japanese learners is Learn Japanese with Noriko. Noriko-sensei is a professional Japanese language teacher. This channel has been started by her since 2020. Although relatively new, this channel has quite a lot of applicable and informative content about the Japanese language.

If you are an intermediate level Japanese learner, watching Japanese learning content here is the right option.

However, for those of you who are beginners, don’t worry, you can still very much follow the material presented. Noriko sensei is known for being very pleasant, her explanations are easy to understand, very clear, not too fast and not too slow.

The video duration is also not too long, allowing you to learn more focused! Definitely worth to be subscribed!

12. Japanese Phonetic Lessons by Dogen (Since 2006)

In this last list, I want to give you something special. This Youtube channel is also very famous, some of its videos that discuss phonetic topics in Japanese have even reached millions of views.

You are certainly familiar with it. Yep! This Youtube channel called Dogen is the one and only channel on YouTube that will give you Japanese phonetics knowledge in an entertaining way.

The comedic skit path used to deliver Japanese material is very clever and unique! You really have to subscribe!

Conclusion

To wrap up this article, I’d like to remind you to keep up your motivation to learn Japanese.

There are tons of resources and media out there that you can use as much as possible such as Youtube to learn Japanese anywhere and anytime!

Hopefully the 12 lists above are worthwhile and able to help you enhance your understanding in learning Japanese!

Please leave your feedback in the comments column below! See you in the next article!