So, you’re interested in learning Japanese! A sizeable feat and one which offers a fascinating insight into a culture that is renowned for its contributions to global arts, literature, music, cuisine and so much more.
Getting to grips with the Japanese language is no simple task, but it is certainly worth the uphill climb.
The marvellous thing about learning a new language is that you’re slowly but surely exposed to an entirely new world of experiences and opportunities. We’re not just talking about the simple truth of an expanded job market, but the cultural truths associated with embodying that “second self” so many people associate with bilingualism.
It’s often said that once you’re fluent in another language, you tend to develop a slightly different, separate personality which is exposed when you’re talking and interacting with that culture. Though it may sound strange, it’s an incredibly positive thing which promotes psychological well-being and helps to exercise the brain in all the right places.
Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji (Manyogana)
Broadly speaking, kana is the Japanese writing system that uses syllables instead of individual sounds. There are three different types of kana which each have different purposes.
Kana can be used in the same text as kanji, which is a logographic writing system that uses characters to represent ideas.
You might come across multiple different types of kana in one Japanese sentence, which is why learning all three types of writing systems is essential to becoming fluent in the Japanese language. The Japanese alphabet consists of these three writing systems working together.
It’s also worth investing in nice stationery to help you write the various types of Japanese kana neatly, efficiently and without smudges. Slowly but surely, you’ll begin to understand why Japanese stationery is so revered even by those who write in languages with a Latin alphabet.
Below, we’ve rounded up a selection of the best Japanese study books to help you hone the language and all its kanas – whether you’re an absolute beginner, an advanced learner, or somewhere in the middle.
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Genki I and II, Textbooks and Workbooks
If you’re serious about committing to learning Japanese, the best possible investment in your studies is Genki I and II, the beloved and highly regarded integrated course in elementary Japanese that utilises a brilliant textbook and workbook combination. Both Genki I and II are divided into 12 themed chapters which cover speaking, listening, reading, and writing to cultivate overall language ability.
The latest revised edition of Genki I also includes a new “Culture Notes” section, which is designed to enhance student's knowledge of Japan through information on Japanese culture and daily life. Grammatical rules are explained as plainly and simply as possible, and workbook exercises help students practice until such rules become second nature.
Buy now £89.99, Amazon
A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Considered a veritable bible among Japanese ex-pats, if you’ve sought advice from Japanese foreign language students in the past, we can pretty much guarantee that they’ll have mentioned this dictionary of basic Japanese grammar. Comprised of three volumes (beginner, intermediate and advanced), this textbook is an essential companion and reference book to any elementary or advanced Japanese course you’re taking.
Each volume contains approximately 200 key grammar items, along with analysis of sentence patterns, example sentences, and easy-to-understand explanations in English. It’s like having a professor at your side at all times.
Buy now £28.80, Amazon
Remembering the Kanji 1: A Complete Course on How Not To Forget the Meaning and Writing of Japanese Characters
According to author James W. Heisig, learning to write the kanji before learning their meanings is the key to making it stick. Suitable for beginners and advanced students of modern Japanese alike, this brilliant first book in the Heisig’s kanji trilogy helps break down some of the most common kanji with ease.
Buy now £30.00, Amazon
Remembering the Kana: A Guide to Reading and Writing the Japanese Syllabaries in 3 Hours
Same same, but different. Written by the same author of Remembering the Kanji, this companion volume offers lessons in the Hiragana and Katakana syllabaries of modern Japanese. Comprising six lessons of roughly 20 minutes each, the two systems of Kana writing are explained effortlessly.
Buy now £16.83, Amazon
Read Real Japanese: Fiction: Short Stories by Contemporary Writers
One of the best ways to put your beginner’s Japanese to the test is by reading real Japanese stories, by some of the most celebrated Japanese authors. This textbook is filled with six short stories by contemporary writers such as Hiromi Kawakami and Banana Yoshimoto.
The stories feature a full translation as well as a series of notes which explain nuances in grammar. At the back of the book is a tailor-made Japanese-English dictionary which covers all the words included in the stories. You’ll additionally get access to a brilliant audio download which contains a complete narration. Bonus points for the Yoshitomo Nara painting on the cover, of course.
Buy now £19.00, Amazon
Dr. Moku's Hiragana and Katakana Flashcards - Learn Japanese for Beginners
Wonderfully colourful and entirely beginner-friendly, Dr. Moku's Hiragana and Katakana Flashcards feature a series of fantastic mnemonic memory aids. These study cards can be taken with you on the go for consistent practising, through which you’ll be able to learn a whopping 350 basic Japanese words with flip and reveal studying. These flashcards also come with an audio download link so you can perfect your pronunciation.
Buy now £19.85, Amazon
Japanese Kanji Cards Kit Volume 1
An affordable, best-seller for a reason, the whopping 448 kanji in this set of easy-to-use flashcards are the very same as those prescribed by the Japanese Ministry of Education for the first three grades of Japanese language school. The front of each card depicts a single kanji character, primary and listing radicals, commonly used kanji compounds and cross-references. The reverse features the basic readings and English translations of the character.
Through the 448 kanji, you’ll be able to learn 448 main words, as well as an eye-watering 1,792 related terms and 2,240 basic vocabulary items. Now that’s a true language compendium.
Buy now £15.75, Amazon
Japanese from Zero! 1
A tool to help you learn essential hiragana and extensive grammar with the help of an integrated workbook, Japanese From Zero has been developed by professional Japanese interpreter George Trombley and co-writer Yukari Takenaka. In book one of the four in this series, you’ll get the opportunity to learn the hiragana writing system, new grammar concepts, and over 800 new words and expressions.
Buy now £26.75, Amazon
