How to Learn Japanese Online for FREE?

How to Learn Japanese Online for FREE?

Introduction

Hi! Are you looking for free online resources to learn Japanese? Where you can access them anytime! Anywhere! With no time or location limits. Free of charge! Amazing, isn’t it?

Then, please imagine how hard it would be if you had to pay course fees! Or buy a book! Which is not cheap either. Well, with the advances in information technology today. Especially on the Internet, we can already connect in various ways to learn Japanese. Just with an internet connection and your gadget, you can also get Japanese learning materials. This is even equivalent to the materials you normally get in class. Without spending a dime!

Well, here we have gathered some reliable and high-quality sources for you. They cover various aspects like grammar, reading, writing, and listening. I hope you will find the right one for you!

1. Learn Japanese from Free Website

Note: Free Website

With the current state of information technology, we can access a wealth of knowledge without limits. Especially those who want to learn a foreign language. Only with an Internet connection, we can read various information. In terms of Japanese, for example, on the website for free! Without having to bother to go anywhere.

Moreover, this can greatly improve the quality of education. Also, our understanding of learning as well as gaining information about learning the Japanese Language. Here are very powerful websites that will help you master the Japanese language! Check out the following list of 5 websites that are highly recommended for Japanese learners of all levels!

The 5 Highly Recommended Websites to Learn Japanese for FREE

In this day and age of the internet, there are more and more pious websites for learning. Especially for learning Japanese. These are not ordinary websites, but these websites are totally FREE! Anyone can access very useful information anytime, anywhere.

For you, Japanese language lovers who really want to have the most complete as well as a reliable source of information for Japanese. Read the 5 lists below!

1. Nihongo e-な

Source: Nihongo eな

Nihongo e-な or Nihongo e-na is the most comprehensive Japanese e-learning portal! This portal is your gateway to various sites offering Japanese learning materials. This trustworthy portal was established in 1972 as a semi-governmental enterprise by the Japan Foundation Japanese Language Institute, Kansai. This foundation is very active in helping foreign students and anyone who wants to learn Japanese.

Moreover, in this portal, you can access different categories depending on the skills you want to improve. For example, how to read, improve listening comprehension, write and understand kanji and much more.

2. NHK World Japan

Surely you have heard of NHK World Japan many times? NHK World Japan is the worldwide broadcasting arm of the public broadcaster, NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation and abbreviated as Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai). It usually broadcasts in a variety of foreign languages. If you access this page, you will find various types of Japanese courses. Both in the form of audio and written materials. Fortunately, you can download the materials for free!

However, the learning level covered on this site only goes up to the beginner level. For those who want to improve their skills, there is the first option! Then look for various other sites that cover more advanced material.

3. TSUNAHIRO – Connect and Enhance Your Life in Japanese

Source: TSUNAHIRO

Besides NHK, there are also official and free websites managed by the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan. This website is called TSUNAHIRO. The website is specifically for those who want to learn Japanese. According to various sources, this website is now visited by at least 15 thousand people per day.

Additionally, the site is also very comprehensive and offers easy-to-learn material. This site offers a lot of material about the daily situation of foreigners living in Japan. Therefore, it is very practical. This site also has a simple system structure, which makes it easier for users. We can also take a test to check the extent of our Japanese language skills.

4. Marugoto

Source: Marugoto

One of the sites you must visit is this one! Marugoto. Marugoto is a Japanese e-learning platform managed by the Japan Foundation. Interestingly, this website provides free materials and also provides access to native tutors who will teach you Japanese.

Not only that. You will also be graded according to your level. Here you have access to materials from basic to advanced levels. Just like TSUNAHIRO, you can first take a test to find out what your level of Japanese is.

5. Erin’s Challenge I Can Speak Japanese

Source: Erin JPF

So, for those of you who prefer visuals to stiff writing? Then this website is highly recommended for you. This website with the concept of learning with Erin provides learning material through interesting videos.

On this website, you can learn very interesting things about the Japanese language and culture. So you will not only learn Japanese, but you can also learn about the philosophy of Japanese culture itself. This website is perfect to accompany you in your free time and refresh your understanding of the Japanese language and culture.

What do you think of the above 5 lists of websites? In addition to the above 5 lists, we have added some other websites that are also very good sources for learning Japanese. Click the following link!

2. Learn Japanese from Free Apps

Note: Free Apps

Not only with websites, but the development of science and information technology makes it easier for us to access information. Even to the point where it’s not far from us. With smartphones, for example.

Especially for those of you who are more attached to the smartphone screen than a laptop or PC, but still want to brush up on your Japanese skills, the following 5 lists are for you!

5 Most Useful Japanese Learning Apps

Not just the previous 5 lists. For those of you who love the Japanese language and who really want the most complete and reliable source of Japanese language information. And that you want to be able to access on your cell phone without the hassle of reading websites. Read the 5 lists below!

1. Drops

Source: Drops

One application that receives a rating of over 4 stars is Drops. Drops is a very popular application for learning the Japanese language today. And for those who do not have much free time? Drops offers a fun new language learning feature. Namely, by offering a short material for 5 minutes. The material is accompanied by beautiful, immersive, and attractive illustrations. And this app is FREE!

Additionally, what can you achieve if you install Drops on your phone?

  • You can learn over 2,000 Japanese words with Drops.
  • Drops helps you create memorable visual associations with new words.
  • Drops also helps you practice your vocabulary and review the words you learn.
  • Not only available for iOS users, but this app is also available for Android users.

2. Challenge with Erin

Source: iOS

The app on the next list that also gets a rating above 4 stars is this app. It is called Challenge with Erin app. The official website mentions that this app was developed to help Japanese learners abroad as well. The Japan Foundation has even developed this app with various functions. It is hoped that this app can support anyone who is interested in learning Japanese.

In addition, this app also provides the opportunity to test the user’s skills in a very interesting way. This app covers the beginner to advanced level material or corresponds to the Japanese language skills of middle and high school students in Japan itself. This app is available for IOS as well as Android Users.

3. Shirabe Jisho – Dictionary

When we learn a foreign language, a dictionary is an important thing to have. If you are learning Japanese, you definitely need a dictionary to help your learning process.

Therefore, the app that contains this dictionary is highly recommended for you. This is Shirabe Jisho. This app is a Japanese-English and English-Japanese dictionary app for iPhones and iPad. It has various features, such as more than 170,000 dictionary entries with English readings and meanings, more than 6,500 kanji characters in stroke order, more than 730,000 Japanese names, place names, and names of institutions.

But unfortunately, this application can only be used by iOS users. However, please don’t worry, read the list below! We have also received a recommendation for a dictionary application that has the same quality as Shirabe Jisho.

4. Eijiro on the WEB

Source: Eijiro

One of the dictionaries in the form of an application is called Eijiro on the Web. This application has even received a rating above 4.4 stars. This application has a very large database. It provides multiple meanings for a word as they are used, and also includes sample sentences.

Furthermore, this application is also very up-to-date. Also, it allows us to search for data or information about new things. However, if you want to access more information without any restrictions, then you have to pay for this app. Then, the features provided in the free version are also very rich and powerful for learners, especially for beginners to advanced levels.

5. Obenkyo

Source: Obenkyo

As the last app in this app recommendation part, we would like to introduce you to an app called Obenkyo. This app has also received a rating of over 4 stars. What can you do when you install this application?

This app can help you learn and understand:

  • Japanese syllables: katakana & hiragana, with flashcards, keyboard or image recognition.
  • Numbers in romaji, hiragana or kanji
  • 2300+ Japanese Kanji (Level 1-5 JLPT) with animations and more!
  • This app is available for iOS as well as Android users.

Then, what do you think? By the way, in our media, we in advance also prepare the other apps for you to be your additional preference! Please, click the following link and then, find out more apps that would suit you best! We have compiled all of them in the following link!

3. Learn Japanese from YouTube

Note: YouTube

Perhaps you already know this? YouTube is now the largest platform that has successfully become a home for anyone who wants to learn anything. Including Japanese.

Additionally, many content creators today are also educators and native Japanese teachers. My favorite YouTube channels to visit to learn Japanese are such as Nihongonomori, JapanesePod101, and many more! All you have to do is just search for the topic of Japanese you want to know, and then, you’ll get an abundance of videos about it! Try it out!

Conclusion

Well, that’s all I have to say about this article! In conclusion, I would like to reiterate some of the above points as follows:

  • You can access the above 5 trusted websites for resources on learning Japanese. In addition, you can also read articles I have written about What is the Best Japanese Learning Website? to enrich the selection of other websites. I hope you find the best website for you!
  • Please install the above 5 powerful apps or choose the best app for you to learn Japanese using apps. What’s more? You can also read the articles we wrote about What’s the Best & Free Japanese Learning App? As well as 8 Excellent Apps for Studying Japanese as another option!
  • Bonus: try to search for what you want to know about the Japanese language on YouTube might be the other best option as well. To enrich the selection of other websites

Last but not least, please leave your comment below! See you in the next article!

ABOUTこの記事をかいた人

Representative Director of Reboot Japan Co., Ltd., which operates EDOPEN JAPAN. Founded the company in 2018, which provides Japanese language education and assistance for studying in Japan. Started the company after living with international students at a Japanese language school. He enjoys learning about new people and cultures and has lived in Australia and Malaysia. Graduated from the Faculty of Economics, Sophia University.